Currently, there are many types of BIM software available domestically, each offering different functions and strengths. However, they all share certain common features. Today, we’ll discuss eight frequently asked questions about BIM software.
Who uses BIM software?
At present, it is commonly used by the planning and design departments, engineering departments, and cost contract departments of real estate companies, as well as the technical departments of construction units.
What are the competitive advantages of BIM software?
1) It offers more than just collision detection; it also performs spatial inspections such as staircase collision detection, pipeline insulation checks, dynamic door opening inspections, and consistency checks between door/window identification and door/window schedules. These can be automatically verified when identifying doors within modeling software.
2) The software distinguishes effective issues by automatically determining whether intersecting elements represent actual collisions, based on their profession, system, and component type, rather than flagging all intersections as collisions.
3) Detected problems can be quickly located using parameters like element ID, axis position, elevation, and other graphical element details.
4) The modeling speed is fast, especially compared to foreign software.
5) It integrates seamlessly with Guanglian Da’s computational software.
6) It operates on an independent platform, requiring no installation of CAD or other software.
7) The software receives frequent updates, ensuring rapid improvements.
Due to the breadth of features, we won’t cover every detail here.
Is the software easy to learn?
Typically, users receive one day of training upon purchase. For those already familiar with computational software, half a day is usually sufficient. In fact, some users have learned the software independently and had already built models before attending training, where they then learned techniques to model more efficiently.
What is the difference between modeling software and computational software?
1) Modeling software is solely for creating models and does not include quantity calculation functions. Historically, budget personnel were the primary users, but now the target users are technical staff in departments like planning, design, engineering, and technology, many of whom may not have quantity calculation software. If computational software is available, models can be created there and then imported into inspection software for review.
2) Computational software modeling focuses on ensuring quantities can be accurately counted, whereas modeling software ensures the model supports spatial position checks of elements, such as doors. For example, in computational software, only the opening in a wall may be represented, but in modeling software, attributes like rotation axis, opening direction, number of door leaves, and height are included to verify whether doors might be obstructed during dynamic opening.
How can models from modeling software be imported into computational software for calculations?
Within the modeling software, under the “File” menu, there is an “Export Quantity Engineering” option. Using this feature automatically exports civil engineering projects. The exported projects can be opened directly in GCL2008 by double-clicking. Similarly, specialized projects are exported automatically and can be opened in GQI2010 by double-clicking. (Note: Additional version requirements may apply.)
How can models created in computational software be used for model checking?
In GCL2008 and GQI2010, under the “File” menu, there is an “Export Model File” function. These programs export model files in a uniform format (.GM), which can be imported directly into model checking software. Currently, this feature is not widely available to the public because the BIM drawing review software is newly launched and not many users are familiar with it. When this feature is added to computational software, its purpose will become clearer.
Is model checking just about “Collision Detection”? What types of checks are currently possible?
Model checking goes beyond collision detection. It includes spatial inspections such as staircase collisions, pipeline insulation checks, dynamic door opening inspections, and consistency checks between door/window identifications and their schedules. In the future, even more inspection types will be added, covering various aspects of rationality and standardization that users continuously improve upon.
What is the difference between model checking in BIM software and legality checks in computational software?
1) Model checking software performs comprehensive, multidisciplinary examinations, while quantity calculation software specializes in a single discipline.
2) Model checking software evaluates the rationality of the building as a whole, whereas computational software focuses on the correctness of the drawings themselves—for example, ensuring columns are not drawn overlapping.
These are the eight common questions about BIM software that I wanted to share. Feel free to leave comments and share your thoughts.
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