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By Athol Phillips | SketchUp
Trimble has announced a new version of its popular modelling software SketchUp Pro, as well as a new web-based version called SketchUp Free. New features of SketchUp Pro include:
By Athol Phillips | Hosting
Having provided Design Software Solutions to the Architectural and Interior Designers fraternity since 1986, I have often been astounded at the functionality or rather the “lack thereof” of the many Design Professional websites that I have visited during this period. In fact, I am even more surprised at the fact that there are so many Design Professionals who don’t even have a “point of presence” on the Internet, let alone a poorly developed one.
In this day and age, when there are so many amazing Web Design Toolsets available, creation of a website that one can really be proud of is well within the reach of many company’s, and this at an affordable price.
The converse of this of course, is on arriving on a websites landing page only to find that you have to wait three minutes before the fancy “All Bells and Whistles Home Page” actually loads. Research tells us that you only have seven seconds to capture the attention of your visitor before they hit that exit button and move on.
Whilst iRender are NOT in the business of developing websites, I wanted to share my personal experience with you as regards the journey that I have just completed in creating this, our brand new iRender website.
In embarking on this project, I was adamant that I needed to address two important issues if we were going to throw money and time at creating our new “point of presence” on the Internet.
Firstly, we needed to locate and appoint a new Hosting company, one that was not only affordable but at the same time, provided the visitors to our website with a “Snappy” and “Logical Click Through Navigation” experience. Fortunately, and quite by chance, we stumbled across WPX Hosting who have provided us with the most amazing service and unquestionable ongoing backup and support. (First requirement Checkbox “ticked”).
I then searched the Interweb for a company who could provide us with a new “Conversion Optimised WordPress Theme“, and this we fortunately found in the form of ThriveThemes, co founded by Shane Melaugh and Paul McCarthy.
With limited experience in web development myself, ThriveThemes have provided us with the most User-Friendly “Front End Editor” incorporating a whole collection of additional Toolsets that we required to create our exciting and responsive new iRender website. And just like WPX Hosting, I have found their support to be extraordinary. During the development phase, I often had to call on their Technical Resources who never got tired of my questions, but quickly provided me with the answers to all of my questions.
In closing, I draw your attention to the fact that iRender have registered as an “Affiliate Member” for both ThriveThemes and WPX Hosting, and to this end, we would receive a small commission on any sales of their products or services which were purchased via our “affiliate links” on this post. But in doing so, I also wish to state that we could very well have promoted another vendors solution from whom we would have received a more handsome commission. But, having serviced and supported our valued Design Professional client base over the last thirty years, I would find it very difficult to attach our good reputation and my name to a product or service that I did not personally use and or believe in.
It is for this reason that we are proud to shout out the praises for both WPX Hosting and ThriveThemes. Their combined solutions absolutely work for us!!!
You can read more about the WPX Hosting in this post.
By Athol Phillips | Hosting
When I embarked on developing a brand new Website for iRender in October 2017, I simultaneously decided to move our Hosting Services to a new Service Provider, namely WPX Hosting
WPX Hosting came highly recommended by Shane Melaugh CEO and Co-Founder of ThriveThemes who incidentally market and support an amazing Compilation of Web Development "Conversion Optimised" Toolsets which I used to create our new iRender Website.
Needless to say, I immediately signed up with WPX Hosting who transferred our previous iRender Domain / website to their FAST and AFFORDABLE Hosting Platform at no charge. My subsequent and frequent interfacing with the WPX Hosting Technical Team has been nothing short of extraordinary as they made themselves available on a 24/7 basis to assist me with all my various technical questions. My journey with them thus far has been an absolute pleasure.
THE WPX HOSTING VALUE PROPOSITION:
By Athol Phillips | Artlantis
Abvent has announced that the Artlantis 6.5.2.14 update has been uploaded to artlantis.com and is ready for downloading. This latest update fixes a number of issues, including:
Enhancements:
By Athol Phillips | Artlantis
If tight project deadlines are preventing you for taking time off to personally attend one of our “Intensive One Day Artlantis 6 Training Courses“, then we have an awesome alternative solution for you to consider.
Why not invest in purchasing our Artlantis 6 “Distance Learning Toolkit”, and in so doing, acquire the necessary knowledge to master Artlantis 6, and then use your new found Photo-realistic Rendering Skills to secure more Design Projects.
Many of our Artlantis User, who are unable to physically attend one of our regular Artlantis 6 Training Session have opted to rather purchase our “Artlantis 6 – Distance Learning Kit”, and in so doing, equip themselves with the necessary skills and “best practice” on a “self study basis”.
The Artlantis 6 “Distance Learning Toolkit”, is delivered to your office on a 16GB USB Flash Drive
The Artlantis 6 “Distance Learning Toolkit”, is delivered to your office on a 16GB USB Flash Drive, and incorporates in excess of 8 hours of Video Tutorials, inclusive of a detailed 40 minute session covering the important subject of “Engine Optimization” in Artlantis 6, which is crucial to achieving “high quality rendered output” in the shortest possible render creation time.
Also included, are detailed instructions on the “Site Insertion” functionality, and the creation of Panorama’s in Artlantis 6 Studio.
The cost of the Artlantis 6 “Distance Learning Toolkit” is only R 2,850.00 Incl VAT, and offers very good value for money when you consider that the said Training Material can be also be shared among other members of your Design Team at no additional cost. Free of Charge “Overnight Delivery” is included within the South African geographical region. ORDER NOW!!!