Zermatt [and in 2009: Virtual Building Explorer]

[Anonymous]

Has anybody heard some news about the zermatt engine? We know it sort of stopped beeing developed any further but any idea if there is still a future for this product?

Thanks Carsten

[Chazz]

OK sorry. Thought I had vented all the bile from my liver, but after looking though all the videos, my question is: Who is this thing for?

I need to communicate to people who are not not Architects or nessasarily even experienced computer users. I don't want my users being able to toggle on layers or view options. I want them to look at it exactly the way I want them to. And I want the interface to be dead simple (dare I say, "Apple simple"?). Maybe 4 buttons. This thing looks like it was designed by the same team who conceived the calculate functionality (and I use the term functionality loosely.) It needs to be so simple that it can't be made any simpler. Just the shaded view and a navigation arrow. Everything else is just added complexity that detracts.

Is there a way to strip all this other extraneous junk out of the viewer that the client receives?

OK now I'm really really done.

[Anonymous]

I'm betting on a Mac version soon.
But I wonder if the Mac version exports a Windows exe file, which would make sense since most of my clients are Windows based.
Hopefully it will be a single file format, but I doubt it... keeping my fingers crossed.
One point worth noting:
If this is, as it seems, an acquisition of Zermatt, then it could be a big change for Graphisoft.
We have always been told that GS was all about collaborating with other programs, on an opens platform base.
Well, this tactic certainly has its drawbacks, once Autodesk started to buy everything that moves.
Now it seems GS is adopting the same strategy, assuming VBE is Zermatt.
Does this mean there will be more acquisitions in the future, like Cygraph stuff, Artlantis, and others?
We shall see.

[Anonymous]

Krippahl wrote:
I'm betting on a Mac version soon.
Well, this tactic certainly has its drawbacks, once Autodesk started to buy everything that moves.
Now it seems GS is adopting the same strategy, assuming VBE is Zermatt.
Does this mean there will be more acquisitions in the future, like Cygraph stuff, Artlantis, and others?
We shall see.

I do not think so.
I would tell that GS revives that begins will keep away from ArchiCAD. And also that users strongly wish. I would wish to return still add-ons from arexline.

[Anonymous]

Reseller here says Mac version in 3 month.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Krippahl wrote:
Reseller here says Mac version in 3 month.

Thanks, Miguel. Great news. Something related to future compatibility would be nice to hear, also... will any upgrade costs be involved for future releases of ArchiCAD, and will GS guarantee that the plug-in/export will work for future releases on Day 1 as well, I wonder?

Cheers,
Karl

[Chazz]

Krippahl wrote:
Reseller here says Mac version in 3 month.

OK so GS communicates that with the reseller. Why not the user community? Is it that different languages will be released at different times and so they want to do it regionally via the resellers? OK fine. THEN SAY THAT.

[Ben Cohen]

Karl wrote:
will GS guarantee that the plug-in/export will work for future releases on Day 1 as well, I wonder?Karl

This of course was the biggest problem with Zermatt 1 & 2. But now this is no longer the case because Zermatt 3.0 and 3.1 work off 3ds files. You export a 3ds file from ArchiCAD and then processes it in Zermatt (Zermatt runs as a separate application).
note: ZERMATT is NOT DEAD.!! The zermatt web site is still up and running at www.zermatte.se and the price is not that much different to the new VBE.
The best thing of course (if you have Zermatt) is you will never have to upgrade Zermatt again, because 3ds will always be an export option, and you can pretty much create a zermatt walkthrough from ANY 3D software

From what I can gather about VBE
Pros - Mac version in the pipeline | VBE Files created directly from ArchiCAD (But still need work in the VBE engine - just like Zermatt) saves a few minutes exporting 3ds then importing into Zermatt. | Has quite a few more options on display mode - line weights - cartoon etc | Can be cheap after a subscription discount, but then you will pay when it comes to yearly upgrades (gets you in the buy cycle!!) | Seems the engine has been tweaked, hopefully they have solved the old zermatt 2.0 issue (when it was an addon) of roof and wall accessories going hay-wire | Exporting directly out of ArchiCAD means a door is always a door, a window always a window. Not so with Zermatt 3.x

Cons - Because its an addon - you will need to upgrade every year | Because its now GS the addon SHOULD be available same day as new version of ArchiCAD |Zermatt files cannot be created from any other modeler like sketchup | Radiosity engine still very expensive

Its a hard one, if you are PC. Go the slightly easier route and buy VBE or purchase Zermatt 3.1 and have the flexibility......Assuming Zermatt is still for sale. If you are Mac - not so hard

[Anonymous]

Other questions I posted to the resseler, and await answer:
- Will Mac version export exe file, or will it be a Mac for Mac and Windows for Windows game (unlike AC)?
- Will a Mac version give you access to a Windows one, and vice-versa?
- Will a VBE version be upgradable to VBEG?
Ill post the answers here as soon as I get them.

[Mats_Knutsson]

Chazz wrote:

Krippahl wrote:
Reseller here says Mac version in 3 month.

OK so GS communicates that with the reseller. Why not the user community? Is it that different languages will be released at different times and so they want to do it regionally via the resellers? OK fine. THEN SAY THAT.

Yes to the different language question!

[owen]

Thomas wrote:
Dead. Check http://www.zermatt.se/ :

"ANNOUNCEMENT
Zermatt is no longer supported or maintained
Due to our inability to properly maintain the software and provide service to customers, it has been decided that Zermatt will no longer be developed, maintained or supported. Current license owners will still be able to activate and use the current versions of their product via the reqistration dialog."

well now this is in the hands of Graphisoft at least we know this tradition will continue

(couldn't resist a gimme like that one)

Krippahl wrote:
I'm betting on a Mac version soon.
But I wonder if the Mac version exports a Windows exe file, which would make sense since most of my clients are Windows based.
Hopefully it will be a single file format, but I doubt it... keeping my fingers crossed.
One point worth noting:
If this is, as it seems, an acquisition of Zermatt, then it could be a big change for Graphisoft.
We have always been told that GS was all about collaborating with other programs, on an opens platform base.
Well, this tactic certainly has its drawbacks, once Autodesk started to buy everything that moves.
Now it seems GS is adopting the same strategy, assuming VBE is Zermatt.
Does this mean there will be more acquisitions in the future, like Cygraph stuff, Artlantis, and others?
We shall see.

Graphisoft has the opportunity to expand beyond architecture with Constructor .. but no, they spun it off into VICO. Wether there is still some sort of connection there through investments or whatever i don't know (most of the VICO board are ex-GS people responsible for GS Constructor). Although this product catered to the construction contractors not necessarily architects (although some use it), there would have been two trickle down effects to ArchiCAD - technology developments and money (the later of which brings resources and so more of the former). Now it looks like VICO is moving towards a closer partnership with Autodesk. They recently announced a Constructor interface to Revit. It is already Windows-only - i wonder how long before the ArchiCAD core becomes a Revit core.

Graphisoft seem determined to remain a purely architect-oriented company however - a strategy which i think is just doomed to failure in the long run. Even with ArchiCAD being a slightly superior product, the fact that Revit has an entire suite of applications that cater to nearly every participant in the design and construction process is a massive advantage.

Anyway .. Zermatt/VBE looks like a good product but my question is why the hell is Graphisoft wasting money and resources on this when there is so much to work to do on their core product?? Graphisoft just keeps pissing around painting the walls with niche products like this while the Autodesk hive is busy taking away the structure holding the damn things up.

The Windows-only thing is just going to get me worked up even more so i will leave it here..