BIM is a widely recognized term in China’s construction industry today. Many professionals have invested considerable time and effort to understand it from various angles, including theory, technology, and software. Here, the China BIM Training Network shares its perspective to introduce you to the world of BIM.
In reality, BIM is not as mysterious as it may seem. It actually simplifies previously complex concepts, enabling more people to intuitively grasp the construction process and share building information. This significantly reduces human errors. One of the most obvious benefits of BIM is its ability to display elevations. This alone can greatly enhance construction efficiency. Keep in mind, builders are not always experts in reading blueprints; often, they struggle to visualize the building from a flat 2D drawing. Sometimes, even after spending considerable time, they cannot clearly imagine the 3D structure. Therefore, having a 3D model to follow makes the process much easier and clearer.
From the example above, it’s clear that the key to simplifying the problem lies in elevation. Elevation is essentially information and data. This highlights the core of BIM: understanding what information can be derived from the model. Many people mistakenly believe BIM is just a 3D model, but that is only one aspect of the information BIM provides.
The advantage of modern IT technology is that we can input a wide range of information into the model through software. For instance, elevation data is easy to extract from the maps. Material data helps streamline budgeting immediately. Scheduling information offers clarity on the construction timeline for everyone involved. To truly understand BIM, we need to ask two main questions: What information can we input into the model? And what information can we output to all stakeholders? For example, in the popular field of pipeline integration (MEP), relationship data of pipelines is entered into the model. This allows software to optimize the layout, detect clashes, and then provide the most efficient pipeline network design.
Therefore, BIM is not difficult to understand, especially for those with a background in architecture. The challenge lies in its open platform nature—it’s often unclear what information should be included. This is a global industry question that continues to evolve: how best to utilize BIM.
But all of this might seem overwhelming at first. To get started with BIM, you can begin by learning REVIT for structural and architectural work. Of course, a solid understanding of AUTOCAD is a good prerequisite. For transportation projects, CIVIL 3D is the recommended software. If you want to incorporate scheduling data, tools like Navisworks and Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project are useful. SketchUp is another option, especially when you want to practice or work on simpler models. The key is convenience and speed. Nowadays, there are many software options available, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one. The most important concept to grasp is “information.” Software is merely a tool—given time and practice, anyone can learn to use it. So don’t assume that mastering a single software means you’ve mastered BIM.
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