In July of this year, I was assigned by my company to participate in BIM training at the BIM Building Training Network in Beijing. Upon joining, I discovered that this organization is a professional BIM training and engineering consulting company focused on the application of BIM technology. They have assembled a top-tier team of BIM engineers, project managers, and consultants specializing in architecture, structure, and equipment across China.
With years of experience in the BIM training market, the company has developed a variety of targeted training programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of each student. It is recognized as a leading institution in China’s current BIM training landscape. Additionally, the Beijing Wanxi Benchmark Architecture Culture Center, an online BIM architectural training platform, has hosted several large-scale BIM forums, further establishing its strong reputation within the industry.
Receiving training from China’s premier BIM teams has been instrumental in quickly grasping the core functionalities of BIM software.
We arrived in Beijing in early July to begin our BIM training journey. Before the training, I had only a vague understanding of BIM software and had researched its meaning online. BIM, or Building Information Modeling, involves creating a building model based on various data related to the construction project. This digital simulation accurately represents the real information of a building and is characterized by five key features: visualization, coordination, simulation, optimization, and documentation.
Prior to this, I had experience with architectural software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and 3ds Max. These programs also rely heavily on data-driven designs. However, I wasn’t sure how this new training would differ until I started working with Revit, the BIM software we were being trained on. Its powerful capabilities truly impressed me, and I now believe that BIM software like Revit represents the future of construction industry tools. Soon, it will likely replace commonly used software such as CAD, SketchUp, and other specialized programs.
The training schedule in Beijing was well-organized, with classes held every other week on weekends. This arrangement allowed us to balance both learning and work responsibilities. The break periods between sessions were dedicated to practice, enabling us to apply what we learned directly to practical projects. Whenever challenges arose, we could promptly consult with instructors through an established group, and they provided detailed answers to each question.
We began by learning Revit, a powerful BIM software developed by Autodesk. Revit supports not only architectural design but also structural, HVAC, piping, and interior design. Essentially, it integrates the functionalities of several traditional construction tools—such as CAD for construction drawings, SketchUp for modeling, V-Ray for rendering, Guanglian Da for calculations, and PKPM for structural analysis—into a single platform.
In Revit, every building component contains detailed information. For example, a column in conventional architectural software like CAD is represented simply as a rectangle in floor plans viewed from above. To understand its steel reinforcement, one would need to consult separate structural drawings. Similarly, visualizing the column in 3D required redrawing it in modeling software. In contrast, Revit allows users to view all information about this column by switching views within the same model. It can even calculate the quantity of steel and concrete required, thanks to its digital modeling advantages.
While this software’s full potential may not be as evident in smaller buildings, it is indispensable for high-rise, super-tall, and irregularly shaped structures. Traditional building designs often relied on floor plans that blurred height dimensions, increasing the risk of errors. Complex data sets could cause critical issues such as pipes intersecting with the building structure or with each other. Such errors are interconnected; adjusting the height of one pipeline often necessitates changes to others. BIM in Revit makes it easy to detect and resolve these clashes in 3D, preventing costly mistakes.
This training has greatly enriched my professional knowledge and expanded my perspective. I have truly learned a new way of thinking. Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all the academic staff at BIM Building Training Network. Their dedicated support was crucial to the successful completion of my BIM training.
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