What is openBIM and why is it important?

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The openBIM software is the digital, progressive and future-proof approach which helps to enhance the collaboration among the AEC industry. The connection among the different stakeholders who are involved in the infrastructure or building project has been increased by the effectiveness of the openBIM software as this software allows the stakeholders to share project information in neutral and non-proprietary file formats. The use of the open standards of this software is beneficial to everyone as this helps to create, process, import or export the BIM data from the planning, designing, or tendering phase to the construction and other operational phases. A wide range of software users including engineers, architects, builders, contractors, and other property managers are positively affected by the usefulness of this software.

A singular language has been created by the openBIM software which helps to ensure transparency in the workflow as well as ensuring the longevity and accessibility of the information for building assets.

This openBIM software is based on the open standards including IFC from buildingSMART. This software is dedicated to the high-quality standards that have been defined by the open BIM charter as well as represented by the open BIM logos.

OpenBIM software is the initiative of buildingSMART and is also supported by many leading software vendors in the building and construction industry. The open data formats of this openBIM software help to define the design methods for the object-oriented description of the buildings which helps to facilitate integrated delivery of the project. A common language has been provided by the openBIM software which helps to exchange the BIM information among the multidisciplinary project team members.

Importance of openBIM software

Securing project data

The open standards of the openBIM software guarantee that the project data of the users can be accessible over a long period of time. In the openBIM file format including IFC and BCF, more governments and companies can work and archive their work as this software secures the project data.

Sharing data with everyone

Users can work together by using the open file formats of the openBIM software, these file formats can be exchangeable along with other software. While using the IFC standards of this software, the sharing of the BIM information is not a problem anymore. Users can choose the other user with whom they want to work with on the basis of the quality of the design work not on the basis of the software that the other user use.

Common language

A common language has been created by the openBIM software for widely referenced processes. Thus, this software helps to allow the government and industry to procure projects along with transparent engagement in the commercial sectors which helps to assure the quality of the data.

Best-of-breed solution

This openBIM software also allows the project team members to choose their work in the best-of-breed solutions.

Efficiency

The openBIM software also helps to provide enduring project data for use purposes throughout the life-cycle of the building assets as well as helps to avoid multiple inputs of the same data thus preventing the chances of consequential errors.

Independence of the software version

This openBIM software allows the project team members to decide about the upgrades of their software independently from their peers in different types of projects.

The open workflow

The project team members have been allowed by the openBIM software to participate regardless of the software tools that they have used.

Product data

The online product supply side along with more exact demands of the users has been energised with the help of the openBIM software. In addition, this software also helps to deliver the product data into BIM directly.

Advantages of using openBIM software as compared to closed BIM

The openBIM software offers greater data transparency as well as communication without any kind of forcing people into using CAD or BIM solutions. There are numerous benefits of using the openBIM software which are as follows:

➢ This software helps to offer flexibility.
➢ The reliability of data has been maintained by this openBIM software which enables the use of this software across the different solutions.
➢ There is better interoperability by using the open and neutral standards of this openBIM software.
➢ This software also helps to offer higher long-term sustainability along with the accepted data formats.
➢ Better collaboration across different departments has been also facilitated by this openBIM software.

Connection among BuildingSMART International and openBIM software

BuildingSMART International is a non-profit community whose goal is to drive digital transformation in the AEC industry by using open and neutral standards including data formats. BuildingSMART consists of three different programs which help to support networks for specific types of activities including:

1. User Programme: This is used for general openBIM promotion tasks such as organizing events or summits as well as working on identifying the future requirements of the AEC industry.

2. Compliance Programme: This is used for all kinds of certification-related tasks.

To get online demonstration, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: Dion Moult

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3. Standards Programme: this is used for developing as well as updating various types of standards, reference websites and technical documents.