Features and benefits of GDL

The revolutionary GDL Technology generates library part and complete object libraries and describes 2D and 3D-Data also the qualities (catalog-no, price, etc) of the objects.

The parametric nature of GDL forms the main difference to other file-formats. One single object can contain the variables for a whole product line or rich in variations like size, color, material, form, number, position, animation-securities etc, that all described in GDL and can be defined. The parameters can be discontinued by the user and change the behavior and look of an object with it.

The file sizes are the file-types of the competition essentially smaller than this. This is based on the programming language and on the parametric nature of GDL. One single Script can describe a big selection of real objects with all its different variations. The small file sizes are the key this about users and customers to make fast and uncomplicated downloads of the objects from the internet possible.

GDL makes the compatibility possible with all important file formats like DWG (AutoCAD), DGN (MicroStation), 3DS (3Dstudio and Lightwave), OPT (Art.lantis Lightscape) and the standard exchange formats like DXF and IFC. Adapter technology for AutoCAD makes GDL also for other disciplines attractive outside the construction-industry.

Less keep of objects is required with GDL. It is a huge advantage, if a script is to be simply understood and to edit. Alterations of the design, the function, color selection or new variations are to be integrated easily in GDL scripts.

GDL is open to everyone. Each ArchiCAD licence contains GDL the package as part. The share of architects, designers, 3D modellers and programmers, who use GDL, grows daily.



Intelligent future oriented object technology with help of GDL makes a new and more efficient way to the commercial exploitation and to the sale of its offered products in the internet possible for the manufacturer of construction products.
With help of the GDL Object Publishers, the products can be published fast and simply in the internet; with help of the free GDL WEB-Plugins, the users can look (plan, cut, opinion, perspectives) at the objects, can try out all variations in parameter list and can download directly from his Webbrowser.

The advantages more electronically opposite printed catalogs
The sale of prefabricated elements in the construction nature is carried out traditionally with help of printed catalogs. The advantages of publishing catalogs in the internet (or on CD-ROM) are multifarious. The variety of the today available products never has been there. The search in these catalogs can be more effective in an electronic form, in that manifold choices are allowed, and easier access is allowed to more information during the product selection.
Furthermore, the internet represents a 2 way communication. With traditionally printed catalogs, the manufacturer doesn't get any feedback over it his information is used. In the case of the Online publishing, the manufacturer knows whoever is interested in the products and he does something with it. As result, the reproach and delivery of the products can be optimized, camp overfilled can be avoided. Enormous, efficient advances mean this with the production and customer supply.

Conventional electronic catalogs and their restrictions
Most digital catalogs are based on a Standard-CAD-Format (dxf / dwg) or on usual graphic formats like .bmp or .jpg. They also contain technical specifications, price and delivery conditions and attractive photos of the products.
Some catalogs offer CAD symbols, usually in 2D, and if you then consist of many singles files per object in 3D, is not parametric, no important product data contain. Furthermore, the files hardly still are exchangeable because of their sizes via internet and handable. These libraries are difficult to produce and to use.

GDL offers intelligent content with big control
GDL allows in both 2D and 3D to describe a way construction components as electronic objects on a very compact way, while it contains all crucial information about the real product.
These information can then be downloaded in architecture projects and can be used by architects, inner architects, building managers and others in the construction industry of transacting during the building cycle.
This technology works with ArchiCAD, the architecture software from the home Graphisoft equally like with other leading architecture products in the software area.
High quality product representations
GDL objects offer high quality presentations, that correspond to the representation claims of the manufacturer for his product catalogs, as well as design studies and expression pure price lists. Real materials and color systems can be assigned to the products to simulate about the reality.

Optimize for the internet
Thanks to its parametric nature, GDL creates objects, that are in the internet easily accessible and handling. Product catalogs, that are based on GDL technology, require little care, what means a low expenditure, the web sites to withstand on it the most currently.

World wide acceptance
Renowned product manufacturers from the whole world publish their products as GDL-Bibliotheken, among others Velux, Villeroy+Boch, Offecct, Lammhults.

Flexibility and control
GDL objects can be used in Windows and Macintosh machines at the same time and are compatible with the most current CAD file formats including DXF and DWG and the IFC increasingly turning into the standard. The GDL-Object-WEBPLUGIN can use XML-databases furthermore. In this way, manufacturers can reach their customers on each platform and with each CAD package. Neither the manufacturer nor the CAD user participate dependent on Graphisoft for the design, the development and handling of the GDL objects.

Integration of the building design
The selection of building components during the design phase is advantageous for the planner, the actually existing objects can use with the design, and for the construction component manufacturer, that can market his products in an early phase of the design process.

Product investigation
Manufacturer information are contained in the GDL object data which means that product specific information is available not only for the planner but also for the building manager and all others in the construction industry of transacting, that requires access to such information during the life of a building.

Cost lowering
GDL is an open standard and to learn easily and to use, so that the basiv development and maintenance costs are low. Furthermore the data export takes place automatically so that no necessity exists to generate information in different formats like DXF and DWG.

Further information
Graphisoft developed a series of GDL-Object-Tools into the efficient and extensive utilization of the GDL Technology. On their web site you can get further informations.