Autodesk currently plans to continue support of the existing Ecotect and its related tools and is working to transition the sales process to the Autodesk e-Store. In the interim a free trial version of the latest commercial software is available for download until August 15 2008, after accepting the end-user license agreement (EULA) that accompanies the product.
Use the following link to download the latest release of ECOTECT v5.60. If you want to keep your original copy of ECOTECT v5.50, then please make sure you install this version in a different folder.
ECOTECT v5.60 contains a whole host of new features and refinements and is available for download as a free trial version until August 15, 2008.
New Features
Some of the new features in this release include:
- Improved model and data visualisation.
- Better optimised algorithms to make calculations faster and more accurate.
- A whole host of useability and interface enhancements.
- Fully VISTA compatible.
- Ability to store and cache detailed shading results to save time on very large models.
- Better scripting functions and the ability to use COM and OLE directly.
- Dynamic reports in HTML using script commands and/or Javascript to embed model images and data.
- Support for tablet PC and pen computing.
- A new wizard-based approach to the creation of common geometric/paramteric objects.
- Much more robust network licencing and activation.
- Import and export gbXML model files (schema 0.35).
- Preliminary support for importing IFC R2x3 file (working well but still a few creases).
- Embed arbitrary additional project, material and zone data within a model.
Help Us Make ECOTECT Better
Bugs & Features
If you discover a bug or would like to send us any ideas for how we can improve ECOTECT and make your use of the software even easier, then please post an issue to the ECOTECT Project -- but be sure to search for any related issues before posting, just in case someone else has beaten you to it...
Cast your vote
With the increased capabilities of scripting within ECOTECT there are great opportunities to allow direct access to file and system commands - allowing you to create new directories, move and delete files, etc. However, this brings with it an increased risk of malicious or inadvertent misuse of such commands - scripts that delete model files on a networked drive (no recycle bin) or even Windows system files.
We are considering a range of options to protect against such misuse, however you could help us out by casting a vote for your preferred option in our 'Should ECOTECT allow the use of file and system commands within scripts ?' poll.
export to eQUEST
Hi, Andrew,
We expect some improvements in version 5.6 regarding the export function to eQUEST. In the version 5.5, we found some problems in the export. Have these problems been solved in version 5.6?
We hope the answer is Yes,
Best regards,
David
Mac version
Is it OpenGL only as of V5.60? Looking forward to a Mac version.
Linux versions
Hi all and congratulations for such a great software.
However I miss a lot a Linux (such as Ubuntu) version of Ecotect so we are free to choose the OS and not obligued to use Windows.
Please compile a linux version in the near future.
Regards,
Inigo
OpenGL...
Hi Christiaan,
To my knowledge, the v5.6 version of ECOTECT will still support non-openGL based video cards. So there will still be a 3D Editor tab as well as a Visualise tab in the ECOTECT interface.
As OpenGL has largely become the accepted standard for video graphics, it is very likely that version 6.0 of ECOTECT will be OpenGL only.
One issue that has existed in the past with OpenGL is that different video cards sometimes do not implement the full set of OpenGL instructions in their drivers. This would potentially result in erroneous graphics being displayed, especially with regards to shadowcasting. However, this issue will be resolved before ECOTECT becomes OpenGL only.
I'm hanging out for a mac version too! In the meantime, ECOTECT looks and runs mighty fine on a Mac using BootCamp :)
Regards,
sid thoo architect
Hi imadurga ECOTECT can be
Hi imadurga
ECOTECT can be run in ubuntu perfectly with wine except the OpenGL panel, but it is said the newst wine will give a good OpenGL support.
5.6 version
hello
I tried for some hours the new beta version 5.6. I didn't tried the new features but the whole environment seems the same as 5.50. I m coming back to a main issue. The 3D design interface is a bit antiquated for such a great software. The 3D editor and Visualize tab are like we are in the 80's decade. I strongly suggest again an improvement to the 3D model interface through clear OpenGL functions like Sketchup, Designbuilder and many other software have already done. It is a bit disappointing to create a building like being 10 years ago. I really believe that a better 3d modelling interface (like Sketchup has) would boost Ecotect to the top.
3D modelling interface...
Hi George,
I understand that there are plans to significantly improve the 3D modelling interface for ECOTECT. However, it is important to remember that the upcoming release of version 5.6 is an incremental upgrade - ECOTECT is only taking 0.1 of a step forward!
Major revisions to ECOTECT's modelling interface would require significant time and development resources, and are slated for version 6.0 of the software.
In defense of ECOTECT, I don't think that its' interface is as antiquated as you have suggested. For example, compared to DesignBuilder, ECOTECT is capable of importing a wide variety of popular 3D geometry formats, and also supports gbXML and IFC. To my knowledge, DesignBuilder does not offer comparable features (apart from 2D DXF import) requiring each project to be modelled from scratch.
I'm a big fan of SketchUp as well, and it would indeed be nice if it were possible to model in ECOTECT in a similar fashion. Of course, ECOTECT does require certain relationships between the model geometry in order for its' analysis functions to work correctly (such as the child-parent relationship between window and wall objects). SketchUp has no such limitation.
In summary, I think the intention does exist to overhaul the modelling interface in future versions of ECOTECT. It's just a question of time!
Regards,
sid thoo architect
To Sid : In my opinion
To Sid :
In my opinion Ecotect is a very inspired and clever designed software. It is one of the best out there and also has a very "creative" and good aesthitic interface. I have bought a licence and although it is a really good programm I have some problems when I try to modem complex geometries. This is mainly becouse in 3D editor you can see only lines which are the one over the other, a bit chaotic situation when complex gemoteries arise. The program has a visualize tab. I wonder, would it be better to model directly in visualize mode and not going from 3d to visualize and vice versa?
Anyway, as you said this is a incremental upgrade. It is also very good that it supports gbXML and IFC as well.
To Chughes :
Really don t know what it happened. I have download a beta version of 5.6 from the specific address some days (or hours) before I live the specific message (26 March 2008). Now I see a password, don't know... perhaps somekind of register ? I really don t remember.
Automation aware ?
"Greatly improved scripting capabilities and the ability to interface with COM and OLE objects."
Does this mean that users can automate Ecotect5.6 through Visual sutdio C# or VB ?
to Sid: Tranlations
I am able to help translating the program to spanish, please send me an email if you are interested!
Para LUCIANO
Hola
yo estoy interesado en traducir ECOTECT a español
por favor, contacta conmigo
Version Française
Envisagez-vous une version en langue frnçaise
Little Fun: Have a break!
See the attached image, and you will notice that the topic "ECOTECT v5.60 Release Candidate Available" received reply before it was posted.
No ArchiCAD plugin link
As documented in "new features" of ecotect v5.6, i did not find any mention of gbxml, archicad plugin or even ecotect on http://www.encina.co.uk/ website. Pls update me, in case I have missed anything.
archicad plugin
I wrote to encina asking about the plugin. They said that it is in development. I asked if they had a timeline for it ie days, weeks or months, but I have not heard back yet.
dcs
Autodesk aqcuisition
How will the Autodesk aquisition affect the freely accessible training content and sustainalbe design tutuorials and will the support for ArchiCAD users remain in the future?
Thanks
Alex
'A slightly concerned ArchiCAD user.'
Hi Alex. I completely
Hi Alex.
I completely understand your concern, and although I can't give you a 100% assurance, what has been indicated to us is that autodesk do not plan on removing any existing functionality that is already in ECOTECT etc. including any support for conversion formats such as IFC or gbXML that allow archicad users such as yourself to use ECOTECT -- in fact, with the increased resources at autodesk these aspects should only improve.
As to the training content/tutorials, I know autodesk will continue to utilise and develop these, but how free they may/may not remain I don't know... that is probably a much longer term aspect which they themselves may not be too sure of just yet.
Please search before posting a question.