What is the SmartGeometry Group?

The SmartGeometry Group (SG) is a non-profit organization started to encourage collaboration between AEC professionals in Practice, Academia and Research who are interested in/using computational and parametric approaches to design.

What does SG do?

SG has a belief that doing is as important as theorizing. Hence it runs an annual event consisting of a hands-on Workshop followed by a Conference. It also provides this website as an independent forum for interchange between interested professionals, academics and students.

What is SG’s relationship to Bentley?

Bentley is the principal sponsor of SG events. The Generative Components (GC) software development uniquely occurred as a close collaboration by the SG User Community and a Bentley Research Project headed by Robert Aish.

What is the current status of GC?

For GC matters, we suggest you refer to the Bentley website (www.bentley.com).  GC is a commercially available product which can be purchased on-line at http://www.bentley.com/en-US/Markets/Building/GenerativeComponents/GenerativeComponents+Free+Trial.htm. Select subscribers with Bentley can get it for free.

Is SG committed to only discussing/using GC?

SG is not a GC User group. We see ourselves as interested in far wider issues of design. However our workshop is focused around the common platform of GC technology.

GC technical questions are best addressed to the Bentley forum (http://communities.bentley.com) or the independent www.GCuser.com website. Often of course the issues are ambiguous – is the issue one of technique or approach? So therefore there is a GC thread on the SG website.

What happened to Robert Aish?

Once GC passed into production status Robert Aish left Bentley to pursue his career elsewhere.

What is the future of GC?

GC is now being developed by the Bentley Platform Group and will be an increasingly important part of MicroStation technology. The SG Group remains heavily involved in its development and integration. It seems likely that GC will also expand its ability to work with other software, such as simulations of different kinds and digital manufacturing tools. Much of this was spearheaded by the SG Community and this effort will continue.

What is the challenge for SG?

SG realizes that beyond talk of HOW you use a tool, you have to discuss what you use the tool FOR. We aim to provide a forum where we can expand the discussion but yet remain close to the concept of developing the craft of digital design. We all know it is not a matter of ‘just pushing the button’.

Where and when is the next SG event?

This is currently under discussion, but will likely be on the West Coast of the US in the Spring of 2009. The 2010 event will likely be on the Pacific Rim.

How do I apply for the SG workshop?

Details will be announced on this web site. However GC experience and knowledge of geometry will be an essential pre-requisite. There will be a number of GC training days worldwide and these will be announced on this website and Bentley website. The first likely ones will be run in association with ACADIA and eCAADe this 2008 Autumn (Fall).

How does GC relate to BIM (building Information Management)?

GC is not a BIM application like those applications typically labeled as BIM. Data generated by GC can of course be used to create and drive BIM models and this is a common workflow.

Generally, GC is used at the earlier stages of workflow rather than heavy BIM models which are often necessary to communicate large data sets.

Are SG interested in BIM issues?

SG is concentrating on the issues of Design. BIM as a technology is primarily focused on data management and is therefore of interest but is not the primary focus of SG’s interest.