Thursday, November 29, 2012

Construction Design Made Easy With BIM Addon Software

By Alicia Hunter


Building information modeling or BIM addon software is a powerful tool developed by Autodesk. This is aimed to design and model the structures in all three dimensions before it is carried out in an actual setting. One application from this tool is the Revit. It can provide a three dimensional model of an area in construction such as trusses.

The Revit application is unique in the sense that it can make calculations and labeling for the materials in a particular project. The designer and the contractor can also make estimates of the cost and materials needed to complete the proposed project. Only information regarding key parameters are needed to create a schedule and material cost and quantity calculation.

To start making the design using Revit for the trusses in the roof, for example, you must first create a representation of the actual building. Input all the details, especially accurate measurements of the area. Determine the position of the truss. Include in the plan all the factors that may have direct effect on the structure including the light fixtures, the locations of the openings, and the proposed function of the room.

Include a tie up component as a member of the addon family. Make a graphic representation of the proposed structure by using the components of mass and void. You can also use the predefined structures in the addon. Add up the parameters to the tie up member or the completed model of the tie up to calculate the quantity of materials, mass, and load. Save the parameters family in the settings.

Upload the settings from the saved information into the model for the actual project. Position the truss in the selected location. If there are two or more trusses to be installed, use the copy button to save time. You can also repeat the steps from making the model and creating the design.

Although there is an automatic function in the software that positions and arranges the trusses, it is still recommended that manual checking be done. The automatic function considers all the factors listed in the settings in positioning the frames. It also provides automatic snaps on the installed tie outs.

The designer can check the overall plan by viewing it using the three dimensions. For architects who want to view the plan in an architectural perspective, the render button in the menu can be used. It is set in the lower left of the screen. The architectural view also gives a more graphic picture of the model.

To make a determination of the accurate material quantity needed and other calculations on the structure of the model, the scheduler button on the menu is used. Just follow the instructions and you will receive accurate data. With the information available, you will have a clear quantitative understanding of the components in installing the truss.

Design modification is possible using the edit function. Usually, it is a conflict between the architectural and structural designs that result to modifications. Using information about mass and space, input the data to the settings and make the alteration using the BIM addon software for building designs.




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