how are suposed to learn BIM ?

[Sketchrender]

Good Evening

 

I am employed for the moment in the 3D business.

I want to learn BIM, we use bentley microstation for 2D work, and max for modeling.

How are you supposed to learn another package when the demo is 30 days long.

Deadlines are always on the books and the 30 days is not enough.

The company can't afford BIM softwate at the momment, but when they can they Will.

So how do you learn something you can't get for free, because you have a job, can't afford it, will take a while too.

Thanks

 

Phil

Edited August 7, 2009 by philip kelly
Originally writtin on Phone

[jinsley]

I would use the 30 day trial periods to poke around and try and find a package that suits your needs and work flow...

 

Buy a few books and take some specific classes at a local college or facility to supplement what you have learned already.

 

It is a hard and sometimes slow process to switch software in a work situation, there will be a learning curve before you get up to speed on whatever BIM suite you choose.

[MegaPixel]

The definition of BIM is an ever evolving one and many people have different ideas of what it means. I’m going to attempt to paint a picture for you to help you take your first baby steps into the world of BIM.

 

First of all, you can learn a great deal about Building Information Modeling online without buying a thing. AEC software has come a long way and many of today's popular design packages are able to support a BIM workflow. I say workflow, because many people believe that simply owning a particular software package (like Revit, Catia, Vertex BD) grant's them the privilege of saying they use BIM. Well perhaps, but the reality is that BIM is scalable and can be weak or strong based on how a company chooses to use it's software or in many cases, multiple softwares. For instance:

 

Company "A" offers Plan Services using software package “A”. Their workflow is fairly simple. They develop a 3d model and create dimensioned drawings from that model which include Elevations, Plans, and Section Details. They have created a 3D Model (The Root of the Tree) and allowed 1 branch to grow (The Dimensioned Plans) which are intelligently linked to the 3D Model and automatically created by the software. This is pretty typical for many Plan Services companies today and yes, they can technically say that they use BIM. However a 1 branch BIM Tree is pretty unimpressive and won’t grant this company the market share or revenue earning potential it could have if it produced a multi-branch BIM tree.

 

Company “B” uses the same software package “A” but is able to offer Plan Services with BOMs, and Renderings. These guys have taken the time to setup a workflow that links real Vendor data to their 3D Model. They have also taken advantage of the software’s built in rendering capability to produce Renderings for Marketing purposes. This company is using a 3 branch BIM tree. They have put more intelligence into their model and found additional ways to use their model. Company “B” can create 3 bi-products just as efficiently as Company “A” can create their 1.

 

Company “C” is using software packages “B”, “C” and “D” to produce an impressive list of services which are all bi-products of a highly intelligent 3d model: Plan Services with BOMs, Lot specific Options, Framing Details, Panel layouts, Cut Lists, Lumber/Steel Drops, Panel Stacking, Structural Analysis, Project Lifecycle management, Contractor/Vendor Coordination, Interactive Presentations, Renderings, Animations.. This company has discovered that there is no one piece of software that handles everything it wants to do, so it has broadened it’s arsenal of tools which all take information created from the “Root of the Tree” and create many revenue generating “Branches” from which to help this company gain market share and sustain it’s life.

 

There are countless beneficial bi-products that a strong BIM workflow can reward you with. Through my experience, there is no one piece of software that can give all of this to you. You need to be smart, efficient and innovative to squeeze the most out of your BIM workflow, and sometimes it takes a bit of a time investment upfront to customize your software to do this, but it can be well worth it in the long run – especially for very large projects and small repetitive projects.

Ask yourself what it is you want to get out of BIM then analyze what your current package is capable of doing for you or what you can add to it to strengthen your offerings before considering a jump to a new package all together.

 

I got a little long winded there I know, but I’m proud of my “tree” reference:) Hopefully my explanation won’t ignite an onslaught of fiery debate either. Good luck to you.

 

MegaPixel

Edited August 8, 2009 by MegaPixel

[dogragurjeet]

wow man ... megapixel that is an awesome explanation. I loved every bit of it and would love to give it a try. I have been looking into BIM for a long time but could not have defined it much better than above....

cheers

[Sketchrender]

Thank for the reply.

We are as I said bentley Microstation office.

So are going to use a Bentley Architecture, it will work out cheaper, if we get to swap licences ect.

I have had a good go at Autodesk, and love it, but i have been told it is not on the books, as it will cost a lot more.

 

Trial versions are no good when you are working all day and night in some cases to hit dead lines.

 

The point I was tring to make was, you can get a free licence from Autodesk if you are unemployed.

 

I don't know if Bentley do this, they should but, if you are lucky enough to have a job, as they are very thin on the ground, and you want to try and learn the software to get going, so you will have a running start at it, when the company can afford it, it would be very helpfull.

 

That is my point.

 

There are tons of tutorials for revit, and not a lot for Bentley.

 

phil