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The Cube

Editorial Type: Technology focus     Date: 01-2016    Views: 3294      








Achieving BIM Level 2 using Vectorworks was recently demonstrated by taking architects through the creation of a hypothetical project - The Cube - and the BIM processes related to it

An introduction to the workflows and practices within BIM was recently given to architects by Vectorworks. Entitled 'The Cube', it consisted of a hypothetical four storey project in the heart of London, and comprised two phases, the first being site development from imported Shape files, and the second, creating the building from a massing model, taking it through each of the design stages and ending up with the detailed construction model. Throughout, the relationship to BIM Level 2 requirements was emphasised.

The Cube was one in a series of live, educational demonstrations created by Vectorworks to answer client specific questions. This particular presentation concentrated on levels of development (LOD), first of all utilising a single software platform to create early massing studies (LOD 100), which were then refined to create concept walls, slabs etc. (LOD 200), and then further refined to show construction intent (LOD 300).

The presentation covered LOD's for both geometries making up the virtual building model, as well as the information/ data attached to these objects (schedules, data extraction). "Refine, not remodel" was very much the key principle here, but it also showcased some of the new features Vectorworks 2016 had to offer. Throughout, attention was paid to the many BIM standards & protocols and how they impacted the varying LOD's.

EARLY MASSING STUDIES
Vectorworks 2016 was used throughout the presentation and proved very useful, as it provides site-modelling capabilities in a linked module. We started off with terrain survey data in the form of shapefiles - spatial data, provided by partner Promap - which was used to develop a highly detailed 3D model of the site, close to Soho Square, in which we could place the building. The shapefiles also contained vectors - lines, polygons and points - and attributes, which also gives them a close relationship with a BIM file.

Very simply, the shapefile along with its survey points was imported into Vectorworks, and the 3D points with their actual coordinates in Lat/Long and elevation in metres, and then converted with a few clicks using Landmark into a site model, which can be viewed in a number of formats. A further site model was imported from Promap that consisted of 3D polygons, representing the buildings and roads on site. Clicking on each polygon provided full details, including whether it was a natural feature or a man-made building. Creating reports from such data is easy.

The Vectorworks 'Modify by Record' tool was then used to edit the Promap polygons by applying colours to categories to simplify viewing. The site model was then ready to be populated, using the Vectorworks 'Massing Model' tool to very quickly create a 3D building. This was achieved by selecting one of the 3D polygons from Promap and modifying it through the object info palette, or by creating a new building using the 'Create Object from Shape' tool, and then extrapolating it to the required size. You can then apply selected properties, including '.floor usage data', a useful tool for defining the occupancy of each floor - residential, office, etc. - which allow it to be linked to the tables of massing model specifications which can be incorporated in the model.

Having designed the building, the next step was to create an adjoining road using the Roadway design tools in Vectorworks 2016 to create a road object from the imported shape, and applying road properties and a custom kerb from a selection of Object road properties - controlling kerb width and height and pavement thicknesses, etc.

Vectorworks 2016 also features an enhanced Hardscape tool that enables users to insert specific objects (such as slabs) and detailed components into the model. You can also use it to populate the site with street lamps, trees, cars, zebra crossings and other street furniture - all available out of the box with Vectorworks.

Once the site model had been created, closer inspection of any element was achievable using the Vectorworks Clip Cube live section capabilities.

ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUILDING
The Cube presentation was also used to demonstrate BIM workflows within Vectorworks 2016, refining the model as the demonstration went through each process. This dealt with the Levels of Development within BIM - the geometry of the model, and the data associated with it - both of which can be exported within an IFC file, making them capable of being understood and read by other platforms.

The various BIM protocols and framework were taken into consideration, and the digital Plan of Work, looking at Level of Detail 100, which relates to Concept Design, Level of Development 200, which is Developed Design, and Technical Design which equates to Level of Development 300. The information generated was then fed into the Suppliers Information Exchange as COBie drops. This was correlated with the Product Delivery table (pictured above), an overview of deliverables which states what information has to be delivered at what point of development, and to whom.



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