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RISA 3d v 18 - New format 9

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JAE

JAE

Structural
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A whole new format/interface coming - looks a lot like Revit.
Here's one video sample. There are several others:


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Looks good! The UI of Risa always made me feel like it was from 1980. Quite the upgrade.

Love the graphical select tool as well.

S&T
 
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It will certainly be interesting to see how this shakes out. My thoughts:
1) The biggest issue for most users when switching to a new software is learning a new interface. So, if the interface is too different from the old interface, that may take away any barrier for existing users to switch to another program. If this is a totally new interface that doesn't "feel" like the old RISA, then the effort spent learning the new interface could easily be spent learning a different program.... Especially, if the new sales restrictions (they refuse to sell the software anymore, but force you to rent it).

2) Didn't STAAD have a STAAD-X program / interface that was supposed to be the big new thing that no one ended up liking or using? My sense is that the RISA folks are "all in" on this interface more than the STAAD / Bentley guys were for STAAD-X. But,it is definitely a major change and it will be interesting to see what the user base thinks of it.

3) This should be a really good way of judging the new RISA / Nemetschek management. While this program was in development while I still worked there, none of the folks who were "pushed out" of RISA (when the new management fully took over) had much to do with this project. And, the programming was done by an entirely different group from overseas. Therefore, if this is a train wreck, then it tells you a lot about the downward direction RISA would likely take in future years. If it is absolutely great then it would likely mean that new management has 'proven themselves' to the user base.

Statement of bias: I worked for RISA for 16 years starting in 2002 and was the former Vice President. I was one of the people that was "pushed out" when new management took over. Also, I now have a job with a competitor. Therefore, I am no where near an unbiased observer.

That being said, I am not trying to trash RISA in any way here. Just sharing the aspects of this thread that are most interesting to me.
 
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The interface looks great. I'm sure the chance of bugs and glitches is much higher with such an overhaul. We will soon find out.

I like the full time properties window they demonstrated. The ability to select a member from the spreadsheet is nice too.

I have always found the tech support (including Josh) and the customer service great. I hope that continues under the new ownership.

 
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JoshPlum,
I've been using RISA since the mid 1980's (the old DOS 2d version). If you recall the "R" in RISA stands for RAPID.
If the new interface isn't nearly as rapid as the old, as an old user, I'd be a bit flustered and frustrated and, as you suggest, consider other products.



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JAE -

I remember back when I had a lot of discussions with Bruce (the original owner of RISA) about how many customers RISA "lost" when the Windows version came out. I put the word "lost" in quotes because many of them continued to use the old DOS version rather than learn a new interface. Then when Windows XP came out and the DOS users ran into compatibility problems many came back and bought the new version.

This transition will be a little different. Users who have switched over to the "subscription" system would not be able to continue to use their old programs unless they continued paying their subscriptions. That's one of the reasons why subscription licenses are so much better for the software companies....


 
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boot said:
The ability to select a member from the spreadsheet is nice too.
Click to expand...

Is it just me? Not at my desk, but I could have sworn I've done that before.

----
just call me Lo.
 
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Yes, the ability to select items in the model view based on the items highlighted in the spreadsheet has been in RISA for 5 - 10 years. It wasn't a heavily advertised feature when it was released. Therefore, a lot of users didn't know it existed. I sometimes tried to show it off when teaching training classes because it really impressed some of the attendees.
 
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Lomarandil said:
Is it just me? Not at my desk, but I could have sworn I've done that before.
Click to expand...
Looks like you can do that. Very handy. I should pay closer attention to the release notes I suppose. Thanks!

JoshPlum said:
because it really impressed some of the attendees.
Click to expand...
I guess I'm one of the easily impressed!



 
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Thought I would throw my two cents in here. The Win32 architecture (last iteration is Ver 17) was originally released in 1997 as I recall. RISA-3D was way ahead of everybody else back then but I agree it is looking dated these days, being 22 years old now!

Personally I love the new interface. Much credit to Debbie Penko for the look and feel of it, and to Mike Stoop, Christine Li and Alex, Yuriy and the Ukraine group for the hard work developing the code, as well as many others who've made big contributions. Of course, Amber Freund, RISA Tech's CEO, also deserves a lot of credit for shepherding this behemoth across the finish line. This new architecture is rock solid and may last another 20 years.

Generally speaking, RISA has never been stronger. Amber is a much better manager than I ever was, and she is taking RISA to the next level. Nemetschek is a very supportive parent, opening the door for many opportunities RISA could not have pursued as a stand alone company. I sleep well at night knowing RISA is in good hands.

Bruce Bates
Founder of RISA Technologies
 
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I like it! But I still don't accept the subscription model. And I don't drive cars with cup holders or automatic transmissions.
 
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Finally upgraded from RISA V12 to V17. Looking forward to this. RISA is one of the few programs that doesn't have many glaring flaws.
I've always been one to enjoy change though.
 
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Any word on when the update is supposed to roll out?

 
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I had a good friend who used to say the following about estimated software release dates (specifically mocking me when I'd tell him when a new version of RISA would be released!): Take whatever they tell you, increase the units, then double it.

Meaning if they tell you they're 3 days away, then you can expect it to be six weeks or so. If they're six weeks away, then expect it in 12 months. RISA has gotten a lot better at release estimates when Amber started running things. But, I still share this since I think it points out how unwise it is to rely on release date estimates... from ANY software company.
 
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Sounds like my high school days with my irresponsible friends -

There were speed signs posted for oncoming curves on the highway with recommended "safe" speeds.
The rule of thumb was if it said the curve speed was recommended at 45 mph, you could double it and subtract 10 mph to see what you really can take it at.

So a 45 mph would be 80 mph.

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I do not agree with Bruce Bates( OlderEngr (Structural))
If it were not for the obstinacy and backwardness of the leadership in Kiev with the new version RISA 3D v18 NET it could have been done better and faster. Particularly worried about the stability of the new program, its adaptation to new computer hardware, especially to new video card NVidia and AMD, 4000K and 8000K displays.
About parallel computing speech does not go. There are no modern 3D display technologies.
What to pay more for?
Best regards...
 
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Modern Software Architecture -

Wow, I'm surprised to hear someone say something so.... opinionated. I have to admit that I'm trying to figure out who you might be! Because for you to have inside knowledge of the "obstinacy and backwardness" of the Kiev group, I suspect that I may have worked with you in the past. Interesting....

I worked with the Kiev group when I was the project lead for various releases of the RISAConnection program. This was a much smaller group, of course, and had very little interaction with the developers who were re-writing RISA-3D for this new release. But, my experience with them was almost entirely positive. They were good, smart people (smarter than I am for sure!). The only drawback is they didn't know anything about structural engineering. But, that's why it was important to have someone like me working with them to make sure that the engineering side of it was handled correctly. I suppose, part of it could be that the internal architecture of the program was already set. Therefore, there would be little conflict related to that.... especially from me.

On a different note, I would kindly suggest that you tone down your comments somewhat. Nemetschek, as I understand it, is very protective of their brand. And, that could certainly include being litigious if they feel on-line statements could threaten their brand or their profitability. Honestly, even if everything you say is true, they can still harass you with the legal process and force you to spend lots of money to defend yourself.



 
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Well, MSA is from Ukraine....

 
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I have checked the videos and I like the proposed new interface of Risa3D v18. Unfortunately, after being a Risa3D user since the days of the DOS versions (my first purchase was, I think, the v4.0), I was forced out as a Risatech costumer by the subscription system. It is extremely expensive for me: I live and work outside the US and earning and spending such amount of dollars just to keep the software active is out of my budget, particularly since I acquired 3 different products from Risa: 3D, Foundation and Connection, and for a similar amount of money in licensing I can have, from another firm, a suite that includes tools for drawing, BIM and a capable structural engineering software, among other applications. It was paradoxical for me that after receiving the final confirmation that if wanted a software upgrade from Risa I would have to be considered as a every other new customer, a few weeks later I got a mail from Risa support informing me that a bug I had reported had been fixed, encouraging me to check it in the (then) new v17 version.

Meanwhile, I will continue using the Risa products I have until my toggle key allows it. I already have some problems starting directly the Connection and Foundations programs; I have to access them via the Risa3D integration. For the future I am trying other possibilities like Robot (many features but much of them somehow difficult to find), Nemetschek's own Scia (too many buttons), Midas, Etc. By the way, the standard software used here in my country is Etabs (or Sap2000). Maybe I will have to join that trend…
 
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