The Equipped Architect: Generative Design

    Select Software

Most leading AEC software vendors offer generative design (GD) in some form. Some are integrated, but most are an add-on module that you will need to invest in or access. Those packages that offer GD technologies include, but are not limited to:

• Autodesk Revit with Generative Design (for subscribers of AEC Collection with Revit 2022

• Autodesk Dynamo for Revit (for single-product subscribers of Revit 2022)

• Bentley Systems MicroStation OpenBuildings with GenerativeComponents

• McNeel & Associates Rhino with Grasshopper

• Nemetschek Vectorworks with Marionette

• Nemetschek Graphisoft

If your software is not listed above, contact the company to see if there is a GD add-on from your vendor before investing in a separate product.

Note: The output of a GD module is CAD data that can be read by your CAD application; therefore, not every person in the organization will need the add-on — only those who are actively engaged in generative design.

 

    Determine Hardware Requirements

Generative design software places intense performance demands on computers, similar to BIM and 3D design needs. How fast it runs depends on computer capabilities. Recommended specifications include:

• 64-bit, 6- to 12-core processor running a minimum of 2.6GHz

• 32- or 64GB of RAM (larger for more complex projects)

• 512GB–2TB NVMe storage

• Mid- to high-end graphics card certified by your hardware vendor.

For best performance, make sure you check what your package requires and make sure you purchase independent software vendor (ISV) certified hardware. ISV certification guarantees that the hardware you use has been optimized to work with your software and is only available from workstation-class computers.

 

    Plan for Deployment

Timing is everything. Be sure to schedule and budget for training to coincide with technology deployment.

Software training

• Staff using GD need between a half of a day and 2 days of training, depending on their current

knowledge of the programs.

Hardware upgrades

• Have you secured funding? (Read How to Ask for Tech Funding.)

• Will you upgrade all staff at once or plan a phased installation?

• Is the budget assigned for a specific point in time, or allocated over months or quarters?

• Is IT ready to support any required hardware upgrade with adequate server and bandwidth resources?

 

Recommended Rig for Generative Design  

To carry out GD tasks using such tools as Rhino Grasshopper, Project Refinery, and
Generative Design for Revit, Z by HP recommends the:

Z4 Desktop with
  •  Intel® Core™ i9 processor with 12 cores  
  •  NVIDIA® RTX™ A5000 graphics
  •  1TB NVMe storage
  •  up to 64GB of memory 

Click here for more on Z4 Desktop. 

 

 

 

 

 

Or the:

ZBook Studio with
  •  Intel® Core™ i7 processor with 6 cores
  •  NVIDIA® RTX™ A5000 laptop graphics
  •  1TB NVMe storage
  •   up to 32GB of memory

Click here for more on ZBook Studio.                           

 

 

 

Why Choose Z by HP?

Z by HP offers high-performance desktops and laptops designed for the work you do. We have a team of engineers and technical experts dedicated to customizing our products for what you do. 

 

ISV Certification

We work with major AEC software vendors to test and certify our Z devices for a seamless software experience, right out of the box.

 

Customized Configurations

We run our devices through actual AEC workflows, and then adjust the component mix until we find the configurations that deliver outstanding performance. For detailed spec recommendations, check out our Product Finder Tool.

 

Optimized System Performance

Every Z desktop and laptop come with our proprietary tool—HP Performance Advisor—that fine-tunes your PC settings with an intuitive software wizard. 

 

Optimized Graphics Performance

We work closely with graphics card vendors to certify and deliver a wide range of the latest professional GPU-based solutions — giving our customers outstanding performance on graphics-heavy workloads.

Next, read our third and final article in this series, How to Ask for Funding, which will give you a clear plan on how to secure funding for your GD project.

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>> Image source (top): Robert McNeel & Associates’ Rhino® Grasshopper® generative design tool helped global architecture firm Gensler resolve the splitparabolic curve of the Shanghai tower.

This article was written and developed by the editors of Cadalyst, the leading publication covering computer-aided design and related software and hardware technologies for the AEC, civil engineering, and manufacturing markets. 

HP and all other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective owners.

©2022 Longitude Media, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher.