Building Information Model And All That

It's quite interesting to see how similar concepts take hold in various areas of human endeavor! Back in the early nineties I was part of a set up that created GIS databases. The Automated Mapping/Facilities management based on these databases was a big deal already in the US and we Indians were trying to set a beachhead back then. Real nice twist to this database was that it linked together graphics elements and standard RDBMS entries together. And that gave a complete new dimension to the information, the way it was being used. One could have a map of a place and have lot of information captured for the buildings in it, the roads and so on. One huge application was for the utilities, be it electric, gas or water or whatever. If all the relevant information about a electric feed, the poles, switches etc could be captured and then queried, it becomes a very useful tool during design, construction as well as operational lifetime. During this phase it helps with the maintenance activities too.

Then when later in the nineties I got involved with CAD/CAM slowly PLM or the product life cycle management became all the rage. besides spanning the full product life cycle, it was to become a tool for concurrent design, collaboration etc.Web access makes that even easier. That's how products like Windchill fro the stable o PTC that works with Pro/E became quite the rage.

Now in this new millenium I am into architectural CAD services industry and Building Information Model (BIM) is all the rage. In fact we are differentiating our services by positioning ourselves as a BIM vendor rather than just CADD! By attching pieces of information to the design model we make this model as well as the information a useful tool through the life cycle of the building being designed. Desin is quicker and less error prone, information is useful in the construction as well as occupancy phase. Same way that the GIS or the PLM database is so useful. A simple facility management system can make life so much more easier during occupation phase, helping with the up-keep to so much detail!!

ADT Still Has Mileage Left

Despite newer product being introduced and being actively promoted by a company, the product due to be superceded quite often shows surprising strength. Though Autodesk is actively promoting Revit, the architectural desktop( ADT) does not show any signs of becoming obsolete yet. In fact there seems to be active 3rd party support that adds to the products vitality.

H E Goldberg talked about two such resources in the Cadalyst issue. One of the advantages of ADT pointed out by Goldberg is an open API and VisionREZ is cited as a shining example of what could be done with ADT still! VisionREZ is a customized solution of ADT for the residential market and makes many design issues much simpler than it is in the original product. AmeriCAD has other resources for customer training and provides a set of services based on ADT.

ARCHIdigm is an example of useful resources. The author cites them for very useful training material for using ADT effectively.

I have been associated with both products. Couple of years back I was part of a set up that used to produce localized versions of software from Autodesk. I never really got very familiar with usage of the product. In my current avatar, I am into Revit quite heavily. I already see some workflow compatibility issues because Revit and AutoCAD did not come out of the same roots historically. I guess that would not be much of an issue with ADT as it's built on top of AutoCAD. Need to find out more.