With modern technology comes innovative techniques in design planning within the architecture industry. The CAD software in the Philippines remains a staple for architects and engineers, but aside from this, 3D projection is also utilized to allow clients to better visualize the concept and intended output of a particular construction project. One such practice where 2D and 3D representations are created is building information modeling (BIM).
BIM refers to a process in which architects and engineers collaborate on a building’s design and its actual construction and operations. It typically makes use of digital imaging tools to create a visual representation of the building, which includes advanced features such as animations and photorealistic renderings. BIM is beneficial for time management, minimizing project costs and overall efficiency, and it can easily determine clients’ commentary on design plans.
What is BIM?
In a nutshell, BIM is a process of planning and designing any construction project based on the guidance of a 2D or 3D model. There are many types of 3D modeling software in the Philippines such as SketchUp, which provides 3D modeling concepts for design planning and construction. Aside from 2D and 3D (space), BIM also takes note of 4D for time management, 5D for cost-efficiency and 6D for procurement applications. Such tools are essential as they help project design and operations within a virtual reality environment, serve as a communication tool, provide convenience in short-term planning and elevate competitive advantages.
Uses of BIM
BIM present several uses in terms of:
• Visualization
• Cost Estimation
• Marketing Demonstration
• Code Analysis
• Construction Sequencing
• Conflict or Interface Detection
• Facilities Management
• Sight Line Studies
What are the Benefits of BIM?
BIM is beneficial to the building’s life cycle in design, construction and operations. It also serves as a pathway for clients to collaborate with the engineers, contractors and architects for quality project management. The following are some of the benefits of BIM:
• Better project visualization:
BIM provides virtual reality with its 3D visual projections and augmented reality, which give clearer details compared to 2D models and traditional blueprints.
• Increased productivity:
Using BIM software contributes to expansion of new technology services and automating tasks for plan and design. As a result, there is an increase in productivity as seen by the delivery of quality services and seamless workforce operation.
• Better communication:
BIM delivers better collaboration and communication between professionals and clients. It improves communication by providing access to all necessary information and up-to-date designs anytime. This, in turn, reduces meetings and heavy workloads, and provides assistance to avoid errors and project adjustments.
• Reduced costs and construction wastage:
BIM offers tools to help improve pre-construction planning, which results in waste reduction and less costs. It also provides facility management with quality materials, reduces human errors, and helps avoid unnecessary materials.
• Analysis or insight in project planning:
It provides a variety of solutions from pre-construction and design planning, and merges new services to current projects. It gives contractors the insight and control to make adjustments and improve output, and also helps to understand the vision of your design.
• Sustainability analysis:
BIM shows how design planning affects energy conservation and usage.
• Improved construction through clash detection:
It helps in finding early solutions to detect collisions or inconveniences and avoid project delays.
What are the BIM Levels?
BMI levels basically tells a project’s maturity level, starting from blueprints to digital visualization:
• Level 0 BIM
It means there is no collaboration occurring yet, and so only paper-based 2D CAD for drafting is used. Paper or electronic prints are used for production information.
• Level 1 BIM
It uses both 2D CAD and 3D drafting. 2D is used for statutory approval documentation and production information, while 3D is used for concept works. Common data environment (CDE) helps in data sharing.
• Level 2 BIM
It involves collaborative work by having separate 3D CAD models. Each CAD should have the ability to export files in formats such as IFC (Industry Foundation Class) or COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange). This method is suitable for the public sector.
• Level 3 BIM
It still has no definite details but has a wider concept of collaboration through shared models to avoid conflict information. It also offers an integrated solution wherein all data will be stored in a single server.
How do I procure a BIM project?
Procurement strategies enhance BMI on how it changes the construction industry, specifically how key partners work and the ways to procure buildings with collaborative working processes. Its impact is undeniable in the industry with how it builds relationships with professionals and helps in conserving time, cost and materials.
Procurement systems determine the applicable skills and resources to be used for construction, and if it will meet its contractual arrangements to establish responsibilities and reduce risk:
• Design, bid, build
Separate contractual relationships with designers and contractors. The designer will create a site plan for a bid set. The contractor will bid on the design plan based on understanding the model.
• Design and build
Designers and constructors will collaborate to produce an entire project with design, engineering and implementation.
• Collaborative contracting
The contractor, architect and client work together from pre-construction planning to time and cost management. All key partners should have joint-decision making and transparency for long-term projects.
SketchUp in BIM
BIM requires the use of a reliable rendering software to allow professionals and clients to fully visualize a building project’s concept and design, as well as the functional and operational aspects a project entail. Introducing SketchUp, a 3D modeling program ideal for creating 3D objects even in 2D environment. It offers advanced features that beginners can easily understand.
In terms of BIM, SketchUp offers project construction modeling, importing and exporting IFC files, and exporting customized reports and cost estimates. This tool ensures that the user’s conceptual design will accurately translate into the building project’s lifecycle.
Takeaway
Wordtext Systems, Inc. is the trusted provider of SketchUp. SketchUp is the most used 3D tool in the world that provides modeling and design tools, and it is also easy-to-learn and accessible for beginners. It combines an intuitive user interface with a range of tool palettes for precise design. SketchUp also combines 2D and 3D graphics suited in designing construction.
WSI offers SketchUp Pro 2022 for full-featured desktop modelers and has easy-to-use drawing tools with precise details to produce quality models, images, 2D documentation and other presentations. SketchUp Pro price ranges from Php 18,500 to Php 54,000 depending on terms of use, but they offer a free trial for 30 days. SketchUp subscription term can be annual, two-year term or three-year term. SketchUp renewal is automatically for an equal term at then-current price. Call us at +63 2 8858 5555 to buy SketchUp Pro and other products today.