By Martha Hollowell
In my last post I started talking about Teaching BIM and how important it is to work side by side in 2D and 3D views to help students get a feel for the “building modeling” concept. Another important aspect of the whole BIM arena is the “information” part of BIM. To help students understand some of what BIM can do for them you can show them a simple schedule update as shown in the graphics below. On the left is a 3D view where a family made up of a dining table and chairs is being placed on the patio of a building. Under it is a furniture schedule before the family is added. This includes not only the number of the various furniture families in the model but also the cost. Then, on the right, is the plan view that shows the family already placed and below it the schedule updated to include the new dining table and chairs.
The information is actually stored in the family and then applied in the schedule. In this case, the Cost parameter of the dining table and chair family is stored in its Type Properties and also included in the fields of the schedule as shown below.
This information from the schedule can also be exported to a text file (Application Menu: Export>Reports>Schedule) that can then be imported into another program to give you a quantity takeoff for estimating or purchasing. The information goes beyond the building model and construction documents into the hands of construction bidders, building managers, purchasing agents, and more.
How do you like to show the power of BIM information in your classes? Share it in the comment section below.
If you are coming to AU 2011 please be sure to come by and see me. My class "The Brainy Bunch: Teacher Training Tips for Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, MEP, and Structure" is scheduled for November 29, 2011 at 10:15AM. I will also be at the Ascent booth 601 off and on during the convention.
Martha Hollowell
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