We had a great week at BCMC. It was good to catch up with customers, meet manufacturers who were seeing Paragon for the first time, and get our team together on the show floor. We had a lot to show this year, and watching people react to what we’ve been working on made the months of preparation worth it.
D.A.N.’s single-component optimization was a particular highlight. We enjoyed seeing people light up as they watched it optimize a truss, then start asking questions about how they could use it in their own shop. These demos led to some of our best conversations of the week.
Putting Optimization to Work
Designers know there can be several ways to make a truss work. Finding time to compare those options is another matter, especially when there’s a stack of jobs waiting.
D.A.N. explores alternatives in lumber grades, web configurations, and plate angle and placement to find potential savings. Manufacturers set the preferences that guide that process, so the results reflect their materials and production priorities.
The lowest material cost isn’t always the best choice for a shop. Stocking preferences and labor considerations matter, too. Being able to account for those factors makes optimization more useful in everyday work.
At BCMC, seeing those alternatives helped people understand where D.A.N. could fit into their design process. It also gave them a chance to ask detailed questions and talk through what would matter most in their operation.
More Than 100 Features Since Last BCMC
D.A.N. was a highlight at the booth, but it’s one of more than 100 features we’ve released since the last BCMC. We’ve added point loads and beams in layout, PDF underlay and snapping, support for 2024 building codes, and expanded IFC import and export. Combo Lumber and Combo Plates give manufacturers more material options, while new load, material, and analysis presets help teams spend less time setting up each job. We’ve also improved digital QC, wall editing, and detailed layout downloads. For customers using Paragon every day, these updates add up, making routine tasks easier and giving them more control over their work.
What’s Coming Next
We also shared a look at our upcoming wall-panel capabilities, smart production, and D.A.N. Auto Layout. It was encouraging to see the excitement around these projects and hear where manufacturers would put them to use.
Our team loves to get feedback and work with our customers to build the best truss design software. Hearing how a plant handles its work, where people lose time, and what information they need helps us make better decisions as we develop the software.
The Common Chord
We also had the opportunity to record Common Chord episodes during the show. A special thanks to everyone who joined us and shared their time and perspective. We’ll be releasing those conversations over the next few months.
There’s a lot of work that goes into getting ready for BCMC, both for exhibitors and the manufacturers who take time away from their businesses to attend. We appreciate everyone who made us part of their week.
Thanks for stopping by, spending time with our team, and giving us plenty to follow up on. We look forward to continuing the conversations.