Vehicle turning radius and parking add-on - Do you need it?

[David Larrew]

I am trying to get a software developer to develop an ArchiCAD add-on that helps design roadways and parking lots using vehicle specifications.

The developer is Transoft Solutions.
The product is AutoTURN.

www.transoftsolutions.com/transoft/products/at/product_overview.asp

They currently have plug-ins for AutoCAD and Microstation. When I inquired about an interest to develop an ArchiCAD add-on they replied that I was the first/only person to request it. I though if enough ArchiCAD users requested or inquired about their product they might be interested in developing an add-on.

I've seen AutoTURN in action, it definitely is a great design tool. BTW - many municipalities are requesting, if not requiring, the designer to submit AutoTURN (or similar) output to verify emergency vehicle access within large developments.

[TomWaltz]

I'd say yes only if it was capable of following a 3D mesh

[David Larrew]

Tom,

Do you model your site? I'm asking because I am switching our entire office over from AutoCAD to ArchiCAD - Architectural, Town Planning, Landscape, Civil, Construction/Estimation. And I am trying to find a 3D civil/site solution that works in ArchiCAD. I am not having any luck.

[TomWaltz]

Sites that we do in any detail (like more than 2 feet from the building) are usually 3D with lots of SEOs to make the roads, sidewalks, etc.

I would LOVE to see a 3D object for parking that could follow a mesh without all kinds of gymnastics.

[Petros Ioannou]

We've checked their demo. I believe that AutoPark and AutoTurn are great!
I 've found myself many times having second thoughts whether a truck (or any other vehicle) could complete a manoeuvre inside a parking with all those columns....
That is exactly what AutoTurn does, it allows you to confirm it.
It is a design tool, not a visualization tool.

Petros

[Anonymous]

It looks great. Even just a 2D layout tool would be useful. How do they handle 3D and grading issues?

[Djordje]

For any parking - read multistorey building or a mall - design, as well as the design of industrial/logistics/service facilities where large trucks and/or buses have to turn, tools like this are essential!

I have been scraping by with the AutoCAD blocks that date ages back, but would LOVE a proper solution ...

[David Larrew]

Sounds like the majority are in favor...

If we can get enough ArchiCAD users to inquire about these tools to the developer, they may be interested in creating an Add-On solution for ArchiCAD.

If you haven't done so already, go to the TranSoft Solutions web site and send them an inquiry.

http://www.transoftsolutions.com/downloader/inquiries/inquiryrequest.asp (English link)

or e-mail to: support@transoftsolutions.com

[Rakela Raul]

the highways engineers in this office have been using it for a while (with microstation)

[Anonymous]

If enough people show interest by emailing them we may have an Add-On (I did).
Joseph