Around the world, construction companies are spending billions to create and use sets of data that physically represents the projects they are building, also known as building information modelling (BIM). Although BIM is a tool that has changed the way we design, build and operate most companies aren’t maximising their investment throughout the lifecycle, especially when building and installing work during construction. In fact, according to theBIMHub, only 41% of contractors use some form of BIM in the field.
In reality, every company is at a different place when it comes to BIM. However, no matter where a company is in its journey, BIM’s importance in today’s building landscape is undeniable. Data from models is increasingly needed to coordinate work across the lifecycle. Furthermore, more project contracts are mandating the use of BIM to improve cost and time of construction, and design teams are increasingly relying on Revit for 3D modelling.
Nevertheless, organisations still struggle to bring BIM to the field in a way that leads to real adoption. As models are flattened to PDF sheets for distribution to the field, a large portion of BIM data gets lost during construction. Technology firms have tried to solve this problem with mobile BIM viewers, but solutions have yet to live up to expectations; they’re often clunky, slow and complex. As a result, field workers can’t easily grasp a 3D view of their final work and frequently have to switch between multiple platforms to get important data.
At PlanGrid, we believe that better BIM enablement is key to solving our industry’s largest problems, from reducing rework in construction to improving decision making in operations. Today, our vision advances as we enable the entire construction lifecycle to access BIM data and information in an easy-to-use platform.
VIDEO We are thrilled to announce the launch of a powerful new integration with our parent company, Autodesk. PlanGrid BIM lets anyone conveniently and immediately access models in the field and operations. Users will now be able to use the construction productivity software they love to drill down into 2D and 3D BIM data, without leaving the sheet.
We designed PlanGrid BIM to be different than other mobile viewers on the marketplace today. It was built with the same principles that we used to build our original product for viewing sheets in 2011–a simple, yet powerful product embraced immediately by old-school superintendents. Our goal with BIM was the same–a tool that’s uncomplicated and easy enough for anyone to get the information they need at their fingertips.
What we’ve built is an intuitive BIM product that maps against most workflows today. With three core elements, PlanGrid’s new BIM functionality includes:
Revit Integration
To get started with this feature, you need to export your sheets from Revit to PlanGrid. With the Revit plugin, getting data integrated into PlanGrid is exceptionally easy, eliminating the need for double entry and manual uploads. For instance, a BIM or VDC manager can install the PlanGrid plugin for Revit and then with a few clicks, get the BIM data and 2D sheets from Revit directly synced to PlanGrid. From there, a Document Controller can review and push to the field.
All sheet titles, numbers and data properties transfer with 100% accuracy. Meanwhile, drawings maintain the high-quality experiences and features PlanGrid is known for, like automatic callout detection and hyperlinking.
BIM-enabled Sheets
Users in the field are very familiar with navigating plans in 2D. With PlanGrid BIM, they can now just tap anywhere on a sheet to pull up model details such as the product or dimensional information associated with an object.
3D BIM Viewer
If a user taps to view 3D from an object, like a wall or door, on a sheet, instantly zoom in on the object’s 3D environment, even offline. The 3D BIM viewer is easy to explore with an intuitive pinch and zoom gestures and includes snap-to tools for taking measurements between model objects. Currently in open beta.
PlanGrid BIM in Action: Supporting Teams Through the Construction Lifecycle
PlanGrid BIM in Design and Preconstruction
New BIM functionality in PlanGrid allows teams to easily conduct design reviews and owner walkthroughs by accessing the richness of the model from anywhere. Ensure that construction delivers on design intent by connecting the dots with just a click of a button.
PlanGrid BIM in the Field
PlanGrid BIM enables better decision making in the field. With BIM functionality at their fingertips, teams can get the full picture in one place. Having all the data properties in 2D and being able to quickly visualise how complex work comes together in 3D eliminates the need to refer back to the office or sign into another program and navigate complex models.
PlanGrid BIM in Operations
With PlanGrid BIM, contractors can hand over high-quality as-builts with all asset details and 3D views pinned to their location on the drawings. In turn, facility teams have fast access to information during repairs and renovations. Teams can access rooms to see manufacturing and dimensional data before even getting to the site, helping them save time when preparing to solve an issue.
PlanGrid BIM is available to all PlanGrid users today on iOS and web, with functionality in Android and Windows to follow in late May. In the near future, PlanGrid will further its aim to help increase construction productivity by supporting integration with other design and project review software such as Autodesk Navisworks®, in addition to adding functionalities to update the master BIM model with data from the field, and the ability to generate tasks, RFIs and snag lists from model data.
