Ideate Technologies, the value-added distributor of Autodesk design and engineering software in South and Greater Africa, has noted a significant increase in the adoption of building information modeling (BIM) and the software that drives it in (specifically) Kenya’s architecture, engineering and, more recently, building engineering services sectors.
This has been as a result of technology advancements and changes in the mind sets of project teams who are realizing that even the most complex concepts are easily achieved.
Computer-aided design (CAD) technology has been an important part of the architectural industry for decades, which initially enabled architects to take advantage of the rapidly advancing PC technology to transform the process of manual drafting into an electronic process, which was more efficient for documentation.
Project information used in traditional CAD software, such as two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) software like AutoCAD comprised of lines, arcs and circles. However, BIM and the software that drives it extends these capabilities beyond 3D, augmenting the three primary spatial dimensions – width, height and depth – with time and cost as the fourth and fifth dimensions respectively.
BIM technology also differs from traditional CAD in the parametric nature of its design engine. The software that drives BIM empowers the designer to develop a full project design using the actual objects, in addition to symbolic 2D lines.
These objects not only represent what the specific item looks like in the real world but also how it should behave and interact with other items. They can also contain additional information such as material properties, manufacturer details and costs.
Envisaging the virtual construction of a building or structure prior to its actual construction enables architects, engineers, builders and owners to digitally explore a projects key physical and functional characteristics, such as cost scheduling and the environmental impact before the project is actually built.
This is undertaken to reduce uncertainty, resolve clashes between disciplines, enhance communication and understanding of the project, simulate and analyze the building process and performance.
By leveraging the power of BIM, construction and project managers can perform more accurate quantity takeoffs by visualizing construction processes through four dimensional simulation and clash detection , and in executing onsite operations more effectively, resulting in less construction waste, time saving and thus cost reduction.
BIM is increasingly becoming the standard on projects worldwide and is being driven by the increasing demands and complexities of modern design projects. The development in mobile technology through smart phones and tablets has enabled BIM data to be accessed anywhere, allowing professionals to open, edit and share drawings on site through cloud-based computing services like Autodesk BIM 360.
About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone – from design professionals, engineers and architects – to digital artists, students and hobbyists – Autodesk software helps unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.co.za, facebook.com/AutodeskAfrica or follow @ADSKAfrica on twitter.
Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk Inc. and /or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in Africa and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and service offerings, specifications and pricing at any time without notice and it’s not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
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