Visualizing
This digital creation of the project has given us a variety of tools to communicate aspects
of the project. It becomes “architecture in miniature,” and we can take the model and create
a seemingly unlimited number of interior and exterior visualizations. The same model may
be imported into a gaming engine similar to an Xbox for an interactive virtual experience.
Clients no longer need to rely on the designer’s per-established paths in a fly-through—they
can virtually “walk” through the building at their own pace, exploring an endless variety of
directions. The same model can then be turned into a physical manifestation either in part or
in whole by the use of 3D printers (known as rapid prototyping), creating small models in a fraction of the time it would take to build one by hand. Many types of visualization are
currently possible with BIM.
of the project. It becomes “architecture in miniature,” and we can take the model and create
a seemingly unlimited number of interior and exterior visualizations. The same model may
be imported into a gaming engine similar to an Xbox for an interactive virtual experience.
Clients no longer need to rely on the designer’s per-established paths in a fly-through—they
can virtually “walk” through the building at their own pace, exploring an endless variety of
directions. The same model can then be turned into a physical manifestation either in part or
in whole by the use of 3D printers (known as rapid prototyping), creating small models in a fraction of the time it would take to build one by hand. Many types of visualization are
currently possible with BIM.
If we consider a complete spectrum of representations from tabular data to 2D
documentation and then to 3D visualization, tremendous opportunities exist to transform
the notion of traditional design deliverable. Schedules give you instantaneous reports on
component quantities and space usage, whereas plans, sections, and elevations afford you the flexibility to customize their display using the information embedded in the modeled elements.
By adding materiality to the BIM elements, you can begin to explore the space in color
and light, creating photo-realistic renderings of portions of the building design. These highly
literal images convey information about both intent and content of the design. Iterations at this level are limited only by processing power. The photo-realism allows for an almost lifelike exploration of color and light qualities within a built space even to the extent of allowing analytic brightness calculations to reveal the exact levels of light within a space.
documentation and then to 3D visualization, tremendous opportunities exist to transform
the notion of traditional design deliverable. Schedules give you instantaneous reports on
component quantities and space usage, whereas plans, sections, and elevations afford you the flexibility to customize their display using the information embedded in the modeled elements.
By adding materiality to the BIM elements, you can begin to explore the space in color
and light, creating photo-realistic renderings of portions of the building design. These highly
literal images convey information about both intent and content of the design. Iterations at this level are limited only by processing power. The photo-realism allows for an almost lifelike exploration of color and light qualities within a built space even to the extent of allowing analytic brightness calculations to reveal the exact levels of light within a space.
Analyzing
As with visualization, the authoring environment of a BIM platform isn’t necessarily the
most efficient one on which to perform analysis. Although you can create some rendering and animations within Revit, a host of other applications are specifically designed to capitalize on a computer’s RAM and processing power to minimize the time it takes to create such media. Analysis is much the same way—although some basic analysis is possible using Revit, other applications are much more robust and can create more accurate results.
most efficient one on which to perform analysis. Although you can create some rendering and animations within Revit, a host of other applications are specifically designed to capitalize on a computer’s RAM and processing power to minimize the time it takes to create such media. Analysis is much the same way—although some basic analysis is possible using Revit, other applications are much more robust and can create more accurate results.
The real value in BIM beyond design documentation is the interoperability of model geometry and metadata between applications. Consider energy modeling as an example. we’re comparing three energy-modeling applications: A, B, and C. In the figure, the dark gray bar reflects the time it takes to either import model geometry into the analysis package or redraw the design with the analysis package. The light gray bar reflects the amount of time needed to add data not within Revit, such as loads, zoning, and so on. The white bar represents the time it takes to perform the analysis once all the information is in place.
Strategizing
To maximize your investment in a BIM-based workflow, it’s necessary to apply a bit of planning. As in design, a well-planned and flexible implementation is paramount to a project’s success. By identifying goals on a project early on in the process, it allows BIM to be implemented efficiently to reach those objectives. An effective strategy answers three key questions about a project:
◆◆ What processes do we need to employ to achieve our project goals?
◆◆ Who are the key team members to implement those processes?
◆◆ How will we support the people and processes with technology or applications?
◆◆ What processes do we need to employ to achieve our project goals?
◆◆ Who are the key team members to implement those processes?
◆◆ How will we support the people and processes with technology or applications?
Focusing Your Investment in BIM
One of the common assumptions is that larger firms have a better opportunity than smaller
firms in their capacity to take on new technologies or innovate. Although larger firms might
have a broader pool of resources, much of the investment is proportionally the same. We have been fortunate enough to help a number of firms implement Revit over the years, and each has looked to focus on different capabilities of the software that best express their individual direction.
firms in their capacity to take on new technologies or innovate. Although larger firms might
have a broader pool of resources, much of the investment is proportionally the same. We have been fortunate enough to help a number of firms implement Revit over the years, and each has looked to focus on different capabilities of the software that best express their individual direction.
Although these firms have varied in size and individual desire to take on risk, their investments have all been relatively equal. From big firms to small, the investment ratio consistently equates to about 1 percent of the size of the firm. If you consider a 1,000 person firm, that equals about 10 full-time people; however, scale that down to a 10-person firm, and that becomes 1 person’s time for five weeks.
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