CU1811

SOFTWAREreview
Allplan Engineering 2019
The latest version of Allplan for architects and engineers provides improved working processes for all
sectors of the engineering design community
Level and Plain Management, Lukáš Šomodi, Arena Infinity
Attribute Management for Neutral models
Whenever the latest version of any
software application is
announced, the aim of the
reviewer is to encapsulate the launch as a
logical development of the software. This
laudable aim quickly falls to pieces when
faced with multifaceted design software
like Allplan 2019, an open solution for
both architects and engineers in building
and infrastructure.
Rather than developing a specific theme
in the review, such as the enhancement of
its BIM credentials, you tend to find yourself
selecting the most juicy morsels from the
menu of inclusions, enhancements and
innovations that each new version brings.
That means jumping about from one
element to another, subject to the
preferences of the reviewer, and then
having to find space at the end to cram in
all those other new features that really
shouldn't be left out either. I really can't
ignore BIM fully here though as, in the
words of ALLPLAN MD Richard Brotherton,
"Allplan 2019 provides architects and
engineers with a BIM tool with which they
can work together at any stage of the BIM
process."
In recognition of the range of roles
enjoyed by Allplan users, the company has
enhanced the Actionbar in Allplan 2019,
which provides access to role-specific
functions for architecture, civil engineering,
terrain, construction and bridges. In the
new version, standard settings can be
individually adjusted and functions can be
added, deleted or restructured. This makes
the configuration much more flexible.
COMPLEX STAIR DESIGN
My attention was drawn immediately to two
separate enhancements, both in areas that
fascinate me - complex stair design and
bridge design. The former because it
appears to figure in every release with new
functions to simplify the process, and the
latter because of singular problems that
require unique solutions.
In Allplan Architecture 2019, stairs can be
modelled quickly and precisely and
staircase elements such as steps,
substructure or stringers can be defined
with the aid of a separate pallete, together
with their properties. The geometry of the
stairs, the Axis or rotation, sections, number
of steps and distances can all be easily
modified using handles.
It gets much more interesting than that
though, as ALLPLAN has enhanced the
use of the Allplan Python interface, which
allows users to configure the BIM elements
of the process to suit their own working
requirements. Recurring work steps can
now be automated using the interface to
script your own PythonParts with additional
handles or to conform to local safety, step
length and comfort standards for
thresholds, etc. And as stair design is
apparently a significant and work intensive
feature of building design, scripted
PythonParts can be saved in a library or
provided as a service for third parties.
BRIDGE TENDON DESIGN
Concrete bridge decks are composed of
concrete and steel tendons for
reinforcement, using pre-tensioned
concrete, rather than pre-stressed concrete
where the tendons are tensioned prior to
the concrete being cast. The concrete
bonds to the tendons as it cures, following
which the end-anchoring of the tendons is
released, and the tendon tension forces are
transferred to the concrete as compression
by static friction. Allplan 2019 provides the
tendons with a parametric capability,
automatically recalculating their properties
when the bridge deck length is altered.
INTUITIVE LEVELS AND PLANES
An important feature of Allplan Engineering
2019 is the development of level and plane
management, which includes the
introduction of a new Layer Manager
Palette, which simplifies the creation and
modification of floors and levels. Floors can
be selected and names, elevations and
heights easily adjusted, aided by a preview
function which allows direct feedback on
the planned changes.
Another new palette, the property palette,
allows users to optimise the range of
28
November/December 2018