Blog 2 - Ch. 2 BIM Handbook

Part of the BIM handbook (Ch. 2) discusses lightweight modeling applications which are used to distribute the model information outside the bounds of the software. These applications are 3D PDF (Portable Document Format) and DWF (Design Web Format). 

At least one of these applications doesn’t originate from the use of BIM software, with PDF designed to translate text and DWF to translate intelligent design data. However, both applications have been evolved to adapt to the growing BIM industry. Three main examples of these applications are Adobe Acrobat, Autodesk Design Review, and Streamline. Adobe Acrobat supports the ability to view and make comments, but not directly change, a design. Autodesk Design Review is more flexible in that while it has the same functionality as the prior, it is compatible with Autodesk modeling software and thus the process from creating a model, viewing, then changing a model is quick and seamless. Streamline is like Adobe Acrobat but more secure via password protection and can generate simple data about the model.

Of the three applications, I have used two of them, Adobe Acrobat and Autodesk Design Review. I usually use the former for text as opposed to design so this information was fairly new but unsurprising to me. I used Autodesk Design Review during my first coop without knowing some of the additional benefits like viewing stats on the model prior to printing. I would like to be exposed to Streamline to compare its platform to the others, but imagine that it is beneficial to private or public industries that share confidential information electronically (ex: designs for a military or police unit).

I never considered the importance of distributing a model through other applications until now. These products assist in the reviewing stages of a model and without them, it would be difficult to discern the issues within a design. It’s worth noting that these products cannot change the model but only allow the user to make revisions and comments, and/or provide numeric data to the user. If BIM evolves, it could influence other software’s to adapt their platforms and allow models to translate into 3D printing or Virtual Reality (for example). In the meantime, PDF and DWF software have made it easy to mass distribute and analyze a model with relevant parties including those who have no experience with BIM.

Comments:

Harvin Bhandal – You addressed the importance of being able to update a design automatically via objects that naturally exist in the design environment, like doors. Similar to you, I have had little experience with BIM software but can imagine how building designs across private or public sectors are made quicker to construct and uniform in appearance by use of BIM. I think it is just as important to create these designs to save time and money as it is to be able to translate the information between parties as well as set a standard from which our predecessors (i.e. someone who takes over a project that was before their time) can learn by. 

Gabriel Grajewski – You mentioned the impact of changing one object on the entire model which saves time from making repetitious alterations. I worked on a coop where I had to categories buildings with AutoCad and similarly, I would create one design and propagate that design throughout the building. While AutoCAD and Revit have some differences in their functions, they both still share similar principles in creating a platform for quick and effective design. I imagine that in the future BIM software will adapt to changing environments in real time to reflect the changes in a drawing instantaneously.

Jenny Fretta – The benefits of BIM are clearly evident for both engineers and other industries like finance or real estate. I feel that this software isn’t as readily discussed or known in other industries but could well provide cost estimates, energy usage, and other data to help bring awareness to the expenditures of a project. If all industries had BIM (i.e. an equivalent software) and were mandated by the government to be as frugal yet optimal as possible in their projects, then we would probably conserve more resources and contribute to restoring the enviroment.