Events

3D Friday is Back! Come and see us June 14th in Colchester

3D Friday

We’re opening our doors again for another 3D Friday this June in Colchester!

For 3D architectural, urban, interior and product design we’ll be showing SketchUp and Vectorworks. To complement 3D modelling, we’ll also have some renderers including KeyShot and V-Ray. We’ll even have a full Oculus Rift setup with KeyVR for you to try demonstrating how virtual reality can be used for business.

If you’re more of an engineer, we’ll have BobCAD available as well as some exciting new software packages to explore.

Our resident fused filament 3D printer will make a return too so you can see how they work up close.

Whether you’re brand new to CAD, or you’ve been using it for as long as you can remember, this is a chance to get together with other designers and CAD enthusiasts to discuss your models, share tips and tricks or test new software.

 

Everyone is welcome and you can find us at:

Colchester Business Centre
1 George Williams Way
Colchester, CO1 2JS

Friday 14th June  –  1pm – 4pm

 

We recommend you use the public parking nearby – Britannia Way, Colchester CO2 7EF.

Leave the carpark and go left, take a short walk up the hill and you’ll find George Williams Way opposite Aldi. Mention at reception that you are here for CAD Software Direct’s 3D Friday where they will direct you to us. We hope to see you there!

V-Ray – Behind the Scenes at Zaha Hadid Architects, Blur Studio and WeWork

Total Chaos

Total Chaos Masterclasses are an incredible opportunity to find out about the technology and techniques the world’s leading studios use to create astonishing content every day.

On May 16, Chaos Group welcome professionals to Sofia, Bulgaria for three Masterclass tracks. Pick from design, VFX or architectural visualisation and deep-dive into industry practices from the likes of the world-renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, Love, Death & Robots VFX firm Blur Studio and startup-nurturing coworking company WeWork — plus many more.

Tickets are selling fast, so secure yours now.

Get Your Masterclass Ticket

 

You can also become a V-Ray Certified Professional (VCP) by attending one of the V-Ray Certification exam sessions. Located in the same venue as the Masterclasses, they’ll run between 5.30 PM and 8 PM.

The VCP exam is now available for both V-Ray 3.0 and Next.

Get Your VCP Exam Ticket

Altair: Developing a Bladeless Wind Turbine

Altair Wind Turbine

David Yáñez, Co-Founder of Vortex Bladeless has joined the line-up of speakers at the 11th Altair Technology Conference on May 21st.

Register now to see how Vortex Bladeless is reducing manufacturing costs by 53%, operating costs by 51%, and maintenance costs by as much as 80% compared to traditional wind turbines.

11th Altair Technology Conference
May 21st at the British Motor Museum, Warwickshire, UK

Register Now

 

Vortex Bladeless is a Spanish start-up developing an innovative wind energy technology that does not rely on blades, minimising the mechanical elements in a traditional turbine that can be worn by friction.

The presentation will showcase how Altair’s solutions are being deployed to investigate both fluid-structure interaction and the behaviour of the magnetic fields in the alternator. A general vision of the technology, the strategies used for the integration of the different physical phenomena involved and the path travelled so far during its development will be discussed.

Register Here

A New Year with SketchUp Pro

SketchUp Pro 2018

A section-slice animation

Skill Builder – Animating a Section Slice

Learn how to animate a slice through your model by following along with this tutorial on the official SketchUp YouTube channel.

Watch the video >

 

Pop culture props modeled in SketchUp

Watch SketchUp Modeling – Live!

Cast your vote now to help decide what object will be modeled live on Twitch in a few weeks.

Cast your vote >

 

A Star War’s Hoth hanger

Low Polygons, Big Worlds

Game artist and illustrator, Rodrigo Oliveira Cerci, creates 2D pixel art that starts in SketchUp. Meet his eclectic characters and take a tour of the low-polygon design world.

Read more >

 

3D Basecamp 2018

Reliving 3D Basecamp

In 2020, 3D Basecamp will be stopping in Vancouver. For now, relive 3D Basecamp 2018 over on YouTube.

Watch the video >

 

SketchUp Pro 2018 is available now (including 1 year’s FREE maintenance and support) at CAD Software Direct.

Design the Difference – Altair Event

Altair Brompton Showcase

A Unique Design Showcase from Brompton Bicycle & Altair

FREE TO ATTEND ONE-DAY EVENT

10:00 am – 15:00 pm
4th December 2018

Everyman Cinema
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK

Register Now

All attendees will receive 3 months use of Altair Inspire for free, along with complimentary instructor led training for you and your design team.

 

The event provides an introduction to Altair Inspire, a powerful simulation suite for Designers. It harnesses the pedigree of Altair’s sister suite, HyperWorks, which for over twenty years has been deployed by the world’s leading OEM’s and Tier 1 suppliers.

Learn how simulation technology can help facilitate companies to ‘Design the Difference’ by accessing optimisation technology utilising’s Altair’s two decades of application knowledge. In addition, how Inspire simulation technology can accurately capture complex mechanical behaviour to verify design and access manufacturability. The technology integrates with existing CAD systems to compliment your workflow.

For the first time, the Altair Inspire software tools can be accessed through Altair’s unique patented licensing system providing unprecedented value to the Design Community.

Who Should Attend?

  • Designers and Design Managers engaged to ‘design the difference’ within their organisation
  • Directors defining company strategy and design toolsets
  • Companies interested in reseller potential of the Altair Inspire Platform

Why You Should Attend

  • Understand how simulation can inject innovation into product design
  • Assess the ease of use of Inspire simulation structural and manufacturing tools
  • Understand the unique licensing system and the value it can deliver

 

Agenda

9:00 AM

Registration & Refreshments

Welcome
Simon Stoneley, Account Manager for Altair

Designing the Difference at Brompton Bicycle
Jonathan Heath, Lead Mechanical Engineer for Brompton Bicycle

Live Demonstrations

Import CAD & Model Setup

  • Structural Optimisation
  • Complex Model Development

Concept & Shape Optimisation, Verification

  • Local Structural – Brackets, Pedal
  • Global Structural – Frame, Dyno

 

12:30 PM

Lunch

Motion

  • Global MBS Load Input
  • Folding & Chain Dynamics

Manufacturing

  • Casting
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Stamping
  • Mold Filling

Altair Inspire Platform Summary
Simon Stoneley, Account Manager for Altair

 

3:30 PM

Close

 

Register Now

Cast your Vote for the Construction Computing Awards 2018

The Hammers 2018

The Construction Computing awards (or “The Hammers” as they are affectionately known) are back for 2018!

Once again, the technology, tools and solutions for the effective design, construction, maintenance and modification of commercial buildings, residential and social housing and civil engineering projects of all sizes will be showcased and rewarded. For many, the awards have become a key event for the industry to network, exchange thoughts and ideas, as well as have a little bit of fun too!

Voting Now Open!
Voting Closes: 2nd November
Winners Ceremony: 15th November

Among the nominees across awards including “BIM Product of the Year”, “Architectural Product of the Year”, and “Company of the Year”, you’ll find Vectorworks, Trimble (SketchUp) and many more which are very deserving of your vote.

Vectorworks bring the specific tools you need with Architect, Spotlight and Landmark. Across the board, the software boasts multiple workflow improvements making an already robust, professional level product into something better each year. Always listening closely to their customers, Vectorworks deliver exceptional quality for designers in the architecture, landscape, entertainment and interior design industries.

Trimble have formed an extremely intuitive layout, making SketchUp Pro one of the easiest CAD programs to use. The customisable toolbars and thousands of models in the 3D Warehouse mean that designers of all skill levels will find SketchUp Pro to be one the easiest and fastest CAD software programs for creating and editing 2D and 3D designs.

Project applications will be considered by a panel of judges, the readers of Construction Computing Magazine and the clients of the companies competing for the top honours. Featuring over 20 categories, the Construction Computing Awards allow companies from every sector of the industry to seek recognition for their efforts over the past 12 months.

Upcoming Vectorworks Events 2018

Vectorworks 2019

Get the most out of Vectorworks by registering for and attending these events coming up this year:

16th-18th September
Plasa London
http://plasashow.com/

Great for: Vectorworks Spotlight

PLASA Show is the flagship international event for the entertainment technology industry which welcomes hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors each year.

 

16th-19th September
Decorex
https://www.decorex.com

Great for Interior Design

Europe’s leading interior design event, offering the finest furniture, lighting, textiles, craft and accessories from emerging and established names alike.

 

18th September
Birmingham City University Student Workshop

 

18th-19th September
Landscape Show
http://www.landscapeshow.co.uk/

Great for: Vectorworks Landmark

Established as the essential trade event, LANDSCAPE attracts garden designers, landscape architects, landscape contractors, local authority landscaping professionals, architects, facilities managers and interior designers from all over the UK and beyond.

 

26th September
CADUser Event TBA

 

2nd October
Vectorworks Annual Design Day
https://www.vectorworks.net/designday2018

Great for: Everything Vectorworks!

The day itself is designed to showcase the capabilities that Vectorworks software brings to help streamline your workflow. Whether you are a current user or wanting to discover how Vectorworks can offer your practice a real alternative for 2D/3D/BIM workflows, there will be lots to hear and see.

 

9th October
Birmingham Event TBA

 

16th October
LI CPD Day, Manchester

Great for: Vectorworks Landmark

Over a hundred delegates and speakers attend a minimum of four seminars on diverse topics in a single day, with plenty of opportunities to network.

 

17th-18th October
Digital Construction Week

Great for: Vectorworks Architect

Innovation and Technology in the Built Environment.  The Exhibition features over 90 hours of free to attend seminars focused on innovation and technology in the built environment.  Plus more than 120 of the most exciting new and innovative companies exhibiting with us.

 

23rd October
Liverpool Event TBA

 

24th October
SBID Meet the Buyers

The SBID 20:20 is a one day annual networking event that brings together the most important designers, architects and specifiers of the international design industry, to meet face to face with the best manufacturers and suppliers of solutions. The event provides a dynamic and lucrative business environment carefully tailored to create, encourage and facilitate synergies that build key relationships.

 

15th November
Construction Computing Awards

The Construction Computing awards or “The Hammers” as they are affectionately known are back for 2018 in what will be the thirteenth running of this annual event. Once again we are looking to showcase and reward the technology, tools and solutions for the effective design, construction, maintenance and modification of commercial buildings, residential and social housing and civil engineering projects of all sizes. 

 

8th-9th November
CITA Tech Live, Dublin
https://www.citatechlive.com/

CitA Tech Live, organised by Construction IT Alliance (CitA), is a 2-day event with 50 exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies in construction. Along with 8 keynote speakers, the event will have 4 live stages where attendees will be able to see the technology in action! 

 

20th November
Edinburgh Event TBA

 

20th November
FutureScape

The UK’s number 1 landscaping trade event.  The one-day FutureScape event is packed full of networking opportunities, seminars to expand your technical knowledge, and demonstrations of brand new technologies and products.

 

26th November
Kensington & Chelsea College Student Workshop

 

Also upcoming…
SBID Breakfast Meetings to be planned, as well as a Vectorworks event for January/February 2019.

Vectorworks UK Annual Design Day 2018

Vectorworks Design Day

Be a part of the Vectorworks Annual Design Day on 2 October 2018 at the Cavendish Conference Center in London, W1G 9DT.

The day itself is designed to showcase the capabilities that Vectorworks software brings to help streamline your workflow.

Whether you are a current user or wanting to discover how Vectorworks can offer your practice a real alternative for 2D/3D/BIM workflows, there will be lots to hear and see.

Key personnel from Vectorworks in the USA and UK will be on hand to show the latest tools and workflows and existing customers will also be taking to the stage to share their knowledge through project case studies. In addition there will be breakout sessions aimed at individual industries such as, Architecture, Landscape and Interiors, which ensures that content is totally relevant and rewarding.

Combine this with the chance to meet and network with over 250 of your industry colleagues and the day becomes an event not to be missed!

So, register now to reserve your place for this fabulous opportunity.

Come and See Us This Week at Our First 3D Friday Event

3D Friday - CAD Software Direct

Our first ever 3D Friday event will be held at our offices this week in Colchester.

We’ll be showing SketchUp with V-Ray, Vectorworks, KeyShot and more. We’ll even have our resident fused filament 3D printer set up and ready to go so you can see how they work up close.

Whether you’re brand new to CAD, or you’ve been using it for as long as you can remember, this is a chance to get together with other designers and CAD enthusiasts to discuss your models, share tips and tricks or test new software.

 

Everyone is welcome and you can find us at:

Colchester Business Centre
1 George Williams Way
Colchester, CO1 2JS

Friday 6th July  –  1pm – 4pm

 

Please be aware that as we share our offices with other businesses, we recommend you use the public parking nearby – Britannia Way, Colchester CO2 7EF.

Leave the carpark and go left, take a short walk up the hill and you’ll find George Williams Way opposite Aldi. Mention at reception that you are here for CAD Software Direct’s 3D Friday where they will direct you to us. We hope to see you there!

GTC Europe 2018 – Register Now

GPU Technology Conference

Register now to enjoy early bird pricing from now until July 10th and save up to €100.

Connect with experts in professional visualisation and explore cutting-edge technology, such as real-time ray tracing. Plus, learn how IT experts are deploying high-performance NVIDIA virtualisation solutions to increase security, improve deployment time, and accelerate workflows.

Personalise your experience

Your conference pass gives you access to over a hundred sessions covering a range of topics and industries, including:

  • AI for Business
  • HPC and Super-Computing
  • Virtual and Augmented Reality
  • AI and Deep Learning

Get hands-on training

Get the knowledge and hands-on experience you need to transform the future of artificial intelligence, deep learning, self-driving vehicles, accelerated computing, and more. Check out the instructor-led and self-paced training at GTC Europe 2018, with access to experts from the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI).

Register for GTC Europe today.