The BIG BIM picture

[Anonymous]

Currently I am in the research phase of moving our company in the world of Building Information Modeling. Our firm is on the cutting edge of design for science and technology facilities. To our credit we have designed some of largest research facilities in the world. Our firm is a multidisciplinary organization with Architecture, Laboratory Planning, Structural, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Site Planning, Facility Planning, and Interiors under one umbrella. We have been working in 2D AutoCad since release 10 but now that the technology has evolved it is time for us to incorporate the latest technologies into our workflow. Our firm, like most AE firms, has decided that BIM is our future. The question is what technologies(software) will improve how we deliver projects.
As I continue to research and understand the world of BIM I continue to keep the following points in mind when choosing any technology. My questions for the ArchiCad community are at the end of the list.

1. Past, Present, and Future. Because we cannot just drop the current 2D process and switch all future projects to the 3D BIM process, what current software will help us transition by supporting our old projects, our current projects and our future projects?

2. Interoperability. What software will support the 3D interoperability between all the above disciplines? The software needs to support the old way of 2D xrefs, but it must now support 3D interoperability(Industry Foundation Classes).

3. 2D Drawing Coordination. How does the software interface with multiple users and with users who are using different software? Our firm, our contractor, our clients, and consultants require several different drawing formats from AutoCad 14, 2000, 2002, Microstation, PDF, DWF, Tif, Jpeg, etc. Will the software support all these formats?

4. Design flexibility. How customizable can the building be? I have yet to see any of our facilities contain just run-of-the-mill building designs. Our designers aim for something new every time on all aspects of the facility design, from overall building shapes to very fine details. We cannot rely on the software’s libraries; instead can the libraries be customized to fit our every need.

5. Building Size and Complexity. Can the software handle the complexity and size of our buildings? For us, it not just size that is a factor it’s also the complexity of all that goes into a science and research facility. How does the software handle these things?

6. Scheduling and Cost Estimating. If you are familiar with BIM, you understand the BID process is getting pulled closer and closer to the early part of the Construction Document phase and even into Design Documentation. Does the software support the ability to view or export out a broad range of building data for early bidding and cost estimating?

7. Error checking. Does the software support a “building spell check?” Can we perform coordination checks between disciplines and consultants on major aspects of the facility?

8. Code Checking. In Asia there are a few governments that are working on programs that code checks your BIM model. When USA code officials adopt this methodology will the software be ready to support it?

9. Analysis Reports. Will the software support the future of Wind or Energy analysis on a facility?

10. Construction. Does the software fit the BIM process beyond the design phase? Can contractors use the software or the BIM model to do 4D construction?

11. As Built BIM Model. How will the software encourage the creation of an As Built BIM Model for the owner?

12. Facility Management. Can the software support facility management? Does the software help the owner to better understand the facility and how to manage every complex part of it?

13. Building Lifecycle. Because our facilities are design to evolve with the changes of science and technology, can the BIM model be reopened in five or more years to support major changes to the facility such as renovations and additions?


If you have managed to read through that entire list then I ask you to comment on how ArchiCad or ArchiFM fit into any one of the above points. I am not asking and I know that ArchiCad or ArchiFM cannot do all these things. I am also not look for one single application that can. What I am looking for is software that supports the BIG BIM picture. If the software cannot fulfill one of the above points then what can the software do to support it. For example, if Revit cannot do 4D Construction for a contractor then how will Revit help to get the information to the contractor so that he can do a 4D model in his own software?

I am posting this message on Zoogdesign.com forum and eventually Bentley’s. Because I have had a chance to pilot Revit in the design phase and seen a demo of ArchiCad, and soon Bentley; I will also reply to this thread on how I think these applications are fulfilling the above points. Also feel free to add any points that I might have missed.

Thank you in advance,

Ben Ferrer
bferrer@cuh2a.com

[David Pacifico]

bferrer wrote:


7. Error checking. Does the software support a “building spell check?”

8. Code Checking.

Solibri Model Checker is the product to check out for this kind of stuff
http://www.solibri.com
It has a direct connection with ArchiCAD (two-way interface) and also works with IFC. Code Checking is not yet there, but I believe it is on their radar.

[Djordje]

David wrote:
Solibri Model Checker is the product to check out for this kind of stuff
http://www.solibri.com
It has a direct connection with ArchiCAD (two-way interface) and also works with IFC. Code Checking is not yet there, but I believe it is on their radar.

That's it!!!!!

Thanks, David!

Boy, I am getting old ...

[Anonymous]

Archiforma made parts are Parametric?? This is significant, right??

http://www.cigraph-store.com/html/home/DESCRIPTION/AForma2.htm

[Karl Ottenstein]

David wrote:
Solibri Model Checker is the product to check out for this kind of stuff
http://www.solibri.com

Thanks, David!

[Begin Rant on Graphisoft Marketing... haven't done one of these for a year or two...]

I was feeling pretty stupid to not have been aware of Solibri when I made my initial response to Ben in which I said I wasn't aware of any aps like this ... since I sort of thought I was in tune with the pulse of what's happening with AC. But, I'm not a reseller, like David, whose business it would be to stay on top of this. So, I took a look at the GS web site ... and Solibri is not to be found (a small reference as an exhibiter at a 2003 HQ event).

Graphisoft: wake up. Firms such as Ben's are considering ArchiCAD and ArchiFM in volume ... and if 3rd party tools fill in the gaps to provide a complete solution, you are hurting your own sales efforts by not mentioning them on your main product pages, particularly in a way that makes it clear to a newcomer how they fit into the big picture. It isn't free advertising for those products ... its synergy.

The current very short page on 'Productivity Tools' at:
http://www.graphisoft.com/products/productivity_tools/

basically has no information other than the link to the woefully out of date and incomplete PDF cataglogue of 3rd party tools. It isn't clear at all when reading the page that it is just a 'chapter heading' page for the four pages below it (in the left margin links), including:
http://www.graphisoft.com/products/productivity_tools/tools/

which is much more complete, but is still missing Solibri and what else?

Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a matrix of features that a customer might want ... and have "Included" where it is, and list the 3rd party product where it is not...if the 3rd party has made efforts to integrate with AC. (The Cigraph add-ons, for example, provide features not in the base set.) I'm sure some resellers have made up such a list of their own ... but it seems to me that it belongs on the main product web site.

Don't buy into the "not invented here (in Budapest HQ)" mentality ... customers want a total solution. You aren't making your product look incomplete by showing that it is rounded out by the products of others. (Well, maybe you are in some cases ... but potential customers need to see the entire picture.)

Someone said to me a few years ago when I ranted about GS marketing that I was proposing in-your-face US-style marketing rather than the more subtle European marketing. I suppose I was then. Go ahead and be subtle ... but not so subtle that you don't provide all of the information to current and potential customers about the capabilities of the products and 3rd party enhancements. Things have steadily improved, though!

[End Rant]

But, thanks again, David! ... very good to know about Solibris. 😉

Karl

[Djordje]

Some new views on the matter, as reported in AECBytes (www.aecbytes.com - WORTH subscribing to!):

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In this article, Paul Seletsky proposes a new acronym, PEN (for Parametric-ENabled) to replace BIM, arguing that parametric modeling represents but one aspect of a broader set of inter-related services and methodologies that AEs can provide, beyond facilitating a more efficient means to 2D document output. To see the article, which is posted online, please visit: http://www.aecbytes.com/viewpoint/issue_3.htm.

///

[David Pacifico]

Djordje, Nice Article. I'll add it to my list.
http://www.aecbytes.com/viewpoint/issue_3.htm
(You do need to keep those extra periods off your links.)

Here is my collection of Articles FYI:
http://www.parch.com/process.htm

Karl, I had heard of Solibri before, but recently saw it and was impressed with its capablity. It's not for everyone, but for a large, design or construction firm, or owner that is going to be doing a lot tasks with building models it has its place. Look forward to seeing you ACUW.

[Djordje]

David wrote:
Djordje, Nice Article. I'll add it to my list.
http://www.aecbytes.com/viewpoint/issue_3.htm
(You do need to keep those extra periods off your links.)

Don't thank me, thank Lachmi Khemlani. BTW, periods are normal for end of sentence ... while I agree that it is not Internet correct, it is proper writing I should have seen it, and you should tell Lachmi, too - she is always open to suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. You have been more then helpful with your comments.
Ben
..P.S. I will keep you posted as to the direction we go.

[Djordje]

bferrer wrote:
Thanks everyone. You have been more then helpful with your comments.
Ben
..P.S. I will keep you posted as to the direction we go.

I was looking forward to your comments; maybe you will get even more insight then.

Glad we helped!

[Scott Davis]

Here is another well though out response on the topic of BIM, PEN, and other 3-letter words....

Click me!

Yes, you will be visiting "the other side" at zoogdesign.com, a Revit community.