What is a BIM Family? Where Can I Download It? [Download Link Attached]
An object-oriented BIM family is a fundamental component in BIM design and creation. However, the family libraries provided by most BIM software vendors lack diversity and often fail to meet the specific needs of local industries. This results in a significant amount of time being spent on BIM family construction during the design process.
1. Leading BIM Family Library Platforms
Autodesk Seek (http://seek.autodesk.com/)
Business Model: Autodesk Seek is an open platform offering a free download service for Revit family libraries. Autodesk establishes BIM modeling standards for product manufacturers to follow. Any manufacturer adhering to these standards can submit their BIM family for inclusion in the Autodesk Seek library, making it freely available for download and use. This increases product visibility for manufacturers, while the platform tracks download statistics and analyzes user demographics to support market research.
Intellectual Property: Autodesk Seek allows product manufacturers to showcase their BIM families to potential customers in the construction industry. The website grants authorization only for Autodesk-related products, but it does not explicitly address BIM family intellectual property rights.
File Format and Attachments: The primary format is the Revit family file (*.RFA). These files include manufacturer product metadata, material settings, and type catalogs.
Modeling Standards: To ensure quality, Autodesk has developed the Revit Model Content Style Guide. It defines standards for eight common family categories, including Air Handling Units, Chillers, Doors, Fans, Finishes, Furniture Systems, Plumbing Fixtures, and Windows. These standards cover information parameters, naming conventions, line weights, color schemes, and analysis parameter settings, in addition to geometric appearance.
Graphisoft BIM Components
Business Model: Graphisoft offers an open sharing platform that encourages both product manufacturers and general users to share their BIM families and design creations.
Intellectual Property: The platform uses Creative Commons licensing, allowing family creators to set usage permissions during upload. This information is displayed on the download page to inform users about legal use.
File Format and Attachments: Families are primarily distributed in ArchiCAD format. The download page specifies the compatible ArchiCAD version, and users can search and download files directly using the ArchiCAD plugin.
Modeling Standards: Family parameters must comply with Graphisoft’s custom scripting language, GDL (Geometric Description Language). More details can be found at: __AI_S_TURL_0__
2. Other Notable BIM Family Library Platforms (Non-Profit)
Several well-known non-profit platforms offer BIM family downloads, including:
3. For-Profit BIM Family Library Platforms
Most BIM family libraries offer free resources. However, BIMStore in the UK uses a unique business model by charging fees for technical services while offering free downloads to industry users.
Business Model: BIMStore allows architects, contractors, and engineers to download families for free. Product manufacturers, however, can purchase services such as family modeling, platform setup and management, and traffic analysis.
Intellectual Property: BIMStore has not clearly defined intellectual property policies on its website.
File Format and Attachments: Families are mainly provided in Revit format without additional attachments.
Modeling Standards: BIMStore has developed a comprehensive BIM Family Modeling Specification, known as the BIM Bible, which is available for download. This document outlines quality standards and parameter benchmarks for BIM families.
That concludes the overview of What is a BIM Family? Where Can I Download It? [Download Link Attached]. I hope this article helps you!
Note: If you are unable to access any of the websites, please try alternative methods.
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