CAD in the Olympics?

There isn't much coming out of the PR departments of CAD vendors regarding the olympics. I think some Bentley software might be been used in the design of the stadium and/or water cube. Dunno. Was Autodesk's Alias software used for broadcast graphics? Dunno. 

On the last day of a French marathon runner's run, Dassault sends out a press release telling us about their somewhat interactive Web site for tracking his run. 

Human encounters, emotions, moments of fatigue and doubt, breathtaking landscapes and dramatic weather, Internet users were able to follow the integrity of the V+R Challenge and Philippe Fuchs’ route in real time on the dedicated website. Thanks to TVnima, a Dassault Systèmes real-time 3D broadcasting technology, they were able witness the adventure’s events as they unfolded via multimedia journals animated by Philippe Fuchs’ 3D avatar.

Comments

[DF]

I think some Bentley software might be been used in the design of the stadium and/or water cube. Dunno.

Generative Components, iirc.

Was Autodesk's Alias software used for broadcast graphics? Dunno.

Heh. More likely Max, Maya or Flame if the reports of much of the 'spectacular' actually being faked by the Chinese government turns out to be true (and I'm assuming it is, based on their past attempts at fakery).

Google, though, have been pushing their Google Earth and Google Maps modelling of the Olympics pretty hard for the last week or two (at least as hard as MSFT have been touting SilverLight). Where have you been?

[Stan Przybylinski]

Actually we sent one out in March when he started as well, and have had information on our Web page throughout his run.

http://www.3ds.com/news-events/press-releases/release/1728/1/

[Steve Johnson]

I'm not sure it's wise for any company to associate itself with a brutal totalitarian regime, even indirectly through a sporting event.

[Kate]

ArupSport used CATIA to help design the Beijing National Stadium, and the Olympic field hockey matches are being played on artificial grass perfected with SIMULIA. Check out the archives of blog 3DSports for more: http://share-sports.3ds.com/

[Shaan Hurley]

I don't think there is any large project that any software vendor can claim 100% of the design software used. These days multiple packages for multiple disciplines and contractors and firms makes a large design project a bit of everyone's software used.

-Shaan

[R. Paul Waddington]

Designers and draughties are the IMPORTANT components of ALL projects. The software tools they use are not necessary to the successful completion of any project and software companies disproportionally take credit for more than they should. Rarely, if even, within the software companies, are there designers and draughties capable of doing the project work, but there is no short fall of vendor egos and marketers ready to accept credit for something they contribute very little toooooo!
I also agree with Steve Johnson's comments!