Graphisoft, in a move to further the adoption of its Geometric Description Language (GDL) file format as an industry standard, has delivered a series of Web-based tools designed to dramatically increase the adoption of GDL objects by the AEC CAD community. Of all industry standard CAD formats, GDL is thought by some to be the most compact and richest for use with the Internet. GDL objects average from 70 to 30 percent less in size than their ARX and JPEG counterparts and retain the benefits of their 2D and 3D parameters even when translated into those and other standard CAD formats.
Graphisoft’s Object Tool Kit is comprised of four unique applications developed to assist users of all AEC CAD formats, product manufacturers and object developers in working with GDL objects:
GDL Object Web Plug-in, targeted at ArchiCAD users, delivers GDL objects via the Internet. The Plug-in works in conjunction with an Internet browser to provide access to hundreds of thousands of objects and lets ArchiCAD users view, experiment with and download objects into their designs. The application is free and available from Graphisoft’s web site www.graphisoft.com.
GDL Object Explorer is designed to broaden product manufacturers’ offerings of digital catalogs in the form of GDL libraries and to translate GDL objects for use with other CAD programs. Using Explorer, CAD users can select products from a manufacturers product CD, modify and download objects directly into an ArchiCAD file or translate them into other industry standard CAD formats including DXF, DWG, DGN and IFC 1.5.1. The Explorer is available under a licensing agreement to product manufacturers and developers.
GDL Object Adapter is an add-on module that gives AutoCad-based users full access to the benefits of GDL objects by using AutoDesk’s Object ARX standard. AutoCAD 2000 and R14 users can access unmodified GDL libraries and benefit from the full power of parametric 3D objects by installing the Adapter. The GDL Object Adapter is currently undergoing rigorous tests and has been submitted for AutoDesk’s ARX certification. Users will be able to purchase the adapter at a standard ARX component price. The Adapter is scheduled for release in Q3 2000.
GDL Object Publisher assists product manufacturers and developers in publishing large-scale GDL object libraries quickly and easily. With Publisher, GDL objects can be compiled and maintained by product manufacturers for server-side data publication. The Publisher is available under a licensing agreement to product manufacturers and developers.
More information is available at www.graphisoft.com.
