Download NBS National BIM Report 2014

The fourth NBS National BIM Report focuses on how UK building design professionals are becoming so accustomed to the application of BIM. The report reveals that lots of buildings in UK are being constructed with BIM. BIM transform the method through which a architect collaborate with the information pertaining to a building.

The report is considered to be an essential document for UK construction professionals, architects, engineers, surveyors, contractors and manufacturers begin with BIM or just imitating to adopt BIM and policy makers.

• The most updated statistics for BIM practice and consciousness.
• The industry’s judgment on the Government’s policies toward movement to BIM .
• Various users of BIM technology and their appraisal .
• Study of BIM and the smaller practice.
• Expert opinion sections.

Key judgments:

• Responsiveness of BIM is now nearly worldwide.
• In the previous year 54% have utilized BIM no less than one project – 15% greater than in 2012.
• The Government’s 2016 deadline is attainable.
• 93% of those who are already familiar with BIM, consider they will be a steady user of the software in three years’ time (by 2016).
• A significant portion of active BIM users confirm that they have attained ‘level 2’ BIM.
• Implementation of BIM results in competitive advantage.
• Smaller practices are far away from their larger competitors.

Downloadable link:

  

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.bimoutsourcing.com

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Reinforcement Numbering with Autodesk Revit 2015

Rebar and fabric reinforcement now have number sequencing that matches with existing reinforcement. Numbering allows identical reinforcement elements to be matched for schedules and tags.

Download Autodesk Revit 2015 Free Trial Version

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Published By
Arka Roy
www.bimoutsourcing.com
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AutoCAD 2015 Review

The latest update to AutoCAD is available now. It is the 29th major release of the most accepted CAD program of the world. The depth and breadth of enhancements and new features combine to make AutoCAD 2015 one of the most significant updates in years.

Autodesk modifies AutoCAD at regular intervals and this time, the change is really an effective improvement. When the user first starts AutoCAD 2015, instead of a Welcome dialog, he sees the New Tab. He can also see this tab when there are no drawings open and can easily switch to the New Tab at any time.

The New Tab consists of two sliding content frames:

• Learn- The Learn frame offers tools to help the user learn AutoCAD 2015 and includes links to getting started videos and online resources.
• Create - The Create frame is displayed by default and serves as a launch pad where users can access sample files, recent files, templates, product updates and the online community. This frame is divided into three columns. The Get Started column allows users quickly begin a new drawing from a default template or from a list of available drawing templates, open an existing drawing or sheet set, get more templates online and explore sample drawings. In the Recent Documents column, users can view and open their recent drawings, select how these drawings are displayed and pin drawings to ensure that they remain in the list. The Connect column provides links to sign into the users Autodesk 360 account and send feedback to Autodesk.

Download AutoCAD 2015 - Trial Version

More responsive interface: The Help system now includes a new way to help users locate the relevant tool within AutoCAD’s interface. Once the user has located information in the Help system, he can click to display an animated arrow that points him to the appropriate tool in the AutoCAD ribbon. If the tool is not accessible from the current workspace or is located in a hidden tab or panel, a tooltip tells exactly where to find the tool.

The program also now sports a modern dark-themed interface that helps reduce eye strain. The tools in the Status bar have been consolidated into a single area located in the lower-right, while the Model and Layout tabs have been moved into the lower-left.

Only the most often used tools appear on the Status bar and it can be easily customized. Status bar tooltips are also more informative. The ribbon has also been updated and now includes galleries for inserting blocks and selecting predefined styles for controlling text, dimensions, multileaders and tables.

More intuitive graphic previews: AutoCAD 2015 features a completely new accelerated graphics system that consists of automatic anti-aliasing and improved visual feedback. In AutoCAD 2015 the lasso selection is a new feature which allows the user can click the cursor in a blank area of the drawing and then drag around objects to create a lasso window, crossing or fence selection.

AutoCAD 2015 also now enables user to preview the results of trim, extend, lengthen, break and match properties operations prior to actually selecting the objects and completing the command. Besides, users can pass the cursor over an object to be extended, it is temporarily extended so that users can preview the results.

Enhanced text and dimensions: The model space viewports are now much easier to use. In AutoCAD 2015, after creating multiple viewports in model space, a bright blue boundary clearly identifies the active viewport and users can easily resize any viewport by dragging the horizontal or vertical viewport boundaries. New plus “+” icons on the viewport boundaries allows users to easily add more viewports by simply clicking and dragging without using dialog boxes.

The multiline text editor environment has been enhanced to provide better visibility and control and offers much more intuitive tools for resizing columns, allowing the user to adjust both the height and width individually or at the same time. The program is capable of automatically applying bullets or numbering and correct text when users inadvertently press the SHIFT key while Caps Lock is enabled. There are also new subscripts and superscript tools, improved autostacking capabilities for fractions and tolerances, and widely enhanced tools for controlling paragraph tabs.

Superior geographic location tools: AutoCAD 2014 added some terrific geographic location tools most of which are now eliminated. Users still require to be signed into their Autodesk 360 account in order to access Online Map Data, if they are not signed in or choose not to use the online data, they can still use the Geographic Location tool to enter latitude and longitude.

Being attached to the geographic data, map resolution improves as users zoom in and can capture map data. Users can even select embedded map data and use grips to move, resize and even rotate the image boundary. When user changes the image boundary, AutoCAD automatically re-queries the online map data and updates the image accordingly. New slider bars let the user adjust the brightness, contrast and fading of the map image so that user can more easily see relevant AutoCAD geometry.

Making point cloud data usable: A set of tools for working with point clouds have also been enhanced in AutoCAD 2015, including an updated version of Autodesk’s ReCap point cloud manipulation software.

The new point cloud capabilities include an option for using geographic location data if it is available within the new RCP and RCS point cloud files. Once attached, the user can control the point size and level of detail and better visualize cloud-based data. More intuitive tools make it easier to crop point clouds, and the user can switch views. But perhaps the biggest point cloud enhancement is a new set of point cloud object snaps that finally make it feasible to create actual AutoCAD geometry based on point clouds.

Other enhancements: A major addition to the 2014 product was the new Design Feed environment, through which users could carry on a virtual conversation with other team members. AutoCAD 2015 also uses a new Autodesk Translation Framework (ATF) when importing model data from other formats such as CATIA V4 and V5, Pro Engineer, SolidWorks, Parasolid, JT, NX, STEP, Rhino and IGES. ATG supports importing meshes and curves as well as object colors and layers.

The new AutoCAD 2015 release are enhanced customization tools, a new Autodesk Application Manager that helps users to stay updated with the latest updates for all Autodesk applications and suites and a performance reporting tool that can help analyze and troubleshoot any performance issues that users encounter while using the software.

Autodesk continues to place increased emphasis on its suites, which provide some pretty good deals. For example, in addition to AutoCAD itself, the AutoCAD Design Suite Standard edition includes AutoCAD Raster Design, Showcase and Mudbox for just $330 more than the cost of AutoCAD alone. The Professional suite adds 3ds Max while the Ultimate suite includes Alias Design as well, but SketchBook Designer is no longer included in any of the suites.

All the new features in AutoCAD 2015, including the interface enhancements, text and dimensioning improvements, and updates to map data and Design Feed, are included in AutoCAD LT 2015 which is considered as the company’s lower-cost 2D-only alternative to AutoCAD.

The significant graphic improvements and various new features have made users to upgrade to AutoCAD 2015. The various system requirements are mentioned below:

• Operating System: Windows 8 or Windows 7; 64-bit or 32-bit
• CPU: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon dual-core (3.0GHz or greater recommended)
• Memory: 2GB RAM, 8GB recommended
• Disk Space: 6GB free disk space for installation (4GB for AutoCAD LT)
• Video: 1024×768 VGA with true color minimum (1600×1050 recommended)
• Other: Microsoft Internet Explorer 9.0 or later web browser  

  

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.bimoutsourcing.com

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Import IFC files into Revit from Parametric models in Grasshopper

Demonstration and Explanation of progress to import IFC files into Revit from Parametric models in Grasshopper. Uses new Revit Addon from Geometry Gym.

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Published By
Arka Roy
www.bimoutsourcing.com
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The importance of BIM Labs for educational institution

Building information modeling (BIM) labs are playing important roles to create design for waterways, roads, bridges, buildings, factories, electrical grids, and a wide array of other modern infrastructures. Several educational institutions are now utilizing BIM labs.

The companies, academic establishments and developers utilize BIM software and customize it according to the existing projects. Most of them prefer to integrate the factors like time of construction & cost which the conventional 3D CAD-type software (such as Revit, Autodesk Building Design Suite, and Graphisoft's ArchiCAD) lacks. As per the requirements of the project, other information like the manufacturer's details (product information and production) as well as maintenance information and projected maintenance cycles over time are also included with BIM.

To reap skills of the engineering students, several colleges are inviting technoglogy companies for obtaining the most excellent visual equipment in their BIM labs for superior practical and theoretical training.

George Brown College in Toronto applies Christie Digital Systems to set the new BIM Lab at the school's Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies. The high-tech lab will be equipped with three outsized immersive screens which will allow the students to envisage, design, and collaborate with each other on various types of projects in a virtual reality environment. Three Mirage WU7K-M 120 Hz stereoscopic 3D DLP projectors, pumping out 6,300 ANSI lumens each, will make stunning presentations of those screens. The 55-pound projectors sport a 10,000:1 contrast ratio containing the HD resolution of 1,920p x 1,200p through a Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics array (WUXGA).

The Mirage projectors attribute three modes of 3D input - the WUXGA (DVI-D) listed above, analog BMC, and frame-doubled DVI-D - which comes up several connection options for the applied PCs or servers. Dual Osram PvIP 200W LED lamps featuring 2,000 hours of life enlighten the projectors to produce dazzling, highly comprehensive images.

NC State's lab was equipped with Christie MicroTiles, projectors, and Spyder X20 video processors utilized with a diversified research projects and a technology forum of sorts for lectures and social gatherings. The MicroTiles can attach with each other to make a display screen in almost any required shape. The 16-inch x 12-inch cubes are set up with their own short-throw projector that turn outs an image from a LED light source and DLP optical micro-mirror device.



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Published By
Arka Roy
www.bimoutsourcing.com
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Revit - Brace Frame Connections

Revit Structure Training Video series. These videos are for in-house training at my firm, Forell-Elsesser Engineers, located in San Francisco CA.Note, with some videos I have more preparation than others. Still I hope this was helpful. All third party images and programs used are copyrighted. Comment or thumbs up if you want more. Thanks!

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Published By
Arka Roy
www.bimoutsourcing.com
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SketchUp 2014 includes several BIM processes

In sketchup 2014, there exists an add-on tool alias LayOut which is compatible with a BIM (building information modeling) program.

Besides, Sketchup 2014 contains the classifier tool and IFC export capabilities. The 3d modeling professionals can now export out in indigenous file format through sketchup. IFC export of SketchUp facilitates the users to transfer any SketchUp files into various other tools like Solibri, the exclusive clash detection tools. The classifier tool allows the 3d modeling professionals to develop their models by metadata with the help of classifier tags to geometry, applying industry-standard object types ranging from walls, slabs, roofs and lots other.

The users can also produce or utilize supplementary classifying systems which contain gbXML and others along with custom schemas.

In earlier version of sketchup i.e. sketchup 2013, allows users to read native sketchup models through all the leading CAD/BIM programs like AutoCAD, Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, Microstation, TurboCAD and others.

By applying BIM, the users can alter the virtual building within the BIM and the documents (plans, elevations, sections) are revised automatically necessitating only inconsequential work through notes, note leaders and possibly dimensions. In SketchUp 2014 there exits Auto-Text tags which can deal with page numbers, today’s date and project title and save significant hours of recurring work. Sketchup 2014 also includes a new Smart Labels which can create data in LayOut views automatically.

In future, the sketchup team will transform LayOut to a full-featured drawing tool (by incorporating more drawing tools) for architects similar to a modern CAD program. There will be more integration.



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Published By
Arka Roy
www.bimoutsourcing.com
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