|best| — Allplan 2018

Workflow Improvements for CAD Managers

For IT managers and CAD/BIM coordinators, Allplan 2018 solved several administrative headaches:

User Roles: Allplan 2018 introduced granular permission settings. A junior draftsperson could be locked out of "Numeric Parameter" menus but allowed to draw lines.

Versioning: The "Project History" feature allowed administrators to roll back to any save state in the last 30 days—a lifesaver when a junior engineer deleted a foundation slab accidentally.

Network Licensing: The licensing server was rewritten to handle roaming profiles better, allowing engineers to dock laptops at home and borrow licenses for 14 days (a huge deal for field engineers).

4. Intelligent "Component-Attribute" System

Allplan 2018 overhauled how non-geometric data attaches to objects: allplan 2018

Rule-based attributes – e.g., “If wall is external AND fire-rated, assign F30 label automatically.”

QLF (Quantity & Layout Formula) enhancements – extract quantities directly from any 3D component, including complex intersections.

IFC4 export/import certification – one of the first tools to achieve official buildingSMART IFC4 Reference View certification.

3. Reinforced Concrete Detailing 2.0

For structural engineers, this was the marquee feature: this was the marquee feature:

Automatic rebar generation from analysis results (supports, beams, columns, foundations).

3D rebar bending simulation – detect collisions between rebars before concrete pour.

Direct export to CNC bending machines (via BAMTEC or .DXF bending schedules).

Rebar shape library updated to comply with Eurocode 2 and ACI 318.

Exposition: Allplan 2018

Workflow Improvements for CAD Managers

For IT managers and CAD/BIM coordinators, Allplan 2018 solved several administrative headaches:

User Roles: Allplan 2018 introduced granular permission settings. A junior draftsperson could be locked out of "Numeric Parameter" menus but allowed to draw lines.
Versioning: The "Project History" feature allowed administrators to roll back to any save state in the last 30 days—a lifesaver when a junior engineer deleted a foundation slab accidentally.
Network Licensing: The licensing server was rewritten to handle roaming profiles better, allowing engineers to dock laptops at home and borrow licenses for 14 days (a huge deal for field engineers).

4. Intelligent "Component-Attribute" System

Allplan 2018 overhauled how non-geometric data attaches to objects:

Rule-based attributes – e.g., “If wall is external AND fire-rated, assign F30 label automatically.”
QLF (Quantity & Layout Formula) enhancements – extract quantities directly from any 3D component, including complex intersections.
IFC4 export/import certification – one of the first tools to achieve official buildingSMART IFC4 Reference View certification.

3. Reinforced Concrete Detailing 2.0

For structural engineers, this was the marquee feature:

Automatic rebar generation from analysis results (supports, beams, columns, foundations).
3D rebar bending simulation – detect collisions between rebars before concrete pour.
Direct export to CNC bending machines (via BAMTEC or .DXF bending schedules).
Rebar shape library updated to comply with Eurocode 2 and ACI 318.