AUGIWORLD

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AUGIWORLD December 2023

The Official Publication of the AUGI Design Community

Industry Insights www.augiworld.com

US $8.00

Also in this issue: Upskilling with CAD as a UX Designer | 9 Ways You Are Hindering Your Google Ad Campaign’s Success

AUGIWORLD

December 2023

CONTENTS FEATURES

6

6

CAD

8

Google Ads

12

SOLIDWORKS

18

Resources

24

12

Upskilling with CAD as a UX Designer 9 Ways You Are Hindering Your Google Ad Campaign’s Success Mechanisms & Mentorship: CAD Industrial Design Tips Writing the Future: Industry Influence through User Forms, Videos, Podcasts, and Articles

Customization

Customization (a.k.a. Implementation)

28

BricsCAD

32

Civil 3D

40

BIM

Industry Insights – The GC and BricsCAD Civil Infrastructure: Emerging Trends in the Civil Infrastructure Industry IoT and BIM Integration: A Case Study

COLUMNS

40 augi.com/augiworld

4

Letter from the Editor

8

Meet DraftSight 2024

16

Inside Track

22

Tech Manager December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

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AUGIWORLD www.augi.com

Letter from the Editor

T

his month is focused on industry insights. As I sit here at the airport waiting for my flight to Las Vegas for Autodesk University, it occurs to me that all the people I know and will see there are going to be sharing their industry insights with me while there. AU is always a great place to see how others are handling workflows, installations, staff, etc. Their “insights” help me with how I can alter the way I may be doing something that takes longer than it should.

Having these insights from others in the industry really helps with how I can improve productivity at my office.

It’s always a joy to come back from AU and share all the knowledge from others with my staff. This tends to get the juices flowing and ideas start pouring out of everyone.

If you didn’t make it to AU this year, there will be many classes posted on the Autodesk University website under On Demand. Here you can find lots of content related to your industry and get “insights” from the industry from lots of seasoned professionals.

Happy Holidays from your AUGI family!

Editor-in-Chief

Editors

Editor-in-Chief

Todd Rogers - todd.rogers@augi.com

Copy Editor

Isabella Andresen - isabella.andresen@augi.com

Layout Editor

Tim Varnau - tim.varnau@augi.com

Content Managers

3ds Max - Brian Chapman AutoCAD - Mathew Marrero Civil 3D - Shawn Herring BIM/CIM - Stephen Walz BricsCAD - Craig Swearingen Dassault Systèmes - Rafael Testai Electrical - Mark Behrens Manufacturing - Kristina Youngblut Revit - Jason Peckovitch Tech Manager - Mark Kiker Inside Track - Shaun Bryant

Advertising / Reprint Sales

Kevin Merritt - salesmanager@augi.com AUGI Executive Team President KaDe King Vice-President Frank Mayfield Treasurer Todd Rogers Secretary Kristina Youngblut

AUGI Board of Directors Eric DeLeon KaDe King Chris Lindner Frank Mayfield

Todd Rogers Scott Wilcox Kristina Youngblut

Publication Information

AUGIWORLD magazine is a benefit of specific AUGI membership plans. Direct magazine subscriptions are not available. Please visit www.augi.com/account/register to join or upgrade your membership to receive AUGIWORLD magazine in print. To manage your AUGI membership and address, please visit www.augi. com/account. For all other magazine inquires please contact augiworld@augi.com

Published by:

AUGIWORLD is published by AUGI, Inc. AUGI makes no warranty for the use of its products and assumes no responsibility for any errors which may appear in this publication nor does it make a commitment to update the information contained herein.

AUGIWORLD is Copyright ©2023 AUGI. No information in this magazine may be reproduced without expressed written permission from AUGI. All registered trademarks and trademarks included in this magazine are held by their respective companies. Every attempt was made to include all trademarks and registered trademarks where indicated by their companies.

AUGIWORLD (San Francisco, Calif.)

ISSN 2163-7547

4

AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

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A Global Community for AEC Professionals to Learn, Grow and Exchange Knowledge.

Become a member: www.dbei.org/membership

CAD

by: Mike Scoell

Upskilling with CAD as a UX Designer

C

omputer-aided design (CAD) uses technology to render 2D or 3D models.

It has made the creation process easier and automated for many professionals than the previous pen-and-paper approach. Some research suggests that the use of CAD can reduce design lead time, streamline prototype creation and aid in contrasting multiple designs in real-time.

For user experience (UX) developers, the end goal is to make clients happy. This can be a big undertaking, considering the differing needs of their audience. Like other professions, the use of CAD can make the workload lighter, bringing efficiency and speedy improvements.

But how exactly can CAD aid in UX?

HOW CAD AIDS UX DESIGN

UX is an in-demand industry on its own. A past market outlook reports that it is a sector worth well over $465 billion, and it is projected to surpass that value by 16.40% in 2028. It certainly takes a lot of skill to be able to research audience needs and create a design plan that addresses them. This includes those who work both products and software.

But with the rapidly changing market, UX design is one of the top target capabilities for upskilling,

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AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

especially as top companies require these research and design skills. By doing so, developers can expand their capabilities, futureproofing their position within an organization.

Working with other experts in the field will also let them gain more insight into the benefits that upskilling their CAD abilities can bring. Firstly, UX developers who deal with product design and packaging can easily use these technologies to see their ideas come to life in 3D models. Secondly, those who work with the digital side of things can easily make mock-ups for websites and applications, seeing if their designs address user needs. It can truly streamline the workflow, leading to the creation of efficient and improved solutions.

EXPERTISE WORTH UPSKILLING

However, considering CAD’s multifunctional capabilities, learning to use these applications can be confusing and convoluted. UX professionals can start by upskilling on these field-related competencies to get the most out of utilizing CAD: Software familiarity With CAD’s popularity, there are many options for software available right now. For example, applications like Revit are popular among architects and engineers for their ability to render 3D augi.com

CAD

structural models. UX professionals can make use of applications like Fusion 360, which is great for product design, or AutoCAD, which is one of the best programs for 2D creation. By familiarizing oneself with the right software, UX designers can get the most out of CAD. Engineering UX development isn’t just about making something aesthetically pleasing but also something functional. Engineering can be an integral part of this, especially for product design professionals.

Since CAD can create virtual mock-ups, a deeper understanding of this skill is essential to ensure creation usability before developing the physical output.

Analysis Because CAD is digitally based, UX designers may need to further their analytical skills to produce the augi.com/augiworld

right solutions. Advancing skills in analytical aspects of CAD, such as finite element analysis, can ensure a product’s structural integrity before production, making a more efficient workflow. Analysing other factors, such as information architecture, usability, and visual communication, can all aid in making CAD a worthwhile endeavour for UX professionals.

At the end of the day, CAD programs were created to make designing more effortless and efficient.

With the many factors UX developers need to consider, these applications can significantly improve their design process and level up their expertise within their industry.

Mike Scoell is a graphic designer with a special interest in UX. He aims to bring more knowledge to his field by writing about industry-related advice, developments, and forecasts. When he isn't working, he likes to catch up on daily crossword puzzles and going on camping trips.

December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

7

DraftSight

ADVERTORIAL

Meet DraftSight 2024 I

n the world of CAD design, change is a constant companion. Every year, new features and capabilities step onto the stage, promising innovation, and improvements. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to the latest contender in this ever-evolving landscape, one that truly delivers on its promises – DraftSight 2024. Let’s take a moment to explore what this new arrival has in store.

SETTING THE STAGE

DraftSight 2024 raises the bar in CAD software, offering an array of innovative features and tools that elevate precision and efficiency. From various UI enhancements to workspace improvements, along with support for tool palettes and enhanced navigation and layer management, DraftSight’s latest release establishes a user-centric environment. In addition, its superior capabilities in import and export operations bolster the overall performance.

DARK MODE AND ENHANCED WORKSPACE

DraftSight 2024 introduces a dark mode as its default UI style, providing a comfortable and visually pleasing environment, reducing eye strain 8

AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

for enhanced user focus. And the best part? You can switch to light mode whenever you please, keeping your CAD experience highly customizable.

If you are a fan of personalizing your drafting experience, you will really benefit from DraftSight 2024’s new workspace – CAD General. This addition can be accessed in the combo box located at the top left corner, offering users an enhanced interface. Enlarged icons have been implemented to improve the visibility of key commands, ensuring familiarity for both new and existing users.

VIEW NAVIGATION MADE EASY

For 3D enthusiasts and users that just prefer to adjust their model views quickly, a new view navigator enables swift and effortless transitions between pre-set view orientations like standard, isometric, and more. And if that’s not enough, you can create your own custom view orientations. This will be a real time saver for a lot of CAD users.

INCREASED EFFICIENCY WITH TOOL PALETTE CUSTOMIZATION

Diving deeper, the tool palettes in DraftSight 2024 are your ace in the hole for enhanced productivity.

Users can simplify drawing creation and maintain consistency with easy access to frequently used augi.com

DraftSight commands. Creating a new palette is as easy as dragging and dropping or importing and exporting pre-existing palettes created in other 2D CAD solutions. The enhanced capabilities empower you to customize settings such as layers, colors, line types, and LineWeight. This not only boosts efficiency when inserting entities but also simplifies access to the tool palette within the new CAD General workspace, ensuring a smoother workflow.

RIBBON-BASED INTERFACE FOR MACOS

ADVANCED LAYER MANAGEMENT

ENHANCEMENTS TO MAKE FLAT SNAPSHOT

The additional layer management capabilities in DraftSight 2024 will transform your CAD experience.

DraftSight’s latest release introduces the option to access the layers manager as a palette, streamlining task handling. Additionally, it offers the capability to merge multiple layers into a single layer, simplifying drawing organization and significantly saving user time. You’re probably catching on to the recurrent theme here - efficient design!

REVOLUTIONARY IMPORT, EXPORT, AND LINKING CAPABILITIES But wait, there’s more.; DraftSight 2024 is all about making your life easier. You can now import CATIA drawings directly and open them as DWG files without the need for any conversion. This feature eradicates the complexities often associated with file conversion, allowing CAD professionals to channel their focus solely on designing. And, DraftSight 2024 even lets you import multiple files simultaneously as external references (Xrefs), maintaining a reduced file size for smoother operations. If you manage tables and data in Excel, there’s good news for you too. DraftSight 2024 introduces the Data Link manager so you can embed Excel files for real-time data accuracy and cross-file collaboration, ensuring that your information is always up-to-date and accurate.

EXPORT SHEET IMPROVEMENTS

With DraftSight 2024’s Export Sheet feature, you can swiftly generate new drawings from existing files without compromising on detail. It allows you to export all visible entities from the active sheet viewports in the model space to a new drawing.

This functionality enhances legibility and focuses on specific sections, areas, or views within your drawing. You can export scaled representations of model space, title blocks, and other annotative elements, including dimensions and notes.

augi.com/augiworld

Mac users can now enjoy an upgraded experience with DraftSight 2024. In the previous Mac version, the interface was menu-based and had limited customization options. However, with the introduction of a Ribbon-based UI, macOS users gain access to a unified, optimized interface that aligns with the experience provided to our Windows users.

DraftSight 2024 brings significant improvements to the Make Flat Snapshot command. Now, you can effortlessly link foreground and hidden lines to specific layers directly from the Flat Snapshot dialog. This not only enhances organization but also allows for quick visibility adjustments based on layer associations.

ADVANCED HATCH FUNCTIONALITY

The latest enhancements in DraftSight’s hatch functionality offer users greater flexibility when reshaping hatches, all without the hassle of recreating them. This is achieved by breaking the associative link between the hatch and its original boundary, unlocking a range of grips surrounding the entire hatch. These grips empower users to execute various actions, including stretching, vertex insertion, and converting to arcs.

A NEW CHAPTER IN CAD DESIGN

The improvements in this release, aimed at simplifying its usability, ensure a significant leap forward in user experience.

READY TO DIVE IN?!

Explore short videos on each of the new tools on the DraftSight Features page, or you can watch the on-demand session of ‘What’s New in DraftSight 2024’ for a more comprehensive features demo.

But the best way to really dive into these new capabilities is to give them a try yourself.

Get started and explore the potential of DraftSight 2024 today! Try DraftSight for Free for 30 days.

Did you know? You can join DraftSight at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024, a premier event for three days of inspiration, learning, and networking.

December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

9

Google Ads

by: Ray Blakney

9 Ways You Are Hindering Your Google Ad Campaign’s Success

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AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

augi.com

I

n today’s ever evolving digital era, having a well-executed Google Ad campaign can make a significant difference for your business. Strategic and robust Google Ads can attract visitors to your website, increase sales, and assist you in attaining your marketing objectives. However, there are a number of Google Ad mistakes many business leaders make, which prevent them from maximizing their campaigns’ success.

In my journey as the creator of the 9 Year Letter™ Method (a goal-setting system for the four pillars of life - relationships, financial, health, and fun), I have discovered some critical blunders business leaders make when executing their Google Ad campaigns.

Here are nine of them to prevent in your own marketing journey:

1. NEGLECTING NEGATIVE KEYWORDS

It is common knowledge that targeting certain keywords is essential for a Google Ad campaign.

However, many overlook the need to designate keywords they don’t want their ads appearing for, a.k.a., negative keywords. Neglecting negative keywords is a big mistake that can result in wasted clicks from visitors who wouldn’t really be interested in buying your product or service, which ultimately drains your advertising budget.

For example, if your business specializes in selling high-end luxury watches, it would be wise to pinpoint negative keywords like ‘cheap watch’ or ‘affordable watch’ so that your ads don’t show up for users searching for budget-friendly options. Or, if your business sells cruelty-free sandals online, it would be wise to designate negative keywords like ‘leather sandals’ and ‘suede sandals’ so your ads won’t appear for users searching those phrases.

Ignoring negative keywords not only leads to wasted advertising spend, but it also lowers clickthrough rates, conversion rates, and your ads’ quality score (which will cause them to show up in a less optimal position on each search results page).

So, make it a habit to regularly review your search term reports and designate any low-converting search terms as negative keywords to avoid in future efforts.

2. INSUFFICIENT BUDGET PLANNING

Creating a budget is crucial for any ad campaign, as it sets the boundaries for what can be achieved with the resources on hand. However, one common augi.com/augiworld

Google Ads UNFORTUNATELY, MANY BUSINESS LEADERS OVERLOOK THE NEED FOR AD EXTENSIONS AND THEREFORE MISS OUT ON THE CHANCE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND COMPELLING CTAS THAT CAN SIGNIFICANTLY BOOST AD PERFORMANCE. mistake business leaders make is allocating a budget that is too low, which severely limits their Google Ad campaign’s effectiveness and reach.

Inadequate budget planning can result in missed opportunities to capture the attention of the intended audience during key moments.

A strategic, thought-out budget aligns with the overall campaign objectives and takes into account market competitiveness and cost-perclick (CPC) rates in the industry. Moreover, having a thoroughly planned budget enables advertisers to make decisions when it comes to ad placements, targeting options, and overall campaign strategy.

By taking time to carefully plan a Google Ad campaign’s budget in line with market dynamics and their own ambitions, business leaders will position their campaign for increased exposure and success.

3. OVERLOOKING THE NEED FOR AD EXTENSIONS

Ad extensions play a vital role in enhancing the visibility and effectiveness of Google Ads. Ad extensions offer details that expand the reach of each ad campaign, such as buy-at links, phone numbers potential customers can contact with inquiries, and positive customer reviews. When utilized effectively, these extensions can amplify the overall user experience by providing potential customers with greater context and clear calls to action (CTAs).

December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

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Google Ads Unfortunately, many business leaders overlook the need for ad extensions and therefore miss out on the chance to provide information and compelling CTAs that can significantly boost ad performance.

Neglecting ad extensions can lead to lower click through rates (CTR), decreased engagement, and, ultimately, a diminished return on investment (ROI).

Skillfully utilizing ad extensions will maximize your Google Ad performance and ensure you achieve your campaign objectives in the competitive world of digital advertising.

4. FORGETTING TO A/B TEST ADS

A/B testing means comparing two versions of the same advertisement to determine which one would perform better. It helps business leaders understand whether the language used in an ad, its images or overall design, or the landing page it directs to would resonate effectively with the intended audience. If they don’t conduct A/B testing, business leaders may find themselves in the dark without data-driven insights that could help refine their ad campaigns. This often leads to underperforming ads that fail to reach their full potential.

For example, a fast-food chain can test whether including an image of a cheeseburger in their Google Ad would convert better than including an image of chicken nuggets. Overall, disregarding A/B testing can result in wasted ad spend, missed opportunities for engagement, and lower conversion rates, ultimately impacting a Google Ad campaign’s overall effectiveness and ROI.

5. POOR AD COPY

Crafting ad copy is an art that requires finding the right balance between being relevant, attractive, and clear. The language used in ads should be captivating enough to entice customers to click while also aligning with keywords that reflect the content on the landing page. So, if your ad copy is weak or irrelevant, it can seriously damage your campaign’s effectiveness — weak ad text often leads to lower CTR, which in turn increases CPC and diminishes ROI. The impact of ad copy goes beyond immediate campaign metrics; it can also negatively affect how your brand is perceived and result in missed opportunities to engage and convert potential customers. That’s why it’s crucial to invest time and creativity into crafting ad copy that will contribute 12

AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

to the vitality and success of your Google Ad campaign.

If you need help with improving ad copy, AI can help! Use ChatGPT to write succinct and attractive copy for all your Google Ads.

6. NOT TRACKING CONVERSIONS

Conversion tracking enables advertisers to evaluate the effectiveness of their Google Ad campaigns by monitoring user activities after they click on each ad. By doing this, you will be able to analyze the success and ROI of each Google Ad. Without conversion monitoring, you will be left in the dark on how your ad spend translates into customer actions. This in turn can also lead to poor decisionmaking and the potential misallocation of resources and ad budget.

Overall, if you lack an understanding of how your Google Ads drive conversions, you won’t be able to further optimize your campaigns for performance and ROI.

7. NOT LEVERAGING AD SCHEDULING

Ad scheduling gives business leaders control over when and where their Google Ads are displayed so that they align with the habits of their target audience. Those who overlook ad scheduling and fail to adjust bids for specific times of the day may end up wasting their budget. This is because not all hours are equally profitable for every business and user engagement levels can vary significantly throughout the day and night.

For example, if a business sells casual work attire geared towards those who work an office job, it augi.com

Google Ads would be best to ensure their Google Ads show up when this customer target market is more likely to be working on their computer (so, not in the middle of the night on a Monday). Or, if your business sells products for overnight nurses, you wouldn’t want your Google Ads to show up between 7am and 2pm (when your target audience is asleep after a long night shift).

By not scheduling ads for opportune hours, you will likely miss out on conversions and advertising dollars may go to waste during off-peak hours.

Timing ads effectively is crucial for optimizing each ad’s performance, ensuring that ads reach the audience at the best time, and maximizing campaign ROI.

8. NOT TARGETING LONG-TAIL KEYWORDS Many business leaders overlook the need to target long-tail keywords in their Google Ad campaigns.

Don’t also make this mistake! Focusing on long-tail keywords can really boost your Google Ads’ success and sales, as it allows you to market directly to people who have specific needs for your product or service category.

For example, if you own a graphic design business, you can target long-tail keywords like ‘e-commerce business website layout company’ and ‘online advertising design help’ to target people with those specific niche needs. There will be a lot less competition for those targeted keywords than a general keyword phrase like ‘graphic designer’.

Also, the rise of voice search has made long-tail keywords paramount for Google Ads. People who conduct voice searches will usually ask longer, more specific questions to Siri or Google Assistant. Since long-tail keywords are more specific, they align with these searches perfectly. On top of this, a lot of voice searches are location-specific, so long-tail keywords that include a location will help ensure a business shows up in those voice search results.

9. NOT OPTIMIZING ADS FOR MOBILE USERS

Not optimizing Google Ads for mobile devices can have consequences for any business regardless of its size. With the world becoming increasingly reliant on smartphones, failing to ensure your Google Ads are mobile-friendly can really negatively impact each ad campaign’s success. If your ads are not tailored for mobile devices’ smaller screens, you augi.com/augiworld

run the risk of alienating a huge portion of your intended audience.

Ads that are not optimized for mobile devices often have longer loading times and a frustrating user experience, which in turn can lead to users abandoning your website and potential conversions slipping away. Optimizing Google ads for mobile devices should not be optional, but rather an essential requirement in today’s advertising landscape.

TO WRAP IT ALL UP

To maximize your Google Ad campaigns’ effectiveness, it is paramount to avoid some of the most common mistakes that business leaders make. These include ignoring negative keywords, not allocating a sufficient ad budget, not utilizing ad extensions effectively, and not A/B testing each ad. Also, poor ad copy, not tracking conversions, and not targeting long-tail keywords can also hinder each campaign’s ROI. By avoiding the above mistakes and by adopting a knowledgeable and strategic approach, you will significantly enhance the effectiveness of your Google Ad campaigns and bring your company to new heights.

Ray Blakney is just your typical award-winning FilipinoAmerican entrepreneur who grew up in Turkey and lives in Mexico. He has nearly two decades of business experience that have included starting, growing and leading over a dozen profitable companies along with hundreds of staff from across the USA and Latin America. Having spent his entire life across cultures, Ray knows firsthand the immense value that comes in bridging the gap between worlds. His newest venture, Kairos Venture Studios, is on a mission to bring a fresh take to online businesses in the Latin American market by launching 12 new businesses in the region each year. After hours, he can be found spending time with his family, traveling, or being a semi-professional sword fighter.

He lives in Playa del Carmen, Mexico with his wife and son. www.rayblakney.com

December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

13

SOLIDWORKS

by: Rafael Testai

Mechanisms & Mentorship: CAD Industrial Design Tips THIS ARTICLE IS BEST READ AND VIEWED IN THE ELECRONIC VERSION OF AUGIWORLD https://youtu.be/2QldJd6qJe4

E

ver wondered what it would be like to be mentored one-on-one by a senior engineer that’s using SOLIDWORKS to successfully deliver solutions to industry clients? My name is Rafael Testai, and in this video series Mechanisms & Mentorship, we’ll take a look behind the scenes to see how a hand-picked engineer has designed one of their mechanisms in granular detail. We’ll “open the hood” to analyze their CAD design and thought process behind the solution.

I’ll ask them questions about the project, roadblocks, challenges, specific insights they learned, and how they’re using SOLIDWORKS to solve real world problems.

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Figure 1 augi.com

SOLIDWORKS

You’ll learn a mixture of soft skills and hard skills.

This series is perfect for viewers who are already proficient in SOLIDWORKS (CSWA, CSWP, CSWE) and want to take the next step in their careers.

a round chamfer, it’s not a feature that SolidWorks has. Hence, you have to customize it.

In this episode of Mechanisms & Mentorship, I’ll interview Industrial Designer Craig Ovans from TeamPipeline.us in Arizona. We’ll focus on the industrial design involved in the massage tool in Figure 1.

TIME STAMPS:

Craig’s Background in Art & Design (Min 0:58) Craig has a degree in Industrial Design (Art Major).

He attributes much of his success to working at an engineered focused company, where he learned about manufacturing processes.

What is This Massage Tool? (Min 2:28) This is a massage unit utilized for self-massage.

It allows the user to work on trigger points in extremities. Its modular design permits switching the units, squishy balls, in various configurations.

How Did You Stylize the Product? (Min 4:15) Ovens stylized the product by using a custom flowing chamfer, which he calls ‘ramfer’. A ramfer is augi.com/augiworld

December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

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SOLIDWORKS

that we can stay in touch, and you can be notified when more articles like this one get published. I lead with value and my writing style is direct and to the point. https://www.linkedin.com/in/testai/ Any recommendations on who you think I should interview next? Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn or Instagram. I read all correspondence.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/testai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rafael_ testai/ Figure 2

How to Create a Ramfer (Min 7:40) In summary: First, offset sketches. Second, create extruded surfaces. Third, remove/trim corners using surfaces. Fourth, create ramfer using a “surface sweep.”

To learn more about Craig Ovans, visit his LinkedIn. If you read until the very end, I greatly appreciate it.

I would encourage you to follow me on LinkedIn so 16

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More: https://linktr.ee/testai RAFAEL TESTAI SolidWorks Influencer.

FOLLOW to watch exclusive videos I create that quickly teach you the inner working mechanism of interesting products l Mechanical Product Designer l LinkedIn/Instagram/ TikTok/Podcast/More articles: https://linktr.ee/testai

augi.com

Inside Track

by: Shaun Bryant

This month’s topic is Industry Insights, so we have some apps from the App Store that allow you to dive deeper into your Autodesk software and the tools they provide. We’ve tried to cover a broad spectrum here, including the AEC, D&M, and M&E industries.

Sometimes, though, you may have a specific tool in mind, so make sure you search the store, as I’m sure you will find many apps that will operate within your Autodesk applications and help you work smarter, not harder.

On a personal note, this will be my last Inside Track for AUGIWORLD. Work commitments force me to hand the baton to another eager AUGI volunteer. It’s been great fun finding all these apps for you!

Here are this month’s opportunities to advance your skills, processes, and workflows with the most current industry-related software and hardware updates available.

HILTI BIM/CAD LIBRARY https://apps.autodesk.com/ACD/en/Detail/Inde x?id=4171643372823727407&appLang=en&os= Win32_64

SHADOW COLOUR https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Inde x?id=899539790961163993&appLang=en&os= Win64

Autodesk AutoCAD Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

Autodesk Revit Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

AgileForm Shadow Colour for Autodesk® Revit® allows you to test the impact of shadows cast by the proposed development and generate quick shadow study images fundamental to municipal approvals. You can select a different colour for each element’s cast shadow, which can be a Revit mass, linked CAD or any Revit component.

Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Autodesk AutoCAD MEP Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Autodesk® Civil 3D® Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Hilti is one of the biggest suppliers in the AEC marketplace. This app is a fast and convenient way to integrate models of Hilti objects into your project design.

This Autodesk® AutoCAD® plugin allows you to access the Hilti BIM/CAD library and download BIM/CAD objects.

It includes a library of downloadable 2D and 3D models of Hilti products. All objects contain BIM information/ attributes for your specification needs.

If you need Hilti stuff in your drawings, this is the app you need!

Main Features: • Organize elements by layers. for example, proposed development, approval, city context, AOR, etc.

• Get an instant preview of your study in a simple interface.

• Create an outline for shadows.

• Assign a different colour for shadows that are cast within a selected site.

• Generate shadow study images and export or place them onto a sheet.

Generating shadow studies for multiple approvals can be onerous, right? Well, here’s the app you need to do it!

PUBLISH TOOL https://apps.autodesk.com/INVNTOR/en/Detail/ Index?id=9179175956847245174&appLang=en& os=Win64 Autodesk Inventor Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Autodesk Inventor Professional Version: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

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augi.com

Inside Track The Publish Tool generates the DXF files that cutting machines like!

• • • • • •

• • • •

Generate DXF, DWG, and STEP. Configure the layers for cut and etch lines.

Configure the file names and store the files in different folders of material and thickness.

Add the part number and other info as text on the DXF Add bend information as text near the bendlines on the DXF. Add the dimensions of the flat pattern to an iProperty field on each save or do this in a batch run for all parts in the assembly.

Generate automatically the drawings of the selected sheet metal parts.

Change unfold rules in 1 click.

Export parts list as CSV or as Excel.

Generate the PDFs of the drawings and your package for cutting and bending is ready!

If you are using Inventor to generate sheet metal, this is the app that will make sure that cutting machines become your friend!

VERAS® FOR AUTODESK FORMA™ https://apps.autodesk.com/SPCMKR/en/Detail/ Index?id=1865571445925067367&appLang=en &os=Web FORMA Veras is an AI-powered visualization app, that uses your 3D model geometry as a substrate for creativity and inspiration. Take your ideation and visualization workflows to the next level using AI tech!

Features • AI-Based Ideation & Render Engine • Optional prompt-based guidance • Geometry and Material Overrides • Explore Mode - ideate & render with pre-made settings • Render Selection - render a specific region of the app • Render using a seed • 768x768 minimum resolution • 2k maximum resolution Veras is an incredible AI-based tool that can be used in Forma (and there’s a version for Revit too!). Maybe take your first step into AI-based design?

Please let us know if you have some news to share with us for future issues. Likewise, we want to know if you are a featured product or news item user and would like to write a review.

Drop me a line at shaun.bryant@cadfmconsult.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you! augi.com/augiworld

December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

19

Resources

by: Kristina Youngblut

Writing the Future: Industry Influence through User Forms, Videos, Podcasts, and Articles

I

n the midst of a project, we often encounter mind-numbing repetitive tasks, unexpected obstacles, or the need to seek information.

Where do we turn? We all have our go-to resources, such as videos, forums, and experts, yet rarely do we stop to think about the significance of the knowledge-seeking process itself. Our primary focus is on finding solutions to the challenges before us.

If you’re like me, you already have some of those resources open, ready to go at a moment’s notice.

We live in a time when knowledge sharing and reaching people is global. We have access to more information than once possible. Languages are easily converted, allowing typical barriers, leading to freer exchanges of information.

20 AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

I attend a few webinars during a month, learning something new and hearing from industry professionals. Podcasts are easy, as you can listen to them while at your desk. Videos provide fantastic visual guidance when learning something new.

Forums open up a dialog amongst your peers.

A place to seek knowledge and also add to the collective.

Through written articles, a speaker for podcasts and webinars, and participating on forums and online sources, I found my voice, my community, and my peers.

SIT BACK AND RELAX.

Magazines, articles, and blogs provide focused content on a specific topic, problem, idea, or augi.com

Resources

Figure 1: AUGIWORLD Magazine( Photo credit: www.augi.com)

solution by passionate industry professionals who love to share knowledge and experiences with others. It isn’t easy. It takes time and research to come up with something compelling for people to read. That people want to read. None of which is a bad thing. It’s fun to come up with ways to relay information and interact with unknown readers.

As readers, articles provide us with a chance to pause and immerse ourselves in what’s written.

In today’s digital age, we have access to a wealth of content, tailored to our preferences through algorithms. This ensures that we encounter content that resonates with us. What’s more, online content offers the opportunity to share and engage with others in a social manner. We can delve into discussions, connecting with a wider community to exchange ideas and perspectives.

In today’s industry, printed content is becoming increasingly rare. There’s a unique joy in possessing a physical copy of something you love to read.

The act of leisurely flipping through pages of a printed magazine is a delightful experience. While digital formats offer unmatched convenience and accessibility, the allure of printed content lies in having something tangible to anticipate. It’s akin to the feeling of holding a physical book or an e-reader, embodying the essence of a genuine reading encounter. Whether it’s nostalgia or the tactile connection to words on paper, printed content bridges the gap between past and present, offering a truly enriching journey for the senses.

augi.com/augiworld

AUGIWORLD Magazine has been in circulation since 2002. Encouraging collaboration and communication amongst industry professionals.

Still printing a monthly publication sent out to those who opt in for a physical copy. The great thing about publications like this is that you can generally gain access to archived content as well as current digitally. With 21 years worth of content, you will find hidden treasures, interviews, reviews, and so much more. Read articles by passionate industry professionals, who are just like you, your colleagues.

With so little printed publications within the AEC Industry left, it is important to support those that provide you with value. Sit down, put your feet up, and grab a copy of AUGIWORLD. If you are interested in becoming a content contributor, reach out and inquire. Share your knowledge and connect with a wide diverse group of professionals. If you are interested in receiving a physical copy, follow the link below.

THE RISE OF PODCASTS

Ok, I know, Podcasts aren’t exactly the latest trend.

But what podcasts have done is create an open market for audio-based content in our industry.

Think about it; imagine hosting interviews and diverse discussions that you can access whenever you want, all in a format you can listen to. You get to hear from passionate professionals talking about topics that truly excite them. They’re so passionate that they’re willing to be recorded while sharing their thoughts. If you’re following a particular industry influencer, chances are you’ll find them December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

21

Resources on multiple podcast platforms. It’s like reading articles, but in an audible format that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.

Discussing everything from cutting-edge technologies and software updates to insightful workflow conversations and broader industry subjects, Podcasts offer versatility that knows no bounds. You can carry them along wherever you go.

Their unique convenience, made possible through various accessible platforms, sets them apart from other content sources. Personally, podcasts are my ultimate companion during work hours—I find their accessibility second to none. Nothing quite matches the convenience and information-packed experience they provide.

AUGIWORLD Podcast is available on multiple platforms, consisting of interviews with diverse

USER FORUMS, WHERE WE GO WITH ALL OUR QUESTIONS. User forums. We have ALL been there. I have accounts on about 2 dozen different forums (no judging; I know you do too). Forums are a fantastic way to ask questions or share knowledge with likeminded individuals. Can’t figure out how to perform a specific task? Reaching out on forums connects you with colleagues across the globe. Before, you could get advice from a few people in your office if they understood what you were talking about.

With forums, you are asking your community office, where everyone has the same or similar interests from around the globe.

Can’t find a solution on one of the forums you frequently asked? Locate a solution somewhere else. Be a colleague of change, post your newly acquired knowledge, and help others find solutions.

Supporting multiple platforms in knowledge sharing not only helps those in need now but also those in the future. Most programs and software maintain basic functions and features, where various versions will be relevant to content shared over multiple years.

AUGIWORLD Forums is an online hub that embraces our industry. Here, you’re invited to share insights and wisdom across various software and solutions. Dive into discussions about workflows and standardization, all while connecting with fellow professionals. Become part of a community that thrives on collaboration and knowledge sharing. Find new colleagues and create new connections.

Figure 2: AUGIWORLD The Podcast (Photo credit: www.augi.com)

guests, and engaging topics. Immerse yourself in the joy of listening, as you can now experience AUGIWORLD Magazine articles in audio format, coupled with insightful conversations with dynamic industry professionals. Don’t miss the chance to tune in and embark on a journey of learning, discovering, and connecting with the ever-evolving world of AUGIWORLD Podcast.

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Figure 3: Forums.

(Photo credit: www.freepik.com/author/rawpixel-com)

augi.com

Resources WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?

Videos changed the game. Everything in this article contributed, but on-demand videos, webinars, and online presentations have provided unprecedented access to information. From tutorials, walkthroughs, or topic discussions, videos provide a visually active resource of information, connecting us to personalities and faces.

Recognizing the value of shared knowledge sets off a reciprocal cycle. By generously sharing and engaging with provided resources, we become part of a network built on mutual aid and support. This culture of mutual support bolsters content creators and providers, fueling their drive to continue sharing and evolving their offerings.

HOW LUCKY ARE WE!

Videos provide an extra personal experience to the ingestion of content. You can see the passion and expression on the faces of those you watch, fueling your ideas and expanding your knowledge. Having a face sitting across from you, talking ‘directly’ to you, allows us to connect with content creators. In our industry, they tend to welcome comments and interaction with those who follow them.

In today’s digital landscape, we’re privileged to access a wealth of information in various formats, facilitating swift knowledge exchange and acquisition. When you stumble upon a valuable resource, don’t hesitate to share it. Passing on insights and aiding others in finding solutions drives our industry forward, consuming far less time than creating content from scratch.

What were you doing before you read this article?

Scrolling through videos? Don’t worry; most people are going to say yes to this. Videos can be shared easily on most platforms, absorbed with little effort, and provide us with familiar personalities of people like us. Sharing things they are passionate about.

Sharing things we are passionate about.

We live in an era where absorbing knowledge aligns with personal preferences, offering an on-demand selection. Accessing new or archived content grants us the liberty to use multiple resources in problemsolving and connect with like-minded individuals globally. This accelerated knowledge sharing significantly propels technological advancements, and you play a pivotal role in this movement.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT PROVIDERS

We all have a library of resources at our disposal.

Forums, podcasts, webinars, and various online hubs serve as our go-to sources for gathering knowledge and keeping up to date on topics that intrigue us. Sharing these gems with our colleagues and professional circles is like contributing to a global knowledge bank.

Exploring better methods for task execution, learning new skills, and gaining insightful perspectives is within reach for anyone with the curiosity to seek them out. When you stumble upon a gem of knowledge, it’s crucial to acknowledge and pass it on. Together, our collective actions can do far more for those who curate content than they could achieve alone. It’s about us, the readers, steering the flow of information.

Sharing resources doesn’t just benefit individuals; it contributes to the broader community’s progress.

Our ability to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge adds to the collective expertise, benefiting those in our immediate circles and beyond. The convergence of minds and shared information drives us forward, refining our approaches and enhancing the quality of our work. augi.com/augiworld

Platforms like AUGIWORLD, and other providers, serve as invaluable curators, satiating our constant hunger for learning and growth. They foster a supportive network, uniting passionate individuals to exchange knowledge and ideas. It’s not just about uncovering solutions; it’s about contributing knowledge to assist others in return. Embrace these platforms to drive your personal growth and contribute to the advancement of our industry.

Kristina Youngblut is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of expertise in CAD solutions and technology within the AEC community.

Her dedication lies in delivering innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies tailored to professionals in the manufactured products sector.

Kristina also serves on the AUGI Board of Directors since 2023.

As an esteemed member of the Autodesk Expert Elite program, she passionately contributes to the sharing and exploration of knowledge within the industry.

December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

23

Tech Manager

Secrets I Keep About My Boss A

nother article on the Secrets Tech Managers Keep. This one is about things you don’t typically share about or with your boss. Some are annoying, some can block progress and others can be deflating.

MY BOSSES LACK OF UNDERSTANDING IS CRIPPLING MY EFFORTS

by: Mark Kiker

fully versed in everything you do. You need to keep them informed. You share project info and details adjusted to the level of understanding they have. You need to provide info about initiatives, progress, and completion. They need to know what you are doing.

If they do not, and you are not telling them, it is your fault. That is not what I am talking about.

While I do not expect my boss to know everything I do, they should have a good feel for my typical functions and work week. I appreciate not being micromanaged. No one likes to have someone looking over their shoulder all the time. I appreciate the room to explore new tech, make some mistakes along the way and research productivity improvements.

The concern is when they have approval and budget control on tech issues that they do not have a clue on the scope, effort, issues, or risks related to any given project that you might do. Especially if it is their fault for not having some framework of reference. These are the bosses that don’t care, but they don’t get out of the way. They just don’t want tech failures and they are looking for you to avoid them.

Many Tech Managers report to non-technical executives that might be tech savvy but are not

What to do about it – You need to keep them informed, even if they don’t care. Verbal and written

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augi.com

Tech Manager reports on a regular basis need to be provided, even if unheard or unread. Help them understand the initiatives you have going at their level. Don’t try to swamp them with tech jargon. Give them the story in plain wording as non-techie as you can. Help them make the decision by bringing issues down to manageable choices, with definable outcomes. If all else fails, just ask them to give you a few weeks of piloting efforts to see what happens.

MY BOSS DOES NOT SUPPORT ME

What I mean on this topic is that some bosses may not care about the details of your area of oversight.

They just want things to work, and they want you to make it happen. They may be negative at times.

They may only interact with you when something goes wrong. They may not encourage you or give you accolades when things go right. They don’t share your successes with others. They do not seek to bring you on to project teams. You are not offered opportunities in tech that might come up. They do not look to advance your knowledge through training or professional development. Hopefully, it is not a combination of all of these traits, but no matter how you look at it, they are not very supportive.

What to do about it – Don’t share with them that you do not feel supported. At least not in such direct terms. Check yourself first. Make sure that you are not doing something that causes them to not be supportive. Do you shut them out of your processes.

Do you not keep them informed? Do you report to others more than to them?

Continue to keep them informed and up to date on your efforts. Subtly remind them of your achievements and progress. Even if it seems like they do not care. Try to get longer and longerterm projects where you don’t have to seek their support (which they typically do not give). Get as much autonomy as possible, but always remain loyal and differ to them as your boss. Start building a supportive group of staff that does realize your value.

Never exclude your boss, just include others as well.

I KNOW MORE THAN MY BOSS

Chances are everyone reading this knows more than their boss does. That is because your expertise got you to this point. I sure hope you know a lot about your job functions, or at least are on track to know more. But sometimes Tech Managers report to higher ups in the same tech field. Their boss came through the ranks before them, and they are augi.com/augiworld

technically capable. But sometimes, the tech boss no longer knows more than you and you know more than them. This is a natural occurrence. As you move up the ladder, you stop doing the things you used to do and take on new roles. Your boss may no longer be hands on. They may not have kept up with the tech that got them to their current level. They will fall behind as new tech and updates happen. It does not take long. Sometimes things change rapidly, and it does not take long to fall behind. You now know more than them.

What to do about it – Don’t flaunt your knowledge.

Over time, others will overtake you. It may take a long time, but it will happen. Work to keep your boss up to speed. Be respectful about what they do not know. Good bosses will realize you know more and lean into your expertise. Don’t expect them to know more than they do. They have other areas of focus now and cannot give as much time to staying current in some areas. Don’t upstage them. If you do have to step in to correct a misstatement they make, do it with kindness and offer a “clarification”, not a “corrective”.

So far we have discussed more than my original Top Ten Secrets Tech Managers Keep. With this article, I am up to eleven, and I am not done yet. I think I will have a few more for next month. See you then.

Mark Kiker has more than 30 years of hands-on experience with technology. He is fully versed in every area of management from deployment planning, installation, and configuration to training and strategic planning. He is an internationally known speaker, writer and former AUGI Board member and president. Mark is currently serving as Chief Technology Officer for SIATech, a non-profit public charter high school focused on dropout recovery. He oversees two web sites, www.caddmanager.com and www.bimmanager.com.

He can be reached at mark. kiker@augi.com and would love to hear your questions, comments and perspectives.

December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

25

Customization

by: Adam Black

Customization (a.k.a.

Implementation)

I

n my first article in June titled Engineering Implementation vs. Installation, where I talked about how good Engineering is and all about good control and covered the general topic that defined how anyone can purchase any of the CAD hardware and software technology. It is what the company does with it that makes the difference.

Then in my second article for AUGIWORLD August edition, The CAD Manager… (a.k.a. The Conductor), I continued to tell the story I hope the whole industry hears. Therefore, logically Customization is the very first step in the Implementation process. Because it is well overdue and overtime to get this all right.

I use many CAD software systems, from AutoCAD and its 3rd generation applications such as Civil 3D, Advanced Steel, and other Toolsets e.g., Plant 3D and Map 3D, Mechanical and so on. I can also

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AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

Figure 1: The Meaning of Customization augi.com

Customization

Figure 2: AutoCAD - Complex Objects List

use Bentley Microstation, Open Roads, 12d Model, Inventor, Solid Edge, Fusion 360, 3D Studio MAX, and Victorworks to a level I would consider, above industry standard.

I do love my CAD and the only reason I do not know more is firstly, I am human, and secondly, I only have so much time in the days. My absolute #1 Top skillset is definitely AutoCAD based platforms, having spent more than 20,000 hours over the past 23+ years on some serious heavy-duty R&D outside my daily work hours… (it is a claim I challenge anyone to match). Therefore, I hope you can trust me that I know what I am talking about because trust is an important of your own journey as you work to learn, understand, and master all and any of these seemly impossible to get right, CAD systems, workflows, and processes.

So as part of this continuing story, in today’s article, I’m going to breakdown AutoCAD (and CAD systems in general), detailing how to customize them into the most simplest of terms to demystify the plethora of information, urban myths, legacy ideas, and data to save you a heap (bucket-load) of time.

Take a good look at this image. Here you see the list of what I have called AutoCAD - Complex Objects.

These are some of the features of AutoCAD that any good CAD Manager will need apply laserfocus on to create their own unique version of CAD Standards.

I know, it may seem like a simplistic image, but the work that will be required behind each configurable feature will depend on how many specific disciplines (e.g., Survey, Civil, Structural and augi.com/augiworld

Mechanical etc. etc.) you will need to cover for you own unique version of comprehensive and unified CAD Standards.

There needs a definitive plan and strategy to achieve success; without it, you could be wasting thousands of hours and become lost, overwhelmed, and demoralised.

There can never be any fully completed CAD system no matter how much money, smarts, time and effort is thrown at it, because it’s just not possible; over the years I have seen countless incomplete, abandoned attempts. What is often not taken into consideration is that some of the configurable features of all these CAD platforms will need to work in unison with each other to fully work as planned (e.g., Layers that need to talk to CAD Objects and then CTB and STB files).

Some aspects of CAD Management are not the actual CAD program themselves but creating good Folder and File naming conventions and PC specifications that will do the job to expectations of both the Users and Management. As a contractor mostly in my 43+ years career, I have seen numerous Folder and File naming conventions and formats. So, I can adapt to anything pretty much instantly. But unless you have ever worked on multi-million-dollar mining projects that have all the Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical, Comms CAD data all in 3D Modelled Xref’s and the Drawing files with hundreds of Xrefences in them along with the thousands of Layers to control to present the Drawings correctly and clearly; or multi-billion-dollar Road and/or Rail Tunnelling Infrastructure Projects.

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Customization

Figure 3: AutoMENU - Naming Convention

This is when badly developed Folder and/or File and Layer Naming Conventions show up as serious flaws in the CAD Management system. This is when Chaos takes over and burns off even the biggest budgets.

is thousands of hours of work, which I would not personally want to revisit and/or redo.

Acronym all naming conventions. With 2 letters

I would strongly suggest starting with a clever and logical, yet simple as possible Naming Convention for all these Complex Objects. Because without it, you may become overwhelmed trying to maintain control over the sheer volume of data any good, customised CAD system requires to perform as planned and make a significant enough difference to the ROI for your company. Especially if your own company works in multiple engineering disciplines. To highlight just how important this is, AutoMENU multi-disciplined system already has over 50k clean and functional Blocks currently in its Block Libraries. This alone Figure 4: AutoMENU - Folder Conventions 28

AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

augi.com

Customization

Figure 5: More Configurable Features

and 3 letters are most common for Folder names and 4 or 5 for File and Complex Objects for things like Layers, Block, Linetype etc. naming conventions. e.g., X2D for 2D Xreferences and X3D for 3D Xreference files. 2D and/or PS for Paperspace Drawing files with project numbers and discipline acronyms also in the Drawing file(s) name(s) for easy identification. Such a complete, and logical acronym system becomes like a new language after everyone adapts to it, saving a mountain of time also. I wouldn’t work without one. Just like I could never and would never go back to working with Vanilla AutoCAD. I would retire first.

A clean and simple folder structure is also very imperative to keep everything in order and make it easier for Users to find data without searching on multiple or varied places and/or drives. Keep the level of these directories a flat as possible. My own system folders are no more than 3 levels deep, with the exception of the “System” folder which is only especially for CAD Manager use anyway and is server write protected to ensure the CAD system cannot be deliberately and/or accidently messed with, as all the CAD Users customizations are reading from this one central folder. This makes CAD Management of the system easier to develop, edit and control also.

Do not update anything during normal work hours whilst Users are using the system. And Users should be told not to mess with the system as it will crash.

There are other ways to manage updates; this is augi.com/augiworld

how I have chosen to manage it, and it has worked fine based on my own personal history and experience.

The above image is some more very powerful and important AutoCAD customizable features that I would like to suggest you research, develop and include into your own system. I would not like to work without them. Now the beauty is; because most CAD software has similar features as I have covered here, Once you have developed them for AutoCAD based platforms, you can Save As most data to the other CAD software formats and use all these Naming Conventions etc. you have developed for your own unique CAD Management System both keeping a company-wide CAD Standard unified and saving you thousands of hours of work having to reinvent the wheel over and over again.

Happy days!

Adam Black is a CAD solutions and technologies professional with over 43 years of experience within the Engineering and Construction community. His focus is on providing innovative AutoCAD based solutions for the Engineering Infrastructure and Resources sectors. He is the creator of the AutoMENU CAD System.

December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

29

BricsCAD

by: Craig Swearingen

Industry Insights – The GC and ® BricsCAD

G

eneral contractors (GC) and subcontractors (Subs) face an uphill battle when it comes to what kind of software to purchase, how to incorporate the latest technology without going broke, and how much training is enough training for their staff to get their projects completed efficiently and correctly. Gary Smith, VP of North American Sales, shares with us some common examples and scenarios that GCs and subcontractors encounter, the ideal CAD solution for them, and why the obvious choice is BricsCAD®.

Primary Design is the initial project design, let’s say it was completed by an Architect. Secondary Design is then completed by the GCs and trades, which is when 3D models or drawings are generally shared, usually using a CDE like Bricsys® 24/7.

WHY BRICSCAD?

Industry Insight - GCs and Subs tell us their #1 issue is not having enough information or detail to build the project, even from a BIM model.

BricsCAD is a modern, familiar, easy-to-adopt, 2D/3D CAD system with innovative features and workflows that provide a highly compatible user experience. With familiar command structures, dwg compatibility, as well as familiarity with tools and workflows, it is easy to learn. BricsCAD provides a quick and easy switch from 2D to 3D, the ability to import data-rich BIM models, and accelerate productivity with AI‐driven tools in a familiar CAD environment making BricsCAD the best choice.

DESIGN TODAY

Today, CAD is used in four typical areas of design: Primary Design, Secondary Design, Reviews and Markups, and Capturing As-Built information.

30 AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

At this point though, the GCs ask themselves, “Does this model have everything I need to know to build it?”

What we have heard from the GC is, “No, it doesn’t”.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a GC to take an initial BIM model and revise it so they have confidence they can build it. With that stated, the majority of Bricsys customers use our software in Secondary Design, Review & Markup, and As-Is. We are generally used in primary design typically on projects where it is determined that .dwg is the appropriate platform and BIM is not needed.

That said, today’s typical AEC CAD/BIM tools are heavily focused on primary design; often very capable and powerful tools in primary design, but augi.com

BricsCAD also very complicated and expensive to use. As well, they are focused on creating the initial design and model. If you want to move into the practicality of building the project, many times other tools are required and there also must be a dedicated staff member trained to efficiently use the complicated software.

THE BENEFIT OF BRICSCAD FOR THE GC Let’s provide some examples to further assist with defining the benefits of BricsCAD for a GC or Subcontractor.

Import BIM You (the GC or Sub) receive the model or drawings, and you want to be able to work with the documents in your process to ensure the details are there and you can build the project as efficiently as possible with confidence it can be built.

Import RVTs and IFCS, with all the BIM data, or SKP, 3DM, and more models, without BIM data. (See Fig. 1)

Figure 1

•

If there is no BIM data yet, add it with our AI tool Bimify.

Then import the 2D plans and/or PDFs as Xrefs in your 3D model to verify the geometry: • Does the 3D model match the plans?

• How do the corners come together on the plan VS on the 3D model? Etc. • Then purge the redundant portions of the files with the help of the Structure Browser, DrawingHealth, Blockify, and other unique BricsCAD tools.

Drawing Reviews and Revisions BricsCAD includes numerous AI-driven productivity tools. These tools automate laborious tasks for you, while you maintain control of the created output.

• Copying, moving, mirroring, and rotating is a augi.com/augiworld

•

•

•

breeze with the Manipulator. No Command line is needed.

Quickly apply new construction details in an automated way, when and where you need them, with the Propagate tool.

Annotate your 2D drawings created from your BIM model with ease, thanks to the BIM dimension tool.

Our new building toolset lets you revise the model where needed, according to your construction vision.

With the AI functionality, you don’t have to be a dedicated designer or have one on staff to be productive. In short, BricsCAD allows you to deliver exactly what you need, when you need it, without added complexity to get your job done.

And because it’s so easy to use, it’s easy to teach.

That’s fewer commands for your less-technical teammates to memorize and fewer sticky note cheat sheets on the PM’s monitor.

Shop Drawings For a subcontractor, detailed shop drawings are a big part of the process. Even if the design deliverables are less-than-stellar, BricsCAD is a great tool that allows the sub to work in an easy, familiar 2D environment with probably existing personnel or the ability to readily hire someone with standard 2D CAD skills, no need for an expensive BIM person on staff.

Like the GC, the Sub can take advantage of Drawing Health Manager or purge unused objects, reduce file size, and start the shop drawing process with a healthy base.

As we mentioned before, if 3D deliverables were transmitted, no problem. You can natively open.

RVT, .IFC, 3D .DWGs, mechanical models, and more in the same environment. No need to have multiple solutions open.

Quick to 3D BricsCAD provides 3D when you need it and how you need it – It’s super intuitive and super easy.

When I ask long-time AutoCAD® users who switched to BricsCAD what they prefer about BricsCAD, besides AI tools, they almost always say how easy 3D is in BricsCAD. Most 3D software programs are complicated, require a long learning curve & can only be used by December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

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BricsCAD an “all-day CAD designer” or specialist, definitely not the casual user typically at a construction or subcontractor company.

Although 2D drawings are used in construction to build the project, most people are unable to look at 2D drawings and visualize what the 3D project/ building will look like, so 3D is needed to visualize the project. Whether it is to help the client visualize the project/building or for your company to increase the chances of winning an RFP by including a 3D model, 3D can also be used to detail a portion of the building for constructability and shop drawings. (See Fig. 2)

Figure 2

3D in BricsCAD is simple, with familiar, easy-to-use tools for 3D (conceptual) design, mass modeling, constructability, and shop drawings. Convert 2D drawings to 3D geometry/models, with boundary detection, extrude, push/pull, polysolid to trace 2D geometry, wall, and quickwall.

And BricsCAD does this in a single, unified .dwg platform in 2D and 3D.

In BricsCAD, models can be generated quickly and accurately – No steep learning curve. It’s fast, flexible, and produces accurate modeling from point clouds.

Whether the work is limited to interior walls and fixtures or exterior facades, if you need detailed 2D modeling, you can easily bring in the point clouds and start dimensioning. If you need reasonable model representation, you can bring in the point clouds and start modeling. And of course, you can bring in the Point Clouds to confirm As Is/As Built conditions.

Planar Deviation Detection Today, the requirements for the slab to have the correct floor flatness and floor levelness number are high. High-stacking, narrow-aisle warehouses, TV studios, theme park Automated Guided Vehicles and many other builds all require very specific “F” numbers.

Simply laser-scan the surface and compare the perfectly flat concrete model to the As-Built point cloud for fast and accurate results. Immediately, the GC knows if any field modifications are needed to meet the specific specifications and can adjust accordingly.

BricsCAD provides instant visual feedback and extremely easy functionality in the software, including visually color-guided when out of scope.

(See Fig. 3)

Constructability & Point Cloud Modeling Contractors carry the risk on building projects and need to reduce risk – and that is exactly what laser scanning and modeling existing conditions provide.

If you didn’t know, Bricsys® is owned by the same company Figure 3 as Leica Geosystems so we have a real advantage in Point Cloud Performance. Did you know BricsCAD can deliver models 25-50% faster & more flexible than other BIM solutions (Revit®)?

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AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

Site Layout and Logistics As a contractor, one of the first tasks on hand when you start a project is to deal with site logistics. You usually have access to files received from external augi.com

BricsCAD parties (e.g., consultants). However, you usually still need to re-draw and revise, and one of the challenges today is that the GCs tend to give up on TIN Models because of the complexity and difficulty in getting them out of other Civil products and into a .dwg tool.

You can import Civil3D® TIN directly into BricsCAD, and then perform edits & labels in BricsCAD. This allows you to quickly lay out the site to consider the usual requirements – access points, portable toilets, etc. and generate quick calculations for cut-and-fill to make arrangements to move dirt around or off the site.

Currently, you may need to involve the designers or drafters specialized in certain software to help you with these tasks. With BricsCAD, you don’t have to be a designer. You don’t necessarily have to have dedicated draftsman/BIM specialists. The BricsCAD UI is not scary and there are pre-defined symbols, linetypes, and documentation/highlighting tools in a visual palette. Contractors can not only quickly produce the plans needed to communicate the concept, but also use the software to brainstorm scenarios.

WRAP UP

As a contractor or subcontractor, we understand what you do - you receive a lot of drawings in all types of file formats. But chances are, these drawings might be a bit problematic.

First, the building probably can’t be built from these drawings, so there are constructability issues.

Secondly, those drawings might not provide the information you need, as there is both redundant and irrelevant information. More importantly, there is information that is completely missing from the provided drawing files.

BricsCAD’s productivity tools are the ones you need, in one straightforward professional CAD platform.

As such, they are certainly not ‘yet another feature in a bloated and complicated software package’.

On the contrary, BricsCAD allows you to deliver exactly what you need, when you need it without compromise.

Visit https://www.bricsys.com/industries/generalcontracting to learn more about how BricsCAD is the go-to solution for GCs and Subcontractors.

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MORE ABOUT BRICSCAD

Bricsys® BricsCAD is professional CAD software without compromise. Accelerate your time to deliverable without compromising on performance, cost, licensing flexibility, and data security. Not ready to buy? Download the free, 30-day trial of BricsCAD at Bricsys.com. Would you like free lessons? We have that available with Bricsys Learning. Ready to migrate to BricsCAD? Download the Migration Guide. The latest version of BricsCAD improves the tools and features users love, as well as new functionality and UI that supercharge productivity.

Follow us today on LinkedIn or Youtube.

MORE ABOUT BRICSYS

Bricsys®, part of Hexagon®, is the global technology company that creates the BricsCAD family of computer aided design (CAD) products and the Bricsys® 24/7 project collaboration platform. We are relentlessly committed to the success of our customers by offering cost-effective, mission-critical CAD software with industry-leading product support.

Learn more at www.Bricsys.com.

Hexagon is a global leader in digital reality solutions.

Learn more about Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

Mr. Craig Swearingen is a Global Implementation Specialist and Consultant at Bricsys. Currently, Craig provides migration and implementation guidance, management strategies, and technical assistance to companies that need an alternative, compatible CAD solution. Craig spent 19 years in the civil engineering world as a technician, Civil 3D & CAD power user, becoming a supportintensive CAD/IT manager in high-volume production environments. Craig is a longtime AUGI member (2009), a Certified Autodesk® AutoCAD® Professional, and he enjoys networking with other CAD users on social media.

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Civil 3D

by: Shawn Herring

Civil Infrastructure: Emerging Trends in the Civil Infrastructure Industry

W

ith the demand for split-second results, changed management improvement, quicker project turn around and expedited construction, the civil construction industry is on a path like never seen before! And civil engineers, designers and drafters continue to play a crucial role in hitting these ambitious targets. 20,000+ civil engineer/ designer jobs will be created EVERY year for the next 10 years, according to expert predictions.

But many of those jobs may look a bit different than you’re used to. I’m not going to get into any particular software or company, I simply wanted to expand my thought process as I look at the different type of projects that I’m involved in. This article looks at what I believe are some of the biggest trends within the Civil infrastructure space.

SUSTAINABLE AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Sustainable design and construction practices, such as using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient 34 AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

systems, and minimizing environmental impact, are becoming increasingly important. Here are just a few key aspects of sustainable and green infrastructure in civil engineering: Integration of Natural Systems: Sustainable infrastructure often incorporates natural systems, such as wetlands, forests, and green spaces, into the design. This helps in managing stormwater, providing habitat for wildlife, and improving air and water quality. It’s easy to integrate and a much cheaper alternative to underground storage tanks and concrete piping everywhere!

Water Management: Sustainable infrastructure includes innovative stormwater management techniques to reduce flooding and water pollution.

This may involve permeable pavements, rain gardens, and green roofs.

Waste Reduction: Minimizing waste generation and promoting recycling and reuse of materials augi.com

Civil 3D

Figure 1: Economic Viability

are key elements of sustainable infrastructure practices. Construction projects can incorporate sustainable demolition and recycling practices.

to provide long-term economic benefits through reduced operational costs, improved efficiency, and increased property values.

Community Engagement: Wait, what? How does this fall under ‘infrastructure’? Well, the local community typically knows best. Engaging with local communities and stakeholders helps ensure that the infrastructure meets their needs and respects their concerns. I live in an area along a lake now, and we currently have a city who refuses to listen to the community, who has been farming and managing the wetlands for 100+ years. While the City managed areas are struggling, the ones that have been managed by the community members are flourishing better than ever.

SMART CITIES AND IoT INTEGRATION

Economic Viability: Sustainable infrastructure should not only be environmentally friendly but also economically viable. Projects should be designed augi.com/augiworld

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in infrastructure projects relates to the whole ‘smart city’ movement. IoT plays a significant role in civil engineering by providing real-time data and insights for improving the planning, construction, and maintenance of urban infrastructure.

Here are some key areas where IoT is integrated into civil engineering in the context of smart cities: Transportation: IoT sensors and devices are used to monitor traffic patterns, optimize traffic signals, manage parking, and provide real-time information to commuters. This helps reduce congestion and improve transportation efficiency.

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Civil 3D

Figure 2: Urban Planning

Infrastructure Maintenance: IoT sensors are employed to monitor the condition of bridges, roads, and other critical infrastructure. This data can be used to schedule maintenance and repairs proactively, reducing the risk of infrastructure failures.

Energy Management: Smart grids and IoT sensors are utilized to monitor and control energy consumption in buildings and throughout the city. This can lead to energy savings and more sustainable energy use.

Environmental Monitoring: Sensors measure air quality, noise levels, and other environmental factors to track pollution levels and ensure a healthy living environment for citizens.

Waste Management: IoT-enabled waste bins can signal when they need emptying, allowing for more efficient waste collection routes and reducing costs.

Water Management: Sensors in water supply and distribution systems can detect leaks and monitor water quality, ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply. Many of us may not know this, but most Cities already use some sort of alert system!

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Public Safety: IoT devices are used for public safety, such as smart surveillance cameras, gunshot detection systems, and early warning systems for natural disasters.

Urban Planning: Data from IoT sensors and other sources help urban planners make informed decisions about city development, infrastructure expansion, and zoning regulations.

BIM (BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING)

But the B is for Building, right? But I don’t do buildings, we do civil stuff? This was exactly how I thought when BIM started becoming industry standard on the vertical side of things. Somewhere between 25-30% of the civil industry have begun to integrate BIM into their process. Typically seen on larger infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, BIM has a home in almost any type of civil project.

BIM integration in civil engineering offers numerous advantages, including improved project coordination, reduced errors, cost savings, and more efficient project delivery. It is increasingly becoming a standard practice in the industry, especially for complex infrastructure projects.

augi.com

Civil 3D

Figure 3: Sustainability

Here are some key aspects of BIM integration in civil engineering:

This allows for quick resolution of issues and reduces costly rework during construction.

Collaboration and Communication: BIM promotes collaboration and communication among various project stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, owners, and government agencies. It helps break down silos and ensures that everyone is working with the same set of data, reducing the chances of errors and conflicts.

Data Integration: BIM integrates multiple types of data, including geometric, spatial, and nongeometric information. This data can include project specifications, cost estimates, scheduling information, and maintenance plans. This holistic approach to data management supports better decision-making throughout the project’s life cycle.

3D Modeling: BIM enables the creation of 3D models of civil engineering projects, which provides a visual representation of the design and allows for better visualization and analysis. This helps in identifying potential clashes and design issues early in the project lifecycle.

Simulation and Analysis: BIM tools can be used for simulation and analysis, such as structural analysis, energy analysis, and traffic flow simulations. These simulations help in optimizing designs and making more informed decisions about construction and operation.

Clash Detection: The clashing can’t happen without the 3D modeling aspect. And there are BIM software out there that can automatically detect clashes and conflicts in the design, such as utilities conflicting with the placement of underground structures or spatial conflicts between various project elements.

Cost Estimation and Quantity Takeoff: There are many BIM software platforms that can generate accurate cost estimates and quantity takeoffs based on the 3D model and associated data, helping project stakeholders with budgeting and procurement decisions.

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Civil 3D Construction Management: BIM is beneficial during the construction phase as it aids in project scheduling, progress tracking, and resource allocation. It also enables better communication between the design and construction teams.

and the need for more efficient and reliable transportation networks.

Asset Management: BIM models can be used beyond the construction phase for facility and asset management. This is particularly valuable for the maintenance, operation, and renovation of civil infrastructure over its entire lifecycle.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): ITS involves the integration of various technologies to improve traffic management, reduce congestion, enhance safety, and optimize transportation networks. This includes the use of sensors, cameras, and communication systems to monitor traffic conditions and provide real-time information to travelers.

Sustainability and Environmental Analysis: As noted above, sustainability is key to a well thought out civil project of any kind. Certain BIM tools can be used to assess the environmental impact of civil engineering projects and support sustainable design decisions.

TRANSPORTATION INNOVATION

Development of new transportation systems and technologies, including high-speed rail, autonomous vehicles, and urban mobility solutions Is emerging as one of the greatest innovations of our lifetime. This field is crucial in addressing the growing challenges associated with urbanization, population growth, environmental concerns,

Some key aspects of transportation innovation could be:

Autonomous Vehicles: Something you’ll never catch me in, but I’d be neglecting my journalistic duties if I didn’t mention the development of self-driving or autonomous vehicles as one of the most significant innovations in transportation. These vehicles have the potential to reduce accidents, increase traffic flow, and improve fuel efficiency. They rely on advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and connectivity to navigate roads and make driving decisions.

High-Speed Rail: High-speed rail systems, such as the TGV in France, are examples of innovative

Figure 4: Advanced Traffic Management 38

AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

augi.com

Civil 3D transportation solutions that offer fast, efficient, and sustainable long-distance travel. These systems use advanced engineering and materials to achieve high speeds while maintaining safety.

Hyperloop: Hyperloop is a conceptual high-speed transportation system that uses low-pressure tubes to transport pods at very high speeds. Are you imagining yourself in a bank tube? So am I!!

Although this still seems to be in the experimental phase, if successful, it could revolutionize long-distance travel by dramatically reducing travel times.

20,000+ CIVIL ENGINEER/ DESIGNER JOBS WILL BE CREATED EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS, ACCORDING TO EXPERT PREDICTIONS.

Sustainable Transportation: Innovations in sustainable transportation aim to reduce the environmental impact of transportation systems.

This includes the development of electric vehicles, the expansion of public transportation, and the integration of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure into urban planning.

These materials provide excellent strength-toweight ratios and are used to reinforce concrete and other structural elements. Fiber-reinforced composites can improve the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure while reducing the weight and increasing longevity.

Urban Mobility Solutions: To address urban congestion and pollution, civil engineers are working on innovative urban mobility solutions, including electric scooters, bike-sharing programs, and on-demand ride-sharing services. These technologies aim to provide convenient and ecofriendly alternatives to traditional car travel.

High-Performance Concrete: High-performance concrete (HPC) is engineered to have superior properties compared to conventional concrete.

It typically exhibits high strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. HPC can be used in bridges, high-rise buildings, and other critical infrastructure projects.

Advanced Traffic Management: Advanced traffic management systems use real-time data to optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve safety. This includes adaptive traffic signal control, dynamic lane management, and incident detection and management systems.

Self-Healing Materials: Self-healing materials have the ability to repair small cracks or damage on their own. This technology is particularly useful in civil engineering, where maintaining structural integrity is crucial. Self-healing concrete and asphalt can extend the lifespan of infrastructure and reduce maintenance costs.

ADVANCED MATERIALS

This is one that fascinates me. There are so many vendors and companies trying to pitch their product spec as the latest and greatest technology and it can get overwhelming at times. But the exploration and use of advanced materials, such as self-healing concrete, to enhance the durability and sustainability of infrastructure is something we all need to pay attention to.

Here are some “advanced materials” that I find intriguing: Fiber-Reinforced Composites: Advanced materials often include fiber-reinforced composites, such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or aramid fiber composites. augi.com/augiworld

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Materials: Advanced materials also include sustainable options like recycled materials, engineered wood products, and environmentally friendly binders for concrete. Using these materials reduces the environmental impact of construction projects and supports sustainable building practices.

High-Performance Coatings: Advanced coatings are applied to surfaces to improve their resistance to corrosion, UV radiation, and other environmental factors. These coatings can extend the lifespan of structures and reduce maintenance requirements.

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Civil 3D

Figure 5: Hybrid Materials

Geosynthetics: Geosynthetic materials, such as geotextiles, geogrids, and geomembranes, are used in civil engineering for applications like soil reinforcement, erosion control, and drainage.

They offer cost-effective solutions for various geotechnical challenges.

3D Printing: Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is gaining traction in civil engineering for rapid prototyping and construction of complex architectural designs. It allows for precise and customized construction components and can potentially reduce waste.

Hybrid Materials: Some advanced materials are hybrid combinations of various components, often to achieve specific properties or performance goals. For example, hybrid concrete may combine traditional ingredients with supplementary cementitious materials to improve strength and durability.

DIGITAL TWINS

So, I saved the best for last!! In my opinion, creating a digital twin will become the new “asbuilt” requirement that we see in most areas.

The development of a digital twin will help with predictive maintenance, optimization and help streamline the design process. So, take everything I mentioned above, smush it into a bottle, shake it up and you get a Digital Twin!! Or close anyway.

Digital Twins in civil engineering include, but not limited to: Data Collection and Sensors: Digital Twins rely on real-time data from various sensors installed on the physical infrastructure. These sensors can measure 40 AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

parameters like temperature, strain, movement, and more. The data collected is used to create a dynamic, real-time representation of the structure.

3D Modeling and Simulation: Digital Twins are typically represented as 3D models that simulate the physical structure. These models can be highly detailed and accurate, allowing engineers to visualize and understand the structure in a virtual environment.

Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance: Digital Twins are used for monitoring the health and performance of civil infrastructure. By continuously collecting data from sensors, engineers can detect anomalies and potential issues in real-time. This enables predictive maintenance, reducing the risk of costly repairs and downtime.

Design and Construction: Digital Twins can be used during the design and construction phases to simulate different scenarios, test design alternatives, and optimize construction processes.

This can lead to more efficient and cost-effective construction projects.

Performance Analysis: After construction, Digital Twins continue to provide valuable insights.

Engineers can analyze the performance of the structure under various conditions, making it easier to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Asset Management: Digital Twins are used to manage the entire lifecycle of civil engineering projects, from initial design through construction and ongoing maintenance. This helps in making informed decisions about repairs, renovations, and eventual decommissioning. augi.com

Civil 3D

Figure 6: Smart Cities and Infrastructure

Collaboration and Communication: Digital Twins facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders, including designers, contractors, and asset managers. By providing a common platform for sharing data and insights, they improve communication and decision-making.

Risk Management: Digital Twins help in assessing and mitigating risks associated with civil engineering projects. Engineers can use the virtual model to test different scenarios and evaluate the impact of external factors, such as natural disasters.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Digital Twins can be used to evaluate the environmental impact of civil engineering projects. This includes assessing energy efficiency, carbon footprint, and other sustainability factors.

Smart Cities and Infrastructure: In the context of smart cities, Digital Twins play a crucial role in managing and optimizing various urban infrastructure components, such as transportation systems, water supply, and energy distribution.

augi.com/augiworld

CONCLUSION

These are just a few of the industry trends we will see explode in the next decade, and there are many more. But how do we keep up with all these trends?

How do we train our existing staff or find new staff to support this? How do we find these projects that utilize these trends? That’s a great question! I found this article to be a great reminder of what we can do ourselves to stay up to date on things - https:// cocsbdc.org/news/10-tips-for-staying-on-top-oftrends/.

Shawn has been a part of the design engineering community for almost 20 years in all aspects of design, construction and software implementations.

He has implemented and trained companies across the Country on Civil 3D and other infrastructure tools and their best practice workflows. Shawn can be reached for comments or questions at sherring@ prosoftnet.com.

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BIM

by: Alberto Tricarico

IoT and BIM Integration: A Case Study I

n recent years, the construction industry has seen remarkable technological advancements that have led to enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

One of such groundbreaking innovations is Building Information Modeling (BIM), which has revolutionized how Architects, Engineers, and Contractors collaborate throughout the design and construction phases. However, the potential of BIM extends well beyond the confines of the construction process.

Inspired by these advancements and by the idea of simplifying the digitalization process of IoT infrastructures, we aimed to create a comprehensive, real-time building management system, embarking on this journey with the awareness that the information describing the type and position of the IoT devices are often already present within BIM models. Therefore, our initial insight was to leverage this BIM model as a starting point for extracting device information, while adding a supplementary dataset that outlines the specifications of each device, encompassing details such as sensor types, units of measurement, scales, and more.

44 AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

With this combined information at our disposal, we realized that we had the capability to create the digital twin of the infrastructure, the type of which could be inferred from the specific BIM model used.

In our case study, we have identified the following main steps: Data Extraction from the BIM Model: The initial step involves the extraction of data from the BIM file. This data forms the foundation of our subsequent processes.

Creation of Device Instances on an IoT Hub: Following data extraction, we proceed to create instances of the devices specified within the model on an Internet of Things (IoT) Hub. This step essentially sets up the digital counterparts of the physical devices.

Transmission of Device Data to the IoT Hub: With device instances in place, we establish a seamless flow of data sent from devices the IoT Hub and from the IoT Hub to our dashboard. This data stream is a key component of our real-time monitoring and analytics. augi.com

BIM

Figure 1: Vcad-iot-dashboard

Historical Data Storage: Data retention and historical analysis are crucial for tracking performance and trends over time. Storing this data is the fourth integral step.

Blogic Vcad A software that can extract data from your BIM files and create interactive, pre-configured dashboards in seconds.

Visualization of Data on a Dashboard: To make the data meaningful and accessible, we create a dashboard. This dashboard serves as a comprehensive visual representation of both historical and real-time data, providing insights and facilitating decision-making.

The actors in play for the construction of the previous described process were:

Microsoft Fabric An all-in-one analytics solution for enterprises that covers everything from data movement to data science, Real-Time Analytics, and business intelligence. Of Fabric we used the following component • EventStream Centralized event data place that allows us to capture, transform, and route real-time event data to various destinations in the desired formats.

• Kusto DB Service for storing and running interactive analytics over Big Data • Power BI Business analytics service

Microsoft Azure IoT Hub A cloud-based service that facilitates communication between Internet of Things (IoT) devices and the cloud. It enables bidirectional data transfer, device management, and secure connectivity for IoT deployments at scale.

InfluxDB An InfluxData open-source tool designed for the collection, monitoring, and querying of data related to measurements with timestamps, such as those received from various devices like thermometers, hygrometers, and more.

These steps collectively form the core of our study, illustrating how we harness BIM data to bridge the physical and digital worlds, enabling efficient building management and data-driven decision-making.

TECHNOLOGIES

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December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

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BIM DEVICE CREATION

BIM data extraction using Vcad The extraction of the data contained in the BIM model using the Vcad service allows the query identification and extraction of the information that form the basis needed for the subsequent data transformation operations necessary for both the creation of IoT devices digital instances and the construction of reports.

Without going into details regarding the data extracted from the various types of models (IFC, RVT, Navisworks), we can say that each element in the model is defined in a data structure (called ‘Assets’ in Vcad) that contains the name, type and an ID that acts as a link to the geometries of the model. Linked to this structure is another structure (‘Properties’) which, as the name implies, contains an arbitrary number of attributes that belong to the Asset.

In this structure, we can find a lot of information that will be useful in the definition of the device and Digital Twin, such as the unique identification code of the asset, its location in the space (e.g., building, floor, room) or the relationship with other elements of the model.

Figure 2

ARCHITECTURE

The diagram in Figure 2 summarizes the key processes and interactions between the platforms adopted to implement the following three major functionalities: 1. Creation of the device instances on the IoT Hub 2. Management of the device real-time data 3. Displaying real-time data It is important to note that the steps we are describing depend on the file format used, the information the file contains, the type of report we want to make, etc. Therefore, it is not possible to define an approach that is valid in all scenarios. In any case, we have identified steps and guidelines that, thanks to the use of Vcad, are a reference in the implementation of projects like this one. ** To help in the various data transformation we will be leveraging Powe BI’s Power Query engine for a no-code approach.**

46 AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

Definition of device types through a configuration file A key step in the procedure is to create a file to define the properties of the devices that make up our project. An example of configuration can be represented by the structure shown in Figure 3.

The main field here reported are: DeviceType: represents the key that defines the device type and binds the configuration to the structures previously identified and extracted from the model.

SensorName: identifies the type of sensor that will be part of the device. Note that a single device may have two values like in the example of Lighting_ Fixtures_Dimmerable which will have Switch and Dimmer.

DeviceTypeSensorName: creates a unique key for Device Type and SensorName.

Creating the data structure for creating IoT instances We can now create a table that fully defines the augi.com

BIM

Figure 3

Figure 4

individual device instances in the Bim model.

An example of a structure might be as shown in Figure 4.

The table contains all the information of the instances of the devices identified in the model.

For example, IdDevice represents the unique device code (in our example a simple progressive), objectId is the link to the geometry.

Interestingly, the number and name of the room where the devices are located were extracted by the Vcad service directly from the BIM model. This information can be used both to perform congruity checks and to group devices according to the rooms.

By applying further transformations, we have used this table to create device instance on Azure Device Provisioning Service (DPS) through a tool that we built.

Figure 5 augi.com/augiworld

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BIM REAL-TIME DATA MANAGEMENT

The instance table can be used to set up the data needed for real-time visualization of data from sensors.

In Figure 5, the real-time sensors data comes from an Azure IoT Hub and is sent to Power BI using Fabric Synapse Real-Time Analytics.

In this process, the EventStream job acts as a bridge, enabling the seamless flow of data from the EventHub to a Kusto database. This ensures that the information remains up-to-date and readily available for real-time analysis and visualization on the Power BI dashboard. The Power BI direct query capability on Kusto tables allows users to interact with the data in real-time, making it a powerful tool for monitoring and decision-making.

REAL-TIME DATA REPRESENTATION

Once we have real-time data from IoT devices available in Power BI, mapped to their corresponding objects in the BIM model, it becomes possible to create reports with highly informative graphical content.

The ability to have real-time device status and the

use of the Blogic Vcad Custom Visual allowed us to simulate very insightful monitoring dashboards.

These dashboards not only display analytical content but also provide a visual representation.

This is achieved through Vcad’s feature which allows the rendering of customized object markers.

Each marker icon is associated with the state of the corresponding device, enhancing the visual aspect of our reports, and enabling real-time visual monitoring of the devices as well.

In essence, this integration provides a dynamic and visually rich method of monitoring device status and their interaction with the physical environment, offering valuable insights for informed decisionmaking and efficient management (Figure 6).

In our study we have considered also the case of a BIM model that does not contain geometries regarding the devices. Therefore, we used other geometric elements, i.e., the rooms, to link the devices (Figure 7).

DEVICES DATA STORAGE

In this study, our primary focus was on finding a scalable approach for archiving time-series data efficiently. Our goal was to enable smooth

Figure 6 48 AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

augi.com

BIM

Figure 7

aggregation across various temporal scales, allowing us to present these aggregated insights in our reports. We identified several tools that seemed well-suited to meet our requirements (Figure 8).

In this architecture, the IoT devices are connected to a Microsoft Azure IoT Hub. The IoT Hub serves as the central hub for managing devices connections and data ingestion. Through a Microsoft Fabric EventStream job, this data is ingested into a Kusto database and can be visualized in real-time on a Power BI report through the VCAD custom visual, as previously described.

Once the data is in the Azure environment, it can be ingested using Telegraf (a component of InfluxData) into InfluxDB for storage. Being InfluxDB, a highly efficient time-series database form, it is wellsuited for handling sensor data with timestamps.

Therefore, Telegraf allows us to gather the data sent to the IoT Hub, using an “Event hub compatible” connection string as endpoint, and archive it in our InfluxDB database.

Figure 8 augi.com/augiworld

Once massively loaded into our database, the data can be sampled on different time scales and stored in different tables in this format. This approach enables us to keep the retention period December 2023 | AUGIWORLD Magazine

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BIM low, ensuring that we do not store excessively large volumes of row data, especially when dealing with a high number of sensors generating frequent readings. Representation and visualization of the historically collected data is then achieved by connecting Power BI to InfluxDB.

CONCLUSION: PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT

contributing to the development of sustainable and resilient cities and improving the quality of life for occupants. By embracing this vision, we embark on a transformative journey toward intelligent, efficient, and future-proof buildings that will drive the next wave of innovation in construction and facility management, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort.

The integration of BIM, digital twins, and IoT represents an extraordinary opportunity to revolutionize building management. By extracting device and sensor information from BIM, building Device Twins on Azure IoT Hub, developing device simulators, monitoring real-time data with Power BI, and visualizing updates on BIM 3D models using Vcad, stakeholders can unlock unprecedented insights, optimize operations, and enhance user experiences.

As technology continues to evolve, it is imperative for industry leaders and researchers to collaborate, innovate, and embrace these concepts. The benefits of this integrated approach to building management extend beyond individual structures,

Alberto Tricarico is one of the co-founders of Blogic, where he has been actively involved since 2001. Prior to this, he worked as an IT consultant for a multinational corporation. With a background in theoretical physics, he has acquired numerous specializations over the years, primarily focusing on machine learning, programming, and BIM (Building Information Modeling).

Currently based in Rome, Italy, he continues to be at the forefront of technology and innovation.

Figure 9: Example of graphic representation of device’s historical data 50 AUGIWORLD Magazine | December 2023

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