2017 SDS/2 USERS GROUP CONFERENCE A SUCCESS
Nearly 275 SDS/2 users, industry partners and SDS/2 representatives gathered for educational sessions, networking and a first-hand look at the future of the software at the 2017 SDS/2 Users Group Conference. The three-day event was held September 27-29 at The Embassy Suites in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska.
Following the welcome and opening remarks on Wednesday, Jeff Gravatte of CADD Microsystems provided the conference's keynote speech, which focused on the future of design technologies. The discussion included specific examples of how new technology — such as laser scanning and drones — is being used to create value in building design and construction.
The annual SDS/2 update included a discussion on rebranding SDS/2, the new website, SDS/2 hot topics, the status of SDS/2 versions, and a sneak peek at SDS/2 v2018.
Wednesday also included the business meeting and a series of roundtables, which gave conference attendees the chance to have a voice in future development of the software. Roundtable topics included connection design, templates, custom members/components, install and networking, and concrete and rebar. The day concluded with the opening of the Partner Pavilion, which hosted partnering companies and served as the venue for Wednesday evening's reception (sponsored by Peddinghaus).
The last two days of the conference were dedicated exclusively to breakout sessions, including Transitioning to SDS/2 v2016 / v2017, SDS/2 v2017 Modeling, SDS/2 v2017 Member Pins and SDS/2 v2017 Joists. Other sessions focused on reference models and drawings, estimating tools for detailing using Bluebeam, BIM roundtripping, design code changes, and rebar detailing in SDS/2.
SDS/2's annual Thursday night conference dinner was held at the Delray Ballroom in downtown Lincoln. The theme for this year was the SDS/2 Brewhouse, and included a trivia night competition.
Look for images from the conference on our Facebook page in the coming days.
EMBEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN SDS/2 v2017.11
As more users adopted to SDS/2 v2017, we received feedback on who is responsible for embeds. Based on that feedback, SDS/2 will now include automatic connections to embeds for beams and joists, beam pockets, bearing plates and setup, starting in SDS/2 v2017.11.
An SDS/2 Concrete license will NOT be required for this functionality.
OPENMIND VOTING SNAPSHOT TO BE TAKEN OCTOBER 31ST
Planning for SDS/2 v2019 is well underway. All development projects fit into one of two categories: connection design (assigned to our engineering programmers); and general enhancements (assigned to other programmers). The priority lists for connection design and general enhancements will not compete in priority. A snapshot of OpenMind voting will be taken on October 31st, and those votes will be factored into these project lists.
Please take this opportunity to vote for your favorite ideas. This information is essential to us providing the best possible product.
Click HERE to view All Ideas in OpenmindWhen searching for Ideas, please take a look at the "Filter Ideas By:" section, which is located on the left in OpenMind. This section allows you to quickly filter the list by Newest, Most popular, By tag, etc. When using By tag, you will see a list of used tags; the size of the tag represents how much it is used. When adding an Idea, there is a pre-set list of tags from which you can select. More than one tag can be selected.
Click HERE to view Connection Ideas in Openmind
You can also search for keywords by expanding "Search Ideas" and typing in a value for "View by Keyword."
If you have any questions, please contact your Support Representative.
WINNERS OF 2017 SDS/2 SOLID STEEL COMPETITION ANNOUNCED
Winners of the 2017 SDS/2 Solid Steel Competition were announced during the SDS/2 Dinner and Reception at the SDS/2 Users Group Conference. (Watch the video of the award presentation on our Facebook page.)
Awards were given in two categories: Commercial and Customers' Choice. This year's winners are:
Commercial
Grand Prize: Cartee-Berry & Associates, Pro Football Hall of Fame Stadium Phase 2, Canton, Ohio
Second Place: National Detail, Nippert Stadium West Pavilion, Cincinnati, Ohio
Customers' Choice
Steltec, Inc., Cornell NYC Tech - Stair #5, New York, New York
To see pictures of the winning projects, click here.
GREENING AWARDED 2017 CONNECTORS CLUB AWARD
Kathy Guilfoyle of Magnus, Inc. presented the annual Connectors Club Award during the SDS/2 Dinner and Reception at the SDS/2 Users Group Conference. (Watch the video of the award presentation on our Facebook page.)
Advisory Board members and past recipients of this award nominate standout individuals who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and commitment to the development and application of SDS/2 during the preceding year.
The recipient for 2017 is Todd Greening of Magnus.
To see previous winners of the award, click here.
