From the beginning, AVAprojectFusion has been designed to be compatible with various database types - even MicrosoftSQL Server.
When AVAproject was designed, a decision was made to store projects in discrete files, the same way word documents or excel spreadsheets are. This provides maximum flexibility to the end user, as projects can be stored on the local computer, saved on a network drive to be made available to coworkers, or even emailed as attachments.
This type of "distributed" model provides the best of all worlds. It allows collaboration between users, but doesn't require them to maintain an active VPN connection to operate. By not being tied to a central server, users are able to work both collaboratively and offline, on airplanes, and even in remote locations with no internet connection available.
AVAproject files are normally stored in a proprietary binary format to keep the project file size to an absolute minimum and provide maximum portability. The AVAprojectFusion file format however, is a compact database, comprised of tables, columns and rows. As such, AVAprojectFusion is ideally suited to run off of a larger database engine, such as MicrosoftSQL Server. AVAprojectFusion can use a specially crafted connector file to use a SQL database in place of a Fusion file, allowing projects can be added to the database the same way they are added to Fusion files. Meanwhile, other Fusion tasks are performed the same way as they are with discrete Fusion files.
Operating Differences
There are some operating differences when using with Fusion using SQL server. For instance, when Fusion is launched and the connection is opened to the SQL server, it starts up with none of the existing projects selected for inclusion. As the server will likely host many projects, users first select which projects they wish to include.
The AVAprojectFusionFile List, when connected to MicrosoftSQL Server, displays all projects currently on the server
In typical AVAware fashion however, AVAprojectFusion isn't locked to either discrete file mode or SQL Server mode; the same installation of Fusion that can be used to connect to SQL server can also create discrete Fusion files and operate in the traditional manner.
Fusion Libraries
Fusion Libraries are files that can be made with Fusion that are able to contain a variety of "Fusion Objects" (View Styles, Filters, Reports and Pivot Tables). Users of Fusion have grown accustomed to being able to save these Fusion Objects in Fusion Libraries in their AVAware Repository, or even directly inside Fusion files so that they travel with the Fusion file itself. Using Fusion with SQL Server is no different, and when Fusion Objects are saved to the SQL server, they become available for anyone who is able to access the SQL Server.
When connected to MicrosoftSQL Server, the "Current File" is the SQL Database itself!
Fusion Accounting Plugins
The latest release of AVAprojectFusion, features support for the Fusion Accounting Plugin use while operating on SQL Server. When operating in this environment, the Fusion Vendor and Customer directories, as well as the Standard Product Codes also reside on the server.
For more information on AVAprojectFusionSQL Server support, please contact AVAware Customer Service.
Autodesk has recently released Revit 2020, the latest update to their flagship multidisciplinary BIM software.
Architects all over the world are familiar with and use AutodeskRevit - it includes tools for architectural design, MEP and structural design, detailing, and engineering, and construction professionals.
With the introduction of the AVAware Plugin forAutodeskRevit in February of this year, AVAware has revolutionized the process, allowing all of the detailed and complex data specified and generated by AVAproject to be accessible from within Revit!
AVAware has built compatible Plugins for AutodeskRevit2017, 2018 and 2019, and now 2020 as well!
Assa Abloy has announced updates to the majority of their product catalogs effective June 3rd, 2019.
These releases will include relatively minor updates to the May 2018 editions of their Ceco and Curries hollow metal products catalogs. In respect of the these catalogs, AVAware is proud to announce some additional enhancements to their AVAproject counterparts.
Earlier this year, AVAware announced support for curated catalog cuts for door and frame catalogs in AVAproject. Relevant pages are selected automatically by the software based on the products utilized in a project. The selected pages are then added to the submittal package.
Both the Ceco and Curries catalog updates will install with companion files containing excerpts from their most recent 'Architectural Guides'. Detailed information sheets based on product choices made for a given project (series, door types, profiles, etc.) will be automatically added to the submittal package in their own section.
The updated Ceco and Curries catalogs are now available to AVAproject users that currently subscribe to them. In order to utilize the new technical document enhancements, users must be running the 2019 version of AVAproject.
In addition to the hollow metal catalogs, the following hardware catalogs will also be available in the beginning of June:
The ability to create and manipulate architectural elevations is a central feature of the AVAproject detailing and estimating system. AVAware's specialized drawing tool, AVAcad, allows architectural elevations to be created for use in everthing from openings schedules and submittal packages to shop drawings.
AVAcad was developed for the purpose of making the creation of architectural drawings as quick and simple as possible. In fact, it was specifically designed with non-CAD users in mind. Despite this, many estimators prefer not to have to "draw" elevations at all - it's for them AVAware created the Frame Wizard.
The Frame Wizard is a convenient tool offered in AVAproject that allows users to quickly make adjustments to the sizes of the components in an elevation drawing. When an elevation is inserted into an openings schedule, a single click on the 'Frame Wizard' tool button launches it.
The AVAcad elevation is displayed, with a letter next to each dimension line. These letters correspond to dimensional values on the right side of the window. To change a dimension, one simply needs to change the value. The Frame Wizard automatically resizes the drawing, along with any connected components, to accommodate it.
Once the changes are complete, clicking 'OK' will cause the thumbnail in the openings schedule to be updated instantly, along with the opening size, type and handing if necessary.
Elevation Libraries
The AVAproject Frame Wizard lends itself perfectly to the use of libraries of "typical" openings. For example, the elevation depicted above can be reused over and over again despite the actual sizes of the opening or side lite. In fact, AVAproject ships with a library of several standard opening types to be used in projects.
Elevations created in AVAcad can be saved into separate files and assembled into a library. The AVAcad user creating elevations can also determine the degree of flexibility offering by the Frame Wizard when resizing them. Dimension variables are offered in the Frame Wizard wherever dimensions have been placed on the drawing in AVAcad. Therefore, more dimensions mean more resizing options.
An elevation loaded into the full AVAcad application, and the same elevation in the AVAproject Frame Wizard
AVAprojectTips now feature accompanying overview and demonstration videos courtesy of AVAware's newly launched production team.
Click below to view the video for this month's Tip!
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