Project Vasari 2 released

So Autodesk have released Vasari 2.0, an updated version of their Autodesk labs preview technology. I joked last year with Matt Jezyk, the Product Manager for Vasari, saying that this could easily become one of Autodesk’s most popular preview technologies! I don’t know the exact number so far, but it’s more than a few hundred. :-)

So what goodies have the Vasari team served up for us with this update. The code base for Vasari 2.0 is now based on Revit 2012, meaning that Vasari 2.0 is compatible with Revit 2012. You will be able to import models from Revit 2012 & Vasari 2.0 files can be passed to Revit 2012. From this, other enhancements include:-

Import Image to 3D Views – You can now import raster images into a 3D orthographic views to use as background images or as visual aids during model creation. This is achieved by going to the Application menu, click Import > Image. Once you image is within the working canvas, you can scale the image up or down using the grips or alternatively control the size from the properties palette.

The resulting image resized with the modelling environment, although it should be noted that you will need to enable realistic view for the bitmap to appear as a full image.

Import Scaled Satellite Image into 3D View – Now you can import a scaled Google Map satellite image into a 3D view using the Import Site Image dialog. On the Analyze tab, click Project Location panel >Location. In the Location dialog, select Import Site Image. This is a really neat feature & provides you with a rapid way to kick start a sketch design with ease.

Location Control on the View Cube – The current project location is now displayed in the drawing area underneath the ViewCube. Now you can access the Location dialog by clicking Location value>Set Location.

3Dconnexion 3D Mouse – Now you can reorient and navigate a model's view using a 3Dconnexion 3D mouse. 3Dconnexion support in Revit 2012 was highlighted in one of my recent blog articles. A 3D mouse lends itself to the conceptual massing environment, where you want to be able to rapidly navigate your 3D environment.

Enhanced Visualization Capabilities – Enhancements to graphics include new Display styles for Conceptual Analysis, improved grips, improved tessellation of small objects, more flexible visual style combinations, added categories to Graphic Display Options, the ability to control edges in visual styles, and new ghost elements to facilitate the display of obstructed elements.

Formula Driven Component Types – You can now have Formula Driven Components. What this means is that you can use conditional formula parameters and apply this to a divided surface. A new parameter called “Family Type:Divide Surface” allows you to drive the display and type of a pattern or a component.

Split Face for Custom Glazing – Now you can use the conceptual design split face tool to add surface sub-regions. These sub-regions can be used for custom glazing or other conceptual constructions.

Hosted points on lines & arcs - The other minor improvement is the control of parameter values for points hosted on line or curves. Now you can still express the normalised segmented length between 0 and 1, but you also have additional parameters for segmented length, normalized segment length, chord length, angle, non-normalized curve parameter and normalized curve parameter.

Material – As with Vasari 1.1, if you have Revit 2012, AutoCAD 2012 or 3dsMax 2012 installed on your workstation or laptop you will get access to the updated materials dialogue, as Vasari will share the same pro-materials library as these products.

Vasari WikiHelp – WikiHelp provides access to the full Autodesk-provided Help content, and lets you rate, comment on, and contribute content (articles, images, videos) to share with your peers