Articles and Press Releases

IntelliCAD has always — since its first release twenty years ago — been based on technology that is now governed and advanced by the Open Design Alliance (ODA). In the beginning the focus was on .dwg, but over the years, both technologies have seemed to outgrow their initial aim on replicating the .dwg file format (ODA) and replicating its end-user capabilities (ITC).

This point was not necessarily highlighted in Prague, but the link between ITC and ODA technology was mentioned throughout the conference with the nonchalant transparency that is commonplace among the IntelliCAD community.

• IntelliCAD — Uses the latest ODA libraries.
• BIM — Attach Autodesk® Revit® files as underlays, based on the ODA BIM component. 
• Mobile — Based on ODA libraries. 
• Walls, windows, doors, slabs — Draw and edit architectural entities (new in IntelliCAD 9), based on the ODA Architecture component. 
• Smart meshes — Draw and edit lightweight 3D meshes (new in IntelliCAD 9), based on the ODA Facet Modeler. 
• Custom objects — Work with custom architecture, civil, and mechanical objects, based on ODA Architecture, Civil, and Mechanical components.

The ITC employs many components of ODA technology (including ODA source code), then customizes that technology according to the needs of their members. And that's exactly what ITC members do: they employ many components of ITC technology (including ITC source code), then customize that technology according to the needs of their end-users. It's a consistent business model from start to finish.

Like many ITC members, ActCAD takes the base IntelliCAD engine and creates add-ons for specific markets. ActCAD's specialty tools tailor the IntelliCAD engine for architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, interior and exterior design consultants. 

Take ActCAD's Raster-to-Vector tool, which analyzes a scanned image and vectorizes it to trace the lines and dimensions. It's specific to ActCAD and used by engineers and designers in many fields.

Read about ActCAD add-ons for architects >>

Learn about ActCAD 2018 >>

IntelliCAD comes with so many APIs that it was a good idea to review them at the 2017 conference in Auckland. 

In addition to the APIs that most ITC members already know about (scripts, LISP, SDS/ADS, .NET, .NET Classic, IRX), there's also:

• DGN API 
• Architecture API 
• Civil API 
• Mechanical API 
• Facet Modeler API 
• RVT/RFA BIM API (BIM special interest group) 
• IFC BIM API (ITC BIM special interest group) 

We saw live demos of IntelliCAD sample apps to see what you can do with some of these APIs. The Architecture API has an interface that allows you to extend IntelliCAD quickly to create windows, walls, stairs, and doors without complex coding. And the Mechanical API, which will be available in IntelliCAD 9, also lets you extend IntelliCAD but to create mechanical objects while instantly providing support for viewing and printing them.

• BIM APIs were discussed here
• DGN API was discussed here

The ITC has been careful to avoid using any APIs to create custom objects so we don’t compete with our member’s vertical solutions." – At the API demo session

CAD software designed specifically for architects, AcceliARCH 2018 is the latest release of AcceliARCH that is compatible with Autodesk® AutoCAD® 2018.

AcceliARCH 2018 covers the full range of features required by architects, from basic elements such as walls, windows, doors, roofs, and stairways to records, schedules and reports.

For more information about AcceliARCH, see: http://www.autodsys.com/archthome.html. 

CAD software designed specifically for architects, AcceliARCH 2017 is now available for architectural drafting and drawing. AcceliARCH covers the full range of features required by architects, from basic elements such as walls, windows, doors, roofs, and stairways to records, schedules and reports.

AcceliARCH is a good example of an ITC member (in this case Autodsys) leveraging the IntelliCAD engine for specific markets. Combining AcceliARCH with AcceliCAD, which is based on the IntelliCAD engine, provides a complete solution for architectural drawings.

For more information about the May release of AcceliARCH, see: http://www.autodsys.com/press/AcceliARCH_SAS_2017.html.  

ZWCAD has won the Top Builder Award 2016 in Poland. This is the sixth year that ZWCAD has been awarded the title. 

ZWCAD is CAD software developed by ITC member ZWSOFT and is based on the IntelliCAD engine.

For more details, see http://www.zwsoft.com/zwcad/press-release/20170123/ZWCAD_Wins_the_Prestigious_Top_Builder_Award_for_a_Sixth_Year.html.

ZWCAD Architecture 2017 is CAD software based on IntelliCAD and designed for architects by ITC member ZWSOFT. ZWCAD Architecture 2017 includes all of the features found in ZWCAD and also the ability to work with elevations and sections. ZWCAD Architecture 2017 is now available in English and Traditional Chinese. 

For more details about the ZWCAD Architecture 2017 release and for a free 30-day trial, see http://www.zwsoft.com/zwcad/press-release/20161024/ZWCAD_Architecture_2017_is_Released_to_Alleviate_Burdens_of_Architects.html.

CAD Projekt K&A switched from a different CAD platform to IntelliCAD in 2008. Since then, the company has based their specialized interior design software on the IntelliCAD engine. By tightly integrating their software with IntelliCAD source code, thanks to commercial ITC membership, CAD Projekt K&A can concentrate on their niche market expertise instead of developing general CAD features. 

It is not only faster but also more efficient to solve problems and create solutions in cooperation with the consortium." – Krzysztof Dabrowski, Co-Founder CAD Projekt K&A

To learn more about how CAD Projekt K&A and the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium work together, see https://www.intellicad.org/cad-projekt-case-study. 

CAD Projekt K&A: www.cadprojekt.com.pl
IntelliCAD Technology Consortium: www.intellicad.org