BIM technology adoption and development abroad surpass those in China, with a higher level of software advancement and promotion. Globally, the most prominent and competitive BIM software originates from three major companies: Autodesk, Graphisoft, and Bentley. Among these, Autodesk’s Revit series is widely used. Revit offers a comprehensive modeling platform covering architecture, structural, plumbing, and electrical engineering. Additionally, when combined with Navisworks, it supports clash detection and construction simulation for projects. Revit also provides an open Application Programming Interface (API), allowing users to customize the platform according to their specific needs.
Graphisoft’s Archicad is designed primarily for architects, making it particularly advantageous during the architectural design phase compared to Revit. However, its equipment library for plumbing and electrical systems is limited, and it offers only basic geometric clash detection. Archicad employs the Geometric Description Language (GDL) for component creation, enabling technicians to write and extend software libraries tailored to various architectural design needs.
Bentley’s software suite includes tools for architecture, structure, plumbing, electrical engineering, site modeling, complex geometry modeling, and clash detection. Its platform supports simultaneous management of multiple project files and offers unified scheduling for multiple users, facilitating collaborative workflows. However, Bentley software struggles with poor interoperability with other platforms, which complicates cross-platform data exchange and makes it less suitable for large-scale projects.
In contrast to the diverse range of BIM software abroad, China’s BIM software development still faces several challenges. Currently, China relies heavily on localized versions of mainstream international software, primarily using them for modeling purposes. However, due to fundamental differences in the development of the construction industry between China and foreign countries, many software solutions have yet to be fully localized. Since BIM technology promotion began in China, numerous consulting firms have developed their own BIM platforms. Among these, Luban, Guanglianda, and PKPM are the most widely used.
Luban has launched a series of platforms covering modeling, model management, and collaborative construction management. Guanglianda focuses on engineering quantity calculation, offering software for BIM drawing review, BIM 5D, and phased analysis. PKPM primarily targets structural design analysis and also provides related software for construction, equipment, interior decoration, and quantity calculation.
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