We are working on a MAC Version and if you like to receive updates please feel free contacting us via mail@formfinder.at
Formfinder and EASY are powered by 100 % identical formfinding algorithms.
Formfinder GmbH and Technet GmbH are partner in the development.
Click here for more details.
Formfinder is 100 % compatible to EASY.
Just "open and save" Formfinder files directly in the EASY software.
If you are using an elder version of EASY please update your EASY from www.technet-gmbh.de or simply convert your Files:
When will the database search be extended?
We received about 350 KG (yes, Kilogramm) on new data available from Professor Vinzenz Sedlak of Sydney Australia. Thousands of phantastic slides are currently scanned in for the publication in Formfinder. There is also a precise project description to many projects.
The step by step release of the new data will bring a powerful improvment for the project search.
The Project Finder does also work on your iPhone or mobile device!
Please click here to open the Project Finder.
Yes, to add a project please contact mail@formfinder.at.
Formfinder is an independent platform for the encouragement of membrane construction.
Formfinder Professional is soon able to provide full online access to the complete knowledge management tools of Formfinder (Typology Finder, Project Finder, Material Finder, Detail Finder or Value Finder).
Inspiration and collaboration are the first steps towards the improvement of the architectural quality of formactive-structures.
Please click here to jump to our FAQ TechSupport.
or report us what should be improved:
mail@formfinder.at.
The Formfinder architectural design system operates with original algorithms of the software EASY of the technet-gmbh Berlin-Stuttgart. The technet-gmbh is partner in the development of Formfinder. The EASY software is made by technet gmbh, Berlin-Stuttgart. http://www.technet-gmbh.com.
The same file format is used by EASY and Formfinder. Therefore the teamwork of architects, engineers and the manufacturer flow 100% smoothly.
The accuracy and quality of information reduces the risk of all planners involved. The goal of Formfinder is to bring together a powerful Team of experts for the successful implementation of a building project.
“Mankind does not need anymore technology - it is clearness that is missing”.
- Astor Piazzola
Formfinder is a state of the art design system which was made for architects by architects. The system offers an intuitional step by step design path for the design of formactive structures. Heino Engel defines “Form-active structure systems as structure systems of flexible, non-rigid matter, in which the redirection of forces is effected through particular FORM DESIGN and characteristic FORM STABILISATION.†There are two inseparable counterparts that characterise form-active structures: The design of the form and the stabilisation of the form. An examination is needed for every design, since form-active structures cannot easily be described in terms of shape and geometry in drawings. The design of form-active structures is more complex and requires a supporting design tool.
The concept of such a design tool was developed by Robert Wehdorn-Roithmayr during his Ph.D studies in Berlin at the institute of Professor Gründig using the software EASY www.technet-gmbh.com. Through the support of sponsors and a committed development team it was possible to make the first Release Candidate available for free downloading from www.formfinder.at.
The Formfinder design path starts with a “formulation of the task†and physical model-making to investigate material properties. If the material attributes are decoded, the desired design is sketched in the Formfinder user interface.
Architects sketch the design required in a manner similar to using pen and paper. The software visualises the physical, geometrical and architectural characteristics of a design to describe the process of finding Gestalt. Gestalt is defined as “a physical, biological, psychological, or symbolic configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that its properties cannot be derived from a simple summation of its partsâ€. Gestalt and proportion are the most important characteristics in an architectural building description.
The easy-to-use design system is intended to encourage the designer to develop new designs and should be a source of enjoyment. It is also part of the design path to communicate with possible project partners at a very early stage. Working together as a multidisciplinary team is essential for successful designing.
Formfinder is also a design-qualifying tool. A model-based object recognition algorithm analyses the sketch and compares analogies with information stored in databases. As a result, FORMFINDER is a kind of "Google for form-active structures". Each step of the design can be matched with relevant object information. Given the importance of updates, the FORMFINDER database can be updated over the Internet. Knowing what has already been built by whom, when and where and how is of considerable commercial value and forms the basis for every successful implementation project.
“Forgetting early experiences in childhood is no doubt due to the fact that nothing can be named until language is learned, and hence nothing can be found in the memory.”
- Sabine Pauen on “Denken ohne Worte”
For fluent and straightforward design decisions it is essential to share relevant project information. For sharing information it is necessary to make experience describable. What designers are able to repeat could also be improved. To improve the quality of form-active support systems it is also essential to build many bridges over the significant void between amateurs and the so called high-technology experts.
Thanks to the development of the international association TensiNet it is now possible for e.g. the European Design Guide as the most up to date reference and the TensiNet project database to become a large pool of useful information. With the approaches made by TensiNet it is now possible to initiate “recording of the designâ€.
Architecture is individual and will not advance by standardisation of the design processes itself. What is required is equipment for the design of form-active structures in combination with comprehensive information reduced to a manageable size.
Goal of the cooperation between Formfinder and TensiNet is for Formfinder to act as an “information allocation tool†for the designer.
Our high quality standard made it possible that Formfinder is sucessfully used in the daily work by architects, designers, engineers and manufacturers.
Formfinder Professional users are offered a 24h Hotline and a wide range of online support-tools.
To report of a bug or if you have a question please do not hesitate contacting us on mail@formfinder.atrwehdorn@wehdorn.at. We will be happy to support you!
Formfinder was tested on Windows 8, 7, VISTA, XP, 2000 and MAC with Virtual PC and Parallels.
If you opearte a Windows Tablet PC Win 8 or 7 please run in "compatible modus".
To set up this modus open the Windows Explorer
go to the installation folder of Formfinder eg. C:/Program Files/Formfinder...
click with the RIGHT Mousebutton on "Formfinder.exe"
open the tab "compatibility",
click on "setup for all users (Einstellungen für alle Benutzer ändern)",
click on the "check box" to run Formfinder in Mode eg. WinXP (all modes should run fine)
click here to see the image for this setting
Drivers
No additional driver is needed to run Formfinder
(All drivers are already included on installation)
1. Flash
Adobe Flash Player Browser Plug-In (by Adobe Systems www.adobe.com)
2. HASP
USB Hardlock Driver (by Aladdin www.aladdin.com)
To check if your USB Hardlock Key works click on the following link:
http://localhost:1947/_int_/ACC_help_index.html
HASP SRM 2.0
USB Hardlock Driver Windows or USB Hardlock Driver MAC Server
Win32: 2000, XP, 2003 Server, 2008 Server and Vista
Win64 WinXP, 2003 Server, 2008 Server and Vista for x86-64
OS X: Mac OS X 10.4.x-10.5.x
www.aladdin.com/support/hasp-srm/enduser.aspx
HASP SRM 3.1 (2.0 and 3.1 are both supported and tested)
Analysis
Installation Process stops on messages
mozctl.dll, mozctlx.dll, js3250.dll, mozz.dll, gkgfx.dll
on DllRegisterServer
Statement
Adobe Reader 9.x blocks read/write permission
Solution
a) Uninstall Adobe Reader 9.x
b) Re-Install Formfinder
c) Install Adobe Reader 9.x
SOLUTION without un-/install Adobe Reader 9.x
a) Open Registry (Start/execute/regedit)
b) Search following key (F3-key)
34A715A0-6587-11D0-924A-0020AFC7AC4D
and set the permissions read/write
Analysis
The Grid is not visible any more.
Statement
Delete the Formfinder.ini File
Microsoft Vista:
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\technet-gmbh\Formfinder\Formfinder.ini
Microsoft XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\ApplicationData\technet-gmbh\Formfinder\Formfinder.ini
Solution
The Unsinstall Routine did not delete the old Formfinder.ini File (Admin Right was needed)
Analysis
The import of a DXF DWG File brings a message like
"Assertion failed. sdr... line 2233"
Statement
Check if Construction Lines and DXF are switched ON
(Open "Properties Panel" and press DEFAULTS Button)
Solution if still not visible
1. Working units of DXF DWG File must be in METER
(otherwise the file is much to small or large for display)
2. If possible export only lines as spline, curves etc. might be segmented
Any hardware from this century will be able to run Formfinder Light and Formfinder Professional.
