Using BIM instead of CAD
From huge national infrastructure to smaller buildings, Building Intelligent Modelling technology (BIM) is quickly becoming vital to the success of construction projects.
BIM can be used to construct more efficiently, more quickly, or for less money. However, switching from conventional CAD-centred approaches to BIM’s integrated, collaborative, digital approach includes much more than just changing file formats or using new tools. In this post, we provide a summary of the information you need be aware of in order to take full advantage of BIM’s capabilities as well as your opening alternatives.
Precise Role
Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms’ drawing offices has always depended heavily on computer-aided design and drafting (CAD). CAD software produced the 2D drawings that are frequently displayed on building sites and even ventured into simple 3D design to aid in client communication.
BIM, on the other hand, has only recently arrived and has only started to gain traction quickly in the past ten years. BIM is a much larger concept that includes both software and techniques for building detailed 3D models, which are coupled to a wealth of other data and describe nearly every element of a constructed structure over the course of its existence. It helps to conceive of BIM as a new, digital, collaborative method of working and of CAD as a tool.
CAD has mostly been used as a drawing and design productivity tool in the workplace. In contrast, creating identical drawings in BIM might take longer at first, but the advantages come from the extra data gathered. BIM eliminates the overhead associated with the time-consuming exchange of separate documents and enables collaboration between several disciplines (architects, electrical, HVAC, civil and other engineers, fabricators, and more) on a design by producing a single, detailed, shared model.
Making It Function
Technology, process, and people are the three traditional business transformation levers that enable effective BIM implementation.
When it comes to technology, BIM is made possible by a unique combination of software tools, the most of which should be recognisable to CAD users and are easily accessible from both well-established and start-up businesses.
Greater hurdles include overcoming old disciplinary silos, learning new vocabulary, and valuing information in order to adopt new procedures and upgrade employees. Fortunately, criteria for the majority of these adjustments are established by recognized worldwide standards.
The Issue
Obviously, there is always a price associated with a benefit. BIM necessitates an initial outlay for new software (although different licencing arrangements might mitigate this) as well as for training. Additionally, it is necessary to dedicate time and money to overcoming the learning curve, which might take many months. BIM projects are also “front-loaded,” which implies that a lot more work is put into the initial phases of the project before benefits start to show – a stage at which many lose their cool!
BIM Software
There are separate but related families of software for CAD and BIM, and many major companies provide solutions for both. For example, Autodesk offers Revit for BIM and AutoCAD for traditional CAD. BIM functionality frequently tends toward supporting certain disciplines, such as facilitating extremely big team communication through toolkits or distinct versions for civil engineers or architects, for example. There are a lot of additional things to take into account before deciding whether switching from a CAD to a BIM service from the same vendor makes sense.
Roles, People, and Training
As well, new jobs have developed. A “BIM manager” is typically appointed to a project to serve as a point of coordination, make sure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities, that protocols for cooperation are established, that important deliverables are specified, and to guarantee that the BIM model develops as anticipated.
BIM managers frequently had senior CAD jobs in the past; success, though, has less to do with technical expertise and more to do with the ability to make sure that everyone engaged is aware of the objectives of BIM and their role in attaining them.
Technical training often does not constitute a hurdle for individuals already familiar with CAD, as was previously said. Training that focuses on developing a deeper grasp of BIM, knowing how to dismantle disciplinary silos, and learning good collaboration techniques is perhaps more crucial and shouldn’t be disregarded.
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