New tools deliver BIM data: building model yields valuable information - AEC tools: master the architect's desktop - including Autodesk's Revit and Architectural Desktop 2004, Bentley Architecture 8.1

CADalyst, Dec, 2003 by H. Edward Goldberg

Often forgotten are Architectural Desktop's scheduling features, which provide the ability to generate BOMs and basic estimates directly in the model. The objects support a cost property so you can, for example, wcreate a door schedule that includes individual and total cost for doors. An IFC 2.x plug-in is available for ADT at www.team-solutions.de/ifc/index_e.htm.> BENTLEY'S BUILDING SOLUTIONS

Bentley approaches BIM with a multidisciplinary set of solutions. Bentley Architecture, the architectural design and documentation application, supports IFC information exchange. Bentley's building solutions are built on MicroStation and incorporate TriForma technology. Because of this, each application does full quantity takeoffs and cost estimating in conjunction with tools such as Excel or Access. You can exchange information in a variety of formats, including DWG and XML.

Bentley supports MasterFormat and UniFormat, and its new IFC capabilities should add even more flexiblity. It would be great to see the RCC database work with Bentley Architecture--that would truly demonstrate the value of IFCs for common data exchange!

Bentley's Schedule Simulator was probably the first commercial 4D product for AEC when it debuted several years ago. The latest version is now included in Bentley Navigator. With its automated interference detection tools, Schedule Simulator lets you link model objects to schedule tasks in Microsoft Project or Primavera P3 so you can present and analyze your design throughout construction.

Bentley Facilities, made for building operations and management, is fully integrated with Bentley's design tools and supports AutoCAD drawings. It extends the use of a building model into the operational life of the building, with full space and asset management capabilities as well as interactive facility maps, all accessible through just a Web browser.

INTERSPEC E-SPECS

For AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop users, InterSpec's e-SPECS automates specifications by extracting product and material requirements directly from the project drawings (figure 5). For unique items, e-SPECS links to Master Guide specifications and presents only the language required to specify the product or material identified. It can even link to existing office masters and create custom office masters on the fly, eliminating any compromises on quality and accuracy created by cutting and pasting sections from previous projects. The old method carries an inevitable risk of including irrelevant language or excluding relevant language. Incomplete, poor-quality, and inaccurate specifications can affect value engineering in design and potential construction cost savings, as well as increase exposure to litigation.

[FIGURE 5 OMITTED]

Using e-SPECS, an entire project team can collaborate on specification documents from anywhere. Team members access the project using e-SPECS on their computer or from any Web browser to review and edit specifications and create and respond to project notes. e-SPECS version control tracks all user edits and makes it possible to incorporate comments and changes from multiple sources.