i am a nemetschek vectorworks customer, and for the longest time have been waiting for the nemetschek companies to start sharing their technology portfolio.
one compelling reason autodesk is a strong industry leader, is they leverage their entire software library and sister companies. autodesk acquired both discreet logic, maker of 3DS max and combustion, along with revit technology corporation and their revit application. when they exhibit, at the american institute of architects or other tradeshows, they show all their applications and a great workflow moving though the entire product suite. i hope nemetschek follows this trend, using allplan, vectorworks, and cinema 4D to make a fantastic suite than can compete with any autodesk offering.
i am interested in taking cinema 4D and vectorworks combined to generate human scale animations and presentations. i talked with maxon at the siggraph 2005 exhibition, and was told that each business arm of nemetschek operated independently, so much duplication of effort instead of collaboration. so autodesk rules the day with a great suite, and maxon, nemetschek north america, and nemetschek AG wither on the vine.