A3 - BIM Programs

This week assigned reading discussed the overview of the major BIM model generating systems. The reading began be discussing eight capabilities that BIM programs can possess. These included:

1. -User interfacing

2. -Drawing tools

3. -Customizing and developing parametric objects

4. -Ability to scale

5. -Interoperability

6. -Extensibility

7. Complex curve surface modeling

8. User environment

Of the capabilities listed above, I find it extremely important for the first capability, User Interfacing, to be highly developed and “likable” by its used, particularly because a user-friendly interface attracts customers and creates a more enjoyable experience for the engineer, architects, and other trades involved in the design of a project.

The reading closes with a discussion on Revit, Bentley, ArchiCAD, and Tekla. Revit, in my opinion, has been the best CAD tool for architectural engineers that I have seen. The most important strength of Revit was perfectly summarized in the reading, where it stated: “It ’ s easy to learn and its functionality is organized in a well - designed and user - friendly interface.”

I found it interesting when reading about Tekla’s strengths that it excels in modeling structures that incorporate a variety of structural materials and detailing. This aspect may be beneficial for intelligent design applications.

Article 1

http://cad.amsystems.com/products/docs/autodesk-revit-6-implementation-introduction.pdf

The first article I read titled “Autodesk Revit: Implementation in Practice,” reported on the impact Revit had on design firms. The most interesting piece of information I gained from this article was that users who have reported using Revit increased their firms “level of service, quality and performance,” that they can provide to their clients. This statement alone indicates the power and impact BIM programs, such as Revit, can have on an industry. Again, as previously noted above, the main attraction to Revit was said to be its ease of use, and its ability to minimize creative limitations, which is extremely important for intelligent building applications, as they require creative designs.

Article 2

The second Article I read is titled “How can Tekla gain critical mass with the open Tekla BIM platform?” This article addressed an interesting dilemma for the competing BIM program, Tekla. That is, the question was posed “how can Tekla gain critical mass with an open platform?”

To answer this question, the article discussed the necessity for Tekla to be an interoperable program that can communicate with other BIM programs. An interesting suggestion was that Tekla collaborate with other BIM companies create a user friendly, adaptive program. I think this is an important point because customers like variety. Some individuals may not like Revit or ArchiCAD, and if Tekla improves its product, customers can begin to enjoy its various benefits and capabilities.