NBS and Vectorworks partner to streamline the design process

NBS, the global construction information platform, and Vectorworks a leading Building Information Modelling (BIM) software solution provider, have partnered to develop a plug-in to enable direct linkage with NBS Chorus.

NBS Chorus is the cloud-based specification platform, allowing architects, designers and engineers to create specifications for projects. This direct link with Vectorworks design software will enable users to create their project model and specification together seamlessly in the Vectorworks environment.

The integration reduces the risk of project information becoming incorrect or out of date from users developing the specification and drawing on separate documents. It also improves productivity by linking the information modelled within Vectorworks to the information contained in NBS’ specification software.

Any information changed in NBS Chorus will automatically be updated in the model, ensuring accurate and up-to-date specification information is accessible at all times for the project team.

Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director at NBS, said: “Good information management must include a robust workflow with respect to coordinating information that is published on drawings, schedules and specifications. The NBS plug-in for Vectorworks now provides this.

“Our joint customers can now use a 3D modelling environment to coordinate their objects in Vectorworks with the relevant specification clauses in NBS Chorus. This allows for accurate annotation and cross referencing across all drawings and schedules. From an NBS point of view, this development is especially pleasing as we can now give our customers working on Mac workstations the same level of experience that those on PCs receive. Furthermore, by moving specification writing to the cloud, the whole experience is now far more collaborative and efficient.”

Morris Hume, Senior Architect at Assael Architecture, commented: “At Assael Architecture, we widely use Vectorworks to produce our drawings and design models, so the release of this plug-in for NBS Chorus is great news for us. It will streamline our working practices, enabling us to work more efficiently across all of our projects.”

Dr.Biplan Sarkar, Vectorworks CEO, said: “We pride ourselves on connecting design processes with industry-standard technologies like NBS Chorus.

“As part of the NBS Chorus integration into Vectorworks 2020 Service Pack 3, architects will have access to a better BIM workflow because they can easily link their models to the NBS online specification database, and the model can act as the main source of project information.”

NBS Chorus has been described as ‘game-changer’ for the construction industry allowing architects, engineers and designers to rapidly create detailed specifications for projects; helping them work faster and collaborate seamlessly whilst being compliant. The platform was awarded the ‘Best New BIM Product’ award at BIM Show Live 2020.

The plug-in is be available to users of Vectorworks Design Series products with an active membership in Vectorworks Service Select.