B2: BIM
BIM Handbook Chapter 2: BIM Tools and Parametric Modeling
It is not very easy to define what “BIM”
is, but this chapter helped put the idea into a bit clearer of a perspective.
It describes BIM design applications in three ways – as a tool, a platform, or
an environment. These are three distinct views of BIM and help create a
complete picture of what it is. At the level of considering BIM as a tool, it
is able to carry out specific tasks to reach a specified outcome. Not all BIM
tools are created equal, however. There are different predefined object
databases, methods for creating new and updating objects, surface types
available, drawing generation capabilities, and the limit to the number of
objects it can handle. Considering BIM as a platform, it generates and manages
data within a model for several uses, as opposed to one specified outcome. Each
BIM platform has a different capability to handle certain levels of project
detail, ability to interface with other platforms, and the data they store for
management. Considering BIM as an environment takes it to a new level that
incorporates data management across tools and platforms.
It was interesting to learn that BIM is
just one subset of parametric modeling, which shares these aspects as a tool,
platform, or environment. Evolving from basic 3-dimensional modeling of shapes
and figures, parametric modeling first creates a family of objects that becomes
its own element. This element contains information about its shape, but also
rules, properties, and behaviors as well. There are several technologies that
encompass a parametric modeling system. The first layer of parametric modeling
is the ability to define complex shapes in a few parameters. The next layer is
defining assemblies which automatically update when the parameters of any shape
are changed. The final layer is the ability to link parameters across multiple
shapes, with the program automatically updating when needed.
Like all programs and tools, parametric
modeling has strengths and limitations. One of the major strengths of this
modeling system is the “intelligent design behavior” of objects. This refers to
the ability of the program to automatically update and edit when needed, and is
aware of the type of object it is editing and the rules and parameters that go
along with it. This increases the complexity of the BIM program, which demonstrates
one of its limitations. It can take quite a while for a user to become proficient
and efficient at using the program. BIM also holds an advantage over basic 3D
modeling software (such as SketchUp) in that it can link objects together in
intelligent and meaningful ways, easing the design process.
Source: BIM Handbook Chapter 2: BIM Tools and Parametric Modeling
Comments
Jordan: I found your blog post to be particularly interesting, especially since through my co-ops and part time work I have been working on the owner's/facility manager's side of work. You said that the executive summary indicated that BIM can be used for analyzing and complying with codes which I find really interesting. Where I work part time at the moment, we are constantly working to figure out if our renovation ideas are code compliant. I am curious as to how BIM could be used to assist in this process, as I am sure it is more efficient and accurate than our current methods.
Mark: Having read the same chapter as you, it was nice to get a different perspective on the reading! One thing you mentioned that I did find somewhat interesting in our chapter was the idea of different BIM programs for different applications, even within the building and construction industry. I wish that the chapter had gone a little more in depth about the differences, but found the idea itself to be interesting. I wonder if there will ever be a master BIM program to rule them all, which is able to provide for the needs of all aspects of our industry.
Cody: You bring up a great point that BIM becomes increasingly important as IPD and similar projects gain momentum. It is critical to use collaboration technologies, such as BIM, to efficiently utilize IPD and other integrated methods. Also, I knew that some BIM programs were preferred over other by certain firms or people, but I didn't know that there was a difference in preference between architects and engineers. It is interesting that you describe a similar process taken by both architects and engineers when using BIM, yet there are still programs that are more tailored for certain parts of design.
Mark: Having read the same chapter as you, it was nice to get a different perspective on the reading! One thing you mentioned that I did find somewhat interesting in our chapter was the idea of different BIM programs for different applications, even within the building and construction industry. I wish that the chapter had gone a little more in depth about the differences, but found the idea itself to be interesting. I wonder if there will ever be a master BIM program to rule them all, which is able to provide for the needs of all aspects of our industry.
Cody: You bring up a great point that BIM becomes increasingly important as IPD and similar projects gain momentum. It is critical to use collaboration technologies, such as BIM, to efficiently utilize IPD and other integrated methods. Also, I knew that some BIM programs were preferred over other by certain firms or people, but I didn't know that there was a difference in preference between architects and engineers. It is interesting that you describe a similar process taken by both architects and engineers when using BIM, yet there are still programs that are more tailored for certain parts of design.
I liked that the chapter went down to the basics of the software. I understand the BIM technology well, but reading about it in a more general sense gives me a better idea of how powerful of a tool it really is. I never really thought of it as the linking of objects together and the system automatically adjusting as things change. The overview of BIM as a tool and parametric modeling as whole gives me a more well-rounded understand of the tool I use almost daily.
ReplyDeleteHi Kerry! I enjoyed reading your post a lot because I like how you summarized the long chapter into very clear and understandable sentences. I agree with you that it could take a long time for the users to learn the BIM process and I have a few examples from past coops that I think might help with the efficiency of learning. There was a "BIM person" at my last coop and he is more like a technical expert on BIM, so he was in charge of teaching the engineers on how to use the BIM model or central file accurately and efficiently. I also know some architecture firms would schedule lessons with their BIM software provider such as AutoDesk and Bentley System to learn the efficient way to implement their design into BIM.
ReplyDeleteKerry,
ReplyDeleteI thought you did a great job summing up the chapter and hit many points in a short post. I think a lot of people forget that BIM is more than just putting intricate shapes into a program. It also allows for analyzes and integration between systems. Also, my chapter did touch on being able to create families or objects to allow for more freedom in design. I still feel that this is a weakness of 3-D modelling because it will still take liberties when putting families in plan views or elevations. I found myself putting in lines to show overlaps when everything is in the correct elevations but the program is not properly displaying the plan views.
Kerry,
ReplyDeleteObviously BIM programs have many upsides to them. These programs are taking over the design and construction industry very rapidly because of the abilities they have. There are a few issues with them though, the biggest being the learning curve involved to actually understand and know all of the capabilities one of these programs like Revit has. As you had said this is probably one of the biggest drawbacks, which is probably why many construction companies that I know of are creating new departments to simply deal with 3D modeling. Even civil construction companies are modeling bridges that you see on the turnpike so that their laborers know what it should look like or how they may go about constructing something. By dedicating a department with two or three modelers in it, they can focus simply on creating the model and bettering their abilities in the program.
Kerry,
ReplyDeleteI think you made several good points through out the post, especially when you said that not all BIM tools are created equally, I think that sadly this is true. REVIT is absolutely an industry standard but not all firms can afford it as the license for it something like $10,000 a year. This causes firms to rely on smaller tools with smaller scaled platforms, this can lead to trouble. Especially since everyone is learning a new tool, using a tool that isnt as good can lead to problems down the road.
Kerry,
ReplyDeleteYour blog post made me interested in finding out some of the other limitations of BIM. A lot of people see BIM as a fix all or catch all design tool. This could be a negative thing if designers see a 3D modeling program as the only solution. As Abraham Maslow said, "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". As diverse and unconstrained as BIM softwares can be, it is never a good thing just to give up CAD software or hand designed models, because who knows when those tools may be needed.
Information on the quote: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_instrument#History
Thank you for summarizing the long chapter into 3 paragraphs, which I was used as a guideline to skim through 66 pages of dry writing. I believe Revit has changed drastically than at the time this book was published, and additional options have been added. Similar to Zac comments from above, it is essential for a large multisector company to open a BIM-related modeling department to fully understand about the software as well as the technology
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteI like what you talked about in the last paragraph of your post that one of the major strengths of modeling system is to “intelligent design behavior” of objects. It is very convenient for the designer to design 2D and 3D model using BIM programs since the designer can go back to the model to edit or add more designs anytime and anywhere he or she wants. Anyway, one of the main problems of using BIM is that it is difficult to downgrade the model. For example, if you are using Revit 2013 on your computer at home to design the building and later you open the file with another computer with Revit 2017 to continue to do your work. If you decide to continue to work on your project using the older version of the Revit that you have on your computer, it will not work and you will have to upgrade your Revit model to the similar version or higher version.
Kerry,
ReplyDeleteThe complexity of BIM software and its related databases are certainly growing as the product and environment evolves. I enjoyed your honesty when addressing the learning curve for users to be acclimated to the layers of BIM that you mentioned. The convenience cannot be exaggerate at this time, though fully understanding an assembly and furthermore how the BIM tools utilize and update in real-time is a challenge in and of itself. This chapter makes a decent attempt at fleshing out the conceptual side of BIM and you took it a bit further so thank you.