We’ve all heard that producing in a BIM (Building Information Modeling) environment is drastically different than producing in CAD, but it was the contrast between “novice” and “experienced” BIM that really surprised me. At times I almost laugh out loud, thinking about how I did things when I started and how I do them now. I can remember sitting at my desk, arm hurting (seriously) from squeezing my mouse trying to get Revit to behave. The one thought constantly running through my head: “There has to be an easier way.”
I can picture the conversation between my present and past selves:
Present Me: “I think my favorite BIM ability has to be ‘parametric elements.’”
Past Me: “Wait, you’re telling me I have the ability to build objects so that with the alteration of a number, the element will adjust itself geometrically to reflect these changes??? How come I didn’t use this from day one!?
Okay, if you know so much, how about this? I have this facade, from bottom to top it has concrete, brick (2” out from the normal masonry), cast stone, brick, cast stone, brick (1” in), then another band of stone – that’s like 7 walls all on top of each other, than need to be aligned, that’s going to be a nightmare.”
Present Me: “Not if you use ‘Stacked Walls.’ Just pick the wall types you want, specify how tall then should be, and voila – perfectly aligned walls that you can place with one command, not seven.”
Past Me: “Whoa, nice! Okay, what else? Gimme some bullet points.”
Present Me: “Okay, here ya go. Symbolic lines in shaft openings – stop wasting your time drawing those Xs in all your shafts, use ‘isolate elements’; use ‘working views’ so you don’t mess up your plot sheets; ‘view templates’ so all your views look the same; ‘tag all not tagged’ – tag all 100 light fixtures in half a second!”
It does make me wonder… what will Future Me be telling Present Me?
- Jim Chambers
Jim Chambers is a Digital Design Specialist and member of Shepley Bulfinch’s architectural staff.
