BIM - impact on Archi Viz community?

[mac3d]

Is anyone out there using BIM technology (Building Information Modeling - revit,adt)?

 

What are the pros and cons? how do the 3d models translate over for arch viz (t.m.i.? too much information)?

 

Everyone seems to be jumping on this band wagon- while I've yet to see current technology being used correctly consistently.

[angelo]

We completed two large projects last year in ADT, but after seeing the total and utter breakdown of the software when being pushed hard towards a BIM solution, we made a complete move to Revit. All current projects in the office are now in Revit (we are not doing it piecemeal!) ArchiCAD is right up there too for a ground up BIM solution.

 

The trouble with both products is that the intelligent objects haven’t been designed to easily “simplify” themselves for presentation purposes. As they mature, I’m sure this will become a feature. Right now, a full blown BIM model is just too heavy to use for serious presentation renderings.

 

In my mind, the built-in rendering capabilities are pretty much useless for high quality stuff. We’ve tossed them from the workflow for now, and just use a hidden line white model with shadows for quick and dirty stuff, and export out the model to use as reference when rendering in VIZ or form*Z.

 

We use BIM right now because it’s faster than drafting in 2D, and with Revit, it’s nearly impossible to create a set of drawings that isn’t coordinated! Imagine that…

[lxgrunger]

Revit Rules!

[mac3d]

actually had a chance to sit down for a few hours with an Autodesk Subject Matter Expert and see Revit in action. Very interesting. We're actually doing a small pilot study on a prototype building, which is perfect for Revit. I have to say I wasn't really sold on the technology - but after further investigation - looks promising. Anyone going to Autodesk University?

[Jeff Mottle]

Anyone going to Autodesk University?

 

Yup, I'll be there with VisMasters.

 

In my mind, the built-in rendering capabilities are pretty much useless for high quality stuff. We’ve tossed them from the workflow for now, and just use a hidden line white model with shadows for quick and dirty stuff, and export out the model to use as reference when rendering in VIZ or form*Z.

 

Is there no way for BIM models to be exported in reduced LOD mode? What about the export makes them useless? Is it just that everything is exported, thus making the models overly heavy?

[Vince Paske]

Our office has made the jump into Revit and everyone here is actually having fun with the program, "that's so cool" is heard quite a bit, usually after someone runs into a problem and another person helps them out. It helps to have an entire team to bounce around ideas and knowledge when starting off in Revit. I think that firms who don't use BIM solutions will be left in the dust in the upcoming years, if fact state work is actually requiring BIM in many new projects.

 

As for visualization, the models can be clunky - but if you manage your layers, have your team NOT model every toilet and wash basin, its really not that bad. The biggest hurdle I have is getting people to use the "Options" tab upon exporting and use ACIS Solids, not the polymesh.

 

The other little issue I've had is if you file-link the model, now converted into a dwg - its comes in fine, but there is a "global" material automatically added to your scene, which happens to be an "architectural material" - only a problem if you are using Vray and easily fixed, just a nuisance.

 

And, yeah - the rendering capabilities, not even including animation tools - are pretty aweful compared to what a Max-VRay set up can do. Professional Architectural Illustrators won't lose their jobs because of BIM, the AEC industry has specialists for everything, wearing too many hats tends to water down quality and focus.