If you are a dealer using CET Designer, don’t miss the opportunity to participate in our annual North America CET Designer User Conference. The conference is a wonderful opportunity to learn, share information, and network. Experts from our headquarters in Sweden will be joining the conference to participate in the educational forums and roundtable discussions.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., USA—May 19, 2008—Configura, Inc. today announced that
Steelcase Inc. has launched Steelcase SmartTools, Steelcase’s Extension powered by CET Designer,
“Steelcase and Configura have collaborated over the past year to produce Steelcase SmartTools. This
Extension is specific to Steelcase product lines, and we’re pleased to announce it’s now available to
Steelcase dealers,” said Peter Brandinger, vice president, Configura. “It’s designed to make their work
easier and faster as well as more creative and accurate.”
Said Steven Eriksson, Channel Strategy Leadership Team, Steelcase Inc.: “The design process for the contract furniture industry has always required designers to work at a detailed parts level and is very complex, sometimes taking years to learn the rules and application criteria for systems furniture. Steelcase SmartTools powered by Configura’s CET Designer reduces the learning curve to understand and design with our extensive systems products, designing at the object rather than at the parts level.”
Calling it more efficient and intuitive than traditional programs, Eriksson noted the design modifications
are easier and faster to implement. “We will be able to offer more design and product applications solutions,
coupled with the ability to cost effectively and quickly render those solutions. Designers using
Steelcase SmartTools can provide customers with faster overall responses, accurate specifications, a
broader variety of design possibilities and budgetary pricing,” he said.
Configura released Version 2.0 of its NeoCon-award-winning CET Designer software earlier this month.
The software is also used by Haworth and Teknion dealers. A partnership with ProjectMatrix provides CET
Designer users access to more than 80 percent of the products in the commercial furniture industry.
Steelcase dealers can visit a dedicated Web site, http://in2.steelcase.com/configura/, where download instructions, a training schedule, a narrated software demo, FAQs, and other helpful information are located. Dealers with questions are encouraged to use the ‘contact us’ link on the Web site or they can send e-mails directly to CETadmin@steelcase.com or call the Configura CET Designer toll-free help number, 877-238-0808. For more information about CET Designer in general, please visit www.cet-extensions.net.
Configura will demo CET Designer at NeoCon in Chicago this June at Booth 7-7046. Also, a CET Designer
Users’ Conference is slated for Oct. 1 and 2 in Las Vegas.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., USA—May 6, 2008—Configura, Inc. today released Version 2.0 of its NeoCon-award-winning CET Designer software for designing and specifying office furniture and interiors. The software is used by Haworth and Teknion dealers and, May 19, will be launched by Steelcase. A partnership with ProjectMatrix provides CET Designer users access to more than 80 percent of the products in the commercial furniture industry.
“In collaboration with these leaders, CET Designer is now industry-wide and an industry standard. The successes that started with Haworth just two years ago have proven what the software is capable of,” CEO Johan Lyreborn said. “With Version 2.0, we have made significant enhancements that will benefit new and existing users across the board.”
According to U.S.-based Configura Vice President Peter Brandinger, improvements to CET Designer Version 2.0 include a streamlined printing function, the ability to work in a highly rendered environment and a tool that supports virtually every currency in the world. A new rendering engine launches this fall with Version 2.1, which has significant speed enhancements and expanded capacity for handling very large projects.
How it works: A CET Designer Extension is loaded with a manufacturer’s product lines, and users drag and drop product images into layouts as opposed to having to know part numbers and go through a series of pull-down menus. All products in CET Designer are programmed with the manufacturer’s current information on valid configurations, prices and part numbers. This rules-based technology won’t let users make mistakes. Through rapid configuration, CET Designer reveals layouts in 2D, photo-realistic 3D and/or in rendered form, as well as accurate, real-time product/parts specification and pricing. Based on Parametric Graphical Configuration technology developed by Configura, this highly visual software simplifies the selling process by bridging gaps in information/communication between dealer, designer, specifier and customer.
Configura will demo CET Designer at NeoCon in Chicago this June at Booth 7-7046. Also, a CET Users’ Conference is slated for Oct. 1 and 2 in Las Vegas.
FACT SHEETUpgrades in CET Designer 2.0: Printing/publishing enhancement – PaperView function provides flexible, WYSIWYG/desktop publishing capabilities within CET Designer so users can transfer a whole drawing, or parts of a drawing, to a new paper view where they can create the designed layout with title blocks, images and text. More image formats – ProjectMatrix components can be shown as basic or more detailed; more than one type of flooring can be depicted in a project; common image formats such as GIF, PNG, BMP and JPG can be imported; wall images can be imported to give the appearance of artwork or a logotype – images also can be framed. Remote live customer service support – A CET technical support person can assume control of a user’s system from anywhere in the world and visually walk the user through the problem, even showing the user how to correct the problem. Both see the same screen in real time. A built-in, timed internal reminder – An “early warning” a few days before a certificate expires has been added, alerting the user to connect and download the most recent version, which contains the manufacturers’ most current products and pricing. Reworked calculation dialog – The software has new functionality tools for searching, filtering, and sorting/changing/removing different columns of data; performing article adjustments right in the calculation dialog; and seeing multiple views showing different versions of the same calculations depending on set filters. Currency tool – The new version supports virtually every currency in the world. New rendering engine/speed enhancements (coming with Version 2.1 releasing fall 2008) – A new rendering engine, Redsdk 1.4 by Redway 3d, optimizes the power of the graphics card in users’ computers and achieves: – Ability to work in real-time in a photo-realistic, rendered 3D environment – Significant speed in enhancements in designing, rendering, printing – Expanded ability to handle very large projects – up to 500 stations/cubicles How is CET Designer different from other software?– CET Designer is based on Parametric Graphical Configuration, an objects–oriented technology. Most commercial-furniture space design software is typically rooted in AutoCAD. – In CET Designer, users point, click, drag and drop product icons, which snap into place. – Users do not need to know product/parts numbers or go through a complicated sequence of menus. – Through rapid configuration, CET Designer reveals layouts in 2D, photo-realistic 3D, and/or in rendered form as well as accurate, real-time product/parts specification and pricing. – Each Extension is programmed with the specific manufacturer’s product rules, virtually eliminating specification mistakes. – CET Designer automates the repetitious tasks involved in product specification, thus reducing the time and effort associated with product specification. Instead of spending 80 percent of time on specifying and 20 percent designing, the software reverses those figures and enables designer-dealers to be more creative for their clients, output more, and sell more. – AutoCAD drawings can be imported into CET if desired, and CET-created drawings can be converted back to AutoCAD if needed. – The majority of Haworth dealers now use the software for designing and specifying under its Canvas Extension, launched in 2006. The Teknion Storyboard Extension launched earlier this year. The Steelcase Extension launches May 19. ProjectMatrix’s ProjectSymbols Extension launched in 2007. |
CET Designer 2.0 offers several new features and enhancements, such as improved print handling, simplification of the Extension Manager, and enhancements in the 'Calculation' dialogue. A general speed up of the software is also a feature.
With the release of CET Designer 2.0, the release notes will be sent out both to your e-mail address and through CET Designer Online, the new messaging system in CET Designer. Due to this, you might receive the release notes for CET Designer 2.0 twice. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause you and are hoping for your indulgence.
CET Designer 2.0 offers desktop publishing capabilities which will give you more freedom in designing print-outs. You are now able to transfer a whole drawing, or parts of a drawing, to a new paper view where you can create the desired layout with title blocks, images and text.
The 'Calculation' dialogue now has expanded functionality which offers new options when working with parts lists and pricing. The enhanced 'Calculation' dialogue is divided into two parts, an 'Article view' and a 'Comparison view'. Possibilities to change currency and the settings for the summary can also be found here.
The Extension Manager has been simplified to make the management of Extensions and licenses easier. In the Extension Manager you will find information about your installed Extensions, manage licenses, and be able to download new extensions or updates.
With CET Designer 2.0 you will receive messages through a new messaging system called CET Designer Online. You will receive release notes for CET Designer, Tips & Hints and other information through CET Designer Online.
You can access your CET Designer Online inbox by clicking the envelope icon next to the Extension Manager button on the top of the application window.
In CET Designer 2.0 all selected components will be surrounded by a purple rectangle.
The CET Designer Help Desk now offers live support by chat or by remote control of your computer. Visit our website to view the different options on how to contact the CET Designer Help Desk.
CET Designer 2.0 includes the ability to "freeze" parts of the drawing area, to avoid affecting those parts when editing the drawing.
It is now possible to show ProjectMatrix components as basic or more detailed. Showing fewer details will result in greater speed when working with CET Designer.
With the release of CET Designer 2.0 it is possible to handle CAP-, ProjectMatrix- and FSL- attributes when importing a DWG file.
With CET Designer 2.0 it is possible to manually set the size of the floor or draw a free-form area on the floor. This allows you to have more than one type of flooring in a project (i.e. tile and carpet).
The support and handling of different image formats have been expanded. You will now be able to import most of the common image formats into CET Designer, including GIF, PNG, BMP and JPG.
A new feature makes it possible to put imported images on walls in CET Designer to give the appearance of artwork or a logotype. The images can also be framed.
CET Designer 2.0 has an increased list of fonts for you to use on text written with the 'Text tool'.
Faster selection of multiple objects and speed update
CET Designer deals with selections of multiple objects much faster than before and generally operates much faster due to overall enhancements and improvements.
Did you know....
...that you can use several different tools to select components in the drawing area?
Below are two examples of how to select components in the drawing area. Choose what's best for your current situation.
A simple way to select several components at a time in the drawing area is by using the 'Select Rectangle' tool.
1. Make sure you have chosen 'Expert' user level. You find this option in the drop down menu in the upper right corner of the application window.
2. On the toolbar above the 2D view, click the button with the blue, dashed square icon (see figure above).
3. Move the mouse pointer to the drawing area. A small rectangle follows.
4. Place the rectangle near one of the components you wish to select.
5. Click and hold the mouse button, and expand the rectangle over the components you wish to select.
When you release the mouse button, the rectangle disappears. The yellow snap points are now visible on all selected components together with purple squares surrounding the components.
If you wish to select all components in the drawing area except from a few components, the easiest way is to select the components that you do not wish to be selected later and then invert the selection.
Before After
1. Select the components that you do not wish to be selected later. Use for example the 'Select Rectangle' tool described above.
2. Go to the 'Edit' menu and select the 'Inverse selection' option.
The components that were selected earlier are now unselected, while the rest of the components in the drawing area are selected (see figure above).
Read more in CET Designer's help about selecting components in the drawing area
Did you know....
...that you can generate several 3D images from a drawing to show different angles of a room?
You are working with a larger drawing and would like to produce multiple 3D images of different rooms and angles. You then wish to include these in your report.
The easies way to create several 3D-images of a room is to create photo series. Follow the steps below:
1. Go to the '3D' component tab and click the 'Photo Series' button. The 'Photo Series' dialog box appears.
Click here to view the 'Photo Series' dialog box.
2. Set the desired perspective of your drawing in the 3D view by using for example the 'Circle Camera around Target' tool.
3. Click the 'New' button in the 'Photo Series' dialog box to capture the 3D image. The drawing appears as a miniature image in the dialog box.
4. Change the perspective of the 3D view and click the 'New' button once more. Repeat this procedure until you have captured all the different angles you need.
In the 'Photo Series' dialog box it is possible to change the settings for the photos, such as naming the images and changing the order they are presented in.
If you have alternative drawings you can choose to create one photo series for each alternative by selecting the second option in the top of the 'Photo Series' dialog box.
Follow the steps below to include the photo series in your report:
1. If you have the 'Photo Series' dialog box open, close it.
2. In the 'File' menu, select 'Print Reports' and click the 'Report Settings' tab.
3. Select the 'Perspective' option under the heading 'Document contents' in the left column. New options appear to the right.
4. Select the 'Photo Series' option in the 'Render' drop down menu. The images in the photo series will then be added to your report.
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan and HOLLAND, Michigan – January 9, 2006 - After the enthusiastic response at the 2005 NeoCon show, where Configura first presented CET Designer to selected Haworth dealers, Haworth has agreed to partner with Configura.
Configura’s new state-of-the-art technology, CET Designer, is the foundation for the Haworth Canvas solution. CET Designer encompasses a wide range of functionality that makes it quick and easy to specify and quote configurable products.
As part of the partnership with Haworth, Configura has opened an office in Grand Rapids, MI. In addition to sales personnel and consultants, the office will be staffed with Help Desk personnel who will support Haworth dealers with CET Designer.
Since NeoCon, the Canvas project team has been adding functionality and loading their new Compose product into the software. Compose and Canvas will be available in January 2006 and more products will be loaded soon after.
According to Haworth Inc.'s Senior Vice President of Global Information Services Michael D. Moon, Partnering with Configura will enable us to support our dealers with a highly sophisticated, state-of-theart pecification tool. It will give both Haworth and its dealers front-edge advantages in today's very competitive market." He went on to say how Configura is uniquely capable of delivering timely, costeffective solutions, and that Haworth is looking forward to implementing CET Designer in North America.
“The fact that Haworth chose CET Designer is strong evidence that our competitive technology is utstanding when it comes to organizing an efficient and automated sales process," says Johan Lyreborn, CEO of Configura Sverige AB.
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – January 1, 2006 – After the successful introduction of CET Designer for kitchens in Scandinavia during 2004, Configura now introduces CET Designer on the North American office furniture market. The first office furniture manufacturer to support and provide its products for CET Designer is Haworth Inc., a global supplier of office furniture products.
CET Designer marks a new era for space planning software. CET Designer offers a complete solution for creating proposals, space plans and visualizations of commercial furniture and kitchen products. Just as importantly, the software makes the sales process error-free, more efficient and enhances the designer's ability to quickly and effortlessly learn new product systems.
CET Designer is one part of a more comprehensive concept called Configura CET. Other components in the CET concept are tools and portals for the development, marketing and distribution of extensions.
For more information, please visit www.cet-extensions.net.
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