Ultimate software use in BIM

The Ultimate BIM Software List for 2019

There are so many BIM software solutions to choose from so choosing the right BIM software can be a challenge.

To help you select the BIM software that’s right for you we have created this comprehensive BIM software list with brief descriptions, images.

We’ve grouped each BIM software into one of 10 categories following a BIM planning, BIM design, BIM construction and BIM operations workflow – a difficult task as some products are used in different parts of the workflow – but we have done our best  

Here are the 10 categories:

1. BIM Execution Planning Software
2. BIM Content Management Software
3. BIM Modeling Software
4. Generative Design Software / Algorithmic BIM Software
5. BIM Performance / BIM Analysis Software
6. BIM Collaboration Software
7. BIM Validation / BIM Checking Software
8. Preconstruction BIM 4D/5D Software
9. Construction BIM Software
10. Facilities Management BIM Software

1. BIM EXECUTION PLANNING SOFTWARE

To fight Evil BIM one of the most important things you will need is the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) – or similar type of “project plan”.

The BEP is the rulebook for teams to agree on BIM standards, BIM processes, BIM execution planning workflows and BIM scopes. 

LOD PLANNER 

Online BIM Execution Planning tool to agree on BIM processes and BIM scopes with free BEP Templates – find out more…

2. BIM CONTENT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

BIM OBJECT: 

BIM is not just drawing lines, arcs and circles – for BIM we must start with objects. 

These objects could be at various Levels of Detail/Development/Definition (LOD) and can also be pre-loaded with manufacturers information.

Management of this content is important to ensure that everyone is creating BIM from the same building blocks.

Free BIM content platform to search for thousands of BIM objects. BIMobject also develops and maintains branded BIM products for manufacturers.

AVAIL

BIM content management tool to find, apply and gain insight into how your digital assets are being utilized.

UNIFI

Cloud based Content Management Software for architects who work with Revit to manage family libraries, reports and analytics about how your content is used.

MAGICAD

Modelling and engineering calculations with over 1,000,000 intelligent BIM objects of real MEP products from leading international manufacturers.

BIM&CO.

Download high-quality BIM objects from international building product manufacturers directly in your chosen BIM software.

3. BIM MODELING SOFTWARE

An interesting category as teams argue for and against if some of these 3D modeling tools are “true BIM tools” or not.

The tools listed below could be used for a quick massing model, virtual construction prototyping, construction documentation and even detailed fabrication level design for an entire building. 

SKETCHUP

3D modeling tool known for its ease of use – some don’t agree it’s BIM. Draw lines and shapes and transform them into 3D forms. Also search 1,000’s of objects in the free 3D model warehouse.

AUTODESK REVIT

Architectural, structural, Engineering and Construction modeling. One of the most popular Autodesk software packages. Compatible with Microsoft Windows only. 

ARCHICAD

Regarded as one of the first BIM implementations, Graphisoft is a pioneer of CAD tools that have the capability of creating both 2D and 3D geometry. Open BIM. Windows or Mac.

VECTORWORKS

BIM tool used to sketch, model and present. Create 2D drafting, 3D models, Site Information Models, and renders.

AECOSIM

Design, analyze, document, and visualize architectural, mechanical, electrical, and structural building designs.

ALLPLAN

Nemetschek’s flagship BIM application for Architecture, Engineering, and most recently, Bridges.

TEKLA

Creation and management of fabrication level, accurately detailed, highly constructable 3D structural models.

CATIA

Originally developed for aerospace (by the French company Dassault Systèmes) – sometimes used for architecture and buildings – mostly by Frank Gehry and crew.

SOLIDWORKS

Some AECs use to create BIM building blocks. Otherwise used for product/equipment design, layout and fabrication.

DESIGN FOR FABRICATION

Designed on the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud it provides integrative, parametric, associative and computational modeling. 

RHINO BIM

Free-form 3D modeling tools to create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes.

BRICSCAD BIM

Touted as a more integrated workflow for sketching/modeling > BIM > detailing.

AUTODESK FABRICATION

Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) contractors use design-intent models to create detailed models ready for the fabrication and installation of building services.

4. GENERATIVE DESIGN SOFTWARE / ALGORITHMIC BIM SOFTWARE

There are many buzzwords used in the Algorithmic-Aided Design (AAD) space 

These tools are usually based on visual scripting rather than textual scripting.

They help to automate the design workflow and provide an abundant number of options for humans to make more informed decisions.

DYNAMO

Open source graphical programming interface to create visual logic to explore parametric conceptual designs and automate tasks. Mostly used with Autodesk Revit.

GRASSHOPPER

Graphical algorithm editor tightly integrated with Rhino’s 3-D modeling tools. For designers who are exploring new shapes using generative algorithms. Mostly used with Graphisoft ArchiCAD.

XGENERATIVE DESIGN

Cloud based generative design based on Catia – a mix of Grasshopper and Dynamo taking the strongest features of both while running on a cloud server.

HYPAR

The Hypar open source SDK makes it easy to get started writing code that generates buildings. 

EDGEWISE

Algorithms that can automatically identify and extract walls and windows from point clouds and export them as Revit family objects.

5. BIM PERFORMANCE / BIM ANALYSIS SOFTWARE

Intelligent 3D models can be used to automate building analysis before construction starts.

This could be a solar study, a structural analysis, modeling the flow of people for fire codes and all kinds of energy efficiency calculations for green buildings.

ROBOT STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

Test the effects of structural loads and verify code compliance.

SEFAIRA

Early stage building performance analysis to study natural ventilation & HVAC systems for energy, daylight & comfort goals.

STAAD

One of the most widely used structural analysis and design software products worldwide.

SCIA

Combining structural engineering know-how with technology, to provide powerful structural analysis and design.

GREEN BUILDING STUDIO

Cloud-based service to run building performance simulations to optimize energy efficiency and to work toward carbon neutrality earlier in the design process.

LADYBUG

Perform detailed analysis of climate data to produce customized, interactive visualizations for environmentally-informed design.

6. BIM COLLABORATION SOFTWARE

Building Information Models are usually created by many stakeholders.

In order for everyone to stay on the same page these models can not remain in silos.

These BIM collaboration tools allow teams to share and access the right models at the right times.

BIM 360

Construction management software to connect, organize and optimize. From design collaboration, documentation and reviews, to pre-construction, quality and safety and operations.

TRIMBLE CONNECT

A collaborative environment to make project information traceable, transparent, and accessible to help users to build better. Allows users to view, share, and access project information from anywhere, at anytime.

ALLPLAN BIMPLUS

Open BIM platform for all disciplines to collaborate with BIM data, information, documents and tasks managed centrally over the complete building life cycle.

BIMSIGHT

Free collaboration tool to combine models for 3D navigation, automatic clash detection, mark-ups, IFC support, multiple model viewing, and object or model coloring and transparency.

DROFUS

Data management tool for workflow support and access to building information throughout the building lifecycle.

BIMX

Desktop and mobile tools to interactively present the 3D model and 2D documentation created with ArchiCAD through a much simpler and intuitive user interface.

7. BIM VALIDATION / BIM CHECKING SOFTWARE

When combining 3D models from multiple project teams issues can often be uncovered.

These problems can be solved in the virtual model at a much lower cost compared to after the construction team has started the work on site.

Sometimes there are thousands of issues to track.

This is why the following BIM checking/workflow tools are essential to gain the true benefits of BIM.

BIM TRACK

OpenBIM webapp to centralize issues and communications for resolution.

REVIZTO

Real-time issue tracking software with a focus on collaboration and BIM project coordination.

BIM ASSURE

Cloud-based software that helps owners and project teams work together to create complete, reliable model data.

NAVISWORKS

For opening, combining, review and navigation of 3D models. Features includes clash detection and model simulation.

SOLIBRI MODEL CHECKER

For BIM validation, compliance, coordination, design review, analysis and code checking.

BIMCOLLAB

Issue collaboration platform built on IFC and BCF open standards to store, share and solve issues with history tracking.

SIMPLEBIM

For producing, merging, or using IFC files.

8. PRECONSTRUCTION BIM 4D/5D SOFTWARE

BIMs can be used to gain efficiencies for contractors in their estimating and scheduling workflows.

Model elements can be scheduled over time to identify phasing and sequencing challenges.

Elements can also be automatically counted and tied to estimating databases to generate more accurate 5D construction estimates that will update as the model changes.

This is definitely not “Hollywood BIM”!

ASSEMBLE SYSTEMS

Manage BIM models, drawings & point clouds – perform design reviews, bid management, takeoff, change management and estimating.

VICO OFFICE

Constructability, estimating, cost management, schedule planning, procurement and change management processes.

SYNCHRO PROFESSIONAL

4D BIM tool focussed on improving the quality, safety, productivity and efficiency through the visual sequencing of construction projects.

COSTX

2D & 3D takeoff, estimating and reporting using measurement from 2D drawings and the generation of automatic quantities from 3D models.

DPROFILER

3D macro modeling and cost estimating to build a model of your conceptual design and generate an early phase cost estimate.

ITWO / MTWO

5D planning and execution moving to the MTWO cloud.

9. CONSTRUCTION BIM SOFTWARE

After building the project virtually (in the computer) it’s now time to break dirt and build the real thing – this is where the rubber meets the road.

Many of the collaboration tools previously listed are also used through the construction phases.

The following tools are those focussed more on the construction side of BIM.

GRIT VIRTUAL

Agile construction schedule generation with 3D visualization.

ALICE TECHNOLOGIES

Explore millions of scheduling options in minutes.

VERITY

Helps teams compare point clouds and models to find construction mistakes before they become expensive problems.

10. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT BIM SOFTWARE

This is where BIM meets LOD 500 (what even is LOD 500?!?).

The “i’ in BiM now comes alive and Building Information Models can be used for the entire life of a building.

These tools help building owners quickly find important information at the right time to gain efficiencies when operating their built assets.

ECODOMUS

Designed for real estate owners to implement maintenance procedures, specifically cutting on energy and labor costs.

ONUMA

An open-architecture BIM platform with standard tools to visualize facility data for real-time informed decision making.

ARCHIBUS

Manage facilities, infrastructure, and real estate.

YOUBIM

Navigate virtually through a property to access asset information and location through an easy-to-navigate web-based 2D/3D-BIM interface.

VUEOPS

View and manage facility operations with intelligent search and location-based BIM navigation to manage warranty events for assets.

WHY IS BIM SOFTWARE SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?:

Architects, Engineers and Contractors are using BIM software to plan work, analyse work and execute work.

By using BIM tools and BIM processes correctly some companies are starting to gain a competitive advantage.

In fact, Building Information Modeling software solutions are mandatory for some bidding processes especially for certain government contracts.

"Evolution of BIM implementation came in parallel with willingness to collaborate and share project information, the move toward integrated practice that is much talked about in the industry."

VIDEO LINK:

BIM IN CONSTRUCTION :

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=%23&ved=2ahUKEwjCqpGQ493mAhXIVBUIHTAWANUQxa8BMAF6BAgAEAQ&usg=AOvVaw0VTJzWxrN8ZFOD4xbU2nov