BIMx Brings ArchiCAD Models to Desktop, iPad & iPhone
Graphisoft has adapted its Virtual Building Explorer (VBEG) program to be compatible with mobile devices, and at the same time it has been renamed BIMx. i.e. BIM Explorer. In addition to sending files, BIM models can now be shared via new routes where the platform is Facebook and a cloud server.
CAD software producers are currently competing to devise solutions that make it possible to view CAD information models on mobile devices. Smart phones and tablets are suitable presentation devices for use in meetings and other situations where BIM models are studied in 3D. Graphisoft has made progress on this front and has chosen Apple’s iOS as its platform, i.e. ArchiCAD information models can now be viewed on iPad and iPhone. Especially iPad is well suited for the above situations as its screen is big enough, it can be plugged into a video projector and it is considerably easier to handle than a conventional laptop. The user experience is positive thanks to the device’s smaller size and touch screen operation.
Viewing BIM Models with Different Devices
In the background of BIMx is the familiar VBE program, i.e. Virtual Building Explorer, which was in use for a year and a half before its features were extended for mobile compatibility. BIM models are still viewed on the computer as in VBE, i.e. licence holders transfer directly from ArchiCAD’s 3D window to BIMx, from which the model can be saved further as an independently used file or to be shared with others via a cloud. The viewer thus does not need ArchiCAD to view a BIMx model; the saved file contains both the model and the viewing software. When the model is imported from a cloud server onto a computer or a mobile device, for the first time a free viewing program has to be downloaded – BIMx viewer or BIMx.app from Apple’s App Store for iPad or iPhone. With the iPad or iPhone navigation is done by the touch screen, which makes it simple and easy. The software reacts accurately and swiftly. The program automatically recognises whether you are in or outside the building, thus turning a corner or rotating the model function predictably. BIMx’s help menu provides brief illustrated instructions.
When operating BIMx on iPad or iPhone, navigation is done according to the touch screen operating system. At the bottom of the image is a small circle that is used as a joystick controlling movement forward and back. The viewing direction is controlled by touch.
At this stage the mobile versions do not support all the functions available on computer screen. These include the switching layers on and off, use of the measuring tool and showing element data. Graphisoft already has a long list of wishes that will hopefully be implemented in future versions.
Now that it is possible to save a model from BIMx without a viewing program, the size of the model file to be transferred over a network is considerably reduced and it downloads faster. In fact the file containing the viewing program is compressed to about 40% of the original size. The version of your mobile device affects the functioning of the viewed file. iPad and iPhone 4 allow you to view files of considerable size, but in iPhone 3 the model size is limited to less than 10 Mb. The computer viewing program file size is 7.8 Mb for Mac and 29.3 Mb for Windows. The mobile device program file size is 9 Mb.
Sharing a Model Over a Community Website
From BIMx the model is shared directly via the Internet cloud. For its service Graphisoft utilises the Facebook platform and Microsoft’s Azure cloud technology. The servers are not under Facebook, so sharing and downloading files does not require the BIMx user to have a Facebook account. BIMx files can still be sent by e-mail or, e.g. via DropBox to other project stakeholders. It is hardly likely that anyone would share models of an ongoing project on a public server. At this stage sharing a model via the Internet above all enables the examination of the possibilities offered by the technology and presentation of the completed project to a wider public. Sharing project models via a cloud naturally requires project accounts to be established as well as appropriate data protection.
BIMx community page and the latest models. The links can be used to down-load a model or the viewing program, and to send the link.
How to Try It Out?
When installing ArchiCAD 15, users have the possibility to use BIMx and public models in BIMx format until the end of October 2011. The program is also available as an EDU version in addition to the commercial licence. If you missed the try-out possibility provided with the ArchiCAD update, you can test BIMx with the Trial version. The Trial and EDU versions are available at MyArchiCAD.com. During the writing of this article Graphisoft’s statement was that the program download links will be added to the site shortly.
Service maintenance customers with a VBEG licence will have received the BIMx update. As yet BIMx is not operational with ArchiCAD SE, but the VBEG can be utilised with it.
BIMx
BIMx community page: m.gsbimx.com
Trial and EDU versions: www.myarchicad.com
More information: www.graphisoft.com/products/bim-explorer/ or architosh.com/2011/09/in-depth-graphisoft-bimx-for-ipad-iphone/
This article was published in the 4/2011 issue of ArchiMAG in December 2011.
Agree whole heartedly with Chuck as he dbscriees rethinking the appropriate labels, that describe roles and responsibilities, is useful with the use of avante-garde BIM technology, ie modelers and annotators. In our recent case study project V V V, we coined the term View Maker as contributors to the BIM, relating to all disciplines, and particularly the GS BIM Server™. We applaud your efforts Chuck, and video, here at Scarmack Architecture |:-) .
Alas, in several tnimuomcies where people talk about BIM, they equate this to Revit, which is indeed frustrating.I am an ArchiCAD user, but stand neutral in all the things I say and teach about BIM. And I do hope that more open BIM solutions will arise. (E.g. IFC modellers, where all data and information stays open, platform and application agnostic). Not sure this will happen though. It did, more or less, for programming (e.g. HTML, javascript, java, c++) where you can change platforms, shift from editor to others and still retain control.
Hola, hace poco vengo siguiendo el blog, en laraided archicad tiene me1s de lo que yo podreda imaginar vengo use1ndolo desde el 3er ciclo de la universidad, ahora estoy en 7mo y no dejo de sorprenderme. Felicitaciones por el blog.Tengo una consulta, por que9 cuando paso mis planos a PDF algunas palabras salen mutiladas ?Por ejemplo, cuando coloco la palabra VESTcdBULO , en el PDF termina diciendo VESBULO pense9 que era algfan error por usar la tilde pero cuando puse la palabra sin ella igual segueda diciendo VESBULO o tambie9n cuando pongo la palabra Matedas , en el PDF dice Maas La fanica coincidencia que encuentro es que se omite la sedlaba TI pero de todas maneras no creo que sea normal. Hay alguna solucif3n? porque estar corrigiendo mis planos impresos y escribir la palabra de nuevo a mano le baja la calidad a mis presentaciones de la universidad Gracias de antemano.