Q&A
I captured the Q&A from Graebert's neXt conference, held yesterday. You can view the replay after registering at https://www.graebert.com/next.
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LG: If you need to simplify a BIM model to remove windows or similar, does it automatically infill wall in location or leave hollow spaces ?
Cedric Desbordes: In 3D view, if you filter out the windows, you will see hollow spaces. But in the drawings, you will generate you will see walls without any hole if you selected only walls without windows in your BIM filter.
Ken H: Is there some place to go to learn more about using BIM with ARES Commander? Looking at graebert.academy there only appears to be three courses posted.
Desbordes: The Graebert Academy is only starting. We will surely add a course for the BIM features at a later date.
In our YouTube channel you can find a playlist youtube.com/playlist?list=PLStPIOsWm9vGWd-pkBERIeYdt7OwXBZjI. But you will also see at the end of this presentation that you can write to [email protected] and get in touch with one of our consultants who will study your projects and get you started with the settings and features.
Stalin O: Now more of the big companies have a lot of security stuff so maybe the access to a public cloud could be a problem. They could use intranet cloud solutions, how can approach these customers?
Desbordes: This is one of the unique advantages of ARES. For this type of requirements, it is possible to connect Kudo and Trinity to a private server, or an AWS server of the company. This includes using the WebDAV protocol or alternatively solutions like NextCloud or AWS S3. We have for example worked with LG to secure further their files.
Claudia M: I want to know if all we are seeing its available online by purchasing a license or by purchasing the license we have to download a software to do some changes in a project?
Desbordes: What you have seen in ARES Kudo is 100% online. Nothing to install, it runs in your Internet browser. Earlier today you have seen ARES Commander which is the version you install on your computer. ARES Kudo can be purchased alone. Alternatively you can buy a Trinity license that includes ARES Commander, ARES Kudo and ARES Touch altogether.
By the way the cost for ARES Kudo is only 120$ per year per user. 200$ per year per user if you add the mobile version ARES Touch. 350$ per year per user if you buy a Trinity license with ARES Kudo + ARES Commander + ARES Touch.
Stalin O: The storage space for save the DWG versions also use the store from the Cloud store system we are using, like Dropbox?
Desbordes: Yes. Unless you use the ARES Kudo Drive that includes some storage from Graebert servers, your files will be in the cloud storage that you prefer. You can connect Dropbox but also Google Drive, OneDrive, Box and many more. Most of them even offer free storage.
Stalin O: How big is the Kudo drive?
Desbordes: The ARES Kudo Drive is mostly meant to be used to get started. You will find there sample drawings provided by Graebert and can upload your own drawings. It is mostly aimed at users that don't have any storage yet, before considering to chose one of the leading solutions of the market.
We don't communicate on the "size" of free storage because the goal is not to replace the leading providers of the market. That said, if you only need from time to time it will be more than enough.
Ralph G: Does PDF->DWG recognize or convert groups into DWG blocks?
Desbordes: I am not 100% sure but I don't think so. If you want to be sure you can send this question to [email protected].
Ralph G: Is TopoPoints parts of Commander 2024 or a separate purchase?
Desbordes: It is included but you need to stay on subscription or maintenance. It goes together with the Maps features.
Note also that all our licenses include one year of maintenance, so all new licenses have the Maps features and TopoPoint for at least one year. If you buy a perpetual license you will also have one year of maintenance and can decide after if you like to renew your maintenance/subscription.
Arthur G: For perpetual license, if the maintenance is not renewed, will the Maps features and Topopoints continue to work in ARES Commander 2024?
Desbordes: Maps features and Topopoint are features that require to stay on subscription or maintenance. If you have a perpetual license and decide to stop your annual maintenance/subscription you will lose access to these features but keep access to all the CAD features of your perpetual license. But you can always come back on subscription or maintenance at any time.
Note that Maps features rely on a third-party Internet service from Esri. It has to be part of our subscription because it is a service from a third-party technology. As a result it would be impossible for Grabert to give a perpetual license for these maps.
BIM features are included in ARES Commander, not only for subscribers but even for Perpetual users without renewing subscription or maintenance every year. Of course new features are added every year, so if you are interested to keep receiving the new features you will need to buy upgrades or stay on maintenance/subscription.
https://www.graebert.com/cad-software/ares-commander/new-features
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