ATHENA CAD PLAN: A Flexible and Adaptable Solution for Curtain Wall Design and Facade Engineering
What is athena CAD PLAN?
If you are looking for a software that can help you design and engineer curtain walls and facades, you might want to check out athena CAD PLAN. It is a software that is specially tailored to the needs of metal and facade builders, offering everything they need for their daily tasks.
athena CAD PLAN
In this article, we will explain what athena CAD PLAN is, why you should use it, and how it can make your work easier and more efficient.
Why use athena CAD PLAN?
Athena CAD PLAN is not just another generic CAD software. It is designed specifically for curtain wall design and facade engineering, which means it has features and functions that are relevant and useful for this field.
Some of the benefits and features of ath ena CAD PLAN are:
It allows you to create both 2D and 3D designs, depending on your preferences and needs.
It offers you powerful and intelligent 2D tools, such as routines for semi-finished parts, foils, thermal insulation, welded seams or panels, extensive and freely expandable libraries, and sophisticated dimensioning functions.
It enables you to create versatile and parametric 3D models, with automatic generation of parts lists and production drawings, and product data management.
It offers you powerful computational tools for structural analysis and building physics, such as static calculations, wind load simulations, glass thickness checks, thermal insulation calculations, sound insulation calculations, fire protection calculations, etc.
It provides you with a sheet editing program for sheet design and development, allowing you to create complex sheet geometries and unfold them into flat patterns for cutting or bending.
Let's take a closer look at each of these features and how they can help you with your curtain wall design and facade engineering projects.
2D design with athena CAD PLAN
If you prefer to work in 2D, athena CAD PLAN has everything you need to create sectional and elevation plans, floor plans and production drawings. You can use the powerful and intelligent 2D tools that athena CAD PLAN offers to simplify your drawing process and increase your productivity.
Routines for semi-finished parts, foils, thermal insulation, welded seams or panels
One of the 2D tools that athena CAD PLAN offers is the routines for common elements in curtain wall design. You can use these routines to insert semi-finished parts, foils, thermal insulation, welded seams or panels into your drawings with just a few clicks. You can also customize these elements according to your specifications and preferences. For example, you can choose the type, size, color and position of the foils or the insulation. You can also edit the properties of the semi-finished parts or the panels. This way, you can save time and avoid errors in your drawings.
Extensive and freely expandable libraries
Another 2D tool that athena CAD PLAN offers is the extensive and freely expandable libraries. You can use these libraries to access a variety of profile systems, standard parts or manufacturer parts that you can use in your drawings. You can also add your own parts or systems to the libraries or modify the existing ones. You can also search for the parts or systems that you need by using filters or keywords. This way, you can have an overview of the available options and choose the ones that suit your project best.
Sophisticated dimensioning functions
A third 2D tool that athena CAD PLAN offers is the sophisticated dimensioning functions. You can use these functions to quickly dimension your drawings with smart and flexible options. You can choose from different types of dimensioning styles, such as linear, angular, radial or aligned. You can also adjust the dimensioning parameters, such as text size, arrow size, offset distance or tolerance values. You can also use associative dimensioning to link your dimensions to the geometry of your drawing. This way, you can ensure accuracy and consistency in your drawings.
3D design with athena CAD PLAN
If you prefer to work in 3D, athena CAD PLAN has everything you need to create versatile and parametric 3D models. You can use the powerful and intelligent 3D tools that athena CAD PLAN offers to create complex and realistic models with automatic generation of parts lists and production drawings.
Fully parametric modeling
One of the 3D tools that athena CAD PLAN offers is the fully parametric modeling. You can use this tool to create 3D models that are based on parameters and values that you can define and modify at any time. For example, you can create a 3D model of a curtain wall by specifying the dimensions, angles, profiles, materials and colors of each element. You can also use formulas or variables to link different parameters together. This way, you can create flexible and adaptable models that respond to changes automatically.
Automatic generation of parts lists and production drawings
A second 3D tool that athena CAD PLAN offers is the automatic generation of parts lists and production drawings. You can use this tool to save time and effort by creating parts lists and production drawings from your 3D models automatically. You can choose from different formats and layouts for your parts lists and production drawings, such as tables, labels, views or sections. You can also customize the content and appearance of your parts lists and production drawings, such as adding or removing columns, fields, texts or symbols. You can also update your parts lists and production drawings automatically whenever you make changes to your 3D models. This way, you can ensure accuracy and completeness in your documentation.
Product data management
A third 3D tool that athena CAD PLAN offers is the product data management. You can use this tool to manage your product data efficiently by integrating with external databases and systems. You can connect your 3D models to databases that store information about profiles, materials, prices, suppliers, etc. You can also export or import your product data to or from other systems, such as ERP, CRM or BIM. You can also use the product data management to create reports or analyses based on your product data. This way, you can optimize your workflow and communication with your partners and customers.
Engineering with athena CAD PLAN
If you need to perform engineering calculations for your curtain wall design and facade engineering projects, athena CAD PLAN has everything you need to do that. You can use the powerful computational tools that athena CAD PLAN offers to perform structural analysis and building physics calculations.
Structural analysis
One of the computational tools that athena CAD PLAN offers is the structural analysis. You can use this tool to perform static calculations, wind load simulations, glass thickness checks, etc. for your curtain wall design and facade engineering projects. You can use the structural analysis to verify the stability and safety of your structures, as well as to optimize the material usage and cost. You can also use the structural analysis to generate reports or certificates that comply with the relevant standards and regulations.
Building physics
A second computational tool that athena CAD PLAN offers is the building physics. You can use this tool to perform thermal insulation calculations, sound insulation calculations, fire protection calculations, etc. for your curtain wall design and facade engineering projects. You can use the building physics to ensure the comfort and performance of your buildings, as well as to meet the environmental and energy requirements. You can also use the building physics to generate reports or certificates that comply with the relevant standards and regulations.
Sheet editing with athena CAD PLAN
If you need to design and develop sheets for your curtain wall design and facade engineering projects, athena CAD PLAN has everything you need to do that. You can use the sheet editing program that athena CAD PLAN offers to create complex sheet geometries and unfold them into flat patterns.
Sheet design
One of the features of the sheet editing program is the sheet design. You can use this feature to create complex sheet geometries with curves, holes, notches, etc. You can use different methods to create your sheet geometries, such as sketching, extruding, revolving, sweeping or lofting. You can also modify your sheet geometries by using commands such as move, copy, rotate, scale or mirror. You can also apply constraints or relations to your sheet geometries to control their shape and size.
Sheet development
A second feature of the sheet editing program is the sheet development. You can use this feature to unfold your sheet geometries into flat patterns for cutting or bending. You can choose from different methods of unfolding your sheet geometries, such as parallel line development, radial line development or triangulation development. You can also adjust the parameters of unfolding your sheet geometries, such as bend allowance, bend deduction or k-factor. You can also add marks or labels to your flat patterns to indicate cutting lines, bending lines or dimensions.
How to get started with athena CAD PLAN?
In this article, we have explained what athena CAD PLAN is, why you should use it, and how it can make your work easier and more efficient. We have also shown you some examples of how athena CAD PLAN works in practice.
If you are interested in trying out athena CAD PLAN, you have two options:
You can download a free trial version of athena CAD PLAN from their website . The trial version is valid for 30 days and allows you to test all the features and functions of athena CAD PLAN. You can also access the online help and tutorials to learn how to use athena CAD PLAN effectively.
You can schedule an online presentation of athena CAD PLAN from their website . The online presentation is a live demonstration of athena CAD PLAN by one of their experts, who will show you how athena CAD PLAN can solve your specific problems and answer your questions. You can also request a customized offer for athena CAD PLAN based on your needs and budget.
We hope you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions that people ask about athena CAD PLAN:
What are the system requirements for athena CAD PLAN?
Athena CAD PLAN is compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8 or 7 operating systems. It also requires AutoCAD 2015 or higher as a base platform. The minimum hardware requirements are 4 GB of RAM, 10 GB of free disk space, and a graphics card with OpenGL support. The recommended hardware requirements are 8 GB of RAM, 20 GB of free disk space, and a graphics card with at least 1 GB of memory.
How much does athena CAD PLAN cost?
The price of athena CAD PLAN depends on the number of licenses, the duration of the contract, and the level of support and maintenance that you choose. You can request a customized offer from their website or contact them directly for more information.
How can I learn how to use athena CAD PLAN?
You can learn how to use athena CAD PLAN by accessing the online help and tutorials that are available on their website or within the software. You can also attend online training courses or webinars that are offered by their experts. You can also contact their support team if you have any questions or issues.
What are the advantages of athena CAD PLAN over other CAD software?
The main advantage of athena CAD PLAN over other CAD software is that it is designed specifically for curtain wall design and facade engineering, which means it has features and functions that are relevant and useful for this field. It also integrates seamlessly with AutoCAD, which means you can use your existing skills and workflows. It also offers powerful computational tools for structural analysis and building physics, which means you can ensure the quality and performance of your projects.
Can I use athena CAD PLAN for other types of projects besides curtain wall design and facade engineering?
Athena CAD PLAN is mainly intended for curtain wall design and facade engineering, but you can also use it for other types of projects that involve metal construction, such as roofs, skylights, doors, windows, etc. You can also use it for general 2D or 3D design and engineering tasks.
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