1. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 1 Welcome to The 50 th Annual CSI Show™ and Convention BIM: How Does the Emerging Building Information Model Concept Relate to Specs? Susan McClendon, CSI, CCS Executive Vice President Building Systems Design, Inc. Las Vegas, NV March 28 – April 1, 2006

2. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 2 Questions We Hope to Answer What is BIM? How can a specifier use a project BIM? How will electronic information retrieval (interoperability) work?

3. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 3 What is BIM? The acronymn BIM refers to: –The concept of Building Information Models as repositories for shared project information “BIMs” in general –The actual repository of shared project information for a particular project “The BIM” –The process of developing building information for a particular project The term “modeling” used as a verb

4. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 4 Visions of BIM as a Concept Different visions depending on your point of view: –Facility owners Hope for improved facility management operations and lowered costs –Software vendors Hope for increased sales –Design professionals Hope for improved production methods and lower costs

5. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 5 Facility Owner Vision Best represented by NIBS National BIM Standard Project Committee. –Founded late 2005 –NIBS Facility Information Council –Many U.S. government facilities agencies –Private organizations –Software vendors Broad, life cycle view

6. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 6 NBIMS Definition "A Building Information Model (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. As such it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle from inception onward. "A basic premise of BIM is collaboration by different stakeholders at different phases of the life cycle of a facility to insert, extract, update or modify information in the BIM to support and reflect the roles of that stakeholder. The BIM is a shared digital representation founded on open standards for interoperability. "The US National BIM Standard promotes the business requirement that this model be interoperable based on open standards."

7. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 7 NBIMS Definition Key concepts: –digital representation of physical and functional characteristics –shared knowledge resource –life cycle –open standards –interoperability No mention of 3D CAD or geometric model

8. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 8 Software Vendor Vision “…parametrically-defined interacting building objects “…simultaneous 2D/3D/parametric viewing and editing “…integrated reporting of non-graphical data“ Tend to think that their software application will function as the [single] repository for project BIM data Focus on the design and construction phases

9. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 9 Design Professional View Torn between these two opposing views Need to do what their clients want Limited to software offerings available

10. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 10 BIM as Repository Two fundamentally different ways to look at BIM as a repository for shared project data 1. SINGLE-PACKAGE concept 2. MULTIPLE-APPLICATION concept

11. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 11 Single-Package Concept All data is actually stored in a single data structure manipulated by a single software application Contract documents produced as a “view” Geometry, dimensions, location Space programDesign, regulatory criteria Product infoSpecifications Cost infoScheduling info Submittals dataProject record data O&M dataOccupancy data

12. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 12 Single-Package Concept Some specs-related solutions suggested as by-products of using 3D CAD: 1.Generation of the entire Project Manual as a “view” of the 3D model The “just push a button to get the specs” method 2.Elimination of specifications as text documents Replaced by the property sets attached to objects 3.Automatic coordination of the specs and drawings Presumably because the single location precludes the need for coordination

13. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 13 Single-Package Concept 3D CAD Vendor View: –It’s the simple and obvious solution –They really do hope their software will solve everybody’s other problems too They are handicapped by their: –Natural blind spot regarding data that doesn’t fit in the geometric model –Lack of knowledge about specs

14. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 14 Single-Package Concept Design Professional View: –It’s the simple and obvious solution –They want to use 3D geometric models They are handicapped by: –Not understanding enough about specs –Lack of any examples No Single-Package solutions exist, so they haven’t had a chance to see how it might (or might not) work

15. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 15 Single-Package Concept Facility Owner View: –No opinion – do whatever works –See NBIMS definition – open source is best, so reliance on a single vendor solution is bad –Too soon to tell Early testing has shown that the organization’s information processes usually change as a result of the analysis

16. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 16 Multiple-Application Concept The most compelling argument for the Multiple-Application concept is the multitude of data types that need to reside in a comprehensive project BIM Many of the non-geometric data types require completely different software functionality, such as –Text management –Database searching, visual and text reporting

17. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 17 Record documents Multiple-Application Concept Specs Contract Documents Bidding Documents Regulatory criteria Design criteria Space program O&M data Submittals data Scheduling data Cost estimating data Occupancy data Project Record Drawings or Model 2D Drawings or 3D geometric model

18. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 18 Multiple-Application Concept BIM data resides in multiple locations accessed by multiple software applications –Current situation The data locations are accessible to all who need the data –Not usually true but relatively easy to do The software applications can interchange data without human intervention –Future goal, necessary for effective use

19. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 19 Multiple-Application Concept International Alliance for Interoperability (IA) promotes multiple-application concept IAI Ifc model has standardized interoperability for a sub-set of all data needed in a BIM Much spec-related data is housed in “user- defined” data structures No standard terminology for user-defined data

20. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 20 Interoperability Principles Translation of data between similar applications –CAD to CAD, word processing to XML files –Goal is replication without loss of data Communication of data between dissimilar applications –CAD to specs, specs to CAD, CAD to cost estimating, estimating to scheduling, etc. –Goal is to inform, for coordination, accuracy, completeness

21. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 21 Interoperability Principles Different applications perform different functions Each does not contain all the data of the others, only the data it needs for its purposes What happens after communication depends on the software application –Some “execute” – automatically change their own data based on the incoming data –Some “advise” – notifying the user that there may be a coordination problem

22. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 22 3D CAD vs. BIM A BIM could use 2D CAD, or even digitized paper drawings 3D geometric modeling is more useful 3D geometric model is not the entire BIM Lots of different technologies For specification purposes, the CAD technology doesn’t really matter as long as it can store useful data

23. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 23 PART 2 HOW CAN A SPECIFIER USE A 3D MODEL?

24. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 24 Using a 3D Model Retrieve information that helps identify what to specify At present, retrieving relevant information requires a human to read the data –Except for one interoperability-style application Printed reports can be generated by some applications Otherwise, the specifier will have to use the 3D software itself

25. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 25 Using a 3D Model What specification-related data do 3D model software packages store? Elements –Walls, roofs, doors, windows, equipment, specialties, etc. Element properties –Identification – names, id numbers, etc. –Dimensions – length, thickness, height, width –Locations – X, Y, Z coordinates –Visual Characteristics - colors, textures, gloss, rendering characteristics –Element-specific properties – e.g. fire rating

26. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 26 Using a 3D Model Some 3D model software packages also store: –Material properties other than visual characteristics Manufacturer name, model name, other identification –Components of composite elements e.g. the layers in a wall or roof Tied to the material names for visual purposes

27. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 27 3D Geometric Model Software “Object”-Based: –Building elements are handled as objects, with associated properties But… –Products as specifiers understand them (materials and equipment) are NOT usually handled as objects in the 3D model –Materials, as understood by the software, are properties of surfaces, used primarily for visual rendering

28. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 28 Object Example Exterior wall made of brick on stud backup –Autodesk Revit models this as: Wall Element (with properties) Internal layers identified Layers labeled with a “material” identification “Materials” can have identity properties as well as visual properties –Schedules list: Counts and quantities of elements Counts of “material” instances

29. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 29 Autodesk Revit wall object insert tool

30. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 30 Object Example Graphisoft ArchiCAD handles this example in the same way as Revit, except: –No internal layers are identified –Users may add database records attached to the element for: Text description of internal components Computational parameters for quantity take-off Identification purposes –Printable Schedules list any element or property stored in database

31. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 31 Graphisoft ArchiCAD window object insert tool

32. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 32 Object Example Bentley Architecture handles this example in the same way as Revit, except: –Internal layers are not defined, but can be user defined –Users may add any type of property desired –Printable Schedules list any element or property stored in database

33. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 33 Bentley Architecture window insert tool

34. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 34 Spec Info NOT in 3D Models –Individual bricks, studs, sheathing panels, and such are NOT modeled as 3D objects –Things like doors and windows, which we tend to think of as products, are handled as element objects –“Materials” are not objects, just sets of properties, almost entirely for visual rendering –Most packages print lists of element names but not usually their properties –Some packages print lists of “materials” used

35. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 35 Autodesk Revit Materials settings

36. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 36 Relevant Features What is the 3D software’s built-in Library? –How many elements does it include and of what types? –What types of element properties are offered? –How does it handle products and their properties? –How complete is the information in the properties fields? –Can your add your own elements? –Can you add your own properties? –Can you use blank pre-defined properties for other purposes?

37. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 37 Relevant Features Are there print-outs for specifier use? –What kinds of predefined and customizable schedules or lists are there? –What types of objects and properties are shown on the schedules or lists? –For composite elements, can the internal components be reported? –Can the text labels, tags, or keynotes be printed in a report? –Can the schedules or lists be printed out without placing them on a 2D drawing sheet?

38. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 38 Meaningful Information Retrieval Depends on whether the 3D model’s data structure will hold the data needed –All of those reviewed have some deficiency Depends on how the specification application reacts to the incoming data –Does it “advise” or “execute”?

39. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 39 Meaningful Information Retrieval Depends on the completeness of the 3D model’s data –Usually not the specifier’s responsibility –Built-in library objects usually have a lot of blank properties –If the user adds elements with only graphical representation, then only a label, tag, or keynote will identify it –An office-master object and product library will probably be necessary

40. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 40 Meaningful Information Retrieval Start by using the “out of the box” tools to retrieve information Prove to yourself that the 3D model can hold the information needed by the specifier A software solution will not be any more satisfactory than the manual method

41. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 41 PART 3 ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RETRIEVAL

42. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 42 Interoperability What type of interoperability should be promoted between 3D model packages and specifications? 1.Get information from the spec to prepare the model 2.Get information from the model to prepare the spec 3.Compare information from both, to correct errors 4.Look up information in completed documents

43. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 43 Passing Information From the 3D Model Should we want to generate the spec from the information in the 3D model? Could specs as text documents be eliminated? Is there enough information in the 3D model to serve as specifications? If we wanted to could we put enough data in the 3D model to generate the specs?

44. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 44 Passing Information From the 3D Model Because the 3D geometric model contains objects representing building products with attributes that define their properties, some people think: –This is sufficient information to generate a specification –We could just click on an object in the model to view the specs, no text document required –We could just push a button and out comes the entire project manual

45. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 45 Passing Information From the 3D Model But specs as text documents can’t be eliminated Human-readable, legally-enforceable documents are required for Contract Documents –As long as Design-Bid-Build, Fixed-Price is a viable contracting method, text documents will be required –Stable text documents, not just text regenerated on the fly from a database –Electronic copy will be acceptable in the future, but it will still be visual images of the stable text documents

46. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 46 Passing Information From the 3D Model Is there enough information in the 3D model to serve as specifications? –No, product names and properties are not sufficient information for Contract Documents –Other types of information needed: Quality assurance and quality control Workmanship Auxiliary products never shown on the drawings Acceptable sources Substitution limitations Contract administration procedures Other contractual issues

47. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 47 Passing Information From the 3D Model If we wanted to could we put enough data in the 3D model to generate the specs? In theory, all the “other” spec data can be stored in little bits in the database and assembled into a text document based on built-in criteria The 3D CAD software would need to be a text manager –Very complicated software –Functionality currently not provided –Functionality served adequately by other software –Why not just interoperate instead?

48. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 48 Generating Specs from 3D Model But wouldn’t it be reasonable to have the geometric data “drive” the preparation of the spec? –Assume that we accept that all the “other” spec data is not stored in the model –And that the model data constitutes “inputs” to a specification application –Is this reasonable? Do we want it to happen this way?

49. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 49 Generating Specs from 3D Model We could assume that –The product names and properties in the project model are COMPLETE and CORRECT –The specification application is properly set up and can use the drawing information –Issues that are not mentioned on the drawings are dealt with by built-in assumptions or criteria

50. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 50 Generating Specs from 3D Model Comprehensive model data is likely to be very difficult to achieve –A persistent problem in 2D CAD is that the drafter can draw it but doesn’t know what it’s supposed to be made out of –Back-tracking to fill in the missing data is often so time-consuming it is never done –In 3D geometric models the anticipated user is higher level than a drafter, but a similar problem exists –Comprehensive libraries of 3D objects are not available –Ready-made 3D objects are minimally populated

51. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 51 Generating Specs from 3D Model Without comprehensive model data, the specification application doesn’t have enough inputs to complete the spec Ok, we could be happy with what we do get and finish the spec in the normal manner But, what if the model data is wrong? Do we trust the input?

52. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 52 Example of Using Model Info to Generate Spec E-Specs with AIA Masterspec ® –Based on Multiple-Application Concept –Third-party add-on to Autodesk AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop, or Revit –Reads the drawings or model for text strings –Matches text to input side of Masterspec checklist –Executes the checklist based on selections from the drawings –Edits out text that doesn’t apply –Regenerates spec after changes to the model –Manual coordination of subsequent changes

53. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 53 e-SPECS® with Masterspec® checklist interface

54. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 54 Passing Information TO the 3D Model Spec application could output product name lists, keynote lists, etc. Software could show the 3D model maker which things are already specified “Advise” style interoperability only

55. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 55 Comparing Information The Single-Package concept does not resolve the coordination issue Whenever more than one person works on one set of data errors can occur, simply because they can’t read each others’ minds –e. g. one person builds an object in 3D CAD but doesn’t assign any properties –Or another person concerned with properties assigns the values to the wrong object

56. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 56 Comparing Information Should we expect automatic coordination? –Without intervention by a human –Assumes a directionality to the information flow –Suggests CORRECTION not COORDINATION –Should the drawing information correct the spec information; or vice versa?

57. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 57 Lookup Functions Functionality that finds relevant information in other application Usefulness depends on stage of project and activity involved; e.g. –Prior to completion of documents, information may not be available –After completion, facility management people need to see project RECORD data, not contract documents

58. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 58 The BIM Today To include the specs in a project BIM: –Use any appropriate method of sharing traditional spec files with all parties –Use the human-readable text files that are needed for contractual purposes –Use a commonly available format such as PDF, RTF, or OpenDocument format –File location, accessibility, and format compatibility is all that matters – not much of a problem –A standard file naming and locating protocol would help

59. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 59 Electronic Information Retrieval Identifying items is not enough The meaning must be understood on both sides of the communication For a machine to understand, either –Terminology must match, or Requires agreed upon terminology OmniClass is being developed to form a basis –The connections must be hard-wired Limits usefulness to the particular application

60. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 60 2D/3D CAD & Word Processing 2D/3D CADSection XX XX XX Wall Type 1 Wood Door in Metal Frame Brick Veneer on Stud Backup Product Name Property (not in model) Product Name Property (not in model) Not in spec PART 1 - GENERAL PART 2 - PRODUCTS PART 3 - EXECUTION Different section Graphical Object Keynote or Label Could be 2 or 3 sections Pointers to File Names Only 

61. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 61 Meaningful Interoperability Only way to achieve meaningful interoperability is to: –Be able to identify individual items of information within a specification section –To the same level of detail as in the 3D model Word processing files will not do it Product properties as well as product names

62. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 62 3D Model & DB-Based Spec 3D ModelSection XX XX XX Geometric or Graphical Object Element Name Component Name Product Name Component Name Property Property (not in model) Property Property (not in model) Property Product Name Property Not in spec PART 1 - GENERAL PART 2 - PRODUCTS PART 3 - EXECUTION Model “drives” spec incompletely   

63. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 63 Meaningful Interoperability Uses the principle of coordination rather than correction Provides information that each application MAY use automatically if it wishes Provides information that the user of the application may tell the application to accept if he decides it is correct and trustworthy

64. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 64 Intermediate User Interface 3D ModelSection XX XX XX Geometric or Graphical Object Element Name Component Name Product Name Component Name Property Property (not in model) Property (should be in model) Property (not in model) Property Product Name (not needed in model) PART 1 - GENERAL PART 2 - PRODUCTS PART 3 - EXECUTION Not In Spec Another Section This Section Coordinate, Don’t Correct

65. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 65 Conclusions Is a project BIM the same thing as the project 3D geometric model? No. But within the BIM all data storage mechanisms should be able to interoperate

66. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 66 Conclusions Should the project specs reside in the BIM? Yes By definition, specifications should be part of the BIM, because they need to be shared They don’t need to reside in the 3D geometric model

67. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 67 Conclusions What can a specifier do with a 3D model? Retrieve information that helps identify what to specify If manual retrieval results in sufficient information, then electronic interoperability might be meaningful

68. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 68 Conclusions Will use of BIM eliminate specs as we know them? No Not enough data in 3D model Never will be enough data in model Contract documents still required

69. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 69 Conclusions Should we want the 3D model to drive the generation of the specs? Not really We need coordination more than correction Why assume the 3D model is more correct than the specs?

70. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 70 Conclusions Is the increasing use of BIMs and 3D models likely to change specification practice? Undoubtedly Specifiers will need to know how to get information out of 3D models Eventually, electronic interoperability will do the retrieval automatically

71. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 71 How to Proceed If your office is using a 3D geometric model software package –Be kind to the project manager who tells you “everything you need is in the model, go get it” –Learn about the printed outputs available, even if they are not normally generated for the 2D drawings –Learn about the built-in library of objects and the office standard library –Learn about the standard data fields offered for each object – try to get the relevant fields printed on your output reports

72. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 72 How to Proceed To promote development of further interoperability, share new knowledge with industry groups. In particular, the NBIMS project committee needs to know about: –The information flow between the 3D model and the specs –Points or interfaces where specification information is used by other applications –Disconnects -- where specification information could have been used by other applications but wasn’t seamlessly transferred

73. 3/30/06 BIM: How does the emerging BIM concept relate to specs? 50 th Annual CSI Show & Convention, Las Vegas 73 Finally When someone tells you they want the specs put into the BIM, you now know how to react Visit Building Systems Design, Inc. at www.bsdsoftlink.comwww.bsdsoftlink.com