experience of OpenBuilding Designer

experience of OpenBuilding Designer

Introduction:

OpenBuilding Designer, formerly known as AECOsim Building Designer, is a kind of BIM (Building Information Modeling) software developed by Bentley. Rich information such as design, simulation, and documentation can be processed with this multi-discipline application. Bentley also has a series of specific design applications upon particular types of projects. For example, OpenBuilding Station Designer is more suitable for the design of metro stations. In this article, the description and hands-on experience of OpenBuilding Designer will be elaborated.

Downloading the application:

Similar to Revit, OpenBuilding Designer has a free trial for students. Creating a Bentley CONNECT account and then apply for a code to get the permission for free download. Each school will have a unique school code. When installing OpenBuilding Designer, Bentley CONNECT and Generative Components can be downloaded at the same time. Bentley CONNECT works like BIM360. It allows users to access cloud service. Project team members can access and share information in real-time. Generative Components is a computational design tool for complex buildings.

The top toolbar is similar to Revit. OpenBuilding Designer also allows electrical and mechanical design with prepared icons and models. When selecting items, the property taskbar will show. The position of the element will be shown in coordinates. There is an XYZ axis to determine the locations of features. By use view toggles at the bottom, more direction of views can be available. Different from the elevation view, top/bottom view, section view, and 3D view in Revit view in OBD is labeled by number. You can set to any angle and any view attribute you want to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the model. Scheduling and generating plans functions are also available.

Importing RVT files:

First, import the existing model into OpenBuilding Designer. Revit models can be introduced into AECOsim in IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) file format. RFA (Revit family models) files can be imported into OpenBuilding Designer directly, but not RVT models. madani et al 2014 g the IFC model, the model looks like Figure 1. IFC is a standard format for various model applications. The advantage of IFC is that documents can be imported into all kinds of software. The negative side of this format is that the size of the file will be reduced significantly, and some characteristics done in Revit cannot be presented in OpenBuilding Designer. While after exporting in IFC format, the size shrunk to 32.1MB. According to the clarification of Autodesk, the level of details will be affected in the IFC file. (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2017/ENU/Revit-DocumentPresent/files/GUID-E029E3AD-1639-4446-A935-C9796BC34C95-htm.html) The original size of Team 5’s midterm was 71.7MB, which means that the size of the record was compressed by more than half.

To get a standard view of the model, first, change the view attributes from “Filled Hidden Line” to “Filled Hidden Line: Modeling.” Then the model will show in Figure 3. However, the color of part of the west exterior wall is white, which supposed to be orange. Additionally, there was a white flat plane floating in the yard, which wasn’t in the original model. There is no doubt that some errors happened during the exporting and importing process. The imported model can only be copied but not edited. Therefore, making a copy of the original model will allow users to delete. First, go to the palette icon in the toolbar, set the color (237,155,79), and then click the white wall. The modification process in OpenBuilding Designer is different from Revit. In Revit, the standard procedure is double-clicking the component and edit profile or properties. While in OBD, properties are set first and are applied to the selected elements later. Except for the missing color of the partial west exterior wall, the model looks great and has enough details, as seen in Revit. When zooming in the customized hall gate, LOD is exceptionally high, as shown in Figure 6.

Go to the bottom of the view; there is a button called “floor manager.” It shows that the imported model only has the floor 1 to 3. Additionally, the elevation of a level was incorrect. By selecting the “isolate active floor,” the model supposed to isolate floor by a story in Bentley’s sample model. However, only the exterior wall, part of the interior wall, and some columns were isolated. Since the level manager shows the incorrect level setting, it is impossible to separate levels with anticipated height. But isolating specific categories can be realized. Use the Level Display function; turn on sets wanted can show the desired type. However, there are still some errors when turning off these categories. For example, when the category plant was off, pine trees were still displayed in a view. This may vary due to a different definition of elements in different softwares. Besides, OpenBuilding Designer has a function called Display set. Quickly select the part you need and then choose the Display set. The selected region will be isolated then. This function is like the hide/unhide element function in Revit. OpenBuilding Designer has a structure of components as part-data group-geometry.

Datagroup includes building elements such as columns, doors, and windows, which are catalog types. Catalog types can be subdivided as catalog items such as single flush doors and double flush doors. Users can set the color of each class individually. By defining the catalog type of each component, the level display function can be more detailed and precise. Color coding will also make it more concise to view. It is similar to “family” in Revit, which will be convenient for element organization. Therefore, the characteristics of Revit models were limited a lot after being imported into OpenBuilding Designer. The compatibility of IFC format is high, but it cannot keep all data features.

The imported IFC model does not have grids as well. I tried to add a correct new network in this model. When creating networks in OBD, users need to set up floor names and elevations first. Then the systems will be generated automatically. Networks in OBD are available in a 3D view. However, they are parallel grids for each floor. There isn’t a way to draw an axis by snapping the point, which is the most significant problem for me when editing the model. Grids should be placed at the very beginning of building design.

Components such as doors and windows in the model cannot be selected to edit. Same as the wall, they can be moved, but the size cannot be changed. To get more experience on this application, create a new file to exercises. First of all, set up levels and grids. Then create exterior walls along networks. When turning on the connect wall button, right-click the mouse, and the end of the wall will be automatically connected to the start point to have a full loop. To insert a door on the wall, click the wall first, then use the AccuDraw to place the door in the right position. For structural parts, foundations can be generated automatically at the intersection of grids. Same as Revit, OBD has pre-modeled components and can be edited by changing the data in properties. Open building Designer is more detailed in property settings. When deleting the door, users can even change the angle of the door open directly, which needs to be done by editing the family in Revit. On the top left side of the toolbar, there is a drop-down menu shows “Building Design.” There are workflows, including design, drawing, modeling, and visualization. The toolbar will change corresponding to the selected working mode. The modeling mode is like family creation in Revit. Customized door and windows can be modeled here and then load into the building.

Discover features of CONNECT edition:

The video overview of OpenBuilding Designer claimed reasons for choosing OpenBuilding Designer. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjJ1tDktEk0) The most exciting thing I learned from the video is how OpenBuilding Designer promotes a 2D hand drawing to CAD and then to BIM. Loading both sketching and area statement sheets into OBD and using the space placement function, then the designed functional space can be allotted. With the space allotted 2D drawing, users can create walls by merely clicking the confined space. The area changes simultaneously when walls are moved. This function is quite efficient for plans with many space segmentation.

To ensure interoperability between OpenBuilding Designer and other modeling softwares, I-model is widely used to merge into a third-party developer’s application. IFC, as referred before, is the standard format for I-model. To communicate better with project members and clients, Bentley developed a CONNECT edition to collaborate better in people, data, and projects. After logging into personal connection center, users can view recent projects and share them with members. Only i-models and PDF files can share. As Bentley website says: ProjectWise is the service that connects the team with integrated cloud services to manage deliverables, resolve issues, collect field data, share files, and drive project performance. (https://www.bentley.com/en/products/product-line/project-delivery-software/projectwise-connection-services) After modeling, go to the main menu and publish I-model. Models will be published in CONNECT, and you and the team can both view the file in personal share or share it with me section. Information mobility is so important, and nobody can finish a project on their own.

Connection community not only allows users to have good contact with clients and project members, but it also provides a large number of tutorial videos for users to dig deeper into the application. There is a calendar in the personal portal of the CONNECT center. If users registered for training, it would remind your class schedule. Since Revit is the mainstream product now, Bentley also provides classes specially designed for users who know how to use Revit and are new to OpenBuilding Designer. Also, at the right top corner, there is an icon called CONNECT Advisor. When users meet some difficulties with modeling, type in keywords, and search, all researchable questions found in Bentley forum will come up. These thoughtful designs are friendly f new users.

Another essential feature for OpenBuilding Designer is Generative Components. GC is a computational design tool that emphasizes more on data computation. It has a relationship window showing all connections between nodes. Especially when designing irregular facades or roofs, this function plays a crucial role. GC can help form shaping as users want and integrate design. With the employment of data, the curve can be more precise and easily editable after communicating with clients. When fabricating panels, the system can automatically calculate parallel centerlines to finalize the surface. Yinchuan Greenland Center in China, designed by John Portman & Associates, is a representative project with the application of Generative Components. (https://www.bentley.com/zh/project-profiles/john-portman-and-associates_yinchuan-greenland-center）

Conclusion:

OpenBuilding Designer shares similarities with Revit. The I-model(IFC) does enhance interoperability among a wide range of applications. However, due to the features of each application, some characteristics cannot be shown in the OBD. OpenBuilding Designer CONNECT edition is a combination of modeling, data management, communication, simulation, and visualization. Especially Generative Components, it shows the advantage of data management. Building Information modeling is becoming the trend of the AEC industry. Applications are also kept updating to keep pace with the development of the sector.