What are the possible future problems with Revit/BIM?
With any type of new change (in the field of technology), there will be positive and negative attributes. This post will be focusing on the potential problems that will arise with Revit/BIM. Listed below are the core reasons that was discussed in class.
Forgetting the Roots
As we know, the origin of drafting began with basic pencil and paper which evolved to computer drafting with AutoCAD. AutoCAD essentially does the pencil and paper but in a more efficient manner. However, once Revit/BIM was introduced into our industry, a lot of walls are being shattered because it is basically a game changer. As newer and newer technology tries to improve our tools, we too evolve with it and at one point, we start to forget our roots. This generation of people will not know how to draft using pencil-and-paper. Instead our first drafting lesson will most likely be in AutoCAD. Based on this trend the same analogy can be applied. Soon the next generation will forget the fundamentals of drafting and start with Revit/BIM.
The issue with this is that, we tend to lose some level of knowledge as we transition from one method to the next. And soon, as software become easier and easier to learn and use (interface-wise), we will lose some knowledge that can only be understood using older techniques/methods which would be obsolete by then.
Old cannot keep up with New
Another issue is the inability for old recorded databases and archives to be updated to new software. As we slowly transition from an AutoCAD driven industry to Revit/BIM, we face the issues of conversion. New software cannot read/interact with old files and it is cost ineffective to update/convert all previously recorded data and files.
As we know, the origin of drafting began with basic pencil and paper which evolved to computer drafting with AutoCAD. AutoCAD essentially does the pencil and paper but in a more efficient manner. However, once Revit/BIM was introduced into our industry, a lot of walls are being shattered because it is basically a game changer. As newer and newer technology tries to improve our tools, we too evolve with it and at one point, we start to forget our roots. This generation of people will not know how to draft using pencil-and-paper. Instead our first drafting lesson will most likely be in AutoCAD. Based on this trend the same analogy can be applied. Soon the next generation will forget the fundamentals of drafting and start with Revit/BIM.
The issue with this is that, we tend to lose some level of knowledge as we transition from one method to the next. And soon, as software become easier and easier to learn and use (interface-wise), we will lose some knowledge that can only be understood using older techniques/methods which would be obsolete by then.
Old cannot keep up with New
Another issue is the inability for old recorded databases and archives to be updated to new software. As we slowly transition from an AutoCAD driven industry to Revit/BIM, we face the issues of conversion. New software cannot read/interact with old files and it is cost ineffective to update/convert all previously recorded data and files.
Engineers no longer needed
Another threat to us engineers is the amount of pre-requisites/knowledge needed to draft or create a model. This definitely sounds stupid and impossible right now but in the future (perhaps 20+ years from now), we might have created better programs with easier learning curves that will no longer require technical knowledge. This bodes bad to us engineers, as the job market might be more open with more competition. (Potentially less pay)
Comments:
Dung,
I like how you pointed out if hardware could keep up with software advances. Just like Moor's law, technology is exponentially increasing but can we physically keep up and utilize this new upgrade? However, I am not convinced enough that Revit/BIM will be capable of design decisions unless AI has advanced to that level of sophistication. But who knows? AI is already breaking grounds every other month nowadays so it could be possible in the near future.
Zac,
Great job on giving your analysis of the differences between AutoCAD and Revit. I agree with your explanation to how CAD is comparable to pen-and-paper while Revit is so much more. I also agree with the fact that Revit's real-time design process makes it very efficient for all different fields to interact and facilitate any issues during the design phase. However, since Revit is relatively new in the industry, I can't brush of the fact that not every company uses, let alone, is familiar with, Revit. This might create chaos during the design phase with real-time feature. For example, if one discipline dictates a design and the rest bases off of it, this first discipline has to make sure their design is the final one without changes. Because as the first one designs, the rest follows and any changes to the first design will affect the rest like a domino effect. Such a case would favor the disciplines to complete their design first and pass on their file rather than working simultaneously.
Dung,
I like how you pointed out if hardware could keep up with software advances. Just like Moor's law, technology is exponentially increasing but can we physically keep up and utilize this new upgrade? However, I am not convinced enough that Revit/BIM will be capable of design decisions unless AI has advanced to that level of sophistication. But who knows? AI is already breaking grounds every other month nowadays so it could be possible in the near future.
Zac,
Great job on giving your analysis of the differences between AutoCAD and Revit. I agree with your explanation to how CAD is comparable to pen-and-paper while Revit is so much more. I also agree with the fact that Revit's real-time design process makes it very efficient for all different fields to interact and facilitate any issues during the design phase. However, since Revit is relatively new in the industry, I can't brush of the fact that not every company uses, let alone, is familiar with, Revit. This might create chaos during the design phase with real-time feature. For example, if one discipline dictates a design and the rest bases off of it, this first discipline has to make sure their design is the final one without changes. Because as the first one designs, the rest follows and any changes to the first design will affect the rest like a domino effect. Such a case would favor the disciplines to complete their design first and pass on their file rather than working simultaneously.
Nay Ye Oo Comment: I see your concern with the advancement of BIM in relation to Engineers. I believe that there will always be a need for engineer but i do agree that the need will require more experience, bring about higher competition and probably less pay.
ReplyDeleteSonny,
ReplyDeleteI think yours is one of the most interesting topics I have read so far. Maybe I find it interesting because I also share a concern for all these emerging technologies. It is something I will also consider in my project, maybe not to the same extent, but will definitely share a similar perspective to yours. I also think that advances in construction is going to affect the amount of engineers needed in the field, but I would predict at least 10 years until we see an important impact. I would love to read your project once you are done, as well as discuss this problems in class. Great topic.