List of BIM software
Several major software developers create products with different functions and capabilities in the BIM world. These developers primarily provide BIM software for the construction industry. Many contending companies compete in this market, which requires expert review before purchasing by the customer. Here are some of the most important software:
Revit
Revit is the most famous market-leading software platform for BIM in architectural design. Revit was introduced in 2002 by Autodesk. It helps users generate high-quality architectural designs and documentation in an environment based on 3D models.
Revit Strengths:
Revit, as a design tool, is powerful and sensitive. Learning Revit is simple. Revit Has a wide range of designed objects. Free Revit plugins include product data access, project allocations, smart displays, and application management.
Weaknesses of Revit:
This software is faced with a significant speed reduction When working on projects with a size of more than 300 MB. It has limitations in the design of complex curved surfaces.
ArchiCAD
ArchiCAD is the oldest BIM software in the field of architecture. As a parametric modeling tool, ArchiCAD includes an extensive range of predefined parametric objects. ArchiCAD has an intuitive and relatively simple interface to use. It has an extensive library and a rich set of backup applications in design, building systems, and facility management, which can be used in all states except manufacturing details.
Advantages of using ArchiCAD:
Learning this software is relatively simple. It has a very large collection of objects and supports many applications in the field of design, building systems, and facility management.
Weaknesses of ArchiCAD:
It has limitations in parametric modeling. This platform uses internal memory to run the program. As a result, it isn't easy to implement large projects. Of course, its server system is a good solution for executing large projects through this software. It is not able to provide services for making prefabricated parts.
VectorWorks
VectorWorks is a design software platform for architects, urban designers, furniture designers, etc., owned by Namchak Company.
VectorWorks Strengths:
Learning this software is simple. It imposes a small limit on the designer and can design everything.
Weaknesses of VectorWorks:
This platform has little ability to interact with other software. But in the latest version, this problem has been solved to some extent.
Bentley Systems
Bentley offers a wide range of architectural, engineering, infrastructure, and construction software. Bentley has a large share of the civil engineering and infrastructure market. Bentley is a software that has an interface similar to AutoCAD software. This software is mostly used for GPS and GIS. This software is in the category of CAD software. MicroStation is a vector software written to generate digital maps that can also support raster data and integrate it with linear and graphical data.
Bentley Strengths:
Bentley, by offering a wide range of building information modeling tools, Covers almost all areas of the manufacturing industry. Bentley makes it possible to model complex curved surfaces. its parametric modeling plugin, called Generative Components, can define very complex geometric shapes.
Weaknesses of Bentley:
Bentley's wide range of software is relatively integrated. This makes learning software challenges.
Navisworks
Navisworks has many capabilities for coordination, construction simulation, and completes analysis to review the project. Navisworks' built-in tools have many possibilities for analyzing and improving project planning, identifying inconsistencies, and increasing project management collaboration. The software also can estimate costs in different stages. Navisworks supports many popular formats and also supports Revit, MicroStation, 3D Studio, and ArchiCAD.
Autodesk Navisworks Manage
This software is a comprehensive program designed to review the project in terms of coordination, analysis, and communication. You can insert several strings of BIM designs together in this software and see a digital example of a project that is a combination of several files, in one file on top of each other. With this software, you can anticipate and prevent some potential problems before any construction and minimize construction costs.
Autodesk Navisworks Freedom
This software is a free program for viewing files in NWD and DWF formats. This software is also installed with Autodesk Navisworks Manage. Note that this software does not have many of the capabilities of Autodesk Navisworks Manage software.
Autodesk Navisworks simulate
This software is designed using advanced tools for 5D simulation, to better communicate and coordinate with the project. Using project scheduling tools, pricing and cost estimation, animation and construction simulation can help anticipate many issues.
Navisworks Strengths:
One of the advantages of Navisworks is the low volume of model files in this software that results to the ease of file transfer, calculations, and file display to be faster and easier. Although Navisworks was developed for project management, it has full capabilities for working with 3D models.
Weaknesses of Navisworks
You cannot model in this software.
SketchUp
SketchUp software is a free program for 3D modeling. You can use this software to add details such as texture, fine details, glass, etc. to your 3D model with very high accuracy and share the final model with Google Earth or print them. This program has a free version and a lifetime paid version.
Sketch Up Strengths:
This software is a very good source of information for 3D modeling and has a very rich knowledge center. Users of this software can access more than 800 free plugins for Sketch up. SketchUp forums have consultants and experts from whom you can ask your questions.It has Video tutorials at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Weaknesses of Sketch Up
SketchUp does not allow users to create NURBS levels. There are not many ready-made objects And for example, people who use sketches in interior design are very concerned with how to get the objects they need.
Tekla Structures
Tekla software is a powerful and very simple tool for 3D modeling of industrial and building structures in full detail. Beams, columns, braces, all fittings and components, plate and nut, welding, a cutter can be modeled in Tekla. With accurate structural modeling in Tekla, all possible construction defects and execution problems can be easily identified and eliminated.
Tekla Structures Strengths:
- Get output in Excel by considering the time dimension in the project
- Possibility of innovation in an execution before starting and completing the project, which will avoid imposing additional costs on the employer.
- Ability to work as a team on a project to expedite work.
- Ability to see exactly what will be built in reality with the ability to visit and walk in the project in three dimensions
Weaknesses of Tekla Structures
To use all its features, you need training.
Conclusion
Finally, the construction industry is associated with innovation and new business methods. It will not take long for the buildings and projects you are working on to be modeled and implemented in new ways more than ever before. You may have heard the term smart cities; BIM is one of the leading digital information producers needed to access the Internet-connected world. With the addition of smarter building sensors and what is called the Internet of Things, engineers' understanding of how people actually use their built-in environment will increase beyond what was previously thought.
In general, it can be understood that BIM is not only related to the world of construction industry and will have wide dimensions, and the development of this knowledge in different parts of engineering will increase day by day. Therefore, it can be seen that a new revolution has begun in the field of engineering, and with a strong presence in this direction, a bright future can be seen for all employed people or job seekers.