MiTek® Releases SAPPHIRE™ Viewer, a Free 3D Software Tool for Collaborating on Home Plan Design

MiTek, a Berkshire Hathaway company (NYSE: BRK-A, NYSE: BRK-B), announced today that it has released a new version of SAPPHIRE Viewer, a free 3D software tool that is part of MiTek’s SAPPHIRE Structure and the SAPPHIRE Suite.

The latest version of SAPPHIRE Viewer is designed for builders, architects, and engineers to collaborate on house plans using a shared 3D model with their component manufacturer, or “CM.” CMs manufacture the roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels for residential home builders, and they are typically affiliated with local lumberyards.

“Through the digital pre-building process enabled by MiTek’s SAPPHIRE Suite, and the collaboration enabled by SAPPHIRE Viewer, the Buildability™ of the home is ensured,” said MiTek’s Gregg Renner. “With Buildability, the builder knows that a structure – including lot-specific ‘structural options’ – can be built as drawn. Buildability defined at an early stage in the home’s design is the quickest path to increased profitability in home building and that’s what SAPPHIRE Viewer can deliver.”

Part of the SAPPHIRE Suite, SAPPHIRE Viewer has been built from the ground up just for residential building, and SAPPHIRE Viewer users can quickly review SAPPHIRE models in “plan” and 3-D views, using zoom and pan. They can also view elevation drawings and isolate items to view in the model, such as a particular level or layer. SAPPHIRE Viewer users can also print layout sheets or print plans in 3-D, and elevation views. As a key part of successful collaboration, SAPPHIRE Viewer users can add and track mark-ups and comments, ensuring all parties are on the same page. Indeed, the efficiency and accuracy that the SAPPHIRE Suite brings to the entire home-building process are the core features recently recognized by the NAHB when granting SAPPHIRE Suite with NAHB’s “Green Approved” status.

Learn more: http://www.mitek-us.com/SAPPHIRE_Viewer.aspx

Download SAPPHIRE Viewer: http://www.mitek-us.com/Software/SAPPHIRE_Viewer_Downloader_.aspx

About MiTek

MiTek, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is the world’s leading supplier of software, products and services to the building components industry. Through its technological leadership and wide range of products and services, MiTek delivers progressive new solutions to the residential, commercial, industrial and institutional construction markets on six continents. Visit www.mitek-us.com for more information on MiTek or www.berkshirehathaway.com to learn about Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A, NYSE: BRK-B)