Possible future problems with BIM and Revit include it's interaction and integration with other programs. We would like to know that in the future we will be able to merge these files and work on them in other computer programs to enhance them but that is only contingent on the fact that the other programs we like to merge them to are advancing as well. If structural programs like SAP 2000 does not advance the same way that BIM or Revit does than engineers will have to find a new structural program to use in order to continue studying the analysis of the structure.
Another possible problem of the future for these programs is that there might be better programs coming along that are far more advanced than the features that BIM and Revit currently have. These new programs might be so far advanced that BIM and Revit will not be able to be updated to compete with them. In this case, BIM and Revit are in danger of becoming obsolete. This is a problem for BIM and Revit for the future but not for engineers since they will have a newer and fancier program.
This proposes another problem of people not knowing how these computer programs work and not knowing how to solve the problem on their own. For example, I can compare it to knowing how to do long division. Nobody does long division anymore, instead they just use a calculator and why wouldn't you it takes a fraction of the time. However, if a calculator was not available to you how would you divide two numbers? Sadly, some of the population today wouldn't know where to start. Even if they have learned it before what are the chance that they remember how to do such a tedious and cumbersome task as long division. Well, the same point applies to BIM and Revit. People might soon forget how to complete these tasks on their own.
Keri Mulligan
After reading what you have to say on this weeks topic, I strongly agree with your idea of the population using BIM and Revit becoming too dependent on it. I think that this is a great point and actually very realistic. It's like calculators today - everyone would just do simple calculations in their head (without a calculator) and now its unheard of because people have access to a calculator right on their phones. This proposes a huge dependability problem, nice point.
Andrew Maita
After reading what you have to say on the current problems with Revit, I am enlightened by your points. I was impressed at how you choose to view the prompt in a different way by not just focusing on the problems it has as a program but you mentioned the problems that Drexel students have with Revit. It should be a required course for structural and architectural engineers to take because we are going to have to use it when we graduate - most likely. The other technical problem that you had with it seems to fall in line with what I would have said, had this been my prompt. I do think that engineers are unsatisfied with it because of all that the program cannot do and they are left but no choice to turn to other programs like SAP 2000 to complete their job.
Shaden Dahroug
After reading what you have to say on the advantages of a computer program like Revit, I agree with your overall advantage of ease. It is very easy to build walls, floors, roofs, furniture, change dimensions, change materials, etc. You mention how there is not only a sense of ease when using the program but there is also ease when using Revit in combination with other programs. It is a fairly easy program to use even if you don't know what you are doing. I am excited to see where this program takes us in the future.
Sarina,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more about the idea of all relevant programs making the same or similar advances in order to integrate properly. This presents another problem within the software market as well. Though Autodesk does own rights to the majority of the programs we've been discussing, it would inevitably become a monopoly rather quickly if this integration was necessary. Either that or there would be full systems of programs competing which would make for a very expensive market for designers.
I think RAM Structural System and Revit have a nice link between the two software platforms. I have never used it to this capacity, but I was discussing it once on an interview. If I recall correctly, currently a RAM model and Revit model can be linked such that an updated design in RAM will automatically populate to Revit. I completely agree with you that the future will have a problem if Revit loses its compatibility with other software… or on the reverse end of the spectrum, Autodesk may just create a monopoly and dictate all the software for the construction industry, in which case we wouldn’t have an issue.
ReplyDeleteI also really like your comment about a better program coming along. I love thinking about things we can’t even imagine! It’s similar to the point our guest speaker made - that everybody thought music had reached its optimal form when a portable mp3 player came along. We currently think BIM is the best thing going for the construction world. I wouldn’t be surprised if you are right, and we’ll have newer and fancier programs to work on during our time in industry.
Sarina,
ReplyDeleteI like the point that you make about people potentially losing the knowledge base they once may have had before they let a computer do all the work for them. I too can see that there is need and a want for a newer and better program all the time to do the various tedious and sometimes cumbersome calculations that go along with designing structural or MEP systems. We are lazy as a society so if we can get a computer to calculate all these numbers for us the happier we tend to be. While at the same time, there comes a steep learning curve with a program like that. The user needs to know what they are entering, why they are entering whatever it is they are entering, how to go about entering it, how to go about checking everything was entered correctly, and then ultimately checking to ensure the program spit out the “correct answer.”
ReplyDeleteSarina T,
I found your post on the possible problems that BIM and Revit will have in the future to be very interesting. I agree with you that the biggest problem that BIM would have in the future is the integration between other programs. I do think that they wouldn't have to rely on other programs such as SAP2000 like you said. If companies start integrating Dynamo early, I think the integration would be much easier.