BIM File Formats & How To Use Them
Tejjy Inc. - 3D Laser Scanning - Architecture & Engineering - BIM and GIS Services - An 8A Company
Building Information Modeling(BIM) I 3D Laser Scanning | Engineering & Architectural Services I Construction Management
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Building Information Modeling ?in construction is a diversified term. It facilitates the collaboration of construction professionals from different disciplines to work on a virtual platform. BIM allows users to create precise building information models from the available database. The professionals from different disciplines can access the same database for the creation of the BIM models of their respective disciplines.?BIM modelers?and BIM managers effectively create and manage the digital data of the structures like buildings, dams and bridges.
The digital information in a BIM model can be managed and stored in a number of ways. There are several file formats and extensions in which the data can be managed. Different software programs support different file formats. It makes it difficult for the users to import and export the building-related data. Using different software for BIM affects interoperability between them and affects the transfer of information. However, there are two major types of file formats. Let us explore them in detail further in this article ????????
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILE FORMATS IN BIM
There are two different types of file formats available for BIM software. Choosing the right software package helps users to make effectively-informed decisions and easy data exchange among the project team. Let us learn about different file formats in detail below: -
Proprietary file formats are the type of formats which are supported by their own respective software programs. They do not support the files from other third-party software tools. The proprietary file formats have limited functionality. Therefore, it can hinder interoperability if different software tools are used by the project team. Proprietary file formats include the following file formats: -
Let us discuss each one in detail.
2. RVT – Autodesk Revit
Dot RVT (.RVT) is a file format for the Building Information Modeling software Autodesk Revit. The RVT files are supported only by Autodesk Revit and can be opened using Revit software only. Autodesk Revit contains two more file formats as follows: -
Dot NWD (.NWD) is the file extension for the software called Navisworks. It is a BIM-enabled software manufactured by the tech-giant Autodesk. NWD files can be opened using Navisworks Manage or Navisworks Freedom. Like Revit, Navisworks supports two additional file formats. They are – NWC and NWF, respectively.
3. DWG – Autodesk AutoCAD
AutoCAD is one of the most popular software programs for AEC, by Autodesk. AutoCAD supports the DWG files. However, other CAD-based programs, such as Graphisoft ArchiCAD and Bentley MicroStation, do accept the files with DWG file format. The AutoCAD DWG files are capable of holding 2D and 3D data, as well. AutoCAD includes DXF file format in its box. The DXF is the format for Data Interchange or Data Exchange and is minutely larger than the DWG file format. DXF format is also accepted by many CAD-based programs.
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4. Non-Proprietary File Formats in BIM
The non-proprietary file formats, also known as open-ended file formats are the type of files that can be accessed using any software program. The non-proprietary BIM file formats are open-source formats and almost all the BIM and CAD-based software support the files with these formats. These file formats improve interoperability, resulting in easy data exchange and hassle-free data access. Let us check out different types of non-proprietary file formats for BIM and CAD programs in detail below: -
Let us discuss each one in detail.
IFC is the most common and the most reliable open-source file format for data exchange. The data and information carried by IFC consist of the data related to the building information model including its spatial data, materials, shapes and geometries, as well. Industry Foundation Classes file format for BIM is supported by numerous BIM-based software tools such as?Autodesk Revit ,?Autodesk Navisworks , Edificius, Allplan, etc, offering enhanced interoperability. There are 3 different formats of IFC. They are –
?COBie is simply a BIM model in another format. An excel sheet contains the data and information embedded in a building information model. That sheet is then converted into a COBie sheet for your Building Information Modeling project. The non-proprietary file format streamlines the delivery of critical construction project information. A COBie file is similar to a BIM model because it contains the same detailed information and data as the project's 3D BIM model. Construction documents, equipment lists, warranties, and maintenance plans are all available in digital format.?
??READ MORE:-?Revit 2023 - A Complete Toolset for BIM Engineers
INTEROPERABILITY AND BIM
Interoperability, the buzzword in the BIM industry, is the characteristic of the system to be compatible with other programs or file formats in order to facilitate effective data exchange. The AEC firms adopt different software programs according to their requirements. Different software tools support different file formats. But there are certain file formats which are compatible with all the BIM tools, which are known as non-proprietary file formats. The non-proprietary file formats enhance the interoperability and facilitate hassle-free data exchange among different software tools. Interoperability plays a vital role during the ongoing project. People involved in a project often use different digital tools based on their requirements for various disciplines and tasks. Sometimes, it hinders the data exchange and the process becomes tedious and lengthy, resulting in delays in projects and ineffectiveness. The project manager, therefore, instructs the team members to work on the same software. It helps to streamline the process of exchanging and accessing important information related to the construction project with ease.
CONCLUSION
Building Information Modeling is currently one of the most popular technologies in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction sectors. It has been proving itself since its inception, delivering high-quality 3D models with the integration of accurate data related to the construction project. A construction project consists of several people from different disciplines working on a single project. BIM allows people to collaboratively work under one roof.
Working on a single coherent model often requires the exchange of information and data. People working on different software tools usually face problems while exchanging the data due to different file formats. IFC and COBie are therefore used widely for effective data exchange. They facilitate interoperability which results in the elimination of delays, and hassle-free data exchange and also empowers collaboration in the project.