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The Creation of a Window
by Dennis Neeley, AIA, and Sree Vemulapalli

We are often asked about the process for the creation of a SmartBIM Object. This article will take you through a detailed history of one window. The creation of a good SmartBIM Object is both a science and an art; there is not one fixed solution. To get the best results the process also involves considering both the needs of the manufacturer and the needs of the architect.

This article will follow the life of a double hung window with sidelights that was created for Kolbe. Kolbe asked for a proposal to create their doors and windows, they have an extensive offering that includes double-hung, casement, fixed windows, transoms, sidelights, French doors, sliding doors and more. Most lines are offered in both wood and aluminum clad. Windows have multiple trims, sill and molding options.

In 25 years we have moved from hand drawing, to CAD and now to Revit (BIM). With hand drawing we would indicate a window in plan with three lines and in elevations with..... Read More>>>

BIM Tool Provides a New View
by Mark Mergenschroer, TME, Inc.

As the BIM Development Coordinator at TME Inc., one of my responsibilities is to develop marketing imagery from our company’s BIM models. Since visualization is such a powerful feature of BIM, 3-dimensional imagery can really help a client see what the design intent of a building space will be.

I recently had the opportunity to use a new BIM tool, and it proved to be a significant time saver. The project I was working on called for classroom imagery. I had a very limited amount of time in which to develop a plan and have the imagery ready for presentation to the client. I decided to try SmartBIM Spaces, a BIM tool from Reed Construction Data that allows a designer to search BIM objects by project type or space for rapid prototyping. Browsing through the tool, I found sixteen different room types for school buildings and different space layouts available in each room type, which was exactly what I needed. I was able to view floor plans, renderings and each object located in that particular space. A DWF viewer also enabled me to view the entire space, which I found to be a very nice feature..... Read More>>>