Tip of the month! October: New features in 8.2

I have been fortunate enough to visit exhibitions in Brisbane, Bologna, Verona and Paris in the last three months. Question I got asked the most on our stands was: So what's new in the version 8.2 of Palette CAD? It may seem just like a number to many people but this is far from the truth. How different are smartphones from one version to another? With Palette CAD it is a very similar story. We didn't want to change the look too much, but, as you can see from the lengthy list below, plenty of improvements and new features have been developed by our mad computer scientists.

Graphics

• The “Virtual Reality” display mode has been improved once again and is now even more realistic

• The reflections can be calculated with precision in the Exposé or for export as an image, panorama or movie.

Illumination

• The global settings for the light sources are grouped under “Illumination” for a clear overview

• There is a drop-down menu with different lighting atmospheres under Daylight

• There is an expert mode for the lighting settings

• In the expert mode, it is possible to switch off the automatic lighting feature so that specific darker or lighter lighting situations can be displayed

• All of the settings for the Presentation mode are now saved with the project

• There is a new type of light source called “Luminous rail”. The effect of this light source is like an oblong spot and is ideal for displaying lighting rails

• There are 4 new spot types under Spots

• There is a function called “Align” for spots and luminous rails which focuses the light beam at a specific point in the scene

• The lighting settings for the sun have been optimized

Showing and hiding objects

• It is now possible to undo and restore the showing and hiding of objects

• There is an automatic feature for dynamically hiding walls (automatic Hide function) in the axonometric view

• This makes it possible to look into fully closed rooms in the axonometric view

Pitched roofs and dormers

• Pitched roofs now intersect automatically with adjacent walls

• A pitched roof can be created directly in the object controller of the wall

• Pitched roofs can be displayed as a 2m line as an alternative

• There are dormers as intelligent objects

• Dormers are installed in walls like windows and doors

Examine object

• There is a new command called "Examine object” for when an object is selected in the scene or in the catalogs

• This causes the object to be displayed in a preview bitmap image that can be rotated with the mouse

• The preview bitmap can be shown as an exploded view

• The preview bitmap can be exported via the clipboard and inserted into the Exposé

• The complexity of the object (number of faces, lines and points) is displayed

• The volume of the geometries contained in the object is displayed

• The normals of the surfaces can also be displayed for checking purposes

• The "Check geometry" function can be called directly from the dialog box so that problematic geometries (of imported objects) can be recognized

• The normals of the surfaces can be rotated here; this allows some objects that appear black when rendered to be “fixed”

Coverings for walls and floors

• There is now a setting for windows, doors and openings that causes coverings to be created automatically for the sides as well as the top and bottom

• A covering can also be created automatically on the back of recesses

• This makes it possible, for example, to create a continuous floor covering for a door or an opening

• Room-high windows, doors or recesses divide the wall covering into two separate partial coverings

• The T-connection of a wall also divides the wall covering into two partial coverings at the point of the connection

Dimensioning as a preview in the Front window

• Dimensioning is displayed as a preview when objects are inserted into the Front window

• Dimensioning is also displayed when objects are moved in the Front window using drag & drop

Shopping basket

• There is a shopping basket

• Objects can be gathered in the shopping basket and can be loaded from there into the scene

• Objects can be copied to the shopping basket from the object catalogues and the bathroom fittings and plumbing catalogues

• The shopping basket can be docked or undocked just like the object list

• The list of objects in the shopping basket can be exported and re-imported from a file

Automatic alignment of objects while pasting

• Objects can be aligned with the walls (rotated) automatically as they are pasted

• Automatic alignment works in the Plan View and in the Axonometric View

Family Replace

• There is an “Apply” button with which a family replace can be carried out without having to close the dialog box

• Missing previews for families are calculated automatically

Machining operations

• Mirroring now also works for the imported objects and plumbing objects for which this was previously not permitted due to problems with the geometry

• Cutting and splitting works now as well for the imported objects and plumbing objects for which this operation was previously not permitted due to problems with the geometry

• It is possible, however, that these objects may end up hollow after being cut

Materials

• The placement of bitmaps on textures can be moved in the scene using the mouse

• When a material is selected, a search can be made in the catalogues for similar materials

• It is possible to search by a hue (colour shade) when searching for materials

Primitives

• The automatic calculation of the faceting of arcs can be set more precisely

• There is an elliptical ring

• A triangle can also be defined using the angle

Exposé

• There is a button which causes all of the views in the exposé to re-calculated at the same time

• There is a button which allows images and texts to be pasted from the Windows clipboard directly into the exposé

Cloud

• There is now an administrative option for the Palette Cloud in the File menu

• This allows panorama files, virtual rooms (Palette Play) and projects to be uploaded to the Cloud and there be managed

• The files can be exchanged with other users via the Cloud

• A link can be created with which panoramas and virtual rooms can be viewed in any browser

• This means that viewers are available to end customers on the Internet that are very easy to operate and which allow you to present the results of your project very impressively

• The files can also be opened directly in our Cloud at www.palettecloud.net using a "Download Code"

• Panorama files can now be transferred via the Cloud directly to the new Version 2 of the “Palette Move” app

Import

• There is an import feature for SketchUp objects

• This means the import function via the 3D Gallery works once again

• The import of DXF, DWG, 3DS and OBJ has been reworked and improved

• Objects are examined when they are imported as to whether they could be problematic because they have too many faces and a warning is given

• The IFC import (BIM) has been enhanced so that now additional architectural elements can be imported into Palette CAD

Export

• There is an export option for projects using the obj (Wavefront) format

• There is an export option for projects using the 3ds (3D Studio Max) format

• There is an export option for projects using the stl format (for 3D printers)

• The export function must still be licensed as an add-on module

Development

• The programming language LUA can now be employed for the development of assembled objects

Wood technology

• A joint can now also create a variable pocket

• In a new bill of materials, it is now possible to generate labels with barcodes for the boards

• The prerequisite is that the boards be numbered in the board manager

Tiling technology

• The wall tiling has been reworked so that laying can be started at the ceiling with better results

• Corner profiles can be placed at outside corners and inner corners of tiling areas automatically

• There is a bill of materials for corner profiles

• You can make a setting for outside corners as to whether the corner should be executed as a mitre or be blunt

Sanitary objects

• Objects with the ARGE New Media format can now contain a wall clearance

• Objects with a wall clearance are automatically aligned with walls when they are inserted in the plan view or in the axonometric view

• Mirrored items with the ARGE New Media format are given the addition (mirrored) in the name and a * in the article number

Palette Move

• There is a new Version 2 of the "Palette Move" app (as of summer 2014)

• This app is available for the iOS, Android and Windows RT/8.1 operating systems

• The app can display panorama files from the Palette Cloud

Palette Play

• The quality of the rendering when exported as a virtual room has been improved

• There is an export optimized for the room glasses made by Immersight

Palette@Home

• There is an online planner called "Palette@Home” which allows rooms to be captured and planned in the browser

• Moreover, there is a new app called “Palette@Home” for the iOS, Android and Windows RT/8.1 operating systems

• Projects from Palette@Home can be imported into Palette CAD and processed further

 

Well there you have it people. I hope the thirst for version 8.2 knowledge has been quenched. Until next time.

Greeting from Stuttgart,

Your Palette CAD Blog Team

When in Rome, well, close enough

Bologna and Verona to be precise, but there was still plenty of Italian swagger and style on show. We stayed true to our trademark orange & black theme, making us always easy to find and instantly recognisable.

With every year it seems to me that there is more and more focus on fashion being worn rather than the products being shown. Of course when done right, both fit perfectly together to capture the spirit of the beloved Italian charisma.

This year at Cersaie was no different. I have a feeling that there was no obvious new trend in the tiling industry but rather stand presentation was aimed a lot more at 50's and 60's look. Last years focus on wood was probably even stronger, whereas back lighting and precious stones have been dialled down.

Also noticeable was trying out more irregular sanitary-ware shapes and sizes, almost hinting a look into the future, very similar to those concept cars often seen on auto shows, main difference being that these designs can already be bought, well, if the bank balance allows it, that is.

Verona always offers up plenty of visual treats with a much more laid back atmosphere. Lots of quality and glamour from the world famous brands but also an ever growing presence and competition from the eastern part of the world.

Next months sees our première at Architect@Work in Paris on the 9th and 10th of October. Here below you can see a little sneak-peek of our stand (designed using Palette CAD of course) so if you are around make sure to come and see how it compares to the real thing.

I think that should about do it for our 50th post anniversary, but to see more pics from Cersaie and Marmomacc please visit our Facebook group. Next month more from Architect@Work as well as a downloadable demo version of Palette CAD 8.2 for you all to try out for yourselves. Until then enjoy the last few weeks before the Christmas marketing machine starts!!


Greeting from Stuttgart,

Your Palette CAD-Blog Team

Tip of the month! September: Colour match search

Looking back at the previous TOTM posts, if our readers have been taking notice, and putting our shared knowledge into practice, there must be some advanced level Palette CAD wizards out there.

This month another of the upcoming 8.2 features for you, new colour match search system for materials. This is a very cool feature when trying to find similar materials to ones already in your plan. Matching the styling of the furniture to that of the floor, for example.

Lets imagine that we have already finished the proposal above for our potential client, but we needed at least one other variation. The furniture is set but flooring not. Using the material matching system we can use the couch leather to find similar wood finish for the floor.

First open the material browser found under the design tab. Start the search by clicking on the symbol shown in the picture above. This will open the standard material search. Now at the bottom check the coluor search option. This will allow you to choose from further setting. Select a desired tolerance range and then open the drop-down menu and select other colours.

Colours window will pop up. From here click on the Select button and then simply click on the surface you wish to match. This will be displayed under new. Click on OK.

Simply select start search and shortly after the results will be displayed. Now just select the one you wish to use and apply it to the desired surface. In our example, dark wood surfaces were replaced as seen in the resulting rendering below.

As a little bonus I can officially announce that as of today international versions of Palette CAD 8.2 have been completed. Hope you get yours soon and reap the benefits of professional visualisation.


Greeting from Stuttgart,

Your Palette CAD Blog Team

Celebrate good times

End of August is not normally much celebrated, end of summer and school holidays, but for us at Palette CAD there are a number of reasons to get in a party mood for. First a happy birthday to ourselves here at the international blog team. It is our second birthday, and with over 12000 blog views, I'd say a job well done so far, and may it continue onwards.

Then there is the imminent Launch of Palette CAD 8.2 packed with tons of new phenomenal features, as well as our ever faster and improving rendering engine. We made it our mission to rework a lot of older technical features, but also to focus on our trademark ease of use, and really bring it home. It is now even quicker to present your potential customers with an emotional connection to their new interiors, and get those proposals signed.

Coupled with the release of our tiling, wood engineering and architecture & interior design library updates, all well on the way, it is a great time to be, or become a part of Palette CAD family.


New updated version of our free app Palette MOVE is now also available. It is also now connected to our new Cloud feature allowing for viewing of panoramas on mobile devices as well as PCs. You can see the above bathroom in much better detail without the need for any downloads, give it a try.


As mentioned last month we made our way down-under for the Awisa exhibition. We brought along the Oculus goggles and give our visitors a little taste of the not so distant virtual future.

Honestly said the younger generation found it to be much more exciting, but all were pleasantly surprised when comparing their virtual reality expectations to actuality.


























Next month sees the self-proclaimed "most important show in the world for ceramic tile and sanitary ware" take place at Cersaie 2014 between 22nd and 26th September. With over 900 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors expected it will be 166.000 square meters of beautiful showmanship.

To check out the newest version of Palette CAD for yourself, and meet the team, make sure you visit us in Hall 15A, stand H9.

That's it for another action packed month and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at Cersaie. Enjoy the rest of the summer!


Greeting from Stuttgart,

Your Palette CAD-Blog Team

Tip of the month! August: Axonometric auto hide function

With version 8.2 just around the corner I thought I would share one of my favourite upcoming features. Up until now rotate axonometric feature simply allowed the user to have a look at their design as it stands, but if in order to see the interior, all walls/objects needed to be hidden manually beforehand.

Now when you start the rotate axonometric feature further options appear on the left side of the screen allowing you to automatically blend out walls as well as objects obstructing the view.

To try it yourself just follow the instructions seen in the image below.

I hope that you find it as useful as I did and I will be sharing more of the new features with you over the coming months.

Greeting from Stuttgart,

Your Palette CAD Blog Team