BIM Server for Project and Model Management

Hey folks,

I was writing a little report about how to set up the BIM Server and how to prepare BIM models coming from different native software.
The open BIM Server is an open-source online platform which allows project management to merge IFC models and to provide insight into the models’ accuracy. Additional, diverse plug-in packages can be used, for example, model walk-throughs, queries, checkers and many more.

The goal of this report was to create a use case when having three different models:

  1. the structural model in Revit.
  2. the architectural model in ArchiCAD.
  3. the landscape model from AutoCAD.

One of the main focus was it to prepare the IFC exports so that when merging all models on the BIM Server all elements are allocated as supposed.

By doing so I have noticed that for example the project base point in all three software is interpreted differently.
Further, the properties of the elements have obtained special attention. Especially for the non-structural elements created in ArchiCAD and the structural elements created in Revit.

Read more about it and other findings which you should mind when merging IFCs on the BIMServer. Find the full report here.

Randomly combination of values from two lists using Python and Dynamo

A successful day and again a small step further to a room optimization workflow.

The goal was it to combine two values out of two lists randomly. The first list includes CO2 impact values regarding wall construction materials, and the second list regarding floor materials (CO2 kg eq / m2 material). The values I have should be combined randomly, eg [LstWall x10, LstFloor x2]; [LstWall x51, LstFloo x23], hence the approach here:

1 Defining the lists as Input

ListWall = IN[0]
ListFloor = IN[1]

2. Creating first all possible pair variations

pairs = [(w,f) for w in ListWall for f in ListFloor]

3 Picking randomly pairs

choice = [random.choice(pairs) for _ in range (50)]

Actually very easy if you see it like this .. but yet took me a few days to figure it out 🙂

Keep you posted.

Cheers Jules

Relatics for Project Management

Recently I did a little study in Relatics, a System Engineering tool. This allows you to manage and organize complex projects, creating work breakdowns and organization hierarchies. You can create project structure in it and can even link documents, like PDFs, IFCs etc.

Relatics is based in the Netherlands but used all over Europe. Unfortunately, it’s not open source, but I think when you ask them to get a trial as a student you will get one.

 

Since there are not really any tutorials to find online, I am uploading my studies work, which is a report about how to create a system engineering concept as a functional designer, and also how to use the structure as an end user. As an example, I have chosen a one-family house project. Check it out on our BILT Academy Slack environment.

 

BiLT Academy Summit 2018 Recap

Shaping the future experts within the buildings industry, a motto in where we believe in and have striven for at our very first event in Ljubljana.

The BiLT Academy student movement organized its very first international summit at the University of Ljubljana. Over 63 students from 13 different countries had the unique possibility to get taught by 9 different mentors from all over the world.

We could not have done it without our Sponsors, big thanks to: Autodesk European Education Team, Graphisoft, the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering of Ljubljana, LRCZ & BiLT Europe!

Also, a big thanks to all the mentors, who have shared new knowledge to us all. These mentors are:

Point Cloud: Conor Shaw, Kelly Cone & assistant: Danielle Contreras
Computational Design: Daniel Hurtubise & Mostafa El Ayoubi
Clash Detection in BIM: Arik Shiby & Moty Vaknin
BEP in constructions: Marzia Bolpagni
Open BIM: Nathan Hildebrandt & assistant: Cristina Savian
Multi – platform workflows: Martin Taurer

And as last, the Keynotes of:
Andre Garcia Damjanov
Daniel Hurtubise
Nathan Hildebrandt

Big thanks to all the students & supporters at the event!

Join our Slack workspace to get involved

Genetic Algorithm tutorial

Hey nerds,

just study about genetic algorithms and how to use them for my case study. The goal is to create a digital automated workflow for optimizing apartments’ room layout. Considering three influencing measurements; 1. The room’s occupational density, indicated by individuals presence throughout the days; 2. The planetary boundary environmental budget through the absolute sustainability value; and 3. The environmental performance of construction materials through using coefficients for embodied energy and GHG emissions.

What I found here is a really good lecture about divers usages of GA, if you are interested in how to structure data before using a GA, check it out.

 

 

The rescue engineers, we got a NEW VENUE!

Hi folks!

As the registration lists are getting fuller and preparation bags are being packed, we also have some exciting news!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the first ever BILT Academy Summit has decided and agreed to move the venue to the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, which will offer our attendees and mentors a better, more comfortable environment to get working and connecting! The Faculty is placed just west of the center, at Jamova Cesta 2, Ljubljana.

Sounds exciting? Most definitely it is! You can check out the facility in these awesome model pictures :

 

We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause to the attendees, and we offer full help with any issues that may arise. We would also like to wholeheartedly thank Tomo Cerovsek, Robert Klinc and the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering at the University of Ljubljana, who has offered to house us all BIM heads. Support from educational institutions plays a crucial role in us reaching our mission- to successfully shape the future experts of the building industry!

See you soon at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering!

Software Announcement

Hi BIM’ers!
As you already know, the first ever BILT Summit will take place in one month. Yes, only one month left! As important as it is that you pack your socks and motivation, so are the software packages for the Labs. In this blog post we will share all the software and tools you will need for specific Labs.
You can also use this list to learn more about the different software used in AEC fields, so make sure to check the list!
LAB 1. Point Cloud with Kelly Cone and Connor haw
– Revit 2019 – free student version
– Recap Pro – free student version
– Edgewise 3D – provided on site
LAB 2. Computational Design with Daniel Hurtubise and Mostafa El Ayoubi
– Revit 2019 – free student version
– Dynamo 2.0.1 – free student version
LAB 3. Clash detection in BIM projects with Arik Shiby and Moty Vaknin
– Revit 2019 – free student version
– Navisworks Manage 2019 – free student version
– BIM Track- free trial
LAB 4. Successful BEP in Construction with Marzia Bolpagni
– LODplanner – free student version
– Office package – free student version
LAB 5. Open BIM with Nathan Hildebrandt
– ArchiCAD 22 – free student version
– Solibri Model Checker – 14-day trial, installed prior
– BIMcollab Zoom – free version
– BIMcollab – free version
– GliderBIM – online, login provided on site
LAB 6. Multi-platform workflows with Martin Taurer
This workshop will be open for all kinds of software as long as they can be used for BIM solutions. hence some suggestions from our side:
– Revit 2019 – free student version
– Dynamo 1.3 – free student version
– ArchiCAD 22 – free student version
– Allplan – free student version
– SketchUp  – free student version
– Excel – free student version
Make sure to be software-ready and see you soon!

Mentor Announcement #10

The final mentor and workshop announcement for our very first Academy Summit… Multi-platform workflows with… Martin Taurer.

One of our unique free minds within the building industry and the BIM world comes to the BILT Academy summit 2018, you shouldn´t miss this one.

Motto: Just shut up and BIM!

Martin Taurer

Livingroomcraftz                                                                                                  Noordeinde 9B                                                                                                                        NL-2611KE Delft                                                    martin.taurer@livingroomcraftz.com

Biography

Martin Taurer is the founder of LivingroomcraftZ and a pioneer when it comes to Building Information Modelling within the Building Industry. Together with his partner Silvia Taurer he runs LRCZ since 2008 and is specialized in implementing and practicing Building Information Modelling Management in Architecture and Structural Engineering projects.

After graduating as Architect from the Graz University of Technology, 1989, he continued working as certified Architect in Germany, Brazil, Austria and the Netherlands. Early 2000 he was part in developing and managing localization and translation of the Autodesk Revit product line. As product manager, Martin was part of major Autodesk developments and could gather working experience in Boston, Sydney and Tokyo until 2007. Due to his intensive utilization of software within the AEC industry his interests, knowledge and skills of smart and efficient workflows have grown over the years. Hence, working as BIM consultancy in Tokyo at 3D Innovation was his kick-off as BIM specialist. This lead to the idea of establishing Livingroomcraftz as a BIM consultancy.

Motivation

Martins personal motivation within the building trade is to communicate and collaborate efficiently in an economically feasible way. In order to do so, he started teaching at the Technical University in Delft as BIM specialist. Additionally, joining the BILT Academy Summit 2018 is a one-time opportunity to show students the latest technologies used by professions in the industry.

“BIM and IPD methodologies are beneficial rather than adversary tools for the architectural design process. My personal aim is to bring this thought process to young people – caring means sharing. Transparent communication between all stakeholders of the design process produces better quality and is simply more fun than writing stupid emails and filling out RFI forms. And the tools we have at hand make it possible. I find that exciting – possible students will think so too…“

“Proactive contribution to the educative community is a means of actively shaping the future of the industry – I am personally actively involved in the Open Source world via DynamoBIM – there we share our knowledge for free. And the same thought goes along with education. It’s sharing our knowledge to shape the future experts within the building industry.“

“And – last but not least – the best things in life are free. Ideally, in nerd-space (where I tend to retire to once in a while) it’s the pure thought that counts and not the money.”

By Martin Taurer

Martin at the BILT Academy Summit

As the name already says Martins workshop will be focusing on multi-platform approaches. The basic idea is that it´s open to everyone with experimental ideas and diverse working approaches. The usage of multiple software solutions is welcome BUT one important thing you should not forget collaboration is one of the major challenges.

To get an idea:

You will receive an architectural design of a building either in PDF and DWG, as a Revit model, as an IFC model, or even on Paper. Design issues will be included which need to be resolved, how? you can use all kinds of 3D BIM software, Visual scripting but also programming. The openBIM Server will be settled up for you to collaborate together.

One thing for sure, Martin will be the correct person to ask and work together when it comes to multi-platform solutions. check his BLOG 🙂

His Key-learning Objective

  1. Utilize BIM/IPD Tools creatively                                                                                            How to use different tools to cover unusual challenges
  1. Think outside the box                                                                                                                If there is no tool available, let’s create a new one
  1. Step onto the platform                                                                                                  Utilize current methods of design development and design communication to fully utilize the integrated process

 

Mentor Announcement #9

Hey folks,
I’m very happy to announce you this mentor. He is Vice President of Product Management at ClearEdge3D Inc. ClearEdge3D is a cutting edge software company which covers photogammetry. It is Kelly Cone a experienced and frequent speaker, who will tag team up for the point cloud session with Conor Shaw. Further on in the post, you can read how motivated Kelly is and how well he can thrill somebody!

Kelly Cone

LEED AP                                                                                                                                    Vice President of Product Management                                                    ClearEdge3D Inc.

 

 

Background

I am passionate about process and technology innovation and how they can change industries and people’s lives. My education is in architectural design and documentation, but my experience within the AEC space is far more varied.

I have implemented various practice technologies into design, estimating, and construction teams and workflows; worked on amazing projects such as the SaRang Global Ministry center in Seoul as a designer, and Renzo Piano’s addition to the Louis Kahn Kimbell Art Museum as a contractor; and have had the privilege of growing and leading one of the most talented VDC & Process Innovation teams in the industry.

Those experiences have taught me there is a better way to create our built environment, and I want to make that way become a reality. As a first step in that journey, I have joined ClearEdge3D to help them develop the tools necessary for design and construction firms to get the most out of reality capture within the AEC industry, with the goal of closing the gap between the virtual and real world.

Motivation

Our education system so often holds up individuals as heroes of design or industry. Piano, Gehry, Calatrava, Gates, Musk, etc… In reality, the changes these people are credited with took hundreds or even thousands of people working towards a similar vision. And a lot of the effort wasn’t people working for those luminaries, it was people in adjacent companies or even industries that made their own impacts that made it easier for those luminaries to succeed. It was all the people on similar paths that lent legitimacy to their efforts. The individuals we hear about are those with the best timing, the most successful, the most well-known, but they are not the titular super-hero entrepreneur that single-handedly changed the world…

That is why programs like this are so important. If you want to change a profession, or an industry, you need to start a revolution. Revolutions happen on the backs of thousands of small but important decisions, and most often happen when new people enter a profession with a passion for how that profession should be. So, by empowering new architects, engineers, builders, and fabricators with the knowledge and the tools to enact the changes our industry needs – each of us can have an outsized impact on pushing change forward. And while none of us may be that person that becomes famous for re-inventing how buildings are made, at least we’ll have played a critical part in making it possible.