Architectural Desktop (ADT) was an advanced software application developed by Autodesk, Inc., specifically designed for architects and building designers. Here's a detailed overview:
History and Development
- Architectural Desktop was first released in 1997 as an add-on to AutoCAD, enhancing its capabilities for architectural design.
- The software evolved through several versions, with significant updates including ADT 3.3 in 2002 which introduced features like space planning and mass modeling.
- By 2004, with the release of ADT 2005, it was fully integrated into AutoCAD Architecture, marking a shift in Autodesk's strategy to consolidate their architectural tools.
- The last version of Architectural Desktop was released in 2007, after which Autodesk decided to focus on Revit and other Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
Key Features
- Advanced Drawing Tools: ADT provided tools for creating detailed 2D and 3D architectural drawings, including walls, doors, windows, and roofs.
- Parametric Objects: Objects within ADT could be modified parametrically, allowing for changes to propagate through the model automatically.
- Space Planning: This feature allowed for the analysis of space utilization within architectural plans.
- Material and Lighting: Users could apply different materials and lighting effects to visualize the design under various conditions.
- Interoperability: ADT had good interoperability with other Autodesk products like AutoCAD and 3ds Max for rendering and animation.
Significance in the Industry
- It bridged the gap between traditional drafting and BIM, offering parametric modeling capabilities before the widespread adoption of BIM.
- ADT was popular among professionals who required advanced features not available in the base AutoCAD software but were not ready to transition to full BIM platforms like Revit.
End of Life
- With the rise of BIM and the introduction of Revit, Autodesk phased out Architectural Desktop in favor of more comprehensive BIM solutions.
- The last official support ended around 2010, although many firms continued to use ADT for legacy projects.
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