Proper BIM?

Jason_Arch

Is this a big thing in Ireland yet?

The UK have implemented BIM level 2 for all public jobs this year and I'm in the middle of doing a part time course in Jordanstown with a view to try and implement it into the workflow in our office in Donegal. We mainly do private jobs and we use Revit at the minute to produce the 3D model but we still just derive 2D drawings (pdfs or dwgs) from the model which we distribute to the relevant parties. I know that this is nowhere near using BIM to its full potential.

Are there any offices in any discipline compliant with PAS 1192-2 yet? Or even starting to gear towards it?

I know from my experience in Donegal that I can't see clients really driving this forward and neither the structural guys, M+Es or QS's are mentioning it.

What are people's thoughts on this?

Gumbo

It was billed as the next big thing back in 2006/2007 when I done an intro course on it. It's big in London as you say and there was a conference on it the other day here in Dublin, but no real people with influence attended (my boss's words, not mine).

I think it will take off but it will take a bit of time.

BryanF

On bigger projects it's used. Getting revit to be compatible with other disciplines applications can stifle its functionality.

Personally I think programs like sketch-up could provide a suitable alternative to revit for the residential market

kieran.

BryanF wrote: »

Getting revit to be compatible with other disciplines applications can stifle its functionality.

I thought the purpose of BIM was to have all software running the same output file types to ensure that they are compatible across all platforms?

BryanF wrote: »

Getting revit to be compatible with other disciplines applications can stifle its functionality.

Personally I think programs like sketch-up could provide a suitable alternative to revit for the residential market

I what way do you think Sketch-up relates to a BIM package such as revit in terms of output and functionality?

BryanF

kieran. wrote: »

I thought the purpose of BIM was to have all software running the same output file types to ensure that they are compatible across all platforms?

Ring up a few steel contractors, building services contractors etc and ask do they use Revit, or if the software they use is compatible.

I what way do you think Sketch-up relates to a BIM package such as revit in terms of output and functionality?

In a residential / domestic house what functionality does revit offer over sketch-up?

In my experience With sketch up you can just start designing and end up with a model, followed by a set of drawings for planning/tender/construction in less time Than it takes to set this up in revit - where a building is straight forward, revit just slows things down.

kieran.

I understand that most Steel suppliers use Tekla, most Timber frame manufacturers use alternative BIM modelling software such as Wolfs -Horizon both of which are exportable into REVIT.

I would say the Sketch Up is simply a drawing package and yes it does have its place in design but all it produces is rendered model with no embodied information. That in my opinion in not BIM.

Jason_Arch

I would be well used to using Sketchup, I would of used it a lot the last few years for scheme development and planning but it kind of falls flat when it comes to the heavy detailing of a project. It was and still is useful for quick and dirty sketches to explain a point or a concept for a contractor or a client and we find it useful for drawing up awkward geometry that can be a bit cumbersome in Revit (I think that's more down to the fact that I have more experience in Sketchup than any limitations in Revit).

The purpose of BIM is to provide a common central database of information that all the disciplines involved in a project can access irregardless of the software they use. The software being used (Revit, Tekla, Archicad etc.) doesn't matter, they are basically considered graphical interfaces for the data in the eyes of BIM. In reality, all disciplines could use spreadsheets with all the information contained in the file all linked but that wouldn't really be user friendly. The way the conflicts in the different softwares is overcome is through the use of IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) data models. Each software is able to export its data to IFC and the rest of the disciplines can then import these IFC files into their software as a read only references. That answers the question of compatibility with Revit. Any engineering firm, M+E consultant, QS etc. should already be using the tools to be compatible with BIM, its just a matter of knowing how to use it correctly.

The important point that people seem to be missing here is this: Revit is BIM but BIM is not Revit.

@BryanF I would have agreed with you before about Sketchup being the quicker than Revit but now I have been using Revit the past 6 or so months my mind has been changed. After some prIactice with Revit, I can see anyone being able to draft up a set of drawings for a simple residential project in a day or two and then when changes are made and drawings are to be reissued, there is no comparison.

Bracken81

I myself cant really see BIM taking off, for domestic projects for some time yet

but i'd ave to agree with Jason_Arch.......
I've been using Revit for 1 year now........dumps all over Sketch Up, 3D Studio Max and CAD which I've been using for years previously

So much time saved in all types of projects, once you have your templates set up of course

mickdw

It is used extensively in large commercial building projects here. BAM Building would be at the forefront of it. Not a shadow of a doubt - it is the future and any business hoping to work on larger projects should be training up.

Metric Tensor

I realise Revit is not the be all and end all of BIM but it is one of the leading players.

It is very expensive for small firms with maybe 4-5 people who need to use it (say two draughtsmen and two engineers). The licensing costs really build up.

Is there a cheaper alternative out there?