Today, many applications are capable of sharing and converting data between other applications. For example, an AutoCAD file can be imported into a Revit project. This was made possible by a file format called Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES), which was developed by the US Air Force. The ability to exchange data between different applications is called interoperability, and IGES became a powerful tool for increasing productivity and decreasing the time it takes to run a system.
Typically, when a user has to copy and paste data from one application to another, some data can accidentally be left out or changed. Interoperability gets rid of this problem, therefore increasing the efficiency and accuracy of a system or program. This is important for BIM projects because BIM files carry tons of important data that would take too long to copy into another application. However, as software gets more advanced, and projects become more complex, the amount of information needed to be transferred increases tremendously. This causes problems in data exchange programs because it is very time consuming and difficult to exchange large amounts of information between applications. To ease this problem, the data being exchanged had to first be filtered to ensure that only the necessary data is being transferred. Alternatively, if most of the data must be transferred, the quality of the data can be decreased for a smoother transition. A way to aid this process is the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), which is a schema created to define the set of necessary building information that is always exchanged between AEC software applications.
One major issue that was often overlooked was the ability for these applications to translate data to different languages. Not everyone is able to read English characters, so this causes problems for teams collaborating from different parts of the world. The IFC was able to solve this problem by creating the buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD) to translate common property names to different languages. I personally think this important for all programs, not just AEC programs, because this allows us to work with people all over the world, that have different knowledge and ideas. Along with the creation of this file exchange technology, project teams needed to develop efficient ways to collaborate and synchronize their work. They needed to establish the exchange sequence to ensure that all the information is going to the correct place at the correct time. Interoperability has greatly changed how we share our work with others and made data exchange smoother and more accurate.
Source: Chuck Eastman et al., BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors (3rd Edition Wiley, 2018)Typically, when a user has to copy and paste data from one application to another, some data can accidentally be left out or changed. Interoperability gets rid of this problem, therefore increasing the efficiency and accuracy of a system or program. This is important for BIM projects because BIM files carry tons of important data that would take too long to copy into another application. However, as software gets more advanced, and projects become more complex, the amount of information needed to be transferred increases tremendously. This causes problems in data exchange programs because it is very time consuming and difficult to exchange large amounts of information between applications. To ease this problem, the data being exchanged had to first be filtered to ensure that only the necessary data is being transferred. Alternatively, if most of the data must be transferred, the quality of the data can be decreased for a smoother transition. A way to aid this process is the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), which is a schema created to define the set of necessary building information that is always exchanged between AEC software applications.
One major issue that was often overlooked was the ability for these applications to translate data to different languages. Not everyone is able to read English characters, so this causes problems for teams collaborating from different parts of the world. The IFC was able to solve this problem by creating the buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD) to translate common property names to different languages. I personally think this important for all programs, not just AEC programs, because this allows us to work with people all over the world, that have different knowledge and ideas. Along with the creation of this file exchange technology, project teams needed to develop efficient ways to collaborate and synchronize their work. They needed to establish the exchange sequence to ensure that all the information is going to the correct place at the correct time. Interoperability has greatly changed how we share our work with others and made data exchange smoother and more accurate.
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Spencer,
It’s crazy to think that people used to draw floor plans, sections, and elevations all by hand. It seems like such a tedious task but at the time, there was no easier way to design a building. It must have been even more frustrating when changes needed to be made. The creation of BIM technologies has allowed architects and engineers to create more complex buildings. It is especially important for us as students to keep up with the advancement of BIM technology because has really taken over the industry.
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Izzy,
Although we read the same chapter, you touched on some important points that I overlooked. A great topic you discussed was synchronization. This is such as important feature of BIM software because it allows for every member on the team to be aware of the work other people are doing. Another benefit of this is that the team is constantly collaborating as they are working, opposed to meeting up once or twice a week to discuss issues. Synchronization really speeds up the design process and allows for more efficient team collaboration.
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Amanda,
From my previous classes and co-ops, I have learned that BIM is a very powerful tool in predicting the performance of a building. This can be very useful for owners to have an idea about what the maintenance costs will look like. The energy efficiency features also allows the engineers to show the owners different design possibilities that would affect the energy and cost consumption of the building. As you mentioned, most of the energy consumption in buildings stems from the HVAC system. Since I have studied and worked on HVAC systems in the past few years, I understand how important it is to choose the right system that will keep costs low as possible. BIM is a great tool for creating various models to test different HVAC systems and finding one that fits the demands of the stakeholders.
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Amanda,
From my previous classes and co-ops, I have learned that BIM is a very powerful tool in predicting the performance of a building. This can be very useful for owners to have an idea about what the maintenance costs will look like. The energy efficiency features also allows the engineers to show the owners different design possibilities that would affect the energy and cost consumption of the building. As you mentioned, most of the energy consumption in buildings stems from the HVAC system. Since I have studied and worked on HVAC systems in the past few years, I understand how important it is to choose the right system that will keep costs low as possible. BIM is a great tool for creating various models to test different HVAC systems and finding one that fits the demands of the stakeholders.
5 comments:
I really like that you brought up the point that data transferability is more than just the subjects of the data (lines, shapes, values, etc) but also the actual language in which the data is recorded. It is an extra layer that in the US, we tend to overlook because the main language used on our sites is English. With IFC being an international standard code it's critical that there is a clear path in which the data is translated.
I found it really interesting to learn about how the different files and data are converted between programs and the necessary steps of filtration that need to be taken in order to be efficient and precise. The issue with translation is something that really caught my eye. I read about the impact of BIM on owners and facility management, which discussed many things, but focused heavily on the importance of collaboration early on, throughout, and even after a project’s life. With the technology that we have available to aid in design comes the ability for so many different people from around the world to work on a single project, so it’s definitely important to not allow the incredible possibilities for design advancements to be hindered by something like a language barrier. I’m happy to hear that IFC solved this by allowing property name translations with their buildingSMART Data Dictionary, and I hope it expands beyond this and allows for further collaboration in the future.
Ina,
As we read the same chapter we now both have a better understanding of what interoperability is and its role in BIM. I was aware of the problems involved with the translation of data between applications, but what I found interesting in your post was the discussion of how they are able to translate data into different languages. The creation of the bSDD program is something I find cool and important to the progression of these programs, as it allows for more work sharing opportunities around the world.
I believe that the concept of interoperability is what will continue to help the integration of BIM systems to older buildings that have were built before BIM was a technology. For instance, I work at a hospital, and all of our buildings that predate 2015 do not have any Revit models associated with them because it was before that technology was really popular. But if we could take the CAD files and translate them to Revit retroactively, it would be a lot easier than having to redraw entire building from scratch in Revit.
Ina,
You started your post with a clear definition of Interoperability. Exporting a BIM file or changing its format is not easy as exporting PDF to JPEG. Although, also between these formats, the file could lose its quality. Regarding converting 3D models from one program to another, every number and information has to be converted including parameters. These files carry a large amount of data that reflects the design, so any small missing code could cause a large failure that could change the whole design, the scale, for example. Personally, I'm still experiencing that while using some software. This issue is still occurring and not solved yet because every software has its own settings. Therefore, there isn’t one solution for all. However, IGES would be a perfect invention.
Thank you for mentioning IGES in your post because it might help me with my senior design project. I was using AutoCAD, and now I’m switching to Revit. This technique will save me time where I just convert files without redoing the design all over again on Revit.
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