BIM Products and Use

The reading this week from the BIM handbook discussed different BIM softwares. First the different components of a BIM software were discussed and which qualities should be looked at when someone is choosing a software to use. Several different examples were then discussed and their individual strengths and weaknesses were presented. Personally I did not realize there were so many different softwares geared toward parametric modeling. I had heard of the main ones discussed first like, Revit, Bentley, and ArchiCAD. After reading about the different softwares it is obvious that there is not a perfect system, each one has its individual benefits and drawbacks. The drawbacks usually being the learning curve necessary to use the software, the complexity of modeling capable in conjunction with object libraries available for each software, the ease of use of the model, and the softwares capabilities to interact with other programs. I believe the steep learning curve is probability the most challenging of these issues because this cause large amounts of learning time and longer work times to complete projects. So while a software such as Bentleys may be very good at modeling different shapes and curved surfaces, it may have very good object libraries, and work quickly and well with other programs, since it is difficult to learn how to use and has a poor user interface, it will take quite a long time for a user to actually obtain the software's full capabilities.

The other article that I read about BIM titles, "Application and Popularization of BIM Technology in Project Management." The article goes into several different areas within project management in which BIM can be helpful. These areas include, visualization, BIM allows the end users to see exactly how the construction should be completed. This is especially helpful in MEP applications where different piping systems need to be fit into the same space. The article also discusses integrating BIM models with GIS systems which is an interesting idea that I had not thought of. Through integrating with GIS, more information about the land being used would be available.