Introducing Apryse SDK for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Software

We’re excited to announce a new line of built-in features tailored to the unique requirements of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry software.

In a recent release, Apryse introduced direct conversion from Autodesk’s AutoCAD® DWG™, AutoCAD® DXF™, and Bentley’s MicroStation® DGN™ formats, which are among the most common design data formats found in nearly every design environment and used in construction projects around the globe (try online demo).

With direct support for DWG, DXF, and DGN, Apryse gives customers the ability to integrate seamless and fully customizable, CAD viewing, annotation, and collaboration capabilities as part of Windows and web-based apps. And additional built-in, AEC-specific features are scheduled to roll out in the future to enable streamlined project communications, with direct support for IFC and Revit® RVT™, and 3D PDF via Product Representation Compact.

AEC software manage fast-paced and demanding construction workflows, whether onsite or at the office. Therefore, they need fully flexible document processing tools unparalleled in terms of accuracy, speed and reliability, and capable of handling the many CAD file formats preferred by users in the AEC space.

Over the past decade, the CAD industry has effectively converged on Apryse as the premier supplier of PDF and document processing technology (see CCS success story). From market-leading companies such as Autodesk, Bentley, Trimble, Boeing, Graphisoft, and Nemetschek, to growing SMB’s, many have standardized on Apryse SDK due to its unmatched rendering performance with large and complex files, and the corresponding advanced feature support.

The new Apryse AEC solution offers out-of-box functionality designed to meet the demanding requirements of companies in the AEC space and their customers. And each AEC-specific feature is fully integrated with Apryse SDK, including hundreds of unique features such as best-in-class redaction released over seven years ago. AEC software companies will thus have at their disposal plenty of options for easy integration into an application to power advanced review/approval, takeoff, inspection or issue discussion and resolution workflows.

And we’re just getting started! Expect the selection of built-in AEC features to continuously grow as we refine our SDKs to further support the unique demands of today’s AEC software across virtually any device and platform.

In addition to conversion from popular CAD formats and extended 3D PDF support, we’re excited to announce a ready-to-use file compare tool for Android (with other platforms coming soon) and a cross-platform file compare API for WebViewer, Android, iOS, UWP and Xamarin (try online file comparison demo).

The new out-of-box Diff utility will let users quickly spot slight visual differences between PDF, CAD and image drawings. Design concepts can be compared side-by-side in a single view or in overlay mode with highlighted changes. And you’ll be able to export PDF Diff via OCG layers making it easy to share with others. Lastly, Apryse diff functionality will work with any PDF file, including PDFs with images, text and other graphics -- and not just vector elements.

Another brand new addition are features that let users snap markups to control points in a drawing such as the end of a line, an intersection or a corner (try online snapping demo). Also available for WebViewer are sample snap-to measurement tools allowing users to calibrate scale and leverage virtually any line or shape annotation to perform fast, accurate measures of length, area, arc and perimeter (try online measurement demo).

Lastly, Apryse will also introduce support for Brava!® annotations made directly on PDFs through conversion from XRL™ to XFDF, the ISO-standard format for annotations interchange. Users will thus be able to continue collaborating on drawings marked up as PDFs in Brava! using Apryse's native and web-based viewers.

Check out our online demo, give our currently available AEC features a try today, or stay tuned for upcoming features to be released in the coming weeks and months. If you just can’t wait, however, please get in touch for an advanced preview. Many of our upcoming features are already being integrated by a number of early adopters.