Excitech experience issue 1

CPD certified articles inside

EXPERIENCE an Excitech Professional Services publication

BUILDING ON

BIM ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: News, AUTODESK suites and Opinion!

CASE STUDY: Pell FRISCHMANN

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

&& Making Construction Products Suitable for BIM && Improving Revit Data Quality && Visualising BIM with 3ds Max && BIM at the Forum && Driving MEP from design to fabrication

COMMENT.

ABOUT EXCITECH Excitech are UK leaders in “technology for design”; in thought, delivery, service and support particularly for the built environment.

Leadership Excitech has led innovation in the development of processes and technologies, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) before the term was coined, delivering benefits in world leading projects. Our technology forums, user groups, seminars and web meetings share ideas, knowledge, expertise and experience with and between our customers.

Welcome to this first issue of Excitech Experience which is aimed at sharing the latest developments and processes in the industry as seen by our consultants, training team, support engineers and developers.

Excitech Experience follows on from the success of Excitech’s Design Productivity Journal (DPJ) which, for almost ten years, provided one of the most widely read publications covering the application of technology for the creation and management of design data.

Excitech Experience will, however, extend beyond just this journal. A single document cannot do justice to the breadth of requirements, the increasing sophistication of the solutions, and the increased focus on collaboration seen by our professional services teams today. As such, many articles will provide links to further documents such as white papers, other online media and to the consultants themselves.

This edition rightly has the theme of “Building on BIM” because the adoption of BIM in its core area of architectural and engineering design has accelerated rapidly and will continue to do so. However, other articles demonstrate that BIM goes beyond what it is commonly associated with, and is already influencing other areas of design and management.

We aim to give you just a brief overview of a few of these areas through our articles; but there is much more to come in this publication based upon the experience of our professional services teams.

Our intention is to deliver maximum value to our customers by covering not just news and developments but right through to benefits achieved in real examples of industry case studies.

If you have comments or suggestions please tell us via info@ excitech.co.uk as we value your input.

It is the recognition of this knowledge, expertise and partnering, including Autodesk Consulting Specialisation, that has underpinned the recent announcement of Excitech as sole Autodesk UK Platinum Partner, one of only six companies worldwide to have demonstrated the required level of industry expertise and customer care.

Solutions that Deliver Our focus is not just on delivering complete solutions but, with our professional services teams, supporting our customers through to seeing a real return on their investment.

From initial consultancy and bid support, to understanding and developing our clients’ requirements and opportunities, we work closely with them to provide the consultancy, systems, implementation services, training and support.

Project and Building Lifecycles Excitech is unique in its knowledge of the whole building lifecycle; from review and planning through design to construction and on into facilities/asset management. Our expertise extends to the essential aspects of design data management through each stage of the project and asset lifecycle.

Quality and Reputation Excitech achieves high standards and is certified to BS EN ISO 9001:2008 and Tick-IT for software development.

From a headquarters north of London we support customers, large and small, across the UK as well as global organisations across Europe, the US, the Middle East and beyond.

Excitech is independent of major software suppliers but has high levels of technical accreditation from leaders in each field including Archibus, Autodesk, HP and Microsoft.

Bob Garrett Editor

Front cover image: Dali Museum, Florida; designed using Revit Architecture and Revit Structure. Photography by Morris Moreno, Architects HOK

1

Excitech Experience

November 2011

COMMENT

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

CONTENTS. NEWS

3

Snippets from around the industry

Making Construction Products Suitable for Building Information Modelling

5

Architects and engineers are designing buildings using new processes – Building Information Modelling – and this is placing new demands on the manufacturers of construction products. This article looks at the challenges, the opportunities and the processes involved.

Visualising BIM with 3ds Max

7

How can we give ourselves a competitive advantage and make our images the best they can be, without spending a fortune outsourcing to specialists or waiting weeks for images to be rendered?

10

Improving Revit Data Quality Through Model Reviews Monitoring and reviewing design data files is essential to ensure best practice is being followed from the start to the end of a project. Including this in the process can improve quality, enhance productivity and reduce risk.

13 16 19

BIM at the Forum Excitech brought together leading organisations from the construction industry to its Design Technology Forum in June 2011 to discuss BIM.

case study: Pell FrischmanN Mapping the consultative process - Port of Immingham road improvement scheme - A160

From Building Information MODELLING to Facilities Management A look at the benefits to be found by fostering the links between Building Information Modelling (used by the construction industry) and Computer Aided Facilities Management (used by property owners and operators).

21

2

MEP Solutions - The choice is yours Building services design appears to present more choices in software selection for BIM processes than other disciplines; this article summarises the needs and potential solutions.

Autodesk Suites

24

The big theme from Autodesk this year has been Suites, but why and to what end?

26

Adrian Atkinson, Excitech CEO.

Opinion

Architecture

Consultancy

manufacturing and Fabrication

Building Services

Design Data Management

process, Plant and Energy

Civil Engineering

Facilities Management

Structural Engineering

CONSTRUCTION

GIS

Excitech Experience

November 2011

CONTENTS

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

NEWS.

Excitech Supplying Services to Autodesk Direct Clients

Excitech Gain Autodesk Platinum Accreditation

Under specially agreed licencing arrangements, known locally as an Enterprise Business Agreement, a number of major national and international organisations have signed up to purchase software directly from Autodesk.

As part of this agreement, Autodesk provide consultancy and training services to assist in developing BIM strategies within these organisations.

Autodesk have introduced a new higher level of Partner – Platinum – and Excitech is proud to be one of the first six worldwide and the only UK partner to be awarded this accolade.

3

Excitech is working closely with Autodesk, under our Autodesk Consulting Specialization accreditation, to deliver many of the services to customers on behalf of Autodesk. The Consulting Specialization accreditation acknowledges the quality of our services and provides access to additional Autodesk resources and tools.

Platinum accreditation is awarded to resellers who demonstrate the greatest levels of industry-specific expertise, the capacity to address large-scale customer needs, consulting skills to review and develop customer processes, high levels of technical support, and proven customer satisfaction standards.

The accreditation includes Autodesk Consulting Specialisation and covers Architecture, Engineering and Construction including both Plant and Structural Analysis.

The services Excitech is providing under these contracts include project, process and software consultancy; implementation and project support; as well as training and technical support. Excitech’s consultants add to the services by providing local knowledge and expertise as well as experience of associated software solutions.

Autodesk Licensing for Citrix

With the release of Autodesk 2012 software the range of products licensed and certified for use in a Citrix environment grew considerably.

Some Excitech customers are already performance testing, and in some instances already using Autodesk products on Citrix.

Secondly, for organisations with dispersed project teams needing to work on a shared set of Autodesk data files. And thirdly, in the case of nonAutodesk software without network licensing, where Citrix may offer a cost effective alternative which can now also cover CAD. Excitech, together with IMSCAD, a Citrix Partner, have run web seminars and are in a position to extend pilots and trials.

Citrix is of particular interest in the following scenarios. Firstly, where an organisation is already committed to Citrix and wants to bring their Autodesk products into that environment.

CAFM Survey reveals current trends and opinions within Facilities Management In August 2011, Excitech carried out an online survey aimed at those involved in facilities management decisions in order to identify trends and how Excitech should shape future solution development within the sector.

The survey received over 50 qualified responses and revealed information such as how latest FM news was sought, which job title made strategic facility management decisions and the facilities management areas which were most important to their organisation. The responses highlighted important trends, such as how environmental sustainability has grown in importance in people’s opinions, and which kinds of future technology organisations were looking to implement.

A full copy of the results can be found on the Excitech website, http://www.excitech.co.uk/xp1b

3

Excitech Experience

November 2011

NEWS

http://www.excitech.co.uk

AUTODESK CLOUD Newly announced are Autodesk Cloud capabilities for their Subscription customers. These help you increase mobility, improve collaboration, and optimise your designs— advancing the way you work.

All Subscription customers have access to online storage, viewing, DWG editing and viewing – even with some mobile devices. And with

Eagle Point software now available through Excitech Excitech has announced the availability of Eagle Point products – technical software targeted for the AEC market.

Eagle Point products complement the Autodesk family of products, helping architectural and engineering clients to use Autodesk technology more productively, enabling them to maximise returns on their technology investments.

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

selected products/suites you can render directly from Revit and perform conceptual energy analysis on multiple design variations. You can also take advantage of additional storage space through Cloud Documents, and access to Autodesk Buzzsaw for online project data management.

For more details and video’s about Autodesk Cloud follow, http://www.excitech.co.uk/xp1a The first products available to purchase through Excitech are LANDCADD for Revit; which allows users to quickly and easily lay out site components, as well as produce a landscape design fully integrated into the project all through Autodesk Revit Architecture.; and SiteWorks for Revit, which assists architects, designers and planners in shaping the terrain for their building sites and to enable the efficient modelling of pads, car parks, roads, pavements and retaining walls.

For more details, http://www.excitech.co.uk/xp1c

Autodesk position Vault AEC at the heart of their BIM 360 strategy As part of the drive to deliver better management of the high volumes of information that are produced during the delivery of modern built environment projects – Autodesk have positioned a series of both new and established technologies that provide secure workflow processes and reliable access to design data.

At the core of this offering is Autodesk Vault Collaboration AEC, which takes an already popular design data management solution, and expands its capabilities by providing tight integration with each of the main Autodesk BIM solutions.

The BIM 360 solutions are based around the principle of a modular approach, whereby each element can be added or increased in scale - according to specific project requirements or a staged organisational roll-out.

In addition to the ability to manage project data internally, the BIM 360 proposition also offers options for accessing data collaboratively across organisational boundaries; using technologies such as AutoCAD WS, Bluestreak and the Buzzsaw access that comes with the Vault AEC subscription. Further enhancements to the performance of large Revit model collaboration across regional office locations, are also available via the integration of Revit Server with Vault AEC.

Excitech Supports Contractor Use of BIM The use of Building Information Modelling(BIM) is growing not just in design organisations but also by contractors. Excitech has been providing a range of key services that have supported the introduction of BIM to a number of key projects and organisations.

A typical implementation will address how BIM can be introduced across any or all of the main stages of the project construction process: bid, mobilisation, execution and handover.

Excitech assist SES Group to deliver THP design for fabrication in Plant 3D 2012

Excitech has been assisting in the training, implementation and configuration of the new AutoCAD Plant 3D 2012 system at the SES group head office.

Working to ASME/ANSI piping specification the system had to be capable of generating full fabrication details and quantity schedules to suit the design requirements and on-site manufacturing of several projects for European and American clients.

SES Group has recently designed, manufactured and installed a number of advanced waste and sludge biogas systems for the water treatment industry.

These Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP) Plants are focused on maximising energy production and minimising final product mass. The resulting biosolids product is pathogen-free and may be used to make high-grade compost.

AutoCAD Plant 3D has proved to be more than a capable application to meet SES group demands, with the new isometric engine in the 2012 version allowing additional skid piping design in Inventor to also be output to full fabrication isometric drawings. The new isometric engine also allows links out to Excel data so external information can be automatically linked to the piping fabrication data.

4

Excitech Experience

November 2011

NEWS

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

In addition to providing BIM Coordination across the entire project, specific assistance is provided for developing workflow processes for the various applications, BIM Capability Statements, BIM Delivery Procedures & Protocols, BIM Execution Plans, Model Review & Coordination; as well as solutions expertise on the main construction applications including fabrication, estimation and planning – and extending this to the use of BIM data in the field - through to handover and occupancy.

Making Construction Products Suitable for Building Information Modelling AUTHOR

Lawrence Hooker Senior Applications Specialist lawrence.hooker@excitech.co.uk

Architects and Engineers are designing buildings using new processes – Building Information Modelling – and this is placing new demands on the manufacturers of construction products. This article looks at the challenges, the opportunities and the processes involved.

Changing Processes – Changing Needs Design within the construction industry is now undergoing a significant change away from 2D design towards object-based 3D design – much as many companies within the manufacturing sector have already done. This change is now accelerating as clients – the ultimate building owners and operators – see potential benefits to them not just during the design and construction stages but on into the lifetime of the building’s management. Of key significance reinforcing this trend is the UK government’s support of BIM as a requirement for future public sector projects.

For the architects, engineers and construction companies engaged in using Building Information Modelling a key need in this new process is for better documented construction products: windows, doors, air-conditioning units, valves, beams, trusses and even furniture and fittings.

But beyond design and construction, the building owners have an interest in the provision and management of such information about what becomes their asset, that they need to maintain.

So the need has developed for construction product information to be available in new formats, with extra information. Currently architects and engineers are often creating such data themselves but for the manufacturers who can provide it, there are clear benefits in attracting more business through a more competitive offer; often by building upon design data they already have.

5

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

From Digital Prototyping to Building Information Modelling Manufacturers have enjoyed the benefits of 2D CAD systems such as AutoCAD for many years. During the 1990s many manufacturing and design companies started to use 3D parametric systems to not just facilitate the production of 2D drawings and permit fast and effective changes to the 3D parts and assemblies, but to produce “digital prototypes”.

Construction design is also now reaping the benefits of 3D design in the form of Building Information Modelling (BIM) using software such as Autodesk Revit to help fully describe, document and understand the design, performance, construction and lifespan of a building.

Architects, engineers and contractors all need access to content to create a 3D model of a building – content which may well already exist in the manufacturer’s design data, their digital prototype. In the early stages of a design this content will be fairly generic and may only show basic design intent. As the model moves into the construction design phase, the content will need to be much more specific. This is where manufacturers and construction professionals can find real value and gain many benefits; and these can continue on for the building owner.

BENEFITS MANUFACTURERS

CONSTRUCTION

OPERATION

Marketing and product awareness

Faster design process

Easier asset database collection

Differentiation from competitors

Easier product selection

Record of suppliers/ spare part sources

Highlight innovative/ better performance products

Accurate design and performance information

Maintenance and performance data

By providing BIM-ready information for products, manufacturers can gain an advantage in getting their products specified at an earlier stage of the project so potentially winning the business. As designs are finalized, manufacturer’s models can be incorporated to validate the design and performance characteristics of the building, which helps reduce costly errors.

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

So, how can the manufacturer gain these collaborative advantages? Shown here is a typical workflow that will guide you on how your intended BIM content can be created, processed and delivered.

2D CAD drawings of Products

The first stage will be dependent on your existing CAD data and is dependent on whether this data is in a 2D or 3D format. If your CAD models are in 2D then the products can either be modelled from the 2D information to 3D within Autodesk Inventor (or potentially Autodesk Inventor LT) or directly in the Revit family editor. If, however, you already have a 3D CAD model in Inventor or in another format such as Solidworks or ProEngineer then this can be opened within Inventor and more simply processed through the Shrinkwrap and BIM Exchange tools.

MANUFACTURER Model imported from other 3D MCAD Product

Use Inventor MCAD translators

Model created in Autodesk Inventor

MANUFACTURER or EXCITECH

What is the Content ?

Revit MEP AutoCAD MEP

Revit Structure

Shrinkwrap Part Substitution

Shrinkwrap Part Substitution

Revit Architecture AutoCAD Architecture

Shrinkwrap Part Substitution

Add connectors in AEC Exchange

Set Component types and any other properties that are required in Revit/AutoCAD

Save as ADSK file

Open adsk file in Revit and prepare rfa to comply with Revit Family standards

PUBLISH YOUR CONTENT

The Shrinkwrap tool will greatly simplify the model, both reducing the file size and also removing the manufacturer’s ”sensitive” information. The process is semi-automated by first removing internal components and then by patching holes within a certain size limit.

The connection information and performance data can be added within the BIM exchange tools in Autodesk Inventor or added in Revit MEP. This information will define electrical, pipe, ducting and conduit sizes as well as flow rates, voltages etc. Loading information can also be added which is transferred to Revit MEP. Once this is done Inventor can then save the file in the adsk data exchange format. This can then be read by AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP and all Autodesk Revit products, so making it readily available to building designers.

The next stage is to open the adsk file within Revit or AutoCAD MEP and start to add any additional parameters that may be required. Typical parameters may include weight, cost, service intervals etc. It is worth noting that some of this data could be hyperlinks back to the manufacturer’s website for further technical specifications, servicing information and spare parts. This serves as a further tool for manufacturers to sell additional services and spare parts.

Other things to consider are the various levels of detail built into the Revit families. Typical questions to ask yourself may be “how many of these items will be used in a typical building?”. If the answer is only two or three then you can afford a little more detail within the 3D model, but if the answer is 20 or more then you will need to consider adding different levels of detail so that the overall model viewed by the building designer is not always overly detailed.

You may also wish to embed 2D detail views into the 3D family which only show when you are in a relevant view. This is a great way to give a fully detailed drawing view without the overhead of excessive 3D details.

Defining all the information necessary in the right ways and in a format which makes it easy for architects and engineers to use requires further information which is available from various industry guides and from Excitech. However, once understood and started, producing large libraries of components can be quite fast ,especially where many components will actually be variations within a standard component. For those concerned about undertaking such necessary work themselves there are organisations who can either undertake it for you or provide support. For further guidance on the guidelines and support you can contact Excitech.

Conclusion The changes described in the processes of design, construction and management of buildings are changing and there is no doubt that these will affect the manufacturers of building products. However, these changes are not just of technical interest.

The commercial reality is that how building products are specified, and who influences these decisions, is changing. BIM is changing processes in construction; its needs, and the opportunities it presents, must be appreciated and planned for by all parts of the supply chain.

Link for full article text, http://www.excitech.co.uk/xp1d

6

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

7 Visualising

BIM…with Autodesk 3ds Max Design The Need To Win By Design We all know the power of Revit to create incredible Building Information Models; great models, rich in data and detail, fully coordinated, incredibly quick to revise, and easy to create design options. Revit also has great presentation tools, producing nice drawings, shaded elevations and even good, photorealistic, rendered images using the built in Mental Ray rendering engine.

Quality photorealistic images are becoming the norm for architects and designers, but the quality of image required to make them stand out is getting higher and higher! As competition for work is greater than it’s ever been, your images really do need to stand out from the crowd to communicate your creativity, to give your ideas maximum impact and ultimately provide the best chance of them being chosen.

So, what can we do to give ourselves a competitive advantage and make our images the best they can be, without spending a fortune outsourcing to specialists or waiting weeks for images to be rendered?

Introducing Autodesk Visualisation Software Autodesk 3ds Max Design is the answer! This software is specifically dedicated to creating compelling visualisations. As such it has many efficient workflows designed around creating high quality images in a realistic timeframe. It also has incredible animation tools to really push your presentations to another level.

3ds Max has been around for over 20 years in one form or another; the latest version is split into two flavours, 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design. They are both the same programme with no difference in functionality but the ‘Design’ flavour is pre-set to work for the design industry using real world units. It also has Lighting Analysis and Civil Engineering toolsets that 3ds Max doesn’t have.

7

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

1

However, you may ask, why use another programme to create images when Revit has this in the box for free? What’s more, they both use the same ‘mental ray’ rendering engine so surely there is little to gain! Well, let’s consider the two images above.

The first image is rendered in Revit, and the second in 3ds Max Design. Which one would you prefer to have in your presentation? I’m hoping you say the Max one! Let’s look at this a little closer though. The Revit image is rendered to approximately A4 print size at 150dpi – that is 2300x1550 pixels. This took, on my reasonable specification PC some 2 hours 9 minutes. Now that seems quite a long time for such a simple room; even more so considering the image still needs some Photoshop work to make it presentable. So, I exported the view to FBX format, linked it into 3ds Max Design, fettled with the materials a little and adjusted a few render settings. This took around 20 minutes to do. I then rendered out the second view to the same size, which took 40 minutes. That is less than half the time, including exporting and setting up the view in Max! It also looks a lot better, mainly because I was able to test and tweak the settings with some low resolution renders before committing to the final one, all within the 20 minutes setup time.

That time saving alone is a good enough reason to consider using 3ds Max Design. But above and beyond the time saving of like-for-like images, what else does Max give us?

Well, both images are pretty sterile; in order to really sell the design I want it to look inviting and lived in. To do this we need to add in some everyday ‘clutter’ and this is where the Revit/Max workflow really comes into its own.

I don’t want to overload my Revit file with all the bits and pieces to make a good image. Doing so will cost me much more time throughout the project as every time I open, save, swap views etc., Revit will be calculating all the unnecessary clutter as well as the model. Having all this clutter in Max will

2

keep the Revit model efficient. It’s also much easier to get hold of the clutter in Max format, with numerous online libraries many of which are free of charge.

In the image below I’ve added some clutter: the rug, clock, artwork and coffee cups. I’ve also swapped out the furniture for some more realistic looking units. The Revit families are perfect for space planning and indicating room layouts. I don’t want any more detail in Revit as it will hinder the performance, so just swap them for more detailed Max ones at render time. I’ve also adjusted the camera view, making it a little more dynamic.

Adding all the extra details will increase the rendering time; this image took 1 hour 52 minutes at the same size as the previous one, but that is still faster than the basic Revit image and far superior in quality and detail. Using other Max features such as Network or Distributed rendering could reduce the time taken to render too.

Handling Design Revisions But what happens when we inevitably have to revise and iterate our design in Revit? Do we have to start again in Max? No, you don’t!

The process is to set up a 3D view in Revit and export it to .FBX format. Then, in 3ds Max Design, using the file link manager, you need to reference in the FBX file. This will bring through your Revit model with options to combine by family or material or to not combine at all and leave all the Revit components separate! You can then edit materials or add cameras, lights and extra content before you start rendering. When the design is then later revised in Revit and requires the images to be updated to match then you simply reexport the revised view to FBX again and re-load this FBX file through the file link manager in Max. This will reload the Revit model and give you the option to keep any material edits or animations you’ve applied in Max. Obviously you may need to adjust the extra content and lighting to suit the revised>

3

8

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

design, but you definitely won’t be starting from scratch with it all! You’ll also appreciate the much faster rendering times in Max when you do this several times during a project as you improve your design and visualisation further and further!

Tips for Faster Rendering A few tips can make the process faster and easier, and these are valid for rendering in Revit or Max! 1. C reate a new view specifically for rendering or exporting to Max. For exporting to Max, just duplicate the standard 3D view; it will be better to set up the camera in Max than Revit.

2. In this new view turn off any categories that aren’t relevant to the rendered image. If it’s an external view you plan to render then turn off the furniture inside the model, hide the stairs and railings that you won’t see, make sure there aren’t any little unnecessary details left on such as internal door handles etc. If it’s going to be an internal image then use the view section box to crop the model around the relevant area; there’s no point forcing mental ray to calculate things that won’t be seen in the final image!

Now you’re ready to bring it into Max, here are a few tips to help in there too!

1. Set your system units in Max to feet! Yes, feet! Leave the display units as mm or whatever you want to work in.

2. Use the file link manager to reference in the FBX file.

3. If you want to swap out objects like furniture or doors for Max versions then choose not to combine objects on the presets.

4. Use the ‘Substitute’ modifier to swap out your blocky Revit objects with the nicely modelled Max versions.

5. Use ‘mrProxies’ for your library objects, that way if you have a lot of repetitive, complex objects in the scene these will help minimise the rendering overhead for them.

6. The Revit model will bring through all its materials from the new Autodesk Material Library. This is a good thing for most objects, however, those materials are preset with high rendering quality settings. Again this is a good thing most of the time, but a lot of time can be saved swapping out these materials on smaller details with quicker Arch & Design materials in Max. There’s no point having the castors on 20 office chairs giving you perfect reflections and taking two hours to calculate them when they are actually too small to see in the final image!

7. Investigate network and distributed rendering. These features will allow you utilise the power of multiple computers to speed up your rendering. Distributed rendering will allow your workstation to harness the processors of other PCs to speed up rendering individual images; this means larger, higher quality images in a shorter timeframe. Network rendering will send the rendering task out to other PCs to complete, this means an animation can be split across many PCs, up to 9,999 at the moment, to vastly reduce the time taken to produce animations.

8. Look into using ‘render elements’ in Max. These allow you to bring in different parts of the image as layers in Photoshop and manipulate them ‘post rendering’. Intelligent use of these can save a lot of re-rendering when someone decides to change the colour of a wall etc.

Go On, Show Off! Producing compelling images to help support and communicate ideas has become an everyday requirement for most architects and designers. Since much of this work is also speculative, it is imperative that we can produce them as quickly and efficiently as possible, but we need the best quality possible to give us a competitive edge. For all of these reasons, 3ds Max Design is the perfect application to complement your existing toolset.

AUTHOR

“Higher quality and more lifelike visualisation can show off your designs to better effect and win that project; with some simple tips and use of the right tools it’s even easier than you might think.”

9

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Paul Grimston Consultant paul.grimston@excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

Improving Revit Data Quality Through Model Reviews Monitoring and reviewing design data files is essential to ensure best practice is being followed from the start to the end of a project.

Including this in the process can improve quality, enhance productivity and reduce risk.

When you decide to implement Revit much consideration will be given to hardware requirements, training, standards and selection of suitable projects for your teams to “cut their teeth” on. Whilst these are important at the beginning of the process you should also consider how you support your Revit teams throughout their projects. One aspect of this on-going support will be to monitor the Revit project files to ensure that best practice guidelines are being followed.

The aim of this article is to introduce the importance of performing regular project model reviews; health checks to ensure you have an effective, stable model throughout the design process.

Why Review Models?

During the course of a project the Revit file will undergo multiple changes as design options are explored, room layouts evaluated and team members take full advantage of the ability to rapidly modify and replace building elements. This does all tend to have a cumulative effect on the file, both in terms of the physical size and of the performance of the model during editing sessions.

The task of managing the model throughout this process is at least as important as the initial implementation stages. Badly maintained models are at best sluggish to work with and at worst can become corrupted and unusable. Messages of the type indicated below can be extremely disruptive to the project, yet are easily avoided by regular maintenance of the model file.

10

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

There are some key properties of the Revit model which have the biggest impact upon both its performance and stability: • • • • • •

Warnings DWG references Level of detail Families and content Groups Design options

Warnings Excessive warnings can severely impact model performance. They are stored by Revit whenever a situation is detected which could affect model integrity or documentation. They may be (and very often are) ignored initially, possibly with the intention of rectifying the issue at a later date or simply because the importance of them is misunderstood. Either way, if left unresolved then precious time can be lost during editing sessions. As a result the potential productivity gains from implementing the software may never be fully realised.

The task of reviewing warnings in the model should be a scheduled part of the week’s work. It only becomes really onerous if the number of warnings is allowed to build up. Keeping on top of them is a discipline that should be maintained.

It may be a surprise, but excessive use of DWG files referenced or imported into Revit views can leave the model feeling sluggish during use. As an example, you may experience long refresh times when zooming in and out of views or following amendments to the model. Particularly bad are DWG files with hatch patterns left in them. >

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

The following recommendations from Autodesk’s Revit Performance Technical Guidelines are particularly valuable.

• •

•

• •

Minimize the number of linked or imported DWG files.

Avoid importing unnecessary data like hatching or AutoCAD-specific linework such as construction lines. Delete unnecessary parts and layers of the DWG file within AutoCAD and import only the cleaned, smaller DWG. Avoid exploding the geometry imported from DWG files. The exploding operation within a Revit-based application can change a DWG from a single managed element to hundreds or thousands of additional elements depending on the number of entities in the imported DWG. Only link essential DWG files into necessary views.

Switch off visibility of 2D AutoCAD DWGs in perpendicular views. A 2D AutoCAD file linked into a plan view will show as co-linear lines in elevation, causing performance degradation.

• • • •

•

• •

Where possible, avoid widespread use of voids in family geometry.

Where possible, avoid arrays and formulas.

Use symbolic lines and masking regions instead of geometry in plan views.

Parametric families place a greater computational burden on the model than static families. Consider carefully whether a family needs parametric flexibility and confine that flexibility to necessary adjustments.

Families that cut their hosts consume significant computing resources on regeneration as compared to families that reside on a given surface without cutting the host. Consider modelling building components such as HVAC as 2D ceiling-based or face-based families to reduce penetration calculation.

Model designs selectively. Objects only viewed from certain points need only be modelled to appear correct in those selected views.

As highlighted in the extract above, the use of groups and design options can be of great value in the design iteration process. If misused though, the model can be severely impacted, both in terms of files size and of model performance.

How you measure the performance of Revit models throughout the development of a project should form a major part of the BIM protocols you put in place as you begin the journey into BIM. Furthermore, the process of reviewing your models should follow strict guidelines to ensure consistency in the resulting report and its value to the practice.

Typical list of warnings on a Revit model

Level of Detail Level of detail can also impact performance (and file size). You should consider the use of generic or concept styles until specific project requirements have been determined; this too has to be monitored and reviewed to ensure performance degradation doesn’t blight your models.

Keep in mind the project requirements at the current stage of development and avoid the temptation to “over-model”.

Revit Architecture and MEP models audited prior to sharing

Families

Design Options

Families too, can have a significant impact upon any project; both positive and negative!

Revit’s facility for incorporating multiple design options within a single model is extremely powerful and useful in many ways. When studying multiple forms for building performance in the conceptual design environment design options are invaluable. They can also form the basis of compelling visualisations for client presentations and planning submissions. Then, in later design stages, multiple building configurations can also be studied; from internal layouts to façade studies. A compelling argument indeed when faced with demanding client requirements - or simply winning the project in a competitive situation.

There are plenty of websites with Revit content to download and using these can save time and enhance detail. Some of this content is very good, but unfortunately some will not be so good. So in creating your own Revit families and in choosing families from third parties – which you might choose to further modify – there are guidelines to consider that can improve the performance and integrity of your model.

Once again, the recommendations from the Revit Performance Technical Note are invaluable in highlighting some of the pitfalls and indicating best practices surrounding the use of families.

•

• •

11

Create a family component instead of in-place families for repetitive components. When an in-place family is copied (which may itself be problematic) it makes an entirely new entity each time as opposed to referencing the type information from the first instance.

Limit the use of detailed/nested/parameterized families to necessities.

Families require fewer resources than groups. Use families instead of groups, where possible. Groups are very powerful, but updating large quantities of group instances consumes significant computing resources.

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Care should be exercised, though, in the execution of this facility and its impact upon the Revit model. In practice, particularly during later design stages, the unwary user may find themselves duplicating extensive amounts of the base model, resulting in much greater computational loads.

Changes made to the base model may also impact upon the various design options and Revit will calculate these even if the options are not currently being viewed.

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

Guidelines regarding the amount and extent of design options should form part of the organisation’s BIM protocols and teams involved in Revit projects should be made aware of them.

Once again, the following recommendations from the Revit Performance Technical Note are invaluable in highlighting some of the pitfalls and indicating best practices surrounding the use of families.

• • •

•

Limit the use of rooms in design options to necessities to avoid additional processor time spent on detecting room option conflict.

Use separate models for variations of a whole building or building wing.

Preserve design options only as long as they are useful to the project.

Even though options may not be active and visible, when changes are made within the main mode, then all design options will update to maintain the model’s consistency.

Consider whether options should be preserved long term in separate models, which can be linked as needed.

Conclusion There are many sources of information outlining best practices when modelling in Revit – not least from Autodesk themselves. The real issue is how your practice can achieve the maximum levels of productivity and ensure they are in a position to share credible, quality models as part of the collaborative BIM process.

In very large projects the task of maintaining integrity, performance and reliability can be significant. Meeting this challenge in Revit is, of course, much easier than it would have been using less sophisticated software but the techniques and processes are new and different.

In large Revit projects you might have datasets reaching in excess of 1GB and containing upwards of perhaps ten individual model files, so the challenge of maintaining best practices is magnified geometrically.

Not only are there now multiple models to maintain, there are the added complications inherent when working with linked and workset-enabled Revit models. In our experience, the task of maintaining these must be planned for at the inception of the project, not just left to chance.

The downstream effects of a poorly maintained dataset can range from frustration in their use to outright rejection of the effectiveness of the BIM solution.

A clearly defined and objective assessment of your Revit models will not only help maintain them through the design process but can also highlight skills development requirements within your teams. So not only will this project conclude more successfully but, through review, you will lay the foundations for further benefits to be gained in subsequent projects.

Excitech is actively involved with practices throughout the UK delivering Revit project model assessments. Following on-site consultation and fact finding, files are securely uploaded for analysis by our consultants. Once complete, a report detailing our findings and scoring the models against defined criteria is supplied to clients. This can be followed up by an on-site visit to discuss the findings with the project team.

AUTHOR

Johnathan Ward Consultant johnathan.ward@excitech.co.uk

12

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

Key summary from model review reports

13

Building Information Modelling at the Excitech AEC Forum

Excitech brought together leading organisations in the construction industry to its AEC Design Technology Forum in June 2011. This year the topic was BIM: the clients’ part and the contractors’ part; implementation, management and project completion.

Each year Excitech brings together key decision makers from leading architectural, engineering and construction organisations to discuss the implementation of computer based design technology in a business environment. The agenda is fixed each year by suggestions from invitees and then voting to see what is popular. This year the votes were very focussed on BIM topics so we chose to run the whole day on BIM. With presentations from many attendees leading into discussions plus a number of break-out sessions it turned into one of the most interactive forums we have run; and the issues raised and conclusions reached proved to be invaluable.

The Forum Agenda The morning was spent with a number of presentations setting out some views on where BIM is now: the part that clients have or could have and the part that contractors have or could have. From the presentations we went into discussion groups to tackle some of the issues which arose and then presented back conclusions.

In the afternoon we again had some short presentations on BIM implementation and then BIM data management leading to a similar set of discussion groups and presentations back of conclusions. Then, finally, we looked at project completion and handover before retiring to the bar!

13

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

The Clients’ and Contractors’ Part in BIM This was introduced with a presentation from Excitech then presentations from London Underground, Skanska, and Zaha Hadid Architects which focussed on the position of BIM to clients and contractors.

Clients are starting to become aware of the benefits that BIM can bring, not just to the design and construction stage, but on into the handover and management which, over time, can offer even greater savings. The UK government’s intentions with regard to BIM being a requirement in future projects were recognised.There were, however, concerns that the deadlines are very short in industry timescales and there is much yet to be done in terms of further definition of how this will be carried through and the benefits seen. Furthermore, it was recognised that BIM had the potential of delivering greater value to the industry than just ‘buildings’. Enriching the building model from survey/ground data through to fixtures, fittings, space data and asset data that can be provided at handover to facilitate maintenance and operation of the completed building for the client will deliver further benefits.

Three break-out groups then considered a common set of questions, plus other related topics as they arose, and these reached the following conclusions.

Most clients (i.e. future building owners/operators) do not really know what BIM is, and many may be assuming that such design processes are already in use. It may also be the case that the ones who think they are enlightened enough to demand such techniques are still not actually getting it, nor gaining the benefits. There were also concerns raised over the changed legal and contractual arrangements where a client mandates BIM under the terms of the engagement.

It was generally agreed that all clients and projects would gain from a BIM workflow, though this came as a surprise to a few delegates who had less or no experience of BIM. Larger projects were seen as presenting the greatest ROI, but other factors could also have an effect. It was felt that BIM really is applicable to both new build and refurbishment, though often in different ways. BIM processes bring many benefits to all involved including early and reduced project costs, more public information, the supply of operations and maintenance information, reduced lifecycle costs, FM data availability, improved coordination/collaboration, access to different construction techniques (e.g. offsite manufacture), reduced waste, increased sustainability, better analysis (in energy use), lower carbon and generally more certainty and less risk.

14

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

It was also felt that the current focus is too much on the “building” in its environment and not enough on its content (fixtures, fittings, equipment, furniture etc.).

So, if BIM is good for the client and good for the construction industry then should the construction industry be “selling it to them”? While there was concern that no-one is actually educating the property owners, it is not clear who should be undertaking this role though the government is taking a lead in the public sector. However, maybe the construction industry needs to motivate the clients’ self-interest for mutual benefit.

It was felt that ideally the client should manage and own the BIM data if the client has specified it, but that this is exceptionally unlikely as they do not have the knowledge or currently the interest. Construction projects involve numerous parties, each with agreements in place with the other parties and this can lead to contention and even litigation. As such, having one person overseeing the whole project from a BIM perspective is also unlikely unless they were set up with that specific purpose, and were independent. This would, however, add cost and it might be difficult to know where it should be offset. The insurance and legal implications of BIM projects remain uncertain and each organisation seems to be handling them in different ways.

The issue of who owns the data produced in a BIM project – especially the design data – is contradictory. All seemed to agree that the client owns it; however, this has limitations and complexities. Firstly, there remain issues on copyright and intellectual property, so agreements need to restrict how that data can be used. Secondly, there was concern over what form (paper, digital, pdf, dwg, model files, databases?) that “data” might take and whether most clients would either be interested in it or could, in practice, use it without further work. Thirdly, should such a handover include all the working data of design discussions and agreements, RFIs, calculations etc. and the general view was that this should be excluded. Lastly, came the legal issues of who has the responsibility for the data being correct and complete. The point was made that a drawing can hide things that a BIM model cannot, that a design error might be corrected during construction, and that providing the design data could increase the legal liability. So the theory of ownership was generally accepted but the detail needs to be agreed in each project.

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

It was generally felt that BIM project delivery has mostly been driven by the lead consultant – either architect or engineer depending on the project.

Some, however, also suggested a lot of driving was being done by the software suppliers, such as Autodesk. More recently though the balance has been moving towards the contractors, especially in design and build projects, taking the lead. Ultimately, however, the expectation was that the client will become the driver.

It was felt that BIM is delivering benefits to all parties, though of course different benefits for different organisations and different projects. Those that are benefiting the most are those with the greatest expertise and experience; though quantifying this and formally calculating a return on investment is both complex and commercially confidential.

Finally, the groups addressed what issues there remain in delivering projects using BIM. The biggest issue was people in terms of their knowledge, understanding and fear of change. Technical issues regarding data exchange, data classification and interoperability do still exist. There is the need to justify the investment not just in IT systems (hardware and software) but also training, support and other services. While BIM may have an initial extra cost, ultimately it should represent a saving; some interesting stories arose of how the investment was justified on some projects by simply quantifying the costs of design errors most of which would not have arisen had BIM been used. Copyright, legal and contractual matters were also seen as issues needing further work.

BIM Implementation and Data Management This was introduced with a presentation from Excitech and then presentations from Capita Symonds, Plowman Craven and _space Architecture. This highlighted that while different organisations choose to implement BIM in different ways, we are moving towards a more common set of implementation techniques which will eventually establish for each organisation or project the processes, responsibilities and standards.

The topic of when certain tasks are undertaken was an issue of its own in managing the need to make more decisions early in the project. Data exchange issues go beyond the technical details of data formats, naming conventions and the like, to trust issues between organisations and even between departments. Legal issues arose again and one organisation quoted that project insurance was less for BIM projects.

Data quality issues were also discussed; again highlighting the importance of standards across disciplines and the need for clarity in the responsibilities for managing or owning the data. Content standards, levels of detail, duplication of records, data complexity, revision control, access control and the entry of 2D rather than object data were all seen as sources of problems. However, the point was made that these are all the “result of people” which led back to the importance of the BIM Execution Plan.

Lack of experience in the team (users and managers), lack of planning, poorly defined processes and standards, unclear responsibilities, quality control and staff “winging it” were all quoted as issues which had arisen.

The overall theme is, in effect, one of change management. Introducing new processes requires planning and, in the experience of those present, this only comes from experience or learning from others. Those that have been through this and succeeded are gaining the benefits, though some challenges remain as an opportunity for further improvement.

Project Completion The forum then had a presentation from Excitech on the issue of completion and the handover. This included not just what could be provided to the client and the benefits that might glean but also the important project review. As new processes are introduced the review of what went well, what was learned and how issues were addressed is essential to ensure the next project runs even better and delivers even greater benefits to all.

Conclusion The topic was then discussed by the breakout groups to reach views and conclusions.

In implementation it was agreed that even, or especially, in a BIM project there needs to be a focus on coordination between the parties. The general view was that this should be done by whoever is being paid directly by the client. However, it was also recognised that while there is that central role there is also the need for a BIM Coordinator for each organisation in the project team. The responsibilities for this position are wide but needs to focus on collaboration/coordination as well as the processes and standards that should be followed.

Building Information Modelling has been discussed in this forum on many occasions over the years – even going back to well before the BIM term was coined. At past events there has been strong support for the technique as might be expected from people working in major organisations with an eye to the future and where such projects are being run. However, the forum this year had a very different character; no longer was BIM “inevitable and coming” but BIM was “here”. There were still a few who had not yet gone down the BIM path, and there were others who were saying we must go much further. However, for most the issue was no longer “how might we manage the issues and changes?” but instead “these are the issues and we are handling them – and gaining significant benefits.” It will be interesting to see what has changed in a year’s time.

There needs to be a BIM Execution Plan to set out responsibilities, processes, standards, data ownership, data types etc. and this should be documented and ideally contractual to avoid arguments. Consideration should be given to the downstream use of data by the client as well as the downstream use of the processes, data and lessons learned for future projects.

Again, key issues were considered as to what holds such projects back.

The first was the fact that M&E engineers are rarely using BIM at present.

This is not because of any great reluctance but simply the convention that they tend to be brought into the project late on, by which time much of the benefits of BIM for energy modelling etc. are immaterial. This needs to change and could provide significant advantages as it does.

15

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

AUTHOR

Bob Garrett Marketing Director bob.garrett@excitech.co.uk

CASE STUDY.

Mapping the Consultative Process Port of Immingham Road Improvement Scheme - A160

Introduction The A160 in North Lincolnshire is an important link road between the A180 and the Port of Immingham on the Humber Estuary providing a strategic link to the national motorway network via the A180, M180 and M18. During the summer of 2009 a Public Consultation exercise was held to seek the views of local residents, businesses and key stakeholders on proposals from the Highways Agency to improve the A160 between Brocklesby and the Port of Immingham.

Public Consultation The scheme went to Public Consultation in the summer of 2009 for a period of 12 weeks, during which time the views of local residents and businesses were sought. Leaflets and questionnaires were delivered to 7,000 addresses, and 17,500 leaflets explaining the proposals were also distributed. Parish, District and County Councils, environmental bodies and other key stakeholders were also consulted, and a dedicated website for the scheme was also set up. >

“Partnering with Excitech enabled us to source a GIS based solution for managing our consultation process in a relatively short timescale.”

Jonathan Akers. Associate.

Pell Frischmann Consultants

16

Excitech Experience

November 2011

CASE STUDY

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

Pell Frischmann Pell Frischmann were engaged by the Highways Agency as consultants for the next part of the scheme, which would provide a preliminary design with extensive further consultation with affected residents, land-owners and statutory bodies. To assist in this process, it was decided that a system needed to be put in place to accurately record these on-going consultations; and in particular to be able to directly relate all communications and documentation sent and received to the relevant spatial location on the scheme.

In April 2010, Excitech were invited by Pell Frishmann to discuss the provision of a suitable CAD-based GIS system that would enable them to manage the consultation process.

Since many of the issues that arise during the design of any major road improvement scheme will be related to a particular location, area or section of the scheme, it made sense for Pell Frishmann to consider a GIS system as a way of recording and relating the communications regarding those issues.

The system needed to provide the following: Access from their internal project collaboration web site Access for the Highways Agency and DoT personnel Access provided for other selected stakeholders if required Data capable of being created, edited and managed by Pell Frischmann Delivered in a short timescale and to a fixed budget

Excitech’s recommendation to fulfil the requirement was to supply an Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise solution which could be installed on a web server at their office in Wakefield. This would be able to deliver both mapping and data to client workstations without the need to purchase additional software for each client PC.

Access to the port

The system provided by Excitech was to be capable of delivering the following: • • • • • • •

17

Creation, view and edit of contact details, address data, parcel ownerships, Land Registry data Linked documents, letters, emails and telephone conversations Search for contacts, addresses, documents etc.

Browse mapping and design information at a variety of scales Select vector items on the map and retrieve attribute data Basic querying operations (such as area buffers - selecting parcels within an area) Retrieve land ownership and occupancy data, correspondence, emails, telephone conversations and PDF documents based on a selection on the map.

Excitech Experience

November 2011

• •

CASE STUDY

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Accurate record of the consultation process Access all records of emails, letters, faxes, telephone conversations, drawings Communications relate spatially to the project Record Infrastructure design issues (Constraints)

The proposed system was demonstrated to Pell Frishmann as a proof of concept, following which Excitech was commissioned to carry out the following work for the project:•

• •

The need for a GIS system

• • • • •

• •

• • •

Create the SQL Server database used to store and manage contact details and communications (letters, drawings, emails, telephone conversations etc.)

Develop web interface for the entry and management of data Create a MapGuide Enterprise site, with links between the mapping data and the SQL Server database.

Customisation of MapGuide for querying and viewing of both documents and data based on spatial queries Training for system administrators and users Telephone and on-site support for the solution provided by a Retained Services Agreement.

MapGuide GIS System Specification Mapping Interface The mapping interface was to be capable of taking data from a variety of CAD and GIS data formats; enabling users to browse and interrogate the mapping using a Windows Internet Web browser.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aerial imagery OS map data County, parish, town and village boundaries Existing and proposed highways and structures Street lighting Landscaping areas Land parcels and ownership Compulsory purchase order areas Retained land areas and rights of way Accommodation works Constraints, statutory undertakers Geotechnical/environmental data Traffic data

This vector mapping data was imported into AutoCAD Map 3D, where it was checked for consistency, then attribute data could be created and added to the vectors. It was then exported as a series of SDF files, one for each mapping layer in the dataset. These mapping layers were then loaded into MapGuide enterprise using MapGuide Studio as an authoring tool. This was used to theme and style the data and to create the web page for delivery to the client browser.

Excitech provided the necessary customisation to the MapGuide browser interface to enable users to query the map by entering keywords, such as the landowner’s name, and for the map to highlight the parcels relating to the landowner. The query could also be used to retrieve a list of documents from the database that relate to the area or land parcel, and the user can then select and view the document or communication information.

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

The Solution In Practice

Data Interface The data interface was provided by a linked SQL Server database, with data entry, viewing and editing functionality provided by a front-end web browser interface. The database consists of a series of tables that store contact information, address data and area data (land parcels and constraint positions). The tables are linked together using common data fields, and a number of queries (data views) were created on the server to facilitate the intelligent delivery of this linked data.

Above: Data Interface : Searching for documents Below: Embedded GIS Interface : Retrieving Constraint Information from the map

The consultation information consisted of a variety of formats, including PDF and DWF files, Word documents, emails and records of telephone conversations. The use of a separate document management system to store this data was considered but ruled out due to its likely cost. It was therefore decided to include this data in the SQL database where it is stored as BLOBS (Binary Long Objects). This has the advantage that all of the data resides in a single repository which can be retrieved easily. Furthermore, the system could be handed over to the Highways Agency at the end of the project, providing a complete record of the consultation process in a single system.

Solution Architecture

Conclusion With the latest trend for “BIM” (Building Information Modelling) in construction, where data-rich 3D models are used throughout the Design-ConstructManage lifecycle, it is worth reminding ourselves that the roots of “BIM” probably lie in the development of GIS systems, where all types of asset information can be attached to spatial vector data. This case study shows how effective such systems can be in helping to manage the consultation processes that take place before construction begins on a project.

Link for full article text, http://www.excitech.co.uk/xp1e

AUTHOR

Dave Bosworth Consultant dave.bosworth@excitech.co.uk

18

Excitech Experience

November 2011

CASE STUDY

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

From Building Information Modelling to Facilities Management

19

At a property or building level a lot of effort often goes into reducing design and construction costs. However, it is widely recognised, that the costs of operations and maintenance over the life of a building far outweigh that initial investment. It now seems clear that there can be benefits for all through improved communication between the facilities management professionals, architects and engineers, and the contractors

Building Information Modelling

The practice known as Building Information Modelling (BIM) is used by designers (architects and engineers) to create their design as a digital model within a computer. This model can then be reviewed, presented, modified, analysed and documented faster, more effectively and with a reduced risk of error.

The construction industry is increasingly adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM) techniques and processes to design, build and renovate today’s buildings. In the same way building owners and operators are using a wider range of Computer Aided Facilities Management tools to effectively understand, assess, plan, manage and maintain their properties. These groups are often working on the same information – at a top level this is space and physical assets – yet they rarely share that data. An improved process and new techniques could significantly reduce costs, decrease timescales and better manage risks; so bringing benefits to all.

BIM is the latest term applied to a technique which has been developing for a number of years and has been used in a large number of UK construction projects both large and small including many where Excitech has played a major part in supporting the implementation and use of this process.

A key aspect of BIM is that the model, which at a most basic level can be considered an information rich database, contains real data about the components of the building. Increasingly it is recognised that such data, if passed over to the building owner in a suitable format, can aid subsequent building management.

Computer Aided Facilities Management The practice known as Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) is used by the managers of properties to effectively manage and maintain these assets for the organisation’s use.

CAFM systems, which can also be thought of as information rich database, bring together disparate sets of data into a more integrated system; space management will associate buildings, floors, areas, furniture, equipment and people while a maintenance system will associate equipment information such as part numbers, costs, service intervals, suppliers etc.

Effective use of a CAFM system can result in efficient operation and cost reduction for the organisation; and much of this information relates to the actual building and its fixtures and fittings. All of this data could have come from the designs as created by the architects and engineers and then built by the construction company.

Mind The Gap! Given the descriptions and explanations above, the question has to be asked as to why the construction industry’s design data does not get directly linked into the Facilities Management system. A simple question, but with a number of answers!

Building Lifecycle Costs Organisations of all sizes are facing a broadening range of challenges in managing what is often their most costly asset – property.

30 Year Cost of Building lifecycle Initial Design and construction (24%)

Lifecycle Facility Management Costs (76%)

FFFF 0%

19

25%

Excitech Experience

50%

November 2011

ARTICLE

75%

http://www.excitech.co.uk

100%

Until recently BIM was not as common as it is now, so the design and construction data was not as useful. The construction design data was often not coordinated to such a degree; which meant that the “as built” information was frequently very different from what was set out in the designs.

Furthermore, the data tended to be incomplete or uncertain and the time taken to audit it approached the time which might be taken to simply survey it from scratch.

However, even with BIM projects the data was not ideal; while there is a great deal of information available, much of it is of the wrong type. As a result many still saw it as easier to resurvey the building to gather the information required, rather than sort through huge quantities of data.

Finally the computer systems used for Facilities Management were, and still are, very different from the design systems used in Building Information Modelling so it was often easier to use more basic graphical data from computer aided design systems and enhance it with the other asset information gathered by resurvey.

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

9

The Need and The Opportunities However, we are now potentially at a turning point. The demand for better management of organisations’ assets is even greater, the use of building information modelling in construction is now well established, the understanding of the issues has evolved, and the motivation for using the emerging technologies to drive savings is high.

Practical Methodologies Different organisations will be starting from different strategic positions, and will have different visions and goals in mind. Different construction projects will use different BIM processes and data structures; different clients will have different CAFM systems in place. For these reasons, each organisation and project will need a different plan.

No matter which method is chosen considerable costs and time savings are likely to be achieved. However, we do need to ensure we have agreed with the design and construction companies the level of detail and quality of the data – and we may still need to carry out a sample audit to ensure this is the case.

Improved Asset Information The closer integration of Building Information Modelling and Computer Aided Facilities Management will result in improved knowledge, reduced costs and increased efficiencies throughout entire lifecycle.

Building Information Modelling can: • • • • •

etter convey design intent to everyone in the project B Capture the design and asset data for the FM process Design/redesign buildings for better construction and management Provide better performing buildings especially in sustainability Reduce risk, cost and timescales

Computer Aided Facilities Management can: • • • • •

Building information modelling files will contain far more data and need more sophisticated software to handle them; which is why historically these have been seen as unsuitable for use by FM teams. However, these issues can be overcome and the disadvantages actually turned around to become benefits. There do remain, though, a range of methods appropriate to different organisations or projects.

In summary, these methods include: •

• •

t ransferring information from these sophisticated building models into the facilities management system using data templates and manual processes or scripts; transferring the data into a separate database that will sit between the BIM model and the FM system; or ultimately to form dynamic bi-directional links between the BIM model and the facilities management solution.

In the first solution it is possible to achieve integration at a relatively low technology cost and the FM team can operate as they have traditionally, but the handover process has been improved significantly.

Provide more accurate and complete asset knowledge Increase the return on the assets employed Improve organisational performance through better coordination Reduce risk in planned and unplanned maintenance Enhance corporate decision making by access to consistent and credible data

The closer integration of these disciplines, in some of the ways explored in this article, can bring efficiencies, improvements and cost savings in many areas but particularly handover and commissioning; energy and maintenance; and overall asset management.

Conclusion Until now building design and building management teams have been too separated, but the needs and benefits of closer working are clear – with the technologies and processes of BIM and CAFM capable of delivering real benefits. Organisations which understand both areas are increasingly able to provide solutions which at present, and maybe well into the future, will need to be tailored to particular needs but will deliver tangible benefits.

The crucial first step is for the building owners/operators, the building designers (architects and engineers) and the construction companies to consider such an approach for future projects; which is where Excitech’s understanding and experience can support such discussions to identify and deliver on the potential opportunities.

Link for full article text, http://www.excitech.co.uk/xp1f

The second solution is gaining favour amongst some in the construction industry because its natural next step is to turn this database into a project or building knowledgebase where construction data that is unavailable in the BIM model can be easily added.

The third option of forming bi-directional links between the BIM model and the CAFM system to allow operators in either the construction or facilities management disciplines to dynamically update data and drawings using their familiar work tools appears the most powerful but is also the most complex as a system and for each user.

However, there remain the questions of whether any of these methods will do all that is necessary for a complete solution; whether it is really appropriate or even efficient that facilities managers should use design software or designers use facilities management systems; and whether the unaudited, unfiltered or incomplete data is immediately suitable in both environments.

20

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

AUTHOR

Andrew Compton Head of CAFM Solutions & Services andrew.compton@excitech.co.uk

MEP Solutions The choice is yours!

21 AUTHOR

Steve Rudge Consultant steve.rudge@excitech.co.uk

Increased Coordination and Expectations Clients and contractors are expecting more and more in the way of intelligent deliverables with each project, and we are seeing more demand to ensure that projects become compliant and integrated within the recognised BIM (Building Information Modelling) process — and building services design is no exception.

Designing MEP as part of the BIM delivery process will entail the creation of plans, sections, elevations, schedules, quantities, engineering data, and even energy calculations using the same core model. Given the scope of building services – in both specific sub-disciplines and requirements at each stage – this adds up to a lot of information. So, which application is best suited to developing and managing it all?

MEP Application Software The main MEP applications are the two from Autodesk: AutoCAD MEP and Revit MEP. Then there is also CADmep+(CADduct) from MAP. All these three products work on an Autodesk platform but each one is significantly different.

AutoCAD MEP (Autodesk Building Systems as it was previously known) has been a proven application in the UK building services industry since the 2006/2007 release; and many organisations have seen the benefits of utilising this with UK component content being available right from day one.

Revit MEP was slow to get established in the UK design arena; this was mainly due to the lack of UK specific content such as DW144 generic ducting and fittings, the inability to carry out cable tray design, and lack of valid conduit and industry specific piping specifications. However, the development work on the Revit platform has been phenomenal over the past couple of years and it will now present an equal if not better approach to MEP design.

21

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

Building services design appears to present more choices in software selection for BIM processes than other disciplines; this ARTICLE summarises the needs and potential solutions.

CADmep+ can sit on an AutoCAD platform but is not an Autodesk Product; this is a product from MAP. CADmep+, or you may have heard it called CADduct, is a well established building services package but it is more focused on the detail design and fabrication output.

In Revit MEP each component, each item of mechanical equipment, each electrical socket, each duct, each pipe, etc. is a physical component with the benefit that particular design data can be specified for each item. This is where the I in BIM originates from. Some say you build a design twice: once in Revit and then again on site.

So the decision of which platform to go for appears very difficult indeed.

AutoCAD MEP has the benefit of running on a familiar AutoCAD user interface and many of the commands used in the 2D environment can be brought over into this application. Revit, on the other hand, is a database driven system which is data rich and if you’re looking to coordinate with other Revit applications then this is now the application to establish a true BIM process. Both Autodesk applications now run with the familiar Autodesk Ribbon system and many of the detailing commands in Revit are based on AutoCAD. A further major benefit the Revit application has over the AutoCAD based product is that it does not require a layering system to manage the visibility of components.

Even though CADmep+ runs on AutoCAD, it has its own menu driven system to select the commands which is very different to the Autodesk approach.

Performance AutoCAD MEP and CADmep+ both utilise the AutoCAD platform so you will have to manage larger tasks according to the guidelines set down in BS1192:2007. This means that a building will have to be split into zones or divisions to ensure that adequate performance on the workstation is still delivered.

The Revit system allows the database to control the graphics, this has far better performance and less demand on memory; files in excess of 100MB can still perform without any freezing or delay. Please just note that an approved Autodesk graphics card for the chosen application is well worth the investment and it will, in turn, ensure better performance especially in a 3D environment.

MEP Content All systems will need investment in the generation of component-specific parts whether that would be MVparts for AutoCAD MEP or Family creation for Revit MEP. Generic UK specific components and fittings are loaded with the software so a feasible design can be generated. Manufacturers are now becoming more aware of the demand for their specific parts and there is a movement to populate approved internet sites such as Autodesk seek: http://seek.autodesk.com/ or Bimstore http://www.bimstore.co.uk/

CADmep+ is, on the other hand, loaded with manufacturers’ specific components, which is great if you’re looking to go through to construction and fabrication. However, do you need this amount of detail when you are concentrating on coordination and routing at the early stages in the project design process where coordination is more important?

Design Coordination As already stated, BIM is now becoming a requirement specified by many clients and contractors. AutoCAD MEP and CADmep+ will not really enhance the utilisation of the other disciplines’ design information generated from BIM enhanced software such as Revit Architecture or Revit Structure. If a BIM process is established and managed then the workflow between the disciplines will give you outstanding advantages.

Revit MEP will utilise the architect’s building model and, by generating bound spaces of the rooms, an MEP engineer can obtain information not available in an AutoCAD platform. This might include information such as solar analysis, heating and cooling loads, estimated lighting lux levels, thermal energy and more – all direct from within the Revit application.

The parametric change technology in Revit ensures that modifications are coordinated more consistently across the model. Multiple system path suggestions help determine the best path for your design; and you can modify these system layouts quickly and easily to establish a route that is fully coordinated around the building, steelwork and other services.

Generation of these discipline specific systems, whether that’s for ductwork, piping or circuits for lighting and small power, is all managed in one environment with customisable panel schedules and component quantity reports which all aid a complete BIM process environment.

The workflow is not limited to within the Revit application; it is carried through into other applications such as Navisworks for design review and coordination. Each component can be clearly identified utilising the DWFx export format making component selection for clash detection really user friendly. >

22

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

Synchro can also use the DWF/DWFx export files from Revit so that we can begin to manage construction sequencing by linking the data to 4D and 5D elements of time and cost, and we can even consider the 6D aspect of resource management.

Autodesk Quantity Take Off (QTO) can be utilised to establish true and accurate quantities and establish cost for the systems. Using populated catalogues, automatic mapping of the Revit components can quickly produce the figures required by all estimators and quantity surveyors. Even facilities management gets a helping hand due to the detail and confidence in the completed design delivery.

FABmep+ will take into account duct and pipe weld gaps, bolt centres, flange thickness and other properties that can only be generated when the design moves on to this stage of detail. Even pipe spooling drawings can be generated with BOMs as shown here and it supports such items as drop rods for the ductwork which are not just considered but also displayed on the model.Once the mapping process is complete, the design can once again be exported back into Navisworks for a final pre-fabrication and coordination check to ensure full confidence is obtained and a clash-free construction can be achieved. And all of this can be done before any manufacturing has even taken place.

Across the globe we are seeing that your clients, as future building and facility owners, can see the true benefit of information-rich design generated by the BIM workflow and products.

Detail Design The detail design, however, presents a new problem. Both AutoCAD MEP and Revit MEP use generic UK specific components such as DW144 fittings for ductwork and ASME components for piping. This means they are both great for concept scheme design and layout detail for the RIBA design stages A-E. Beyond these stages though, manufacturers’ specific components are required to allow the design to progress to fabrication and installation.

So I hear you say, why not just use CADmep+ then? Well there is a solution that will allow you to fully coordinate in a BIM process and then develop and transfer this design right through to fabrication detail.

This is where an application called FABmep+ can be utilised. This software can take advantage of your existing Revit MEP design and layout of all the services in a building which has benefited from the seamless coordination with the other Revit and Autodesk applications. Then FABmep+ will take your generic UK specification design and generate manufacturers’ specific component systems. So it will take your Revit MEP design and convert this into a CADmep+ model. This is achieved by mapping, for example, a generic ball valve to a manufacturer’s specific ball valve from Hattersley or Crane. This will then provide full manufacturing and fabrication detail of the flanges, hand wheel, spindle and gasket requirements etc., and more importantly will ensure the true valve with its fixtures and fittings will still be accommodated in the system designed.

In the FABmep+ application you can also utilise the MEP engineering design functionality for a final check to confirm the sizing and balancing of systems through the integrated calculators. This will help reduce errors and ensure the system generated is fit for fabrication and installation.

To complete the full picture the supports can even be located on site by laser guided technology to ensure accurate pre-installation preparation.

This can be obtained using Trimble technology, so all the support holes can be drilled and fixtures can be in place before the components even turn up on site.

The FABmep+ product utilises the UK’s largest collated database of manufacturers’ detailed components available and this will not only give you 100% confidence in your design but each item is also maintained with the correct unit cost. This means a more accurate material quantity estimate can be obtained before the purchase of the actual components. Also in development is all additional costs and times to cover the installation of these components; so you will soon be able to say it will cost say £200 to install a component and will take two man hours to carry out the work.

The manufacturers’ design generated in FABmep+ once mapped over can then be sent over to the plasma and laser cutting machines and tables, where sheet metal economical layouts can be produced and each part of a component can be generated in preparation for fabrication and asset tagging.

The Future is Here BIM - it is not going to go away, it is the future and we all need to get compliant within a BIM process. Revit MEP will enhance this process and ensure full coordination is achieved with other disciplines. Then, by utilising FABmep+ we can take this coordinated approach and develop it into full fabrication and construction detail and eventually as-built information that can be utilised for Building Life Cycle Management.

23

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

Autodesk Design & Creation Suites The big theme from Autodesk this year has been Suites, but why and to what end?

The last ten years or so has seen huge changes in the software commonly purchased for computer aided design. Once, such software seriously taxed the power of a typical personal computer – even the most high end systems. As a result, CAD software was nowhere near as sophisticated as perhaps might have been desired – indeed to some extent the phrase computer aided drafting might be seen as having been more appropriate for software at that time.

However, since then there have been dramatic changes in the power of not just the typical desktop PC but also associated devices such as laptops and now even mobile phones and the recent resurgence in the popularity of “tablets” now renamed as “pads”. Not only has raw computing power increased but the sophistication of processing especially in graphics had gone through a revolution to an extent driven by the games market which has also substantially reduced hardware costs. The development of real-time 3D in gaming has, in parallel, driven expectations and achievements in professional software tools to the point where today’s CAD software is generations ahead of where it was in the 1990s.

With the increased computing power able to offer so much more, developers have been able to produce software which more closely supports the needs of each designer.

Certainly this has involved the addition of features useful to all designers such as increased automation, 3D, visualisation and collaboration but the greatest changes have been in the provision of design and documentation tools specific to designers in each discipline.

Architects, civil engineers, electrical/electronic engineers, product designers, mechanical engineers, structural engineers, graphic artists, animators etc. all design in different ways, using different design modules, utilising different analysis and automation techniques to produce different deliverables. So the big trend has been towards specific software applications for each design discipline because producing a single application which caters so well to each and every requirement would be contradictory and simply impossible.

In parallel with this, other software was developed which addressed other design requirements where the design disciplines met in areas such as design review, coordination, visualisation, documentation, analysis etc. So the typical design project today will no longer use a single software application to handle all the design requirements; instead a range of design tools will be used at different project stages, by different designers, for different tasks and in different ways.

The major challenge shifted from providing better and more appropriate application software for each designer on to the coordination and collaboration between the designs produced by these applications and the movement of design data from one stage of a project to the next. It also became apparent that organisations were finding it necessary to buy and manage an increasingly diverse range of software where some might only be used at some stages and for a fairly short period of time. As a result, costs for software licenses were high and direct collaboration in projects might be restricted. This alone justifies the idea for the introduction of the new Design and Creation suites from Autodesk. >

24

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

SUITE EXAMPLE - Building Design Suite Premium Let’s take an example of the Autodesk Building Design Suite, and specifically the Premium version. This suite includes a number of design tools including AutoCAD and some of its construction derivatives; the three disciplines of Revit: Architecture, Structure and MEP; and presentation plus visualisation software including 3ds Max Design and Showcase.

The AutoCAD applications support what would be seen as the main design tools of Revit with extra tools perhaps useful for initial shape design, for detailing and for any special drawing/documentation requirements. The visualisation and presentation tools similarly support Revit by making it easier to produce impressive, artistic or realistic images and movies to communicate the design more effectively at all stages of the project right from the outset in bidding to secure the work.

Typically an architect would only be interested in using the architectural design software, while a structural engineer would only use the structural design software. However, there are occasions where this “hard” barrier between disciplines can be a limitation. Although each discipline can view all design elements, rarely can they make changes or add to the work of the other design discipline. Such a barrier can be artificial and, for example, architects may wish to add simple elements such as indicative structural elements or services pipework; MEP engineers may want to develop contextual site models around proposed drainage layouts and, who knows – perhaps a structural engineer would even want the ability to mock up a quick curtain walling system. These are just some examples, but the overriding point is that every so often, each discipline needs some flexibility and can’t be bound by the software’s definition of what is within the boundaries of their expertise. It may not always be necessary to overlap the boundaries of another discipline, but it certainly helps to have the flexibility of choice and to ensure that each discipline communicates well with other project partners.

If we extend the suite example to Building Design Suite Ultimate then we add additional design tools in: design review and management (Navisworks), estimation (Quantity Take-Off ) and detailed component design suitable for fabrication (Inventor). In each area the suite has extra capabilities that can extend the value of the BIM process beyond the traditionally perceived benefits to the core design process. This suddenly elevates a series of individuals tools – that are great in isolation for designers – and incorporates additional tools that enable the whole BIM process across the project design and construction cycle. This is clearly a great option for the growing number of construction firms who are adopting the BIM process. They can now more easily acquire the tools needed to access the models produced by the design team, before utilising the models through the additional solutions in the suite to facilitate specific construction development processes. As before, we might take the view that different users would be involved in these tasks, but not in all organisations; furthermore, the flexibility this provides can be invaluable.

Summary The arguments can be applied across the range of new Autodesk Design and Creation Suites: a more complete set of software tools applicable across various stages in the design, production and construction management process; a greater scope of functionality allowing users to add value to their creativity; and through improved data flows plus greater coordination, across and through the project stages.

Of course many of these benefits could be attained by buying the individual software applications – maybe in mixes more suited to the individual needs of the particular organisation. However, this would have significantly higher costs than the purchase of an Autodesk Suite. Placing a price on an Autodesk Suite by pricing each individual component and then working out the saving is not really a valid way to consider their value. However, it is also true that simply saying “we don’t use those elements so they have no value” is also too simplistic. There may be incremental value not addressed by current work, and giving your best people access to some of these impressive additions could really surprise you and drive your processes to entirely new levels. But that would need some research, consideration and maybe some sound advice as to whether and how these might fit into or enhance your processes.

AUTHOR

Bob Garrett Marketing Director bob.garrett@excitech.co.uk

25

Excitech Experience

November 2011

ARTICLE

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

OPINION.

Excitech Managing Director, Adrian Atkinson, shares his opinions on the current challenges facing the industry with relation to the generation and management of design data throughout the complete design, construction and maintenance life cycle.

In this new Excitech publication we aim to share with our readers, not just new processes and technologies but practical advice, commentary and opinion from users and vendors alike, based on real experience.

Each year Excitech works with over 2000 organisations in design, construction and the built environment. Through our professional services teams we develop a detailed understanding of the real challenges and opportunities which exist, as well as the benefits of technologies and processes which build towards ‘best practice’. It is examples of these practices delivered through our professional services teams that we aim to deliver through “Excitech Experience”.

The current business climate remains difficult but despite this we continue to see organisations advancing through development, innovating to compete and investing to improve. In these competitive times, companies are taking on work at significantly reduced margins and are changing their processes and adopting new ways of working to win business and to maintain profitability. It is a well known fact that those who make the right positive moves in a downturn emerge all the stronger.

Perhaps that is why design process changes such as the move to objectbased design – most commonly referred to as Building Information Modelling (BIM) - have not just continued but actually accelerated. BIM, however, is about much more than building buildings.

Excitech regularly works with its clients to help them bid and secure contracts, and subsequently implement the design and data management processes necessary to realise the benefits of BIM. This often involves the downstream re-use of design data throughout the project life cycle; systematically enriching the model data to allow the model to be used for accurate costing and scheduling, for construction sequencing and finally for building operations and maintenance. It is the intention of the ‘Excitech Experience’ to bring you real examples of the technologies and the processes being employed in the industry to realise some of these benefits.

Realising these benefits is not without its challenges. Organisations reviewing and adopting these latest technologies are faced with significant changes in both the cultural and technical approach to projects within their organisations.

It is balancing these challenges against the benefits to be found which constitutes the proactive business process development that can make an organisation more successful. But the drivers for change are not just coming from within. Already the UK Government is setting its goals for changes in construction business models and processes and we can expect more of the same from the private sector.

Many organisations fear change, but the pressures on profits and the drivers from key clients such as the UK Government mean that companies have to carefully review and assess the risks against the potential benefits of change. It is only from a position of knowledge and experience that we can confidently say that the risk of not changing is greater than the risk of staying the same.

26 26

Excitech Experience

November 2011

OPINION

http://www.excitech.co.uk

Copyright © 1985 - 2011 Excitech Ltd

Adrian Atkinson Managing director of ExciteCH Ltd

Excitech Design Technology Centre, 8 Kinetic Crescent, Innova Business Park, Enfield, Middlesex, EN3 7XH United Kingdom

P: 0845 370 1500 I: +44 (0) 1992 807400 F: 0845 370 1400 W: http://www.excitech.co.uk E: info@excitech.co.uk