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BIM- A closer look
BIM
We have a new paradigm called BIM, which stands for Building Information Modeling. Consider this, when we think of CAD, we think of lines assembled together to look like a building, though lacking design or product information. When we think of BIM, we think of objects, rich with product information assembled to make up an actual building model you can see from any vantage point graphically or information scheduling. When building an actual wall or a BIM wall using studs and sheets of gypsum board, we have used real world objects with actual sizes, materials and shape. They both look the same as you view them in person or in a virtual environment, but the BIM wall is easy to change. In fact, it is a lot faster to change the construction or shape of a virtual wall in a BIM software than it is in a 2D CAD software since the BIM software’s wall is modeled in 3D and represents length, height, material and shape, while the 2D CAD software’s wall is simply a pair of lines with no vertical representation or system information attached to them. For instance, after creating a BIM wall in plan, we can switch to a 3D view, a plan, an elevation, or a section and visually see that wall and its related system information like the stud type, surface material, area, perimeter, and vertical information about the wall from these views, not to forget, we can also find this and more wall information within the BIM software’s schedules. If we change the length, height or make up of the wall, the information adjusts automatically as the change takes place. This scheduling can include all the materials used to finish the wall, right down to the wall trims. Generally speaking, most BIM software is able to schedule information like object material and finishes, sizes, construction assembly codes, keynotes, manufacturer, model numbers, website url’s, type costs, as well as custom parameters we can create ourselves. What is important about this information is it is available within all objects and all this information is live, meaning as a new wall type is added to a plan, the wall is added automatically to the wall schedule. The information does not have to be coordinated manually between the plan’s walls, tags and the wall schedule on differing sheets as the BIM software has already coordinated it. If the wall type is changed in the plans, again the schedules are automatically updated without prompting or any additional effort on your part. Wouldn’t it be nice to create an area plan that adjusts the smart area boundary lines within a wall based on how the space on either side of a wall is used? It is comforting when our software allows us to visually see a design that in a 2D environment would not be possible. The strengths and limitations of what can be coordinated exist on a per software basis, though BIM software offers few limitations in object coordination.
Is this a production tool or a design tool, what do you think?
We have a new paradigm called BIM, which stands for Building Information Modeling. Consider this, when we think of CAD, we think of lines assembled together to look like a building, though lacking design or product information. When we think of BIM, we think of objects, rich with product information assembled to make up an actual building model you can see from any vantage point graphically or information scheduling. When building an actual wall or a BIM wall using studs and sheets of gypsum board, we have used real world objects with actual sizes, materials and shape. They both look the same as you view them in person or in a virtual environment, but the BIM wall is easy to change. In fact, it is a lot faster to change the construction or shape of a virtual wall in a BIM software than it is in a 2D CAD software since the BIM software’s wall is modeled in 3D and represents length, height, material and shape, while the 2D CAD software’s wall is simply a pair of lines with no vertical representation or system information attached to them. For instance, after creating a BIM wall in plan, we can switch to a 3D view, a plan, an elevation, or a section and visually see that wall and its related system information like the stud type, surface material, area, perimeter, and vertical information about the wall from these views, not to forget, we can also find this and more wall information within the BIM software’s schedules. If we change the length, height or make up of the wall, the information adjusts automatically as the change takes place. This scheduling can include all the materials used to finish the wall, right down to the wall trims. Generally speaking, most BIM software is able to schedule information like object material and finishes, sizes, construction assembly codes, keynotes, manufacturer, model numbers, website url’s, type costs, as well as custom parameters we can create ourselves. What is important about this information is it is available within all objects and all this information is live, meaning as a new wall type is added to a plan, the wall is added automatically to the wall schedule. The information does not have to be coordinated manually between the plan’s walls, tags and the wall schedule on differing sheets as the BIM software has already coordinated it. If the wall type is changed in the plans, again the schedules are automatically updated without prompting or any additional effort on your part. Wouldn’t it be nice to create an area plan that adjusts the smart area boundary lines within a wall based on how the space on either side of a wall is used? It is comforting when our software allows us to visually see a design that in a 2D environment would not be possible. The strengths and limitations of what can be coordinated exist on a per software basis, though BIM software offers few limitations in object coordination.
Is this a production tool or a design tool, what do you think?
Tags: advantages, architectural, bim
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gio Carino on -
I believe it is both. The power of BIM is even realized when it is utilized very early within the design process.
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Permalink Reply by Miguel K. on -
Very clear presentation. Just a minor note: The BIM concept is not new, it has been around for more than 25 years, and there are thousands of buildings that were planned using BIM software. Only the acronym is new.
As for being a production or a design tool, I really can not see the difference. When you embark on the BIM methodologie, those kind of boundaries tend to disappear.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Sealander on -
I guess the thing I like most about BIM (I use Revit) is that it's a lot more fun than drawing in 2d.
What I'm waiting for is software that can truly model a building and its relationship with nature: thermal transfer, daylighting, vapor movement. gbXML is heading this way. 3ds Max actually is also starting down this path; I wonder if AutoDesk plans on introducing water vapor permeability as an object modifier within Max?
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Permalink Reply by Lee Chun Design Service on -
Great presentation! I use Revit. I think that it's both a production tool and a design tool, though it is not efficient when you are considering your concept back and forth at the very initial stage of your design. Sketchup is much better than Revit at creating/modifying shapes. However, as Revit is an information integration tool, it is very powerful, when you've finalized the shape of the building and go to analyse the building and develop the documents. As structure and MEP can share the same model or create links with Revit Arch model, Revit is powerful at coordination among different disciplines. As you know, "Revit" comes from "Revit It", so it is super powerful at CD phase especially when the owner likes changing back and forth.
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Permalink Reply by colossalcad on -
I've been using Autocad for 15+ years and I switch to Archicad, wow dramatic change in my presentation performance and I save more than 40% of drafting's time. The first impression you've got with BIM software is that you "waste" a lot time setting up the drawings but at the end you get the results faster, ie. you can draw a plan view faster with CAD but the elevation's views, section cuts, 3d you have to make them as well, in BIM is slower to do the fisrt drawing but you automatically get the elevation, sections, etc.
I have an outsourcing CAD services office online, so deliver better presentation at the fastest time is a plus for my clients. I'm experimenting with revit and so far I like it.
Another point to BMI is that as an architect we usually make the mistake of showings and explaining the client just a plan view, elevations and sections but the client only gets the picture of the project when he sees a 3D view. Recently I had a couple in my office to whom I was going to design a two story home, they saw all the proposals and even choose one but when I show them a 3D the wife said "finally I fully understand my house, I was breaking my head picturing my bedroom, but now I see it and I like it" the BMI is a great tool in an early and final stage of the design process.
http://www.colossalcad.com
http://www.colossalcad.wordpress.com
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