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CASEstudy stamped photos of progress made on different work activities. They usually go back onto the system at around 4pm, to add more details and tidy up the form. It's then saved automatically as the daily site record." Sites are busy places with many different work activities taking place at the same time. It's impossible to remember everything, but the system can help, according to Steve: "Let's say a site manager has a nagging doubt about when a task was completed. All they need to do is check the site diary, where they'll find a note or a time-stamped photo that will put their mind at rest! The site diary is also useful if ever we need to know what a particular subcontractor was working on and when." EXERTING TIGHT VERSION CONTROL On complex construction schemes, it's vital that everyone's working with the most up-to-date and accurate documents. Reliance on outdated drawings can cause major problems because they may include incorrect measurements or obsolete design features - errors that risk causing costly rework and delays. They may even compromise the structural integrity of the building, as well as the safety of site workers and future occupants. It's serious stuff. Thankfully, out-of-date drawings are not something Steve has to worry about. He said: "Project Connect is the receptacle for all project information. Everything's in one place. A contract manager can go to the Construction Phase Plan on any project and be 100% confident that what they see on screen is the latest version. This removes uncertainty and saves a lot of time. "If a drawing hasn't been checked for revision against the system, it's not guaranteed to be the latest version, so they'll need to double-check the version number. That tight revision control of drawings has been great for us. We also use the system to do high-level comparisons between drawings, either on screen or printed off on giant sheets. The system flags up any differences between the two documents, which means we don't have to waste hours poring over drawings, playing 'Spot the Difference'. We can also use the system to compare two Word documents." DASHBOARDS HELP TO KEEP PROJECTS ON TRACK Each Big Red site has a project dashboard that can be viewed by authorised users. "The project dashboard is a great tool that helps to keep projects moving along," said Steve. "It provides prompts for regular tasks like completing the daily site diary, the monthly equipment inspections or the bi-weekly toolbox talks. If there's not a '1' showing on the dashboard, everyone can see that the task has yet to be completed. It's simple, but effective. "Contract managers with responsibility for several projects love the dashboards because they can access high-level, real-time information remotely on their laptop, tablet or smartphone. All dashboard data links to the master data for the project, so they can drill down to the detail if needed, including the very latest site diaries, induction records and accident reports. "Everything's recorded and stored, ready for retrieval at any time from anywhere with internet access. The days of emailing site diaries to multiple recipients are long gone - if people want to look at a diary and are authorised, they can access it for themselves on RedSky." IN CONCLUSION Summing up the impact of Project Connect on the business, Steve said: "The RedSky system has enabled us to standardise our processes and records across our sites. We no longer waste time tracking down lost documents because everything's on the system and can be accessed in seconds. Collaboration on a site project - and between projects - is much simpler because everyone is tapping into the same source of information truth. Project Connect has streamlined our work processes and given us access to real-time data. It has made us more efficient." When asked what he would advise anyone considering Project Connect, he said: "Get a RedSky demo and see what the system can do. We've put it to very good use in our business." 1 - Read the case study online 2 - The Ultimate Construction Collaboration Solution 3 - About RedSky Project Connect 22 November/December 2023
SOFTWAREfocus Cabinet of curiosities Following fast on the heels of the Vectorworks 2024 launch, Update 2 introduces numerous new features. Here we focus on one that aptly demonstrates a different facet of the software Annual software releases by the main architectural software developers are often followed by regular updates, adding further enhancements to an already generous helping of new features. It's also helpful for us, as it saves us having to cram a long list of enhancements into a single article, allowing us to select an interesting feature and expand on it at a later date. In this case we are focusing on the improved Parametric Cabinet design feature, accompanied by an excellent YouTube video which takes users through the whole process. The write-up and vid come courtesy of a blog that Carter Hartong, Content Marketing Specialist for Vectorworks, produces that highlights features of Vectorworks software for its users: https://blog.vectorworks.net/endlesscombinations-new-parametric-cabinet-tool. PARAMETRIC CABINET DESIGN Designing the perfect interior can be a daunting task. There are so many elements to consider, from the layout to the materials used. But with the parametric cabinet tool in Vectorworks 2024, creating your client's dream space just got easier. With just one tool, you can unleash your creativity and design endless combinations of custom base, wall, and tall cabinets. Plus, you can choose from a wide range of cabinet configurations from popular catalogues. The Parametric Cabinet tool is located in Vectorworks 2024’s Furniture and Fixtures toolset. To start creating your cabinets, you can choose from standard placement modes or from two dynamic placement modes. With these you can quickly lay out an entire kitchen, bathroom, or any other space in need of cabinetry. FLEXIBILITY OF TEXTURES AND MATERIALS The enhanced feature offers a wide range of possibilities when it comes to materials, allowing you to personalise your 3D attributes. Whether you prefer to organise your design by class, texture, or material, the choice is yours. The Parametric Cabinet tool also lets you override textures on a cabinet's interior faces and the exterior and back sides. This gives you endless options for customisation. Each element can be tailored to your liking, from the individual sides to the interior and even the shelves, enhancing the visual appeal of your design and adding depth and character to your virtual creation. With the ability to report material quantities, you can also keep track of how much material you are using for your cabinet, helping you plan and estimate your project's cost with greater accuracy. 2D ATTRIBUTES Just as you have flexibility with the textures and materials of your cabinets, you also have a ton of choices when it comes to your cabinets' 2D attributes too. By using separate Classes, you can highlight specific details and features of each cabinet type. For example, you can choose to emphasise the swing and toekick in top/plan views, providing a comprehensive representation of the cabinets' functionality. This level of customisation not only enhances the visual appeal of the design but also helps in accurately documenting the intended information to clients or builders. So, whether you're working on a residential or commercial project, the option to set separate classes for cabinet components can greatly enhance your design process. It allows for clear communication, precise detailing, and ultimately, the perfect design that meets the unique needs and preferences of your clients. The information attached to your parametric cabinets also gives you the option to create 3D views in addition to your top/plan and section views, giving you a wealth of ways to present your designs. MORE CATALOGS AND CABINET OPTIONS You can choose from more manufacturer catalogues when designing since the Parametric Cabinet tool provides more parameters for each part and more customisable options, such as Aristokraft, mentioned in the latest software update. Whether you're looking for sleek modern designs or timeless traditional styles, our manufacturers catalogues now offer an even greater variety to choose from. ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS TO UPDATE 2 Further enhancements to Vectorworks 2024 with the new update will be of particular interest to both architects and landscape designers, as they improve the visuals and organisation of BIM workflows. Landscape designers, will also benefit from enhanced Site Model functionality, with improved documentation of site changes, enhanced cut/fill behaviours and improved handling of surfaces on site models and stability of site modifiers. Vectorworks Architect and Landmark users will also benefit from IFC improvements that make BIM collaboration easier, with default settings for windows, doors, ramps, grid lines and columns. With even more to come, including the new Live Mode for the Omniverse Connector tool, and improvements to the Structural Members auto-join behaviour, there is ample material for another in-depth focus in the magazine in the new year. We will also highlight further videos as and when they become available. In the meantime you can get an in-depth look into the functionality of the Parametric Cabinet tool with this Vectorworks video: https://youtu.be/sPq-9f9CSdY www.vectorworks.net November/December 2023 23
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