BIM Process Automation is a collaborative approach to creating and managing construction projects. It aims to centralize all project information into a digital information model developed by its agents. However, BIM has become tedious and repetitive, and tasks such as inserting families into batches and making changes to sheets become monotonous and repetitive. The sheet layout needs to be renamed. The cases should be reviewed. Object placement should be automatic and levels higher than given levels should be included. Automation can eliminate this, but it can also be achieved with Dynamo.
Increasing automation in the AEC Software Development industry is not only making construction more accessible, but it is also increasing productivity. BIM automation eliminates repetitive procedures, rush calculations and duplication of reports. Advanced AutoCAD Revit and Dynamo programs can be useful for the full scope of creative design and project structure.
Table of Contents
BIM Tool In Process Automation
Revit
Revit is building information modeling (BIM) software use by designers, landscape architects, structural engineers, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineers, designers and contractors. The software allows users to construct the building and its components in 3D, mark the model with 2D drawing elements, and contact building information from the building model database. This intelligent 3D BIM modeling software streamlines the project design process as well as helps in project development.
Python
Python is a high-level programming language use to create many types of applications due to its versatility, power and simple code.
Generative design is any method in which a designer uses a system, such as a computer program, to generate a solution to a desired design challenge with some autonomy.
Dynamo
“Dynamo is a graphical programming interface that permits you to customize a building’s information channel,” according to Autodesk, the company behind the technology. In additional words, Dynamo is a visual programming environment that can linked to various BIM software to aid in geometric and mathematical design. This tool complements Revit very well as it is an open source program that makes the Revit tool easy to use by providing a simple, intuitive and fast interface. You can use Dynamo for Revit to automate BIM operations such as repetitive tasks and workflows in Revit mode. Since there are some limitations that come with Revit, let’s take a look and see how Dynamo can overcome these limitations.
Limitations of Revit BIM
Dynamo Revit has a visual programming environment, but it is limited if you use Python scripts to directly access the Revit API. As a result, you can benefit more from big construction and infrastructure projects, such as bridges and multi-story buildings, which have complex design requirements, limited resources, and tight project deadlines. Revit’s ‘family’ and parametric modeling help overcome many of these problems, but they have limitations.
Benefits of BIM process automation
There are many benefits to BIM in construction, so I’ve compiled the most amazing benefits I see below:
1. Better accuracy and coordination
The most obvious benefit of BIM to the AEC industry is its ability to improve exactness and coordination. BIM allows for better coordination among different trades and disciplines, in a construction context, meaning that the final design can be more complete and there will be fewer surprises during construction.
BIM can help achieve this by virtually creating all structures and elements in a single 3D view, which can used to check dimensions, identify potential conflicts and confirm All components may fit together as intended.
Additionally, BIM can be used to generate a virtual construction development model, which can be used to visualize the construction method and identify potential physical coordination issues.
2. Greater productivity and efficiency
With BIM, all investors can view and manipulate the same virtual model of a construction project, reducing the need for expensive paper drawings and facilitating more efficient collaboration. BIM also allows professionals to create 2D drawings and schedules directly from 3D models, saving time and increasing accuracy.
Additionally, BIM can be used to create simulations to help evaluate different designs and construction set-ups. As a result, BIM has been shown to rise productivity and efficiency throughout the life cycle of a building.
3. Better communication and collaboration
One of the most important benefits of BIM is its ability to progress communication and collaboration among all project team members. In traditional design and construction processes, every team associate works in isolation, often using different software programs and standards.
When team members share common drawings or information, it can lead to confusion and mistakes. BIM uses a single integrated model that all team members can access, making it simple for team members to find and share the data they need.
Challenges and Solutions in Implementing BIM Process Automation
Despite the benefits demonstrated in numerous case studies, some BIM challenges remain that continue to hinder the wider adoption and implementation of BIM. Many small companies are apprehensive about moving into a full BIM process.
In 2014, the National Construction Specification listed the top five reasons why organizations have not yet moved to BIM (Lymath, 2014).
- Customer demand: 73% of small companies with five or fewer employees said there was no customer demand for BIM. While the UK government is mandating the use of BIM for publicly funded work, similar demands are not usually made by small business clients.
- Relevance: 71% of small businesses believe that BIM is not always appropriate for their typical projects. They feel that their workload is not of a complex enough level to justify the use of BIM. However, the reality is that even national projects can be complex.
- Costs: Switching to BIM involves an investment of software, training and time. However, it should be noted that the potential benefits far outweigh the costs: those who have adopted BIM report that the results have been better than they expected.
- Project size: It is mistakenly believed that BIM is only effective for large projects. In fact, BIM can work on any size project, from a home project. Profits can be made even on small projects.
- Internal talent: 62% of small contractors (with five or fewer employees) and 77% of companies (with six or more employees) expressed that they did not have current in-house BIM skills. However, the industry recovery is increasing the demand for jobs and it should be a great time to hire people with the necessary skills. Small contractors can also invest in training, which will result in lower overall costs.
Training and Skill Development for Embracing Automated BIM Processes
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the future of building design and construction. BIM is an object-oriented 3D CAD approach for architects and engineers. Although the number of architects and building designers using BIM is modest, the number will continue to grow. One of the most valuable features of BIM is its ability to improve coordination between multiple design disciplines, thereby reducing errors. BIM has the ability to respond to the owner’s anticipated cost, quality and on-time delivery requirements.
