One of the biggest challenges with embracing BIM (building information modeling) throughout concept through completion on a construction project is often the lack of interoperability among the various software platforms used by the different companies. But this challenge is beginning to be addressed by new initiatives and technology developments aimed at helping improve BIM in the construction industry.

Autodesk Virtual event today which will be show casing the new 2013 products and talking about how BIM is effecting the AEC industries. Should be a great event, starts at 17:00 and ends at 21:00 GMT. Looking forward to seeing some new features, and hearing the pespective of the Autodesk team.

I found this video a few weeks ago which showed one of the new features in the 2013 release of Autodesk Navisworks. This Autodesk Navisworks Learning video shows you how you can work with Revit models in Navisworks. You'll learn how to open Revit files in Navisworks, see how the Revit properties are imported with the model, and learn how to improve your workflows with the switchback functionality. This is one of the features in the 2013 which further aids the collaboration process between parties using different software packages.

A post by Rob Clark on his BIM Implementation blog followed up by my response:

So, I want to put a thought out there.   I’m sure it’s not original, but I’ve never heard anybody suggest it and I am beginning to wonder why.

"The Government Construction Strategy was published by the Cabinet office on 31 May 2011. The report announced the Governments intention to require: collaborative 3D BIM (with all project and asset information, documentation and data being electronic) on its projects by 2016.

Kicking off today is the eagerly awaited BIM Show Live 2012, hosted in the Business Design Centre, London. With over 450 attendees expected and a huge list of exciting and knowledgable speakers giving presentations, the event is sure to be a great success. 

BIM 360 is a new technology recently released from Autodesk, A seemingly useful tool for BIM managers for overall project review and mark up. It is based on the Autodesk Vault technology, and is likely to be a key tool for future BIM projects. 

Working along side existing technologies such as Revit, BIM 360 allows users to merge and align models, review clashes, reviewing model and integrating with CMiC. If you are already creating projects in Autodesks - Revit, Navisworks or AutoCAD there is a simple add in which you can download that will then get added to the addins menu on your ribbon. Simply click on this button in the ribbon to begin reviewing the project in Autodesk 360.

So I stumbled upon these videos this morning, a sitcom series called Café BIM focusing on an engineering firm working with BIM. Well worth a watch for a laugh! Anyone else found anything like these before? Would like to make a collection of BIM TV footage! 

123D Catch is an application from Autodesk which I mentioned in an earlier post about rapid energy modelling. Autdesk 123D Catch is an application designed to create a 3D model out of a collection of photos of the same object. 

Just a quick post to share some information that I recently came accross, On the Hanson Bridgett website they have listed a bunch of useful documents relating to BIM and IPD. The information ranges from IPD frameworks to negotiating an IPD contract all the way up to a document to help the management and implementation of BIM / IPD.

Stephen Hamil who works for The NBS has created a list of over 60 articles and reports on BIM. Compiled from documents released from companies and members of the BIM blogosphere. The reports cover the following areas: