One of the main concepts in using Vectorworks Architect is called Building Information Modeling (BIM). What this…
Introduction to BIM
There is a lot talk about Building Information Modelling (BIM). Vectorworks has been able to work as a Building Information Modeler for many years now, but it seems that users are only just getting interested in BIM. Maybe it is because some countries are forcing professionals to use BIM on government projects. In the UK the Building Industry expects that within four years there will be widespread BIM adoption.
I have been reading a great while paper on BIM : The 2013 CAD User Guide to BIM
This guide has been set up as a series of short articles written by the big players in the industry, so you have to be careful when you read the articles as they are partly marketing.
But as an easy to understand introduction to BIM it is great. It makes it easy to understand what you have to think about when you want to move your business into BIM:
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an intelligent model-based design process that adds value across the entire lifecycle of building and infrastructure projects.
- BIM is actually a process that relies on information-rich models to help owners and AEC service providers to more efficiently plan, design, construct and manage building and infrastructure projects.
- Unlike CAD, which uses software tools to generate digital 2D and/or 3D drawings, BIM facilitates a new way of working – creating designs with intelligent objects. Regardless of how many times the design changes or who changes it, the data remains consistent, coordinated and more accurate across all stakeholders.
- Models created using software for BIM are intelligent because of the relationships and information that are built into the model.
- With BIM, the model is actually a complex database and the room is a database element that contains both geometric information and non-graphic data.
I recommend reading the guide, then come along and join my webinars this week on Using BIM in Vectorworks. I have written a short manual for the webinars called Introduction to BIM. This manual spells out the most important things you need to do to set up your file structure and model your buildings to make it easy to product your drawings and reports.