Overview of software for BIM (BIM) design

We will consider developments based on this technology.

Allplan

This is a computer-aided design system that was proposed by Nemetschek Allplan Systems GmbH. Software has ample opportunities and various sections that are designed for the following areas:

•     architecture;
•     design;
•     cost estimation and estimates;
•     construction volumes;
•     building engineering systems;
•     general plan;
•     metal structures;
•     reinforced concrete structures.

Allplan is translated into 19 languages.

Advantages and features of Allplan:

•     Achieving uniformity in all design and construction documents by issuing uniform design standards.
•     Filling the library with standard operating time - nodes, elements of the same type, which can be reused. The symbol catalog may include any number of solutions that the company has applied before.
•     All plans and sections are easily performed using the functions “Building structure”, “Plane manager” and “Drawing structure”.
•     Changes to the building configuration can be made quickly at any stage. To do this, you will not need to redo the accompanying documentation and drawings - CAD will do this automatically.
•     Calculation of curved elements, their cost.
•     For the reconstruction of buildings, the function "Transformation for reconstruction" is suitable. It allows you to save and improve the old and add new.
•     The tool “Reinforcement with a model” is intended for the easy process of introducing reinforcement not only into straight-walled objects, but also around the perimeter, into any curved sections.
•     Easy import of drawings into third-party products through full support for the DWG format.
•     Three-dimensional design is possible not only for the whole general plan, but also for the most problematic elements - sections, spans, individual floors.
•     The ability of a whole group of engineers to work in the same environment from different personal computers. This facilitates the control process, taking into account all wishes and adjustments, remote work in a group, and coordination of the project.

Disadvantages:

•     Poor function of laying electrification.
•     There is no centralized administrative management - the program is more suitable for collective activities.
•     Inefficient export to DWG drawing.
•     Slow development and transfer of functions for some countries.

ArchiCAD

The program was created by Graphisoft. Initially, it was intended for architects and designers, and not for builders, so more functions are intended to create an interior, landscape elements.

Advantages:

•     The software is adapted to BIM technology, so any changes that are made to the drawing automatically pull up other adjustments in the calculations and specifications.
•     With the second version, it became possible to work through remote servers, that is, a team collaboration function.
•     The tool “Book of layouts” is designed to prepare the entire project for printing.
•     ArchiCad independently prepares all documents for a given format so that a PDF file is ready for printing.
•     The Morph function greatly simplifies the work with volume elements of a difficult configuration.
•     The CineRender tool is designed for beautiful 3D visualization.
•     Some of the features are designed and adapted for the Russian user - this is the laying of engineering systems, reinforcement and some other functions.

Disadvantages:

•     ArchiCAD is a narrowly targeted construction site, the tools of which are aimed exclusively at modeling buildings. That is, there is no way to design other layouts.
•     The high cost of a licensed product. In comparison with analogues, the price of the license is too high. In an attempt to rectify the situation, the company released a stripped-down version - ArchiCAD StarT Edition, which, among other things, lacks the ability to render and support external DWG links.
•     There is no possibility of a detailed study of some complex elements, for example, NURBS surfaces and there is no function of sculptural modeling. To create such layouts, you need to access other programs.
•     Software does not have a multivariate design function, which is important when the project is at the stage of development and approval of design decisions. Layers can be used, but they are usually necessary to highlight individual schemes and utilities.

Revit

CAD from Autodesk. He has a significant number of admirers for his extensive capabilities in the field of construction, modeling of two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures.

Advantages:

•     As with all programs based on BIM technology, the user draws almost nothing himself, he only fills in the columns of documents, and the software makes the drawings independently. All relations between objects are given by formulas and relations.
•     All graphic symbols can be changed - line thickness, color, hatching.
•     There is a multivariance function of the same solution, an object.
•     There is a separate opportunity to determine the type of work - construction, demolition, reconstruction.
•     Management of the smallest details of the drawing - the corners of the ducts, railings and stairs, plugs at the ends of pipes and more.
•     The standards for reinforcing and arranging communications in accordance with European standards are enclosed in CAD.
•     Deploying components from external files.
•     The possibility of three-dimensional visualization is represented through point clouds. The user is left with a choice about their density and pixel size. It’s easier to control the image.
•     All parameters and initial, received data can be formed into groups to facilitate the process of filling out documents, estimates.
•     Design ideas can be separately highlighted on the layout in order to visually see their need, as well as intersections with other solutions.
•     Automation of specifications.
•     An opportunity to mark any elements of construction.
•     Full import and export support with AutoCAD.
•     Possibility of remote team work in one file.

Disadvantages:

•     Automatic reinforcement or marking of elements is often erroneous and unsuitable for a given project. Correction takes more time than independent drawing.
•     “Revit” is more suitable for monolithic construction than for prefabricated metal structures - the latter require additional development of elements.
•     Spontaneous removal or throwing of fittings from one system to another is observed.
•     A very long wait for the download.
•     Slow rotation of 3D views.
•     When exporting analytics from a program to calculation systems, the scheme is incomplete, steep.
•     Teamwork is complicated by the fact that the layout can be uploaded only to Autodesk’s cloud storage.
•     Another minus is that only those developers who have the same fresh software installed can work with documents that were created in the new version of the program. Designers who did not have time to purchase an updated license simply will not be able to work with the project.

At the moment, there are other solutions for BIM, but I considered, in my opinion the most popular ones.

Of course, in this article, more expensive and complex programs from Bentley and Avev companies, which are mainly intended for designing large industrial enterprises, were not considered.

What do you think? What software did I miss?