An Overview of Open BIM
It may be summed up as using open standards, tools, and processes when working with Building Information Modeling. In essence, it’s an effort to facilitate information sharing during the complete BIM process. Designers are faced with the challenging task of adhering to several construction rules and green standards, which adds to the difficulty of creating BIM visualization boards. To fulfill the goals of all interested parties participating in the project, it should also enable data flow from other technologies. It was building SMART that developed the idea of open BIM in order to provide an open standard for efficient information sharing for AEC operations.
How exactly the concept of Open BIM works?
The analogy of Open BIM and Closed BIM
The general notion of BIM is simple real-time collaboration and project development. However, the approach segregation in how BIM should be followed could be understood by an analysis on open BIM vs closed BIM and open BIM advantages over closed BIM.
What exactly you could term as Closed BIM?
When all significant project stakeholders utilize the same software, such as Autodesk’s Revit Architecture or Revit Structure, in a closed BIM environment, it is said to be “lonely BIM.” This method restricts integration to those who are acquainted with certain BIM tools but yet enables collaboration among project participants.
Nevertheless, minimizing interoperability problems brought on by disparate software solutions within the same project is frequently favored.
Key difference between Open BIM and Closed BIM
A transparent, open workflow known as open BIM makes it possible for project participants to work together regardless of the software tools they are working on. On the other hand, a closed BIM environment restricts collaboration with a single software approach.
It also establishes a common language for processes and gives project data longevity. On the other hand, closed BIM solely relies on software data, which brings a closet approach to critical data analysis and data-driven design methodologies.
Open BIM advantages also include encouraging competition software vendors irrespective of their workforce and revenue sizing. In addition to this, it makes customer-centric design mainstream by product supply through user-specific demand searches. Rather, a legacy monopoly of big software corporations in the closed BIM workflow.
Advantages of using Open BIM for your AEC workflow
In closed BIM, all software tools required for collaboration and communication of designs are provided by a single source. With this approach, worries regarding open, standardized formats are removed. Without depending on a single supplier, Open BIM enables data transmission using open international standards, guaranteeing project success.
Further, we list down benefits of deploying Open BIM approach in your project flow in details –
Data accessibility
Access to your data at any time is ensured by open BIM, which enables data to be saved on open standards like IFC and BIM Collaboration Format. This format lets you view and comprehend your own data because it is public and not secret. Compared to proprietary technologies in the past, when data was destroyed or had to be recreated from scratch, this is a major advance. Open BIM makes sure that your data is always accessible, even if it cannot be read by current tools.
Ease in innovation
Innovation in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) sector is facilitated by open standards. Since the Internet is based on open standards, organizing and accessing data is simple. This strategy might hasten the industry’s drive toward sustainability by producing cutting-edge technologies for the lifespan of constructed assets. Tools that enable workflows and adhere to the open BIM methodology are more creative and intelligent.
More Resilience
Project risk increases when a vendor is solely relied upon. Utilizing tools from several providers lowers risk. Open BIM initiatives increase robustness by enabling flexibility in vendors and designers. A large-scale mishap involving one designer or vendor won’t cause an open BIM project to fail.
Better Security Insurance
Better security and accessibility are ensured by using data in open standards-based formats in open BIM processes. Information leaks occur from vendors who keep data in proprietary formats because they lack openness. Transparency is provided via open standards-based formats, which let users know exactly what’s in a file. Project risk can be decreased, for instance, by leveraging IFC for model data over several building revisions. Better data control and security are ensured when open international standards are used throughout the life cycle of a constructed asset.
Future Proof
Business procedures may be future-proofed and more creative solutions can be made possible by the choice of suppliers and software tools that Open BIM offers. When new technology emerges, early users frequently utilize it for personal purposes, but as BIM develops, CIOs, CEOs, and COOs view it as a tool that can help their entire company. The risk of trusting closed systems increases as firms seek new technologies and flexibility. For businesses in the real estate sector, open BIM is the logical next step.
The future of AEC is definitely Open BIM
The introduction of BIM to the AEC industry somewhat altered the way we used to plan for our engineering and construction requirements. Every industry’s guideline for technology is to evolve. With BIM, however, things are different. The level of innovation has now increased to the point where each new solution entering the AEC design market will go through the BIM process. even staying current with automation and AI advancements. The market for AEC design will grow in the future as more cloud-based BIM tools with important metrics are used. Open BIM will enable this to happen.
