OPEN BIM!

Why is it important?

1. OPEN BIM supports a transparent, open workflow, allowing project members to participate regardless of the software tools they use.
2. OPEN BIM creates a common language for widely referenced processes, allowing industry and government to procure projects with transparent commercial engagement, comparable service evaluation and assured data quality.
3. OPEN BIM provides enduring project data for use throughout the asset life--cycle, avoiding multiple input of the same data and consequential errors.

1. Small and large (platform) software vendors can participate and compete on system independent, 'best of breed' solutions.
2. OPEN BIM energizes the online product supply side with more exact user demand searches and delivers the product data directly into the BIM.

Getting familiar with Building Information Modelling means coming to grips with a host of new terms and acronyms. This can be pretty frustrating at first, however, with a basic understanding things start to fall into place. This video series is designed to presents open BIM concepts in simple language.

So, let’s start at the beginning: what is open BIM?

open BIM simply means working with BIM using open Standards.

Well, what are open Standards?

Let me give an analogy explain.

To write a report you typically use a word processing application. Maybe, Microsoft Word or Apple Pages.

Once the report is complete, you probably want to share it with your audience. Typically, you don’t send out your reports as a native file, you usually publish a PDF copy. There are a number of reasons for this:

Firstly, if you send a native file, anyone can make changes to your document without you knowing.

Secondly, the native files are proprietary, or closed, formats. This means the receiver needs to have the same application, or a compatible application, to view them.

If you issue a PDF, on the other hand, the document can be viewed with a simple PDF viewer. PDF is an open standard. It is a lightweight file, but still has a lot of functionality. The recipient can view the document, search for words, add comments or markups but they cannot change the original text.

This PDF workflow is comparable to open BIM.

In BIM, we start by creating a model using a commercial modelling software. Here we are working in a native, or proprietary, format.

At some stage we want to share our model with the project team. If we issue the native model, the receiving party must have the same or compatible software to view it. They can also make changes to the model without our knowing. However, if we publish the model in an open exchange format, like IFC, the model data is freely viewable – measurable and usable. But the model content is protected. Changes cannot be made in an IFC file. They are made back in the original modelling software.

So, let’s recap.

Creating model data in a native format is called native BIM. If we exchange this model data with an open standard, such as IFC, then we are in open BIM.

But, is there a closedBIM?

Some people refer to working in a native file format as closed BIM, rather than native BIM. This is a little misleading, as it suggests something counter to open BIM. In fact, native BIM is the basis for open BIM. You can only start an open BIM process by creating a model in a native format. You don’t create models in IFC, you export them to IFC.

And at any stage in a native BIM process you can exchange data with open standards and thereby start an open BIM workflow.

The term closed BIM, should really only be used to describe a scenario where open BIM Standards are intentionally excluded. For example, where file exchange is exclusively in a native format.

Why is open BIM important?

• Open BIM supports a transparent, open workflow and allows project members to participate regardless of the software tools they use.
• Open BIM creates a common language for widely referenced processes, allowing industry and government to procure projects with transparent commercial engagement, comparable service evaluation and assured data quality.
• Open BIM provides enduring project data for use throughout the asset life–cycle, avoiding multiple input of the same data and consequential errors.
• Small and large (platform) software vendors can participate and compete on system independent, ‘best of breed’ solutions.
• Open BIM energizes the online product supply side with more exact user demand searches and delivers the product data directly into the BIM.
• Best of breed solution Project members can choose to work in best of breed solutions in respective fIEld and solutions 
• Project member can decide about their software upgrades independently from their peers in different project. 

Why should you use open BIM format

Best in Class, Fit for Purpose

With such a vast array of software products on the market, it is impossible to accept that anyone vendor can produce the best solution to all problems. One open communication protocol means that products can be selected on their capability and not their source.

Competition

The software market is under continuous development and vendors are always looking to improve performance, scope and deliverables. In an open market, this will continue unabated as the quest for competitive advantage is the primary goal.

Application

In a major construction project, there are likely to be a significant number of stakeholders using a variety of software tools. It makes absolute business sense that each stakeholder can use their tools of choice providing it can exchange data with others. Only if a particular tool-set does not have this communication capability should pressure be bought to change.

Article by: Biswajit Chakrabarty