Building Information Modelling

VDB4313

Part-2:

Chapter-3: Computer Modelling

Chapter-4: Computer Visualization

COMPUTER MODELING - Topics

 Purpose of the model

 Hardware and Software Requirements
 Computer Modeling Techniques
Three-dimensional computer modeling offers many
advantages compared to the pure 2D drafting approach.
Let’s see how architects can benefit from the various
computer modeling concepts offered in BIM programs.
MODELING DECISION FACTORS

 The building model itself can be used for many purposes,

including visualization, code checking analysis and calculation.
 Models of different types require different solutions.
 The complexity and size of the building, as well as the available
hardware and software in the office, also determine the best
modeling approach.
 The following factors primarily influence the successful
modeling approach:
 Purpose of the model
 Complexity
 Model Size
 Hardware
PURPOSE OF THE MODEL

 There are several kinds of computer models used in

everyday architectural practice.
 The most important ones are conceptual (mass
models), visualization (made for rendering and
animation), BIM, and construction coordination
models. Let’s take a closer look at the main
characteristics of these four model types.
CONCEPTUAL MODELING

 Conceptual models are primarily used in the early design

phase.
 These kinds of relatively simple spatial models help the
designers and architects make fundamental design
decisions.
 Consequently, the accuracy and level of detail of conceptual
models are lower than for BIM and construction models.
 Conceptual models can be built in BIM applications using
the standard modeling tools (slabs, walls, roofs etc.) or with
dedicated conceptual modelers like SketchUp.
CONCEPTUAL MODELING
MODELING FOR VISUALIZATION
 The vast majority of models made with 3D CAD software are created only for
visualization purposes.
 The typical scenario is that once the 3D model is completed it is sent into
the internal or external rendering engine for calculation of photorealistic
images or fly-through animations.
 The model itself is not used for producing construction documentation, so in
most cases, only those parts of the building are modeled that will be visible
in the final visualization materials.
Characteristics:
 Not necessary to model the entire building
 Only the elements of the actual view need to be shown
 Level of modeling detail should depend on the image quality and the
distance from the camera
 Correct texture coordination and lighting is essential
MODELING FOR VISUALIZATION
BIM MODELING
 BIM modeling requires extensive coordination of the 3D model, the 2D
documentation and the attached BIM data.
 This process may take longer during the design development phase than
with traditional
 CAD methods, but once the BIM model is ready, the changes in the design
are automatically updated on all the documentation.
 Consequently, the BIM model can be used during the whole project lifecycle,
resulting in a significant productivity gain for architects.
Characteristics of BIM modeling:
 The entire building has to be modeled and the necessary architectural
information (materials, components etc.) has to be assigned to it
 Model should be made of real architectural elements (walls, slabs, roofs etc.)
for correct calculation results
 Modeling detail level should be appropriate for the required drawing
MODELING FOR CONSTRUCTION
COORDINATION

 Modeling for construction coordination is a relatively

new phenomenon in the building industry.
 The concept behind this approach is that assigning
time and cost information to the three dimensional
BIM model allows the construction companies to
better coordinate the building process and manage the
costs and resources over the course of the project.
MODELING FOR CONSTRUCTION
COORDINATION
VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION MODEL

 A single object in a construction model, for example a

column, is connected to estimating recipes that
describe the methods and resources used to build the
column.
 Each recipe stores a series of methods.
 Most building objects are built at multiple stages.
 The methods represent a separate work activity.
 Each method requires a series of resources including
manpower, machinery and materials.
VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION MODEL
MODEL COMPLEXITY

 We have examined how the purpose of the model affects the

modeling workflow.
 Now let’s see how the complexity of the building influences
the model.
 Naturally, more sophisticated structures results bigger and
more complex models.
 Contemporary architecture is keen on using freeform
shapes and custom building elements.
 This kind of architectural freedom requires advanced
computer modeling techniques, cutting-edge software and
MODEL COMPLEXITY
COMPLEXITY
 The picture shows 3 emblematic buildings of
contemporary architecture.
 There are three golden rules that have to be
considered when modeling such extraordinary
structures:
Simplify
 The level of detail shouldn’t exceed the
requirements
Divide
 Split the project into smaller, logical parts and
share it with the project team members
Use the appropriate software and hardware
 Usually, there is no out-of-the-box solution.
 You have to combine several applications for the
best results. Using the best available hardware is
MODEL SIZE
 The size of the model can be just as critical as the
complexity of the building. Most of the time, very large
models are the result of inappropriate modeling techniques.
 A typical example: very detailed furniture or sanitary objects
are inserted into an architectural model.
 While these sophisticated elements can add extra value to a
high-end internal rendering, they could be completely
useless in architectural documentation.
 Please remember that a single instance of a detailed
furniture object can generate as many 3D polygons as all the
walls in the model!
MODEL SIZE
What makes a model big?
 Number of building elements
 Number of 3D Polygons
 Size of the project file
 Lack of teamwork
 Inappropriate computer
hardware
BIG BUILDINGS
How you can you work effectively with big buildings?
 Reduce the number of polygons (Simplify the model elements which use
excessive memory)
 Turn off the invisible elements (Use layer combinations and selections)
 Divide the project (Modules, Xrefs and teamworking solutions help to
share the work with other project team members)
 Use appropriate hardware (See next chapter)
 Finding the best modeling approach requires full understanding of the
application’s capabilities and clear definitions of the modeling goals.
 Although the features of the programs can greatly influence the best
modeling strategy, a few general rules help to keep the model size
within a reasonable range.
 The most important rule is that the detail level of the model elements
should be appropriate for the purpose of the model.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

 As a rule: if you work with large projects, you should

buy the best hardware that you can afford. Six
components of the computer hardware are critical: the
processor (CPU), the physical memory, the hard disk,
the graphics card, the display and the input device.
Each is important for a different reason, as listed below:
CPU
 Graphical calculations, 2D and 3D operations
Memory
 3D operations
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Hard Disk
 Safe storing of project, backup
and cache files
Graphics Card
 Navigation in 3D; OpenGL
support
Display Device
 High resolution monitors for
easy project overview
Input Device
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
 In the classic BIM workflow, the 3D modeling, the complete
documentation and the visualization work are all done in the
BIM application.
 This approach can be very effective for small- to medium-scale
projects.
 For large or complicated buildings a more complex solution is
required, which usually means the combination of special
purpose modeling software
 with the core BIM application.
 The next figure shows a project in which the early design phase
mass model was developed in a conceptual modeler, while the
complex elements of the final building model were made in a
freeform modeler and then imported to the BIM program.
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
COMPUTER MODELING TECHNIQUES

 Many computer modeling techniques have been developed over

time.
 The following is an overview of the most important ones.
 Polygonal modeling is the most widely used technique in CAD
programs and computer games.
 The main advantage of this approach is that polygon models are
faster to rebuild than other methods.
 The downside of this technology is that polygons are incapable of
accurately representing curved surfaces, so a large number of
them must be used to approximate curves.
 Models with many polygons require a significant amount of
COMPUTER MODELING TECHNIQUES
COMPUTER MODELING TECHNIQUES
Benefits of NURBS
 They are invariant under affine as well as perspective
transformations.
 They offer one common mathematical form for both standard
analytical shapes (e.g., conics) and free-form shapes.
 They provide the flexibility to design a large variety of
shapes.
 They reduce the memory consumption when storing shapes
(compared to simpler methods).
 The NURBS technology solves the problem of curved shapes,
because it uses mathematical models to describe them.
COMPUTER MODELING TECHNIQUES
Benefits of NURBS
 On the other hand the implementation of NURBS in a CAD
program requires extensive programming. For this reason
NURBS are primarily used in specialized freeform modeler
applications.
 Solid modeling is the unambiguous representation of the
solid parts of an object suitable for computer processing.
 Constructive solid geometry (CSG) is a technique used in
solid modeling.
 Constructive solid geometry allows a modeler to create a
complex surface or object by using Boolean operators to
COMPUTER MODELING TECHNIQUES
Evaluation of CSG:
 It is used in cases where simple geometric objects are
desired, or where mathematical accuracy is important.
 CSG is popular because a modeler can use a set of
relatively simple objects to create very complicated
geometry
 CSG models require strong processing capabilities
 Constructive solid geometry can be very effective if a
complex object can be derived from Boolean
operations made between two simple shapes.
COMPUTER MODELING TECHNIQUES
 The basic Boolean operations
are:
 addition, subtraction and
intersection.
 Most BIM applications
support CSG operations
between solid elements of the
model.