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Product licensing can become a bit of a minefield, so, in response to requests from customers, Graphisoft has introduced a simplified and more flexible licensing system for its BIM presentation app, BIMx.

There are now just three options, available from the Apple Appstore or Google Play. BIMx, the option recommended for clients, is available free of charge, allowing access to 3D building models in BIMx format. Besides the 3D content, basic BIMx includes a Stereo Mode, Gravity, Floor-plan cutaways, Egress Recognition and the Cloud connection

The basic app can be upgraded to BIMx Pro, recommended for architects, which provides access to both the 2D and 3D content in BIM projects (Hypermodels - linked to 2D documentation) and allows access to any number of full BIMx projects on one device. Other capabilities include all-round 3D Cutaways and 2D in the Model Context. The additional features do come with a small charge.

For a similar sum, Graphisoft will give users access to BIMx Model Sharing, an in-app purchase option, which allows BIMx Pro customers to make BIMx hypermodels available to any number of their clients without time limit.

Sharing hypermodels with project team members or clients is straightforward. From the model, an email is sent to either, giving them the code to access the hypermodel. For team members, who presumably already have BIMx installed, the app asks which device they want the model downloaded to.

Clients, on receiving an invitation from the architect to view a 3D model of their project, are given the appropriate link to, first of all, download BIMx onto their device. Once that hads been carried out, they can then use the access code for the 3D model, provided on the original email. They will find, however, that they now have access to the complete hypermodel - the full 2D/3D documentation set.

With BIMx capabilities to hand, they can navigate through this with the same facility as the architect and comment on the design, bringing up 2D plans, 3D models, photographs, check specifications and being able to peruse any other associated documentation - and send questions and observations to the architect using the inbuilt BIMx messaging system.

BIMx is an award-winning application from Graphisoft, providing advanced viewing capabilities for both Apple- and Microsoft-based devices. With cloud-based data transfers and synchronised updates from the model site, it gives architects and clients quick and direct access to small- and large-scale building projects. In fact, when typical construction documentation amounts to hundreds of pages, viewing large layout books will be immeasurably quicker than being faced with having to upload and print PDF versions.

Working with 2D and 3D simultaneously is also made easy in BIMx Pro, with smooth transitions between both dimensions and context-sensitive information overlays. Context sensitive hyperlinks, similar to those used on the web, also make navigating models easier, with 3D cutaways making virtual cuts through buildings using interactive sliders to ensure model detail is even more accessible and understandable. And you can go one step further by taking interactive 3D tours of a building model! Using Zeiss OLED stereo glasses, you can undertake complete immersive 3D experiences in BIMx. BIMx is just as useful, therefore, for presenting ideas to clients as it is for collaborating with project team members.

Deciding which version to use has been made that much easier. Says Akos Pfemeter, vice president of marketing at Graphisoft: "By simplifying the licence options available and following naming standards in the Appstore, our users will better understand whether to choose the FREE version or the paid PRO version.

“The best news,” he adds, “is that, even with paid licences, the purchase decision boils down to the following very simple decision: all models on 1 device OR 1 model on all devices - for the same low price."
www.graphisoft.com