At the recent AIA show in Boston, Reed made a big splash with the launch of SmartBIM and the buzz on BIM is continuing to increase. A recent article in The Economist (see link below) succinctly summarized the need for BIM to reduce costs, enhance creativity and efficiency of designs, and improve building management. So, as with anything new there are many questions from technology enthusiasts as well as the skeptical observers. For example, here are few questions I received yesterday:

• Can you tell me what kinds of projects are small firms successfully using BIM on?
• Is there any plan to add a component manager to REVIT that would allow one to model a patio/deck and do a material takeoff?
• How is the ability to do hip roofs, curved walls, irregular existing conditions etc...?

While I am not an architect myself, I am fortunate enough to have access to a team of true subject matter experts. So, here are some answers:

• Can you tell me what kinds of projects are small firms successfully using BIM on? Small (and large firms) are moving off CAD and to BIM, so the project types are their project types. Small firms where a few individuals work on the entire project are finding BIM very efficient to use (although you must set aside time to learn BIM as it is more complicated than CAD). The fact that you are working in one model, and a change in any view of the model affects all views is one of the major advantages of BIM.
• Is there any plan to add a component manager to REVIT that would allow one to model a patio/deck and do a material takeoff? Yes and No. Interestingly decks are very complicated as there are an unlimited ways to lay them out and frame them. You could create 3D models of framing components and then create the deck and if you take this approach you will be able to get a Quantity Take Off (QTO). Most designers may not go to this level of detail. Also in the future I am certain that there will be automated actions that will calculate the framing based upon the layout and then the QTO will be a by-product of the design.
• How is the ability to do hip roofs, curved walls, irregular existing conditions etc...? These are all possible, including sloped curved walls. But do set aside time for training, the power is there, but like most powerful "things" it must be mastered. The advantages are tremendous.

So....what are your questions? Feel free to post them here and I will be happy track down some answers.

In the meantime, have fun exploring all that is BIM and keep checking back for more exciting SmartBIM news from Reed.

Candice

Link to Economist Article: From Blueprint to Database