GenerativeComponents
Encyclopedia
GenerativeComponents is parametric CAD
software developed by Bentley Systems
, was first introduced in 2003, became increasingly used in practice (especially by the London
architectural community) by early 2005, and was commercially released in November 2007. GenerativeComponents has a strong traditional base of users in academia and at technologically advanced design firms. GenerativeComponents is often referred to by the nickname of 'GC'. GC epitomizes the quest to bring parametric modeling capabilities of 3D solid modeling into architectural design, seeking to provide greater fluidity and fluency than mechanical 3D solid modeling.
Users can interact with the software by either dynamically modeling and directly manipulating geometry, or by applying rules and capturing relationships among model elements, or by defining complex forms and systems through concisely expressed algorithms.
The software supports many industry standard file input and outputs including DGN
by Bentley Systems
, DWG
, by Autodesk
, STL (Stereo Lithography), Rhino, and others. The software can also integrate with Building Information Modeling
systems.
The software has a published API and uses a simple scripting language, both allowing the integration with many different software tools, and the creation of custom programs by users.
This software is primarily used by architects and engineers in the design of buildings, but has also been used to model natural and biological structures and mathematical systems.
Generative Components currently runs exclusively on Microsoft Windows
operating systems, and in English.
Bentley Systems, Incorporated is now offering GC as a Technology Preview of GC as a free download. This is a version of GC that no longer requires Bentley's MicroStation
software for it to run, and that has features and a user interface focused on computational design.
has been instrumental in the formation of GenerativeComponents.
GenerativeComponents was brought to the market after utilizing a multi-year testing cycle with a dedicated user community in the SmartGeometry group. This community was responsible for shaping the product very early in its life and continues to play an important role in defining it. The SmartGeometry Group is an independent non-profit organization; it is not a Bentley user group.
The SmartGeometry Group organizes an annual multi-day workshop and accompaying conference highlighting advanced design practices and technology. Recent workshop and conferences have been in Barcelona, Spain, (March 2010) and Copenhagen, Denmark (March 2011). The next SmartGeometry workshop and conference is scheduled for March 2012 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
software developed by Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems, Incorporated is a software company that produces solutions for the design, construction and operation of infrastructure. The company’s software serves the building, plant, civil, and geospatial vertical markets in the areas of architecture, engineering, construction and operations...
, was first introduced in 2003, became increasingly used in practice (especially by the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
architectural community) by early 2005, and was commercially released in November 2007. GenerativeComponents has a strong traditional base of users in academia and at technologically advanced design firms. GenerativeComponents is often referred to by the nickname of 'GC'. GC epitomizes the quest to bring parametric modeling capabilities of 3D solid modeling into architectural design, seeking to provide greater fluidity and fluency than mechanical 3D solid modeling.
Users can interact with the software by either dynamically modeling and directly manipulating geometry, or by applying rules and capturing relationships among model elements, or by defining complex forms and systems through concisely expressed algorithms.
The software supports many industry standard file input and outputs including DGN
DGN
DGN is the name used for CAD file formats supported by Bentley Systems' MicroStation and Intergraph's Interactive Graphics Design System CAD programs.There are two versions of DGN:...
by Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems, Incorporated is a software company that produces solutions for the design, construction and operation of infrastructure. The company’s software serves the building, plant, civil, and geospatial vertical markets in the areas of architecture, engineering, construction and operations...
, DWG
.dwg
DWG is a binary file format used for storing two and three dimensional design data and metadata. It is the native format for several CAD packages including AutoCAD, IntelliCAD and Caddie. In addition, DWG is supported non-natively by many other CAD applications...
, by Autodesk
Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that focuses on 3D design software for use in the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media and entertainment industries. The company was founded in 1982 by John Walker, a coauthor of the first versions of the company's...
, STL (Stereo Lithography), Rhino, and others. The software can also integrate with Building Information Modeling
Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
systems.
The software has a published API and uses a simple scripting language, both allowing the integration with many different software tools, and the creation of custom programs by users.
This software is primarily used by architects and engineers in the design of buildings, but has also been used to model natural and biological structures and mathematical systems.
Generative Components currently runs exclusively on Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
operating systems, and in English.
Bentley Systems, Incorporated is now offering GC as a Technology Preview of GC as a free download. This is a version of GC that no longer requires Bentley's MicroStation
Microstation
MicroStation is a CAD software product for 2- and 3-dimensional design and drafting, developed and sold by Bentley Systems. The latest versions of the software are released solely for Microsoft Windows operating systems, but historically MicroStation was available for Macintosh platforms and a...
software for it to run, and that has features and a user interface focused on computational design.
SmartGeometry Group
The SmartGeometry GroupSmartGeometry Group
SmartGeometry is a non-profit organization focusing on the use of the computer as an intelligent design aid in Architecture, Engineering and Construction...
has been instrumental in the formation of GenerativeComponents.
GenerativeComponents was brought to the market after utilizing a multi-year testing cycle with a dedicated user community in the SmartGeometry group. This community was responsible for shaping the product very early in its life and continues to play an important role in defining it. The SmartGeometry Group is an independent non-profit organization; it is not a Bentley user group.
The SmartGeometry Group organizes an annual multi-day workshop and accompaying conference highlighting advanced design practices and technology. Recent workshop and conferences have been in Barcelona, Spain, (March 2010) and Copenhagen, Denmark (March 2011). The next SmartGeometry workshop and conference is scheduled for March 2012 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.
See also
- ArchitectureArchitectureArchitecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
- Architectural engineeringArchitectural engineeringArchitectural engineering, also known as building engineering, is the application of engineering principles and technology to building design and construction...
- Design computingDesign computingDesign Computing refers to an area of Design Studies that deals with furthering the understanding and the practice of design activities through the application and development of novel concepts and techniques in computing....
- Comparison of CAD SoftwareComparison of CAD softwareThis page compares computer-aided design software that engineers and architects use to create drawings for the fields of architecture, engineering and construction in terms of aspects that can be directly compared...
External links
- GenerativeComponents official free software download site
- GenerativeComponents software official website
- GenerativeComponents Forum at BE Communities
- SmartGeometry Group website
- Official SmartGeometry Conferences website, with links to 2007-2010 sessions as webcasts
- CAD Insider, June 2007
- AEC Magazine, January 2005
- Parametric Design Repository, Canadian Design Research Network
- eatyourcad.com CAD Manager Resource website containing many articles relating to GC and old how-to guides on use