Twinmotion 2025.1.1, the latest release of the real time rendering software from Epic Games, supports Nvidia DLSS 4, a suite of neural rendering technologies that uses AI to boost 3D performance.

Epic Games shows that when DLSS 4 is enabled in Twinmotion it can render almost four times as many frames per second (FPS) than when DLSS is set to off.

DLSS 4 uses a technology called Multi Frame Generation, an evolution of Single Frame Generation, which was introduced in DLSS 3.

Single Frame Generation uses the AI Tensor cores on Nvidia GPUs to interpolate one synthetic frame between every two traditionally rendered frames, improving performance by reducing the number of frames that need to be rendered by the GPU.

Multi Frame Generation extends this approach by using AI to generate up to three frames between each pair of rendered frames, further increasing frame rates. The technology is only available on Nvidia’s new Blackwell-based RTX GPUs, which have been architected specifically to better support neural rendering.

Multi Frame Generation can be used alongside Super Resolution, where AI upscales a lower-resolution frame to a higher resolution, and Ray Reconstruction, where AI is used to generate additional pixel data in ray-traced scenes. According to Nvidia, when all DLSS technologies are combined, 15 out of every 16 pixels in a frame can be generated by AI. This greatly reduces the computational demands of traditional rendering and significantly boosts overall performance.

Twinmotion 2025.1.1 includes several other features.

3D Grass material allows users to drag and drop five types of grass material onto any surface. The Configurations feature, first introduced in Twinmotion 2025.1 to allow users to build interactive 3D presentations that showcase different variations of a project, has also been enhanced. Users can now export configurators to Twinmotion Cloud, for easy sharing, and use a mesh as a trigger — for example clicking on a door handle to open a door.

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It’s rare to see an architectural practice align itself so openly with a specific technology. But Studio Tim Fu is breaking that mould. Built from the ground up as an AI-first practice, the London-based studio is unapologetically committed to exploring how generative AI can reshape architecture—from the earliest concepts to fully constructable designs.

“We want to explore in depth how we can use the technology of generative AI, of neural networks, deep learning, and large language models as well, in an effort to facilitate an accelerated way of designing and building, but also thinking,” explains founder Tim Fu.

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Studio Tim Fu’s current methodology uses AI early in the design process to boost creativity, accelerate visualisation, and improve client communication — all while maintaining technical feasibility.

The technological journey began during Fu’s time at Zaha Hadid Architects, where he explored the potential of computational design to rationalise complex geometries. “We were thinking about the complexity of design and how we can bring that to fruition through computational processes and technologies,” he recalls.

This early exploration laid the groundwork to the Studio’s current AI-driven approach, which involves a sophisticated iterative process that blends human intention with machine learning capabilities. Initial AI-generated concepts are refined through human guidance, then reinterpreted by diffusion AI technology. This creates a dynamic feedback loop for rapid conceptualisation, where hundreds of design expressions can be explored in a single day.

Once we figure out the architectural design and planning that solves real life situation and constraints and context, we bring those back into the AI visualising models, to visualise and continue to iterate over our existing 3D models

Fu’s technical approach employs a complex system of AI tools, from common text-to-image generators such as Midjourney, Dall-E and Stable Diffusion to custom-trained models. Using these tools at the start of a project presents a ‘gradient of possibilities’, says Fu, both using AI’s creative agency and incorporating human intentions. The team uses text prompts to spark fresh ideas, producing ‘mood boards’ of synthetic visuals, as well as hand sketches to guide the AI.

“We use a mesh of back and forth with different design tools,” he explains. Ideas are generated and refined before they are translated into 3D geometry using modelling tools like Rhino.

“Once we figure out the architectural design and planning that solves real life situation and constraints and context, we bring those back into the AI visualising models, to visualise and continue to iterate over our existing 3D models,” he says. This enables the design team to see, for example, different possible expressions of window details and geometries. It’s a continuous loop—a creative dialogue between human intention and machine imagination.

Fu believes the results speak for themselves: in just one week, his team can deliver high-quality, client-ready concepts that far exceed what’s possible using conventional methods within the same time frame.

This level of efficiency brings new economic opportunities. Studio Tim Fu can charge clients less than traditional architects while boosting its earnings, all within conventional pricing structures. “We can lower the price because we can, and we can up the value, so it’s a win for the client and it’s good for us,” he says.

AI meets heritage

The Studio’s work on the Lake Bled Estate masterplan in Slovenia, its first fully AI-driven architectural project, serves as a landmark demonstration of these technical capabilities.

Spanning an expansive 22,000 square metre site, the project comprises six ultra-luxury villas set alongside the historic Vila Epos, a protected cultural monument of the highest national significance.

To produce a design that respects its historical context while creating an elevated luxury space, Studio Tim Fu synthesises heritage data with AI.

The Studio captured the local architectural vernacular by analysing material characteristics and extracting geometric parameters to comply with strict heritage regulations, including roof layout, height, and slope.

“This is the first time we are showing AI in its most contextually reflective way,” says Fu, “Something that is contrary to all the AI experiments that have come out since the dawn of diffusion AI processes.

“We want to showcase that this whole diffusion process can be completely controlled under our belt and be used for specifically addressing those issues [of respecting historical context].”

Delivering the details

Studio Tim Fu currently applies AI primarily at the concept-to-detail design stage. However, Fu believes we’re at a pivotal moment where AI is poised to take on more technical aspects of architectural design—particularly in areas like BIM modelling and dataset management.

“Because these are technical requirements, technical needs, and technical goals, it’s something that can be quantified,” he explains. “If it’s maximising certain functionality, while minimising the use of material and budget, these are numerical data that can be optimised. We’re just beginning that process of developing artificial general intelligence.”

But where does this leave humans? While Fu acknowledges that we must humbly recognise our limitations, he believes that human specialists—architects, designers, and fabricators—will remain essential, each working with AI within their own domain. At the same time, he sees enormous potential for AI to unify these fields.

“What AI can do is bring all of the human processes into a cohesive, streamlined decision making, to design to production process, because that’s what AI is good at. It’s good at cohesing large data sets, it’s good at addressing macro scale and micro scale values in the same time.”

Main image: Lake Bled Estate masterplan in Slovenia. Credit: Studio Tim Fu

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In the world of infrastructure design, traditional processes have long been plagued by inefficiencies and fragmentation. That’s the view of engineer turned software developer Andreas Bjune Kjølseth, CEO of Norwegian startup Infraspace. “Going from an idea to actually having a decision basis can be a quite tedious process,” he explains.

Four years ago, Kjølseth left his career in civil engineering consulting and founded Infraspace, to develop a brand new generative design tool for civil infrastructure alignments – road, rail or power networks. In his years as an engineer and BIM manager Kjølseth was left frustrated by the limitations of traditional processes. Civil engineers commonly must navigate multiple software tools, explains Kjølseth – sketching in one platform, generating 3D models in another, using GIS for analysis on land take and environmental impact, and then manually assembling, comparing and presenting alternatives.

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Infraspace aims to unify this fragmented workflow within a single, cloudbased platform. The software is primarily designed to tackle the initial phases of linear civil infrastructure projects, using an outcome-based approach, as Kjølseth explains. “Users can define where they want the generative AI engine to explore alternatives and define the outcomes, such as, ‘I want options with the least possible construction costs, shortest travel time or length, and the least land take in certain areas.’ Then the algorithm will quickly explore opportunities to make better solutions.”

The Infraspace cloud platform generates thousands of alternatives within minutes, enabling engineers to explore options they might not have considered if done manually.

Design options are displayed via an intuitive web-based interface, featuring a 3D model alongside an analytics dashboard with key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost, route length, land take, and cut-and-fill volumes.

The system can also be used to assess the environmental impact of proposed designs, including carbon footprint, viewshed, noise, and which buildings or areas might be affected.

Based on this information engineers can quickly compare and evaluate multiple design alternatives, then use the software to refine designs further. As the software is cloud based, this makes it easier for multiple stakeholders to understand the consequences quicker, explains Kjølseth

“The typical project manager often has limited access to advanced CAD, BIM or analysis software. With Infraspace they can quickly log into their projects in their browser and see the 3D models together with the analytics instantly,” he says. “It’s also possible to invite external stakeholders into the project to explore a selected number of alternatives.”

Project seeds

To start a project, users can pull in data from various sources, such as Mapbox or Google, or upload custom digital terrain models, bedrock surface models, or GIS data.

The design can then be kickstarted in several ways. An engineer could simply define the start and end point of an alignment, then let the software work out the best alternatives based on set goals. Alternatively, an engineer can define geometric constraints—such as sketching a corridor or marking environmentally protected areas as off-limits.

Users can define where they want the generative AI engine to explore alternatives and define the outcomes, such as, ‘I want options with the least possible construction costs, shortest travel time or length, and the least land take in certain areas’ – Andreas Bjune Kjølseth, CEO, Infraspace

The system is not limited to blank slate designs. It can also import alignments from traditional infrastructure design tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D and use them as a basis for optimisation. As Kjølseth explains, some engineers are even just using the platform for its analytical capabilities, to get fast feedback on traditionally crafted designs. The software offers import / export for a range of formats including LandXML, IFC, OBJ, BCF, glTF, DXF and others.

Adaptability across geographies

Infraspace is not hard coded for specific national design standards, but as Kjølseth explains, the platform captures the fundamental mechanisms of infrastructure design. It allows engineers to define geometric constraints, set curve radii, specify vertical alignment parameters, and adapt to different project types including roads, railways, and power transmission lines. It can handle projects with varying levels of design freedom, from short access roads to expansive highway corridors.

Designed by engineers, for engineers

For civil engineers seeking to streamline their design process, reduce environmental impact, and explore more design options, faster, Infraspace offers an interesting alternative to traditional fragmented workflows. Most importantly, with a team combining civil engineering expertise and software development skills, it’s clear the company understands the nuances of infrastructure design.

While Infraspace is currently focused on early-stage design and optimisation, its ambitions extend beyond. “We will continue to add more features as we go,” says Kjølseth. “I see that generative design as a concept and the platform we have, can definitely be applied to many use cases — during the latter stages of a project, and to even more complex problems.”

Main image: The generative AI engine can deliver thousands of design options in minutes

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Lumion has unveiled Lumion View, a new visualisation plug-in that allows architects to visualize their projects in a path-traced real-time viewport without having to leave their primary modelling environment.

The software is billed as an early-stage design companion, purpose-built for design exploration by delivering live rendered feedback to design choices. Any geometry or material changes that are made in CAD/BIM tool are automatically reflected in the Lumion View window.

“We think of Lumion View as a new viewport to a CAD tool,” says Artur Brzegowy, product manager, Lumion. “It’s like a viewport on steroids. It can help you to make better design decisions, instead of creating a final beautiful render.”

Features include real-time ray tracing, conceptual render styles (clay, wood, Styrofoam, glossy), sun studies, and  material adjustments directly within the CAD environment. Users can also ‘quickly produce’ up to 4K renders for sharing visuals with clients. VR walkthroughs and a Mac version are on the roadmap.

Lumion View is currently available in Early Access for SketchUp, but there are plans to expand to Revit later this year, followed by Archicad, Rhino, and other platforms.

Pricing has not yet been announced, but the company has said that Lumion View will be ‘very affordable’ and will also run on ‘much lower grade hardware’ than other viz tools.

Lumion View is positioned as a complementary solution to Lumion Pro, which will continue to be Lumion’s ‘high-quality, high-end visualisation platform for the architecture community.’

Lumion Pro subscribers get free access to Lumion View, and for every Lumion Pro seat, up to 10 team members can be invited  to use Lumion View—at no extra cost — until October 31, 2025.

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In May 2025, HP plans to officially launch an AI vectorisation feature for its HP Build Workspace collaboration platform, first announced in September 2024.

According to HP, it will be the first solution to use AI for converting raster images into CAD-editable documents, saving hours of manual work per drawing. The system can detect lines, polylines, arcs, and text. Once text has been extracted and indexed, users can search on that data.

The conversion service comes with a simple editor, which allows users to change lines that were incorrectly converted from dashed into solid, connect lines that should have been snapped together, as well as clean, remove or add elements.

HP Build Workspace is also set to integrate more closely with the HP DesignJet family of large-format printers and scanners. According to HP, this enhanced connectivity will enable features such as scanning directly to HP Build Workspace for AI-powered vectorisation, improving communication and collaboration beyond traditional paper-based workflows.

HP is also targeting May 2025 for the launch of a Flatness Measurement Service for HP SitePrint, its autonomous three-wheeled robot that prints 2D plans directly onto the floors of construction sites.

The HP SitePrint Flatness Measurement Service will allow users to measure floor flatness and print elevation corrections directly onto the floor. HP says this eliminates the need for external elevation and flatness data processing, which is traditionally done in the back office before being communicated to field teams.

The service aims to consolidate four manual steps—marking information on the floor, capturing elevation data, processing the data, and relocating elevation details—into a single streamlined workflow.

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Dell has revealed more details about its workstation-class Dell Pro Max PC lineup, following a major rebrand earlier this year that marked the end of its long-standing Precision workstation brand.

For Dell Pro Max laptops (in other words, mobile workstations) there are three tiers – Premium, Plus and Base.

The Premium tier is said to balance performance and style in a ‘sleek, lightweight design, and come in two sizes – 14-inch (1.61kg) and 16-inch (2.25kg). There’s a choice of 45W ‘Arrow Lake’ Intel Core Ultra processors, Nvidia RTX Pro Blackwell GPUs, and up to 64 GB of LPDDR5x 7,467MT/s memory. Other features include a haptic touchpad, a zero-lattice keyboard, and an 8-megapixel IR camera.

The 14-inch and 16-inch Premium models have slightly different graphics and display options. The Dell Pro Max 14 Premium goes up to an Nvidia RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell (8 GB) GPU, which should hit the sweet spot for CAD, while its top-end display is a QHD+ (3,200  ×  1,800) Tandem OLED with touch, low blue light, and VESA HDR TrueBlack 500 support.

The Dell Pro Max 16 Premium offers more powerful GPUs, up to the Nvidia RTX Pro 3500 Blackwell (12 GB), capable of entry-level viz, and a Tandem OLED 120Hz display with 100% DCI-P3 colour accuracy, touch support, and VESA HDR TrueBlack 1000. The laptop also offers up to 8TB of dual storage (RAID 0 or 1 capable).

The Dell Pro Max Plus tier, which is said to offer ‘massive scalability’ for desktop-like performance on the go, is available in 16-inch (2.25kg) and 18-inch (3.13kg) form factors. Both laptops offer more powerful processors – up to 55W ‘Arrow Lake’ Intel Core Ultra, and Nvidia RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell (24GB) for graphics, plus significantly more memory – up to 256 GB.

To keep the devices running cool and quiet there’s a new patented thermal design. And for single-cable docking and charging, there’s a 165W / 280W USB Type-C adapter with Extended Power Range (EPR) support.

The base tier, simply referred to as Dell Pro Max, comes in a portable, lightweight design, designed for entry-level design applications and AI inferencing. The 14-inch model is limited to ‘Arrow Lake’ Intel Core Ultra 7 processors, and Nvidia RTX Pro 500 Blackwell graphics but is said to be up to 36% more powerful than its predecessor, the Dell Precision 3490. The 16-inch model offers the beefier Intel Core Ultra 9 and Nvidia RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell graphics and is said to be 33% faster than the Precision 3591.

Expect to see Dell Pro Max laptiops with AMD Ryzen processors in July.

Meanwhile, the first wave of Dell Pro Max desktop PCs are classified as ‘Base’ models and are built around ‘Arrow Lake’ Intel Core processors. They come in Tower, Slim and Micro form factors and offer a wide range of Nvidia RTX GPUs, including Ada Generation (now) and Blackwell Generation (July 2025).

For CPUs, the Dell Pro Max Tower and Dell Pro Max Slim come with a choice of 125W ‘Arrow lake’ Intel Core processors, up to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (24 cores). Dell claims the Tower T2 is the world’s fastest tower for single-threaded application performance, made possible by Dell’s ‘unlimited turbo duration technology’, which is said to ensure top-tier performance in prolonged intensive tasks.

Meanwhile, the Dell Pro Max Micro is limited to 65W processors, up to the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 vPro, which means fewer cores and lower single core frequencies. However, these can run up to 85W thanks to a new thermal solution.

Graphics is a big differentiator between the form factors. The ‘Micro’ and ‘Slim’ are limited to the Nvidia RTX 4000 SFF ADA (20 GB), whereas in July, the Dell Pro Max Tower T2 will go all the way up to the up to the Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition (600W).

Expect to see Dell Pro Max desktops with AMD Threadripper processor options in July.

Meanwhile, Dell has also launched a pair of Dell Pro Max AI developer PCs, powered by the Nvidia Grace Blackwell architecture and a pre-configured Nvidia AI software stack. The Dell Pro Max with GB10 is powered by the Nvidia GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip and comes with 128 GB of unified memory, while the Dell Pro Max with GB300 features the more powerful Nvidia GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip and comes with 784 GB of unified memory.

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To coincide with the launch of the new Nvidia RTX Pro Blackwell GPUs, HP has introduced two new Z by HP workstations: the HP Z2 Tower G1i desktop and the HP ZBook Fury G1i mobile workstation. Both models are powered by Intel processors (signified by the ‘i’ suffix) and support a variety of Nvidia GPUs.

The HP Z2 Tower G1i is billed as the world’s most powerful entry workstation, likely because it can accommodate Nvidia’s new flagship 600W Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition GPU with 96 GB of memory.

Other specs include a 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, including K-Series models that support 250W sustained TDP, up to 256 GB of DDR5 5600 MT/s memory, and up to 36TB of total storage (12 TB with 3 x NVMe and 24 TB with 2 x HDD).

The HP Z2 Tower G1i features a redesigned chassis with ‘phase change cooling’ and ‘lattice thermal venting’. With an angular 4U form factor, the workstation is also designed for rack environments and can be fitted with an HP Remote System Controller for remote workstation fleet management.

HP is also rolling out three more Intel-based desktop workstations – the HP Z1 Tower G1i, HP Z2 Mini G1i, and HP Z2 SFF G1i. With an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and up to Nvidia RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation GPU, the HP Z2 Mini G1i is an Intel-based alternative to the HP Z2 Mini G1a, which launched earlier this year sporting a powerful AMD Ryzen processor with integrated graphics.

On the mobile workstation front, the HP ZBook Fury G1i, available in both a 16-inch and a brand new 18-inch form factor, is said to offer desktop-class performance in a laptop. It boasts up to an Nvidia RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell laptop GPU, up to an Arrow Lake’ Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX CPU, up to 192 GB of DDR5-5600 memory, and up to 16 TB of NVMe storage.

The HP ZBook Fury G1i 18 is billed as the world’s most powerful 18-inch mobile workstation and includes an ‘industry first’ three-fan design.

HP is also in the process of streamlining its HP ZBook product range, dropping the ‘Firefly’ and ‘Power’ brands in favour of ‘Fury’ and ‘Ultra’. HP is also introducing a numbering system that signifies increasing device features and overall performance. HP says the numbers 8 and 10 (represented by “X”) will show this progression.

Also coming soon are the HP ZBook 8 G1a (14-inch) with ‘Next Gen AMD Processors, HP ZBook G1i (14-inch and 16-inch) with up to Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and up to Nvidia RTX 500 Ada Laptop GPU, and HP ZBook X G1i (16-inch) with up to Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and up to Nvidia RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell Laptop GPU. All of these new laptops look best suited to CAD and BIM-centric workflows and come with up to 64 GB DDR5-5600 memory.

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Nvidia has launched the Nvidia RTX Pro Blackwell generation of professional workstation GPUs for desktops and laptops, with significantly improved AI and ray tracing capabilities.

The new GPUs also support DLSS 4, the latest release of Nvidia’s real time neural rendering technology, where 15 out of every 16 pixels can be generated by AI, which is much faster than rendering pixels in the traditional way.

According to Nvidia, in arch viz software D5 Render, enabling DLSS 4 can lead to a four-fold increase in frame rates, leading to much smoother navigation of complex scenes.

Of the new desktop GPUs, the flagship Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition features a whopping 96 GB of GDDR7 memory, double that of the previous Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada Generation. This opens up the Nvidia RTX Pro family to even more demanding workflows in AI, simulation and visualisation.

Nvidia is billing the new dual slot board as the most powerful desktop GPU ever created. On paper, it outpaces the 32 GB consumer-focused Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, which launched earlier this year. With a slightly beefier chip, the RTX Pro offers better single-precision performance and is also faster in AI and Ray Tracing workloads.

This marks a change in strategy for Nvidia, as the company’s top-end workstation GPUs usually run slower than their consumer GeForce equivalents.

One of the reasons for this is that workstation cards usually draw less power. But this is not the case for the Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition, which goes up to 600W, a massive step up from the 300W Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada Generation GPU and slightly more than the 575W Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090.

This increased power draw will likely have an impact on how the new chip is deployed by the workstation OEMs. While some high-end desktops can physically house up to three or four dual slot GPUs, we don’t expect many will be able to handle the thermal demands of multiple Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition GPUs.

This is probably why Nvidia has also launched the Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Max-Q Workstation Edition. It offers similar specs, but in a more familiar 300W package, translating to around 12% less performance across the board – CUDA, AI and RT.

Other new workstations additions include the Nvidia RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell (48 GB) (300W), Nvidia RTX Pro 4500 Blackwell (32 GB) (200W), and Nvidia RTX Pro 4000 Blackwell (24 GB) (140W), each with slightly more memory than their Ada Generation predecessors. All new Blackwell RTX Pro boards feature 4 x DisplayPort 2.1 connectors.

For mobile workstations, Nvidia has launched a much broader range of laptop GPUs. This includes the Nvidia RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell (24 GB), RTX Pro 4000 Blackwell (16 GB), RTX Pro 3000 Blackwell (12 GB), RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell (8 GB), RTX Pro 1000 Blackwell (8 GB) and RTX Pro 500 Blackwell (6 GB). The RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell stands out because it has 50% more memory than its predecessor, the Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada Generation, which should make a big difference in some workflows.

The new laptop chips will be found in mobile workstations, such as the HP ZBook Fury G1i, available in both a 16″ and an all-new 18″ form factor.

Nvidia has also launched the Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Server Edition, a successor to the Nvidia L40 data centre GPU, which along with the new ‘Pro’ branding now makes it much easier to understand Nvidia’s entire pro GPU lineup.

The data centre GPU can be combined with Nvidia vGPU software to power AI workloads across virtualised environments and deliver ‘high-performance virtual workstation instances to remote users.

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Snaptrude has built an Excel-like interface directly into its BIM authoring software, to make architectural programming simpler and allow architects to quickly generate data-backed design concepts with views, renders, and drawings.

With the new ‘Program’ mode every row, formula, and update is synced live with the 3D model, and vice versa. According to Snaptrude, this means architects don’t need to juggle separate spreadsheets, ensuring real-time accuracy and eliminating the need for manual cross-checking. Users can define custom formulas and rules to fit their specific building program needs.

‘Program’ mode works alongside Tables, which is billed as a new home for all kinds of structured information inside Snaptrude.

Tables includes an AI wizard, so users can ‘quickly generate’ or refine their program with an AI co-pilot.

“Over the last 18 months, we’ve started spending a lot of time with mid to large sized architectural firms across the US and globally as well. And one thing which we constantly kept hearing is Excel is everywhere, and it’s a huge part of everyone’s workflows, and it’s quite understandable,” said Altaf Ganihar, founder and CEO, Snaptrude.

“From programming to construction, everybody knows how to use it, it’s very easy to use, and everybody relies on it. So instead of fighting it, we said, let’s just embrace it, we built an Excel like interface directly into Snaptrude.”

Snaptrude Program mode is currently in early access.

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Chaos, a specialist in arch viz software, has acquired EvolveLab, a developer of AI tools for streamlining visualisation, generative design, documentation and interoperability for AEC professionals.

According to Chaos, the acquisition will reinforce its design-to-visualisation workflows, while expanding to include critical tools for BIM automation, AI-driven ideation and computational design.

Founded in 2015, EvolveLab was the first to integrate generative AI technology into architectural modelling software, demonstrating the massive potential of mixing imaginative prompts with 3D geometry. Through its flagship software Veras – which AEC Magazine reviewed back in 2023 – EvolveLab connected this capability to leading BIM tools like SketchUp, Revit, Vectorworks, and others, before expanding into smart documentation and generative design.

Looking ahead, the role of AI in traditional visualisation software will only expand, making the acquisition of EvolveLab a smart strategic move for Chaos. It will be fascinating to see how the two development teams collaborate to integrate their respective technologies.

Read what AEC Magazine thinks

Even before the acquisition, designers relied on the combination of EvolveLab and Chaos tools, using Veras and Enscape to accelerate both design and reviews. In the schematic design phase, this means rapidly generating ideas in Veras before committing the design to BIM where Enscape’s real-time visualisation capabilities pushes the project even further.

“Over a year ago, we began exploring AI tools to speed up our workflows and were excited to discover Veras, a solution specifically designed for AEC that seamlessly integrates with host platforms,” said Hanns-Jochen Weyland of Störmer Murphy and Partners, an award-winning architectural practice based in Hamburg, Germany. “Veras is now our go-to for initial ideation before transitioning to renderings in Enscape. This powerful combination accelerates concept development and ensures reliable outcomes.”

“At Cuningham, we integrate EvolveLab’s Veras and Glyph alongside Chaos’ Enscape to enhance our design process,” said Joseph Bertucci, senior project design technologist of Cuningham, an integrated design firm with offices across the United States. “Using both Enscape and Veras allows us to visualise, iterate, and explore design concepts in real-time while leveraging AI-driven enhancements for rapid refinement. Meanwhile, Glyph has been a game-changer for auto-documentation, enabling us to efficiently generate views and drawing sets, saving valuable time in project setup. These tools collectively streamline our workflows, boosting efficiency, precision, and creativity.”

Chaos and the EvolveLab teams are exploring ways to integrate their products and accelerate their AI roadmaps. EvolveLab products will remain available to customers. The EvolveLab team will join Chaos, with Bill Allen serving as director of product management and EvolveLab chief technology officer Ben Guler as director of software development.

EvolveLab apps include Veras, for AI-powered visualisation; Glyph, for automating and standardising documentation tasks; Morphis, for generating designs in real-time; and Helix, for interoperability between BIM tools.

What AEC Magazine thinks

Like many long-established architectural visualisation software developers, Chaos has undoubtedly sensed growing competition from AI renderers over the past few years.

While tools like EvolveLab’s Veras aren’t yet mature enough or offer the necessary control to replace software like Enscape, they are already capable of handling certain aspects of the arch viz workflow—particularly in the early phases of a project. AI renderers can also enhance final outputs, improving visual quality. In fact, last year, Chaos introduced its own AI Enhancer for Enscape, which uses AI to transform assets like people and vegetation into high-quality, photorealistic visuals—minimising the need for high-poly, resource-intensive models.

Looking ahead, the role of AI in traditional visualisation software will only expand, making the acquisition of EvolveLab a smart strategic move for Chaos. It will be fascinating to see how the two development teams collaborate to integrate their respective technologies.

While EvolveLab’s AI rendering technology and expertise were likely the main drivers behind the acquisition, Chaos has also gained access to powerful tools for BIM automation, AI-driven ideation, and computational design. In our interview with EvolveLab CEO, Bill Allen  last year, he spoke of the company’s ambitious vision, including auto-generated drawings.

With the launch of Enscape Impact last year—bringing building performance analysis into Enscape’s real-time environment—Chaos has already shown its willingness to expand into new areas of AEC technology. Now, with advanced AEC design tools in its portfolio, it will be interesting to see how the company continues to evolve.

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