Yet again this topic surfaces and I would really like to put it to bed once and for all.
I have a LOT of experience with using BS\SM as my preference for structural modelling, but rumours over the past year are beginning to be a problem. Just started with a new firm and they have BS\SM on their projects currently and I want to expand it's use into a number of projects and offices. The issue I have is that there are one internal group who want to move to ProSteel as they have been 'told' that SM will be discontinued in the near future.
Can someone from Bentley 'PLEASE' put this to bed once and for all so I can get a clear direction.
Are there plans to replace SM with another product or with ProSteel?
Thanks,
bump..........
Hi Bear,
I am curious: What is the difference between SM and Prosteel? I know ProSteel is an ACAD app originally, but what are the differences besides?
Cheers
Dominic
ProSteel is built more around steel detailing rather than just modelling. Not something I'm really interested in pushing to start with. JMO.
I think its more as a supplement to Bentleys program portfolio, as an alternative to Tekla.
Bentley has become so big in the last couple of years, that regardless of what they are buying - it will always be something they, at least somehow - already have.
What's the difference to other companies is, is that they at least try to make every software to work on Microstation core product. At least thats how I feel it.
Bear, others,
Probably somewhere in here you’ll get most of your answers. Anyone with more detailed questions (such as exact differences between the products - Dominic), please feel free to contact me via this Forum, or email, or phone, or Skype [jebarr]… I’d be happy to discuss your specific situation with you.
We’d really like to have only one structural modeling tool as it’s very costly to maintain two separate modeling packages. To do this, it will take some time to modularize the best of both packages and share the technology.
In the meantime:
• Structural Modeler will concentrate on engineers/designers producing General Arrangement drawings with tight integration with RAM and STAAD.
• ProStructures (which is ProSteel + ProConcrete) will concentrate on detailed design and fabrication modeling & drawings, and detailed lists and reports.
Concerning 1H, 2011 releases:
• We plan to release ProSteel on MicroStation in Q1, 2011. Previously, this product lacked some required MicroStation usability features (it even prompted for the bloody Escape key as if it were in AC!). We’ve come a long way toward a production-ready MicroStation version. If you previously looked at ProSteel on MicroStation in the past and found it unusable, I encourage you to try it after the release. I really like its ability to model detailed connections and platework by changing a dialog item (distance, number of bolts, etc) and directly affecting the 3d model (immediately). It's a viable alternative to more costly detailing products.
• We plan to release ProConcrete on AutoCAD in Q1, 2011. This product is really coming along nicely for placing rebar in footings, columns, beams, walls, slabs, OR ANY CUSTOM ACIS solid. ProConcrete will display the rebar in the 3d model, create automated detail-drawings, provide bar lists, reports, schedules, and its iModel works with Bentley Navigator for clashes and schedule simulation. We’ll be coming out with a MicroStation version of ProConcrete a little later in the year.
• Structural Modeler will have a refresh release within the next week or so (from today: Jan 25). This is to provide a few critical fixes, and to synchronize with the other Building products. It runs with MicroStation v8i 08.11.07.443.
• We will continue to provide Priority fixes to customer’s production-critical issues for Structural Modeler and ProStructures for the next several years (no end date in sight).
Now, for some news concerning Structural Modeler:
• Beginning in Q2, 2011, Structural Modeler will no longer be delivered as a stand-alone product. All of SM’s functionality (100%) will be delivered with a bundled product named Bentley Building Designer.
• BBD will be a single install which includes Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical (BBD does require MicroStation).
• BBD will have an icon called: Structural Building Designer, which will provide a familiar, yet cleaned-up interface.
• You will NOT lose ANY functionality that you had with Structural Modeler. In fact, you’ll see some new features available to you such as: BBD will be the first release that contains Structural resymbolization rule support for Dynamic Views.
• Bentley Building Designer will not require new licensing to run… i.e. your current Structural Modeler license will run the Structural portion of BBD.
• Existing drawing rules, parts and families will work with BBD.
• There will be a WIP build and most likely a Beta version of BBD available at some point in the future.
• We will continue to develop the features and functionality of Structural Building Designer. In 2011, we’ll be replacing the direct RAM translator with an ISM based translator. We also intend provide some basic concrete rebar data and drawing capabilities with Structural Building Designer. Also, we will continue to develop and release PowerStructural Modeler (a Power platform version of Structural Modeler), and our automated drawing product: Structural Documentation Center (SDC).
In summary: we expect current Structural Modeler users to install and use Structural Building Designer. This path will be the easiest for the current Structural Modeler user who is not wanting to enter the more detailed fabrication modeling, etc. that can be found with ProStructures.
Best regards,
Jim