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AUGIWORLD February 2024
The Official Publication of the AUGI Design Community
Efficiency with Industry Standards www.augiworld.com
US $8.00
Also in this issue: IFC: What is it and Why is it Needed? | Data Processing and Mining with Dynamo for Civil 3D
AUGIWORLD
February 2024
CONTENTS FEATURES
16
6
IFC
10
BIM
14
3ds Max
16
Civil 3D
24
BricsCAD
30
Standards
IFC: What is it and Why is it Needed? Orchestrating a Model Masterpiece on Purpose 3ds Max Standards: Achieving Precision and Efficiency in the AEC Industry Data Processing and Mining with Dynamo for Civil 3D The Busy Drafter's Dilemma: Why Spending Time Now Will Actually Save You Time Later The Collective Power of National Standards in Decluttering Design
24 COLUMNS 4
Letter from the Editor
12
Tech Manager
30 augi.com/augiworld
February 2024 | AUGIWORLD Magazine
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AUGIWORLD
www.augi.com
Editors
Editor-in-Chief
Todd Rogers - todd.rogers@augi.com
Letter from the Editor
W
e are now 2 months into 2024, and this month’s subject will be focused on Standards. Standards are essential in the production environment. I have had the joy of setting up standards for several companies over the years. Sometimes it can be fun, and other times it can be a complete headache. Standards are a way of doing something that is equally agreed upon. These are often the expertise of people with distinct wisdom in their subject matter, and these are the organizations needs that those people represent. There is a wide range of subjects that standards cover. People share the standards because they know this is a reliable basis for a product of service, and that is the whole point of a standard. These are the powerful tools that aide in innovation and help to increase productivity. Standards play a major role in the success of a company, and it also makes the user’s lives much easier. Standards are constantly being honed and changed as technology advances. It’s essential to have a manager on staff that handles the standards. It’s also essential to have internal committees to discuss these standards and mark them in stone to be implemented to the rest of the staff. Without this type of structure, you are set up to fail. Enjoy this month’s issue, and thanks to all of you, the volunteers, that make this organization a success! Editor-in-Chief
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 Architecture - Jonathan Massaro Revit MEP - Jason Peckovitch Tech Manager - Mark Kiker Inside Track - Rina Sahay
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
AUGI Advisory Board of Directors Shaan Hurley
Shelby Smith
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 ©2024 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
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AUGIWORLD Magazine | February 2024
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A Global Community for AEC Professionals to Learn, Grow and Exchange Knowledge. Become a member: www.dbei.org/membership
IFC
by: Emma Hooper
IFC: What is it and Why is it Needed? Emma Hooper, R&D Lead at BuildData Group Research Institute, provides a useful overview of the IFC data model specification
Information management ecosystem
Reprinted with permission from AEC Magazine
MANAGEMENT LAYER
Cycles of:
Specify
Procure
Deliver
Assure
Store
Present
Exploit
INFORMATION LAYER
ASSET LIFECYCLE
O
ver the course of a facility’s life, information is created and goes on a journey in which it is constantly exchanged by people using technology.
From the initial idea to construct a building to the deletion of this asset from a map following its demolition, a building creates a trail of information that follows it from cradle to grave.
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AUGIWORLD Magazine | February 2024
The information management ecosystem
This trail is invisible. Some call it a ‘golden thread’. I prefer to call it an ‘information layer’, which forms part of an information management ecosystem. But whatever you call it, this trail is currently fragmented and, quite frankly, a mess. The purpose of information management is to view information as an asset in its own right. To get the full value from information, it must be rationalised and joined up - both processes entirely separate from software. augi.com
IFC TWO LAYERS AT WORK
The information management ecosystem is made up of two layers. First, there’s the management layer, which includes recurring cycles of information management activities, based on appointments. This is covered by ISO 19650. Second, there’s the information layer, where the complexity of the different facets of information are broken down, structured, ordered and joined up, in order to provide a base data language for the activities in the management layer outlined above and for the technology to plug into. The information layer is complex. There is no escaping that. Try describing one component in a facility: its type, performance, materials, location, name and all the other data related to it, plus the data about the data. And that’s just one component. Now, multiply this to cover tens of thousands or millions of components and how they all connect to one another. The task is utterly mind-blowing in its complexity! So, the only way we can produce connected, machine-interpretable data is to use data models as part of the information layer.
WHAT IS A DATA MODEL, ANYWAY?
THE PURPOSE OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IS TO VIEW INFORMATION AS AN ASSET IN ITS OWN RIGHT. TO GET THE FULL VALUE FROM INFORMATION, IT MUST BE RATIONALISED AND JOINED UP - BOTH PROCESSES ENTIRELY SEPARATE FROM SOFTWARE. building in which it is located, a construction programme, commissioning certificates, performance properties, a cost plan, classification and so on. In fact, I could go on and on. What’s important is that there is nothing in the industry, besides IFC, that can accomplish so much in terms of connecting information across so many domains. IFC is a digital representation of a built asset for a computer to understand.
Essentially, a data model is a way of structuring and joining up data. It creates order and enables complex connections to be made. A data model is not a BIM model in the traditional sense, and it doesn’t have to contain geometry.
WHY DO WE NEED IFC?
But we also need a standardised data model to provide a single data language throughout, otherwise we quickly encounter interoperability issues. Do we have something already? We do! It’s called Industry Foundation Classes, or IFC. IFC is an off-the-shelf data model specification. It is managed by buildingSMART International (see buildingSMART article on page B5) and is an international standard, ISO 16739.
But these data models are bespoke and often poorly created, with the sole objective of serving the software. Therefore, when we exchange data between software packages, we run into interoperability issues, because these packages speak different languages. If software packages can read and write to a standard data model, they only have to create the mapping once, rather than a point-to-point solution for every permutation of software exchange.
IFC provides a data framework for most of the parts of the AEC industry, allowing information to be connected. For example, a boiler might be connected to a pipe and associated with a particular system, along with the space and
It’s also not just delivery and the exchange of design information where IFC can play a part. Going back to the information management ecosystem, IFC is at the heart of the information layer as the standardised data model. Therefore, it can be
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Each proprietary software application has its own data model running in the background. These are typically packaged up in custom file formats for exchange purposes.
February 2024 | AUGIWORLD Magazine
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IFC IFC representation of a boiler
documents
IFC’S BENEFITS
type
zone connections
space boiler
storey
system
(identity) facility properties
programme site
(geometry) classification
used to provide data foundations to underpin ISO 19650 activities. IFC can be used to structure exchange information requirements, deliver them and assure the delivered data against the original requirements and store data during and after the project (see Gen Zero project article on page B14)
IFC2x3 is the predominant version used in the UK. However IFC4 implementation within software has recently accelerated and, together with the proposed release of IFC4.3 in 2022/2023, we need as an industry to start the transition to IFC 4.3 in the next year (see IFC4.3 article on page B8).
Because the data model is so big, it has to be broken down to exchange information. This is all done using filtered parts of the IFC schema called model view definitions. This approach is being redeveloped by buildingSMART to make it more flexible using information delivery specifications, or IDS.
Communication of the data model is carried out using a schema. This provides a data modelling language to represent a data model often in a graphical way, enabling a viewer to see what the data model contains and work out which parts are connected.
The more we digitise, the more data models organisations will create. If we don’t have a standardised starting point for these, they will be structured in completely different ways and, as a result, sharing information between them will be as difficult as it is now between authoring software, just on a much bigger scale. Technology will not provide a magic solution!
IFC can be visualised using several schemas. Currently, the principal one is EXPRESS-G, but the plan is to move to UML (unified modelling language) in IFC5.
IFC BASICS
The IFC standard is free and can be accessed via the buildingSMART website. There are currently two official versions: 1. 2.
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Free, off-the-shelf and ready to be used for almost any purpose, IFC brings big benefits. These include its ability to: • Provide the data framework for information management activities • Enable repeatable processes and software configurations during delivery • Deliver longevity and sustainability of data • Side-step intellectual property issues and vendor lock-in • Support more complex querying, via relationships, providing better insight for decision making • Provide easier connection to external data sets via standardisation, for complex use cases like smart cities • Accelerate advancements like machine learning
IFC2x3 TC1 (IFC2x3) – this is aligned to ISO 16739:2005. IFC4 ADD2 TC1 (IFC4) – this is aligned to ISO 16739-1:2018.
AUGIWORLD Magazine | February 2024
On top of this, when transferring data from a data model, you need an exchange format to transport it. IFC typically uses the STEP physical format (SPF) which is text-based. (Because it has the ‘.ifc’ file extension, this has led to the misconception that IFC is just a file format.) Being text-based means that model files can be opened using a standard text editor such as Notepad. Other exchange formats include XML and JSON and there are others in development. These include RDF/ XML,Turtle and JSON-LD, where the emphasis is less on exchanging files and more on exchanging the data. augi.com
IFC IFC DATA MODEL COMPOSITION
In simple terms, IFC is made up of three parts: entities, attributes and relationships. Entities are the main classes and, in the data model, act like nodes. In other words, it’s the entities that get connected. Most entities can be considered as objects – not just physical-based objects such as walls and boilers, but also objects such as geometry, processes, properties, materials and so on. This means there is potential to perform cost schedules, resource planning and construction using IFC. A particularly important entity is IfcBuildingElementProxy, which can be used where there is no appropriate entity. This acts like a template entity, identifying all the appropriate attributes and relationships. There is also the ability here to define the object further (see section below on predefined types). Attributes define entities further by including basic data such as ‘name’, ‘description’, and ‘globalID’. Attributes also allow connections to be made to other entities by acting like hooks. Relationships connect entities via attributes, and in the IFC schema, are objects themselves. It is the relationships that are key and will become even more important as we move into a more connected future.
PREDEFINED TYPES, PROPERTIES & EXTERNAL REFERENCES
There are a few more terms with which users need to familiarise themselves. For example, one important attribute is the predefined type. This allows an entity to be described further; for example, for IfcSanitaryTerminalType, predefined types include TOILETPAN, SINK, WASHHANDBASIN and so on. These are listed in capitals, just as they are on the predefined pick-list. The USERDEFINED predefined type should be used only where there is no appropriate predefined type. USERDEFINED still needs to be entered at the predefined type, but the entity can be defined further by using the ElementType or ObjectType attribute.
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IFC also enables properties to be associated with objects. Before the association can take place, the property has to be assigned to a property set. A property set is a container of properties that have something in common; within the IFC schema, property sets are characterised using the ‘Pset_’ prefix. Custom properties can also be added using custom property sets, but it is first important to check that the properties don’t already exist in industry dictionaries or lexicons. Finally, let’s look at external references. IFC recognises that not all information will be captured within IFC models, so it also has the ability to associate externally referenced sources of information to IFC objects. The three external references are: •
•
•
Classification, which allows classification systems such as Uniclass to be associated to objects. Libraries, which allow data from external databases to be associated to objects (for example, product data manufacturers). Documents, which allow documents to be associated with objects (for example, a commissioning certificate can be associated with a boiler).
In summary, I would not claim that IFC is perfect – but as an industry, we need to team up and help to support, improve and evolve IFC across an everchanging digital landscape. Those working in the digital information space need to know the basics. But the majority of people shouldn’t even know it’s there, because it operates seamlessly in the background. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the more I understand IFC, the more I come to think of it as one of the greatest achievements in digital construction. Emma Hooper is R&D Lead at BuildData Group Research Institute.
February 2024 | AUGIWORLD Magazine
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BIM
by: Emily Vineyard
Orchestrating a Model Masterpiece on Purpose
M
asterful works of art aren’t accidental, and they don’t happen overnight. Like any other remarkable creation, crafting model masterpieces takes time. They start with intention, they persist through obstacles, and they are fine-tuned into a museum-worthy BIM deliverable. That’s right—a BIM deliverable. Traditional printed deliverables—whether on paper or viewable on the screen—have become outdated and offer a false sense of project quality. We all know what’s really lurking in the model shadows and where the detail-line skeletons are buried. In the age of facility maintenance models, digital twins, and models that serve as the primary deliverable, our attention to how we model, what we model, and how we coordinate these components needs to be front and center.
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AUGIWORLD Magazine | February 2024
ENTER STAGE LEFT - MODEL MAESTRO CASTING CALL
Nobody comes out of school with a complete understanding of BIM. In fact, our knowledge of Revit is often quite limited. However, through the guidance of mentors and hands-on project experience, we have the resources at our disposal to sharpen our expertise. As project team members, we all bring a specific set of skills to the table— whether it’s proficiency in project management, in-depth code knowledge, a keen eye for detailing, or excelling at the art of rendering. BIM managers are now becoming crucial participants of a project team across the industry but there’s still a critical lead role that could be yours for the taking – a leadership role that could be your launchpad to A/E stardom as a BIM coordinator. augi.com
BIM Now, don’t be scared, fellow Revit enthusiasts. If you’re here reading this blog, then you’re already an up-and-coming BIM star. You don’t need to know all the answers, have secret cards up your sleeve, or even carry a bag of tricks. All you need is initiative, communication skills, and a healthy dose of perfectionism. Other than that, your model managers will teach you everything you need to know to make your model worthy of a “chef’s kiss”.
THE SOUND OF (MODEL) MUSIC
Given the many moving parts in a design-authoring model, there’s a crucial need for someone to take the lead. To illustrate this pivotal role, I’ve coined the term “model maestro” because of the parallels it shares with the responsibilities of a BIM coordinator, which is akin to an orchestra conductor in the world of design. A model maestro (aka a BIM coordinator) brings a vision of BIM perfection that accommodates both client standards and firm standards for model quality. This vision is broken down into disciplines that accompany each other— each one following the tempo outlined in the BIM Execution Plan (BEP), which can be likened to the sheet music for BIM performances. While the model manager composes the BEP, the task of implementing it precisely within the Revit model falls to the BIM coordinator. Similar to an orchestral maestro who ensures the tempo and timing of instrument cues, the BIM coordinator also possesses a keen understanding of the sequential flow of tasks and the right moments to execute them. We’ve all encountered models that resemble a chaotic symphony, much like a toddler randomly striking piano keys with no understanding of how one note interacts with the next. Definitely not sweet music to one’s ears! The model maestro’s goal is to orchestrate a harmonious model composition throughout the project timeline. With each milestone, a new level of complexity and model content is introduced, which they must harmonize to create a seamless crescendo leading into the final stages of a BIM deliverable.
ENCORE!
Model management is not a one-size-fits-all concept. While Autodesk provides some standard do’s and don’ts, the real insight comes from previous experience, knowledge sharing, and the application of creative problem-solving. Additionally, each client brings their unique set of project-specific requirements, making BIM augi.com/augiworld
management a case-by-case discipline. Being a BIM coordinator offers firsthand experience in constructing a model from the ground up—and chances are you’ve generated your own list of “never-again” moments, lessons learned, and ideas on how to tackle a specific problem differently. Take what you’ve learned and apply that knowledge to an encore performance on your next project. Finetune and build upon your newly found love for BIM management, but most importantly, share what you’ve learned! Completing a project is rewarding, and perhaps even a bit of a relief! However, being able to say you had a major role in getting the model and the project team across the finish line with little-to-no model hiccups is a huge undertaking. So, don’t be shy—take that well-deserved end-of-project bow as the crowd applauds. Emily Vineyard is a licensed Interior Designer at Gresham Smith which is a national architecture and engineering firm. She has practiced exclusively in the healthcare market for 6 years working with large national accounts like HCA and Cleveland Clinic. As she discovered a passion for model integrity and teaching, Emily made a transition into Gresham Smith’s Practice Technology division where she has been working as a Model Manager for the past 2 years. Her project portfolio as a Model Manager consists of large scale and mega sized projects within the firm’s healthcare, industrial, and aviation markets. In this role, she has been able to provide overall BIM strategy and management services to her teams, develops new tools and workflows that target specific project needs as well as leading her teams through software pilot programs. Coupled with her genuine passion for skills development and training, her experience as a project designer and team member allows her a unique perspective and understanding into the educational and experience gaps that the younger workforce is faced with. February 2024 | AUGIWORLD Magazine
11
Tech Manager
by: Mark Kiker
Decision Fatigue I
started the series, Secrets Tech Managers Keep, with how Tech Managers are tired of things. I will end it on another “tired” note… being tired for making all the decisions. Some call it decision fatigue. You just get tired of making all the calls. You get tired of deciding so many things. You get tired of others not wanting to make a choice. The American Medical Association defines it as, “A state of mental overload that can impede a person’s ability to continue making decisions,”. We all feel this from time to time. Decisions are made all day long, from what to eat for breakfast, the route may take to get to the office, where to park, who to talk with first once on-site, prioritizing your work and more. All of these choices are being made by you and you haven’t even had anyone bring you their decision needs yet. When others bring their troubles to you and you must help them work through options or choices, even more decisions need to be made. The more decisions you make, fatigue starts to take a toll. By the end of the day, you are not as good at making calls as you were at the start. And if you require some research to make the decision… it drains even more energy.
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AUGIWORLD Magazine | February 2024
By the time you are deciding what to eat for lunch, you’re pooped out. Taking a medical slant on decision strain, let’s define symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
SYMPTOMS
When you have decision fatigue, you may find yourself putting off decisions (procrastinating) and not making a call at all in hopes that the problem will fix itself or just fade away (indecision). You could be delaying decisions hoping others will come up with an answer, so you don’t have to (avoidance). You may be making quick decisions and not giving it the pondering it deserves (impulsivity). You may experience brain fogs and things seem to get fuzzy. You find it hard to clarify issues and remember what options are viable. You may start making trade-offs and taking one option over another based on issues that are not germane to the topic (like a time crunch forcing a choice). You may feel exhausted at the end of the day and when you look back, you think you got very little done. augi.com
Tech Manager DIAGNOSIS
You have decision fatigue, and you are making bad calls, or at least not the best calls. Sometimes it is the volume of the decisions required or the impact of the decision that causes more fatigue, but either way, you are tired. Every decision drains your “decider” battery, but bigger ones drain your ability even more.
PROGNOSIS
If left untreated, you will start making bad decisions. Make enough bad decisions and people start losing confidence in your ability to make a good call. Exhaustion can set in. You can change that prognosis and be at the top of your game. Knowing the warning signs and knowing that you are getting fatigued helps. Be aware of your ability and adjust as the day goes on. You can do something to increase your ability in decision-making and your stamina as the days and weeks march on. Read on.
TREATMENT
Make the big choices first thing in the morning or early in the day. After 3pm, put off large impact decisions until the next day if possible. Sleeping on it or thinking about it on the drive home can bring clarity. I have made better decisions just by giving a little more time to thinking. Reduce the options. If you are trying to decide on risk or negative impacts, define what is possible, what is probable and what is predicted. Throw out the “possibles”, they may never happen. Focus on the “probables” and, better yet, the “predictables”. If you can predict a negative outcome with a high degree of certainty, it makes a decision easier. Take a break. Take a walk. Go get a cup of coffee. Go talk to someone outside the decision loop and get some input. Just move outside the stress of the decision and breathe a little. It will help clear your mind and might turn on a light bulb or two. At a minimum, it might bring your blood pressure down. Don’t overthink it. If you are straining to pick between fairly equal options, just pick one and move on it. If it is nearly a 50/50 choice, or even 45/55, just pick one. You can always change direction if something shows up as a negative. The delay of indecision may have greater impact than the delay of changing direction after you get started. If you get above 85% certainty that you have the right answer, move forward. Stiving for any augi.com/augiworld
more certainty will take more time and move the needle very little. Move on. Delegate. Let someone else make the call. This is really the first thing you should look at. Are you the right person to make the selection? Is it within your area of authority? If not, move it to someone else. If others can make a decision as good or better than you, have them take it on. The best way to avoid decision fatigue is to make fewer decision. Define a due date. If you really can’t decide, set a time to make the decision. Get agreement on the timeline and then circle back later and see if anything has changed are improved that adjusts the choices. And when setting due dates, don’t make things due on late Friday. Set due dates for mid-day Monday. That buys you the weekend to think and the morning to review your decision or bounce it off a buddy at work. Making more decisions improves your decisionmaking ability. I wrote extensively on making decisions. You might go back and read my AUGIWORLD articles on Making the Call from late 2021, early 2022. That might also help. Don’t let fatigue push you into making less than optimal decisions. Pace yourself, watch for signs of fatigue and make some adjustments. Keep in mind that people need you to make consistently good choices.
Mark Kiker has more than 35 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.
February 2024 | AUGIWORLD Magazine
13
3ds Max
by: Brian Chapman
3ds Max Standards: Achieving Precision and Efficiency in the AEC Industry
E
14
ffective visualization is a cornerstone of success in the ever-evolving world of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC), and 3ds Max plays a critical role in turning complex data into stunning visual data. In this article, we dive into some of the most essential standards needed to harness the full potential of 3ds Max for AEC projects. Standardized workflows are paramount in a world where incredibly complex data is converted to visual form for construction. These workflows encompass data import and sharing, design development, visualization, and more. By consistently following established procedures, teams ensure seamless transitions between project phases and each other, reducing errors and saving valuable time.
•
Control the Level of Detail (LOD) in Revit to optimize performance in 3ds Max.
•
Customize Graphics settings in Revit for simplified 3ds Max exports.
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Utilize Revit’s native materials to ensure consistency between models.
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Create and manage custom elements with 3ds Max visualization in mind.
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Align coordinate systems and positioning between Revit and 3ds Max.
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Choose consistent export formats (e.g., FBX or DWG).
•
Maintain regular updates and synchronization between Revit and 3ds Max.
1. BIM Integration: Bridging the Gap Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the heart of modern AEC, and 3ds Max remains a powerful ally to integrate data from BIM platforms like Autodesk Revit smoothly. By adopting BIM standards, we ensure that 3D models from Revit translate flawlessly into 3ds Max, preserving data integrity and allowing for detailed visualization and rendering. This integration fosters collaboration among architects, engineers, and contractors, streamlining project communication. In an ideal world, a company will want to strive to:
•
Perform quality assurance checks during the import process in 3ds Max for Accuracy and alignment.
•
Maintain a well-structured Revit model with separate categories for visualizing elements in 3ds Max.
•
Utilize Revit’s parameters and metadata for material and data consistency.
3. Material and Texture Consistency Maintain well-organized libraries of materials and textures. Each material is appropriately named, tagged, and documented. This practice enhances efficiency and ensures the final visualizations
AUGIWORLD Magazine | February 2024
2. Geometry Optimization: Balancing Detail and Performance While 3ds Max boasts extensive modeling capabilities, focusing on geometry optimization is essential. That includes using proxies for intricate elements, instancing for repetitive objects, and employing Level of Detail (LOD) techniques to balance detail and performance (at least for now).
augi.com
3ds Max remain consistent and realistic, aligning with the design intent.
•
Enhanced Understanding: Detailed documentation aids in comprehending your processes and methodologies, making it easier for newcomers and seasoned professionals to navigate the intricate world of design.
•
Efficiency Improvement: By mapping out your procedures, you can identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement or automation. This self-awareness empowers you to streamline workflows and optimize your team’s productivity. It also allows for crossdisciplinary review to improve each procedure.
5. Client Presentations: Evoking Emotion 3ds Max isn’t just a technical tool; it’s a vehicle for compelling visual presentations. Consider providing your clients with cinematic camera animations, virtual reality walkthroughs, and augmented reality experiences to engage them emotionally. These immersive presentations can foster deeper connections and facilitate decisionmaking. However, while these are easier to produce than they used to be, they still add another level of technical challenges to your agenda. But, often, where there are challenges, there’s an opportunity.
•
Consistency Assurance: Documented standards ensure that everyone involved in your projects follows the same path, promoting consistency in outputs and reducing the likelihood of errors. This homogeneous approach also leads to increased production through its shared experience.
•
Problem Resolution: Having a documented reference allows for quicker problem-solving when challenges arise. Troubleshooting becomes more efficient when you can refer back to established procedures.
6. Continuous Learning: Staying Current In a rapidly evolving industry, continuous learning is non-negotiable. Professionals with extensive experience invest in ongoing education to stay updated with the latest features and trends in 3ds Max. Autodesk’s subscription model and online communities provide valuable resources for this purpose.
•
Continuous Evolution: Your documented procedures can evolve as the industry evolves. Regularly updating your documentation keeps your team at the forefront of advancements in 3ds Max techniques.
4. Photorealistic Rendering: Emulating Reality In pursuing photorealism, professionals leverage rendering engines like V-Ray. They fine-tune settings to replicate real-world lighting conditions, conduct sun studies for various times of the day, and create physically accurate materials for architectural elements. This attention to detail elevates the quality of visualizations, making them indistinguishable from reality.
7. Quality Control and Reviews: Ensuring Accuracy While quality control can be challenging to implement during deadlines, the process is pivotal. Conduct meticulous reviews of your work, seeking input from colleagues, and ideally perform crossdisciplinary checks. These reviews identify and rectify issues early in the design process, ensuring Accuracy and adherence to project standards. 8. Mapping and Documentation In pursuing excellence in AEC projects, documenting your procedures and workflows is an often overlooked yet critical aspect. Clear and comprehensive documentation is a roadmap to success, providing guidance and transparency throughout your project journey. Here’s why it matters: augi.com/augiworld
Using Max in the AEC industry requires a holistic approach that combines standardized workflows, seamless BIM integration, geometry optimization, material and texture consistency, photorealistic rendering, engaging client presentations, continuous learning, and rigorous quality control. With these principles at the forefront, we can elevate our projects to the heights of precision, creativity, and success, ultimately ensuring the delivery of outstanding and impactful work. Brian Chapman is a Las Vegas 2D/3D design professional, creating content for the AEC industry, games, film, entertainment, and Brian can be reached at procadman@procad.net
February 2024 | AUGIWORLD Magazine
15
Civil 3D
by: Stephen Walz
Data Processing and Mining with Dynamo for Civil 3D
A JOURNEY FROM BEING CONSIDERED THE UGLY DUCKLING TO A SCALABLE DATA PROCESSING AND MINING BEAST
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AUGIWORLD Magazine | February 2024
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ata Processing and Data Mining are extraction workflows with distinct applications and purposes. Data Processing is the procedure of converting unrefined data into a well-organized and structured format, rendering it suitable for analysis, interpretation, and decision-making. Data Mining, on the other hand, is the process of analyzing data using algorithms and techniques to discover trends, patterns, correlations, relationships, and potential anomalies (see Figure 1). Over the past several years I’ve seen a lot of folks, myself included, jumping into Dynamo for Civil 3D (D4C3D) headfirst to automate daily workflows and tasks. Looking to increase efficiency and improve production they struggle on the wide-spread adoption front…until recently that is. Sometimes it takes a methodical approach with a lot of trial and error and lessons learned, to gain the confidence and trust of others to start looking at D4C3D as a scalable and sustainable solution for design automation and beyond. So, what does data processing and mining have to do with D4C3D you may be asking? In this article, we’ll run through my thought process of a recent D4C3D script I initially developed as a Proof of
Civil 3D Concept (POC) that turned into a scalable solution supporting our data processing and mining efforts that have provided many value-adds to our projects.
CIVIL 3D REPORTING METHODS
Data extraction and reporting tools are nothing new to folks in the BIM | CIM world; however, products and integrations that connect to our data continue to evolve, providing much more visually appealing options to us. Microsoft’s Power BI is a perfect example as one of the (relatively) more recent options that the BIM | CIM communities are flocking to. Developing connected solutions between design authoring and reporting tools that allow for seamless data migrations with minimal to no data loss can sometimes be a struggle though. The following breaks down some of the capabilities, limitations, and options we have available to us within Civil 3D specifically:
THE GOOD – OUT-OF-THE-BOX TOOLS AND CAPABILITIES
Civil 3D has gone through several iterations and varying levels of reporting capabilities. Some are available through our Toolbox in Toolspace, some one-off capabilities are available through object modeling tools, and most are now gravitating towards using Project Explorer to review, analyze
Figure 1 – Data Mining in Power BI augi.com/augiworld
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Civil 3D and extract data associated with our modeled objects in our Civil BIM designs (see Figure 2). More options and capabilities to customize extraction reports within Project Explorer can certainly be of extreme benefit to modelers (senders) and reviewers (receivers) of this information.
THE BAD – DATA POINTS AND CUSTOMIZATION LIMITATIONS
Although we have several great reporting and data extraction tools available to us directly within Civil 3D, we are still somewhat limited by how many data points each tool can access and extract (see Figure 3). Additionally, we’ll need to identify common data points between datasets that will allow us to build relationships and links between datasets
for correlations, trends, anomalies, etc. to become visible. In most cases, the data points that these tools are extracting are good enough for normal production, analysis, and reporting purposes. If there are additional data points that you were hoping to touch and extract, in lieu of hoping the next update or release of Civil 3D will include that capability, we will need to start exploring what other options we have available to us.
THE UGLY (DUCKLING) – CUSTOMIZING REPORTS WITH DYNAMO FOR CIVIL 3D (D4C3D) Here is where D4C3D comes in to save the day! I jokingly call D4C3D the “Ugly Duckling” because our scripts can look super complicated and ugly
Figure 2 – Project Explorer Dialog Box
Figure 3 – Project Explorer Data Points 18
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Civil 3D as we develop them but certainly provide us with beautiful solutions in the end. D4C3D is a great Proof of Concept (POC) tool if nothing else. We have been clamoring for Autodesk to provide us with more Civil automation tools and capabilities similarly offered on the Revit side. In Civil 3D v2020 our wish had been granted, although many have struggled to find ways to use it consistently across organizations and make solutions that are scalable. For anyone who has followed me on LinkedIn or subscribes to my YouTube channel, you have certainly witnessed my efforts in trying to make good use of D4C3D. Through feedback from many of my presentations, demonstrations, postings of videos, writing blogs, etc., I continue to engage with folks who struggle more so on the widespread acceptance and adoption of this tool and scripts being developed. Recently, in talking to a colleague of mine, the realization became clear that many folks across the industry view D4C3D, and Dynamo for Revit, as nothing more than a great POC tool due to the lack of sustainability and scalability of scripts being developed. That said, once many folks are able to prove their concept works, they will turn
to more complex code-based solutions to build new tools and plug-ins with those capabilities. We have an opportunity to dispel this perception and develop a reporting solution (see Figure 4) for our POC that is not only customizable and flexible to access more data points in our Civil | BIM designs, but more importantly, provides us with a scalable solution that we can distribute across an entire organization, without needing to turn to those more complex code-based solutions mentioned!
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
As we decide the data processing and mining goals, we wish to achieve through our development of this POC tool using D4C3D, we’ll want to start by creating an outline (see Figure 5) that answers the following: 1. What types of objects do we want to make connections to? 2. Which data points do we want to extract and analyze? 3. How do we want to organize all data being extracted from our models/files?
Figure 4 – Snippet of our D4C3D POC Reporting Solution
Figure 5 – Data Processing and Mining POC Outline augi.com/augiworld
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Civil 3D 4. What should our final extraction format be? 5. Are there any other products we need to integrate our data with? 6. How do we plan to analyze the data points to discover trends, patterns, and relationships to make informed decisions and apply corrective actions on our Civil BIM designs (corrective actions will ultimately improve performance and efficiency across our projects)?
• •
Model Health Analysis And the list goes on…
END PHASE (FIRST)
Although the outline (see Figure 5) displays our Start to End process in our expected workflow, we want to start with the End in mind so we can determine how best to get there. In our scalable POC that we’re developing, we’re going to use Microsoft Power BI to connect to our pools of data extracted from our Civil BIM Designs. Additionally, there are several ways we can slice and dice our data to surface valuable information and apply conditional formatting, depending on our use cases. Keeping it high level, the dashboards can provide a multitude of benefits and uses like: • Improving Production Staff’s Drafting Habits and Trends • Identifying Skill Development and Software Training Opportunities • Augmenting Workflows with Automation • Alternative Design Analysis • Streamlined Collaboration • Design QA/QC
Figure 7 – Organizing and Keeping our Data Clean in D4C3D
Figure 6 – Example Excel File that Lists of Data Extracted from our Model 20 AUGIWORLD Magazine | February 2024
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Figure 8 – D4C3D Inputs Displayed in Dynamo Player
OUTPUT PHASE (SECOND)
Continuing to work our way backward from the End Phase, we already know that Power BI can connect to many data sources and formats. One of the most basic formats, and super common whenever data extraction and reporting are being considered, is Microsoft Excel. These Excel files will be created by our D4C3D scripts and used to aggregate and store the data being extracted (see Figure 6).
DEVELOPMENT PHASE (THIRD)
With the End and Output identified, we can start looking into developing our scripts. This is a bit trickier as we need to consider all phases and will require trial and error along the way. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a D4C3D script that will not only extract data from our Civil BIM Designs and export to Microsoft Excel, but also be organized and cleaned for our downstream uses (see Figure 7). During this phase, we want to identify all the data points to interrogate and extract from our Civil BIM designs. With the End in mind, we know to properly analyze trends, correlations, and anomalies within Power BI, we need to identify commonalities in our augi.com/augiworld
Excel data sources so relationships can be built. To make our POC scalable, we will want to apply some additional input parameters in our D4C3D script allowing us to organize the data being extracted. We can add as many layers to this as appropriate, but adding some input parameters like Project Name, Project Number, File Name, and File Location, gives us a simple start.
START PHASE (LAST)
Having our data points identified and our data source/storage configured to connect to our Power BI dashboard, we can now put our POC through February 2024 | AUGIWORLD Magazine
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Civil 3D THIS EXPEDITION SHOWCASES THE POWER OF DATA PROCESSING, WHERE RAW INFORMATION IS REFINED FOR ANALYSIS AND DECISIONMAKING, AND MINING, WHERE DATA CAN UNCOVER PATTERNS AND CORRELATIONS.
the paces and to good use. As we built out our scripts in the Development Phase, we added input parameters to give the folks running these scripts more control related to the organization and separation of data being extracted. There are a couple of parameters mentioned like File Name and File Location that can be queried and automatically applied in our D4C3D script, which would eliminate those from the user input category. Things like Project Name, Project Number, and potentially the Excel File and Sheet Naming convention may not always be as straightforward. As shown in Figure 8, we can see how applying certain nodes within our D4C3D scripts as input will display in Dynamo Player. Everything is set up and ready to go at this point! With our D4C3D script developed, custom input parameters applied, our data storage format and location established, and our final dashboard configured allowing us to mine our data being processed, we now have a successful framework in place to distribute and scale up our new automation tool! Scaling up new solutions can often be labor-intensive in its own marketing right. With our tool having the ability to be applied across several different scenarios and uses, we can begin our communication and adoption campaigns by highlighting the flexibility and many benefits our new automation tool can offer.
IN SUMMARY
The journey of data processing and mining through D4C3D has transformed it from an initial POC 22
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perception into a formidable and scalable tool. This expedition showcases the power of data processing, where raw information is refined for analysis and decision-making, and mining, where data can uncover patterns and correlations. The path from POC to a practical solution underscores the value of frameworks and methodical approaches in gaining trust and confidence for adopting scalable automation solutions. The integration of Microsoft Power BI, the evolution of Civil 3D reporting capabilities, and the role of D4C3D in customizing and scaling reports all contribute to this narrative, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and benefits in enhancing efficiency and collaboration within various project scenarios. In dismantling the notion of D4C3D as a mere POC tool, a new era of adaptable and transformative reporting solutions emerges. Stephen Walz is, not only the BIM | CIM Content Manager for AUGIWORLD Magazine, but also the Digital Design Lead within HDR’s Applied Technology Office, a global leader in Engineering, Architecture, Environmental and Construction services. Stephen has been in the AEC Industry since 2003, and with HDR since 2004 supporting multiple offices and regions and now supports all Business Groups and Market Sectors across HDR at a corporate level. In Stephen’s current role, his primary focus is to work with HDR’s Business, Technical and IT Leadership, as well as our technology vendors, to identify, evaluate and implement new platforms/tools/technologies supporting BIM | CIM processes and workflows, drive consistency with how HDR is leveraging various tools and platforms, and identifying ways to build skillsets and overall awareness across HDR to better serve their clients. Stephen can be reached for comments or questions at Stephen.Walz@hdrinc.com or subscribe to his YouTube Channel for BIM | CIM, Data Integration, and Visualization workflow video demonstrations.
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Bright Ideas for a Bright Future
AUGIWORLD brings you the latest tips & tricks, tutorials, and other technical information to keep you on the leading edge of a bright future.
BricsCAD
by: Rose Barfield
The Busy Drafter's Dilemma: Why Spending Time Now Will Actually Save You Time Later
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“
’m too busy”, “But I’ve always done it like that”, “I don’t want to learn anything new”, sound familiar? It’s easy to make excuses. I’m sure by now your New Year’s resolutions are but a distant memory. We’ve all been there before, deadlines looming, work piling up and we’re just too darn busy to set aside the time to learn something new. What a vicious cycle! So, let’s invest a few minutes reading this article. By learning, that is time you could spend working on more projects, increasing your professional performance, or simply spending time with your family. The benefit is you could learn something now that could save you hours of work in the future.
NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN
We used to believe that neutral plasticity (the ability of the brain to change, learn, and repair) was gone by the time we reached adulthood, we now know that this is far from true.1 The adult brain has an amazing capacity to learn. Additionally, adult learning can be an extremely beneficial process for both your mental health and your pocket. The term for adult learning is called andragogy, popularized in 1980 by Malcolm Knowles. Defined as the art and science of teaching adults. He studied how adults and kids learn in different ways and the best teaching and learning strategies for adults. So, if you hated your time at school, the good news is that you don’t have to repeat the experience. You can now learn on your own terms. One of the great advantages of learning as an adult is that you don’t have to rely on a tutor or formal lessons, you can choose to study at a time that suits you. Wednesday afternoon YouTube®, a podcast during your Sunday morning jog, heck, and even a microlearning session during your lunch break is an option. In the modern world, there are so many free resources to help you improve your skillset: YouTube, blogs, forums, Google® Books, and more. If you’re not enjoying yourself, you don’t like the lesson structure or you feel that you’re not being productive, you can stop and do something else. No parents or teachers are there to tell you otherwise.
BricsCAD KEEPING UP WITH THE CHANGING WORLD
Skills required for jobs have changed by about 25% since 2015, this is expected to double by 2027.2 Your experience, combined with newly learnt skills will boost your employability and put you ahead of the pack when looking for a new role. In addition, many employers also offer free access to courses, paid training time, or funding towards education. If you’re not sure about your company’s policy, it’s worth asking.
WHAT ABOUT CAD?
‘That’s great I hear you cry, but what has this got to do with CAD?’ Well, thanks for asking! No one likes to do the same monotonous tasks over and over; cleaning up badly created drawings, replacing exploded blocks, or adding dimensions. It is not the reason I started as a technical illustrator and I’m certain it’s not why you started either. That’s boring. Did you know that the average person spends 90,000 hours (1/3) of their life at work? How much of that is spent on repetitive tasks? Wouldn’t it be great if you could streamline some of that?3 The smart people in the Bricsys development team agreed with you, so they created tools to automate these tasks for you.
TOP BRICSCAD FEATURES TO LEARN NOW
Keyboard Shortcuts If you only have 5 minutes to learn anything at all, learn keyboard shortcuts. (See Fig. 1) And if you can’t be bothered to actually learn them, print them out and stick them next to your computer. How easy is that? Did you know that a whopping 90% of US Internet users don’t know how to use the Ctrl+F function? This mind-blowing figure was discovered by Google™ researchers.4 For those of you whose minds have not been blown, allow me to explain: Ctrl+F allows you to search for letters, words, or even whole sentences in various computer applications, document programs, web browsers, and even within BricsCAD®. LinkedIn-Learning_Workplace-Learning-Report-2023-EN.pdf https://www.gettysburg.edu/news/TimeSpentAtWork 4 https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/90-percent-of-people-dontknow-how-to-use-ctrl-f 2 3
1
https://books.google.be/NeuroscienceofAdultLearning
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BricsCAD
Figure 1
A few of the other handy keyboard shortcuts to learn in BricsCAD® are: • Ctrl+S Save a drawing. Put this one in your muscle memory and save it. • Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+Y Press Ctrl+Z to undo the last change, and Ctrl+Y to redo the change you just undid. • Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+X Copy entities with Ctrl+C, paste them with Ctrl+V, and cut them with Ctrl+X. These shortcuts even work between drawings, or from other programs, such as between a Word document and BricsCAD. • Tab When hovering over an entity in BricsCAD, press the Tab key to cycle the selection, especially useful if entities are close to each other or overlapping. • Ctrl When hovering over an entity in BricsCAD, press the Ctrl key to select sub-entities (e.g. the face of a solid or the section of a polyline).
•
Shift During a command, hover over the face of a solid, it should turn blue. If you press Shift now,
Figure 2 26
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Figure 3
the drawing plane will lock to that face for the duration of the command.
making your life a bit easier, so why not apply this to your work too?
Alternatively, hold Shift during a command to temporarily lock the cursor to polar tracking angles. (See Fig. 2)
In BricsCAD, you can use the power of AI to show you the best features for your unique style of work. If you’re not sure what you should try next, the AI Assist Ribbon tab is a great place to start. (See Fig. 3)
AI AND BRICSCAD
Since the launch of ChatGPT, it seems that AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) are everywhere you go these days. It’s designing your posters, writing your website, learning your purchase habits, targeting your adverts, giving you directions home via the fastest route, and generally
The AI Assist Ribbon tab uses AI to predict the next most likely command based on your individual CAD usage. It learns the type of work you do and uses machine learning to suggest commands that you haven’t tried yet but are likely to find helpful.
Figure 4 augi.com/augiworld
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BricsCAD OTHER BRICSCAD TOOLS
• Blockify Do you have a drawing where all the blocks have exploded? Did one of the juniors copy and paste pure geometry? Have you imported a drawing from another file format only to find that it’s slow and heavy? Then enter BLOCKIFY. (See Fig. 4) Blockify is a BricsCAD user favorite and there’s a good reason for that. It scans the drawing for identical geometry, matching blocks, and similar sets of entities and converts them into blocks whilst deleting duplicates. This speeds up your work and saves valuable space on your hard drive. But wait, there’s more. Blockify was such a success with our users that the team decided to take it one step further with Drawing Health (DWGHEALTH). This handy tool combines multiple utility tools, into one command: Purge, Blockify, Optimize, Audit, and more. Use it to clean and finalize your drawings before you send them to the client or use it after import to clean up slow and heavy files that weren’t created to standard.
• The Drawing Explorer Another tool unique to BricsCAD and worth investing some time into learning is Drawing Explorer. This nifty dialog allows you to manage the various styles and entities in your current drawing: MLeaders, Dimensions, line types, layers, and even blocks. And what’s more, you can use it to copy these from one drawing to another. (See Fig. 5) To launch the dialog simply enter EXPLORER into the Command line. • Connect Tools don’t always have to be big and clever. Sometimes it’s the simplest commands that can streamline your work and save you hours. The Connect command is one such tool. The Connect command will automatically calculate the junction and join the entities together. Use it to join lines, polylines, or arcs together that don’t quite touch. The CONNECT command can also be applied to collinear lines, to combine these into a single line or polyline segment. There can be exceptions when multiple (pairs of) lines converge at the same point. In all cases, smaller gaps are closed first.
Figure 5 28
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BricsCAD LISP IN BRICSCAD
And of course, no article on CAD learning would be complete without mentioning LISP. LISP is a programming language used by CAD drafters the world over to streamline repetitive tasks. A quick Google search will give you thousands of free “LISP Routines” that you can easily load into BricsCAD to speed up your CAD drafting. All without learning much more than where to copy and paste the file. Access BricsCAD LISP Advanced Development Environment (BLADE) to interactively edit and debug LISP applications. It opens in an external application window, allowing it to remain open while you work on your drawings in BricsCAD. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, why not create your own? Whilst it might seem a little scary at first, it’s surprisingly simple to create a basic LISP routine. Again, a quick Google search will provide you with plenty of free resources to get you started.
BRICSCAD BIM® AND BRICSCAD MECHANICAL®
It might surprise you to learn that BricsCAD also has BIM and Mechanical features in the same product. Learning both of these skills could add to your technical abilities and overall employability. At the moment, it is well known there is a lack of people in the industry with BIM skills and experience. Learning how to add and manage BIM data in your models could put you ahead of the competition when looking for your next role. Alternatively, invest some time learning assembly design like BOM tables and automatically generate exploded views. Or simply try BricsCAD’s unique sheet metal features. In just a few clicks you can transform dumb geometry into unfoldable parts.
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, missioncritical 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.
In conclusion, whilst it might seem that you don’t have time to learn, investing 10-15 minutes now could save you hours in the future. So, visit Bricsys. com and start today. By not setting aside time to learn, you are missing out on valuable tools and shortcuts that can save you time. So, do yourself a favor and invest in yourself.
Rose Barfield is a Product Owner at BricsCAD and a 2D/3D drafting expert, specializing in digital art and CAD, with a passion for design, engineering, and architecture. Before coming to Bricsys she spent years working as a technical illustrator for various Engineering firms. She has a passion for engineering and drafting and loves to share tips and tricks with others in the industry.
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February 2024 | AUGIWORLD Magazine
INVEST IN YOURSELF
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Standards
by: Kristina Youngblut
The Collective Power of National Standards in Decluttering Design
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ollaboration on design projects in realtime used to be a thing of the past. With the advancement in software, up-todate cloud sharing, and cutting-edge communication tools, today’s design landscape thrives on the ability to integrate cross-disciplinary efforts seamlessly. This allows professionals from various fields to contribute their unique expertise, which enhances the overall project outcome.
most appropriate choice? Navigating this array of standards requires careful consideration to establish a unified approach, foster a collaborative environment and ensure a smooth integration of diverse contributions.
For a project to truly flow seamlessly across disciplines and designs, it’s crucial to adhere to a logical standard and format. This adoption not only streamlines technical aspects but also cultivates a shared language among team members. With a standardized approach, collaboration becomes more intuitive, minimizing miscommunication and fostering a cohesive project environment. This ensures that all involved parties can easily understand, adopt, and integrate their specific design elements into the project.
Ask yourself: Are these standards and formats just for your use?
The challenge, however, lies in determining the right standard to use. Different national standards exist for various countries, regions, and disciplines, prompting the question: what is the 30 AUGIWORLD Magazine | February 2024
SHOULD I JUST CREATE MY OWN? Usually, I’d lean towards a no, but there are exceptions.
Are you dealing with something super specific or proprietary that current standards can’t handle? Do you have strict security or regulatory needs that demand a custom touch? If you find yourself saying yes to any of these, go ahead. If it’s just for your workflow, feel free to make it work for you. Yet, if any other 3rd parties, individuals, or external to your company will need access and integrate augi.com
Standards
Photo: pexels.com - Christina Morillo
with your design, adhering to your approved standards and formats based on location and discipline is the key. It’s what keeps the design and collaboration smooth sailing across different teams.
WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?
This is not as hard as you might think. Set-up can take some time, but once implemented, everything needed for you to design will be available at your fingertips. National CAD Standards provide you with Layers, Text Formatting, Naming conventions, Margins, Lineweights, and so much more. Additionally, industry classifications ensure consistency, streamlining your design process and enhancing collaboration across diverse projects. Specific standards and formats are required based on disciplines and applications. Take some time to review what is applicable to you. Understanding how you integrate into a project and what information is required ensures the standards and formats you utilize will align with your industry and project needs.
WHAT TYPES OF STANDARDS EXIST?
The variety of standards depends on your industry and discipline. In the AEC industry, we encounter standards spanning CAD (Computer-Aided Design), BIM (Building Information Modeling), Specifications, Geospatial Data, Sustainability, Regulatory augi.com/augiworld
Compliance, and discipline-specific guidelines. Beyond these, numerous other standards exist. The key takeaway is that, when embarking on a design endeavor, it’s highly likely that established standards, formulated by groups, associations, or firms dedicated to scrutinizing the needs of their domains, are readily available for adherence. The significance of standards lies in their role as the backbone of consistency and efficiency across diverse industries. Whether we’re navigating the intricacies of design, manufacturing, or construction, standards provide a reliable framework for uniform practices and seamless collaboration. Their purpose is to ensure that processes, outputs, and products adhere to a set of agreed-upon benchmarks. This not only streamlines workflows, reducing errors and increasing efficiency but also fosters innovation by providing a structured environment for new ideas.
WHEN MULTIPLE WORLDS COLLIDE
When it comes to projects involving multiple disciplines and designers, the importance of standards is essential to a successful design. It’s like having a common ground that ensures everyone’s on the same page. When someone decides to veer off with a custom approach, it’s like throwing a wrench into the gears – it creates roadblocks and limits the design’s potential. The idea is to make February 2024 | AUGIWORLD Magazine
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Standards
Photo: Image by beetpro from Pixabay
your content plug-and-play friendly, so others don’t need to decode a complex puzzle. Standards act like a universal language, making sure the collaboration flows smoothly and the end result is a success.
reality is, I’ve come across standards that haven’t seen the light of day since the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, yet they’re still in play, all with that same old excuse. True progress demands adaptation and evolution in the face of change.
It is important to remember that standards aren’t set in stone; they shift to match the demands of new tech, methodologies, and industry best practices. Success demands we be proactive in staying informed about the most current information available. This could mean updates to existing standards or a heads-up on emerging ones.
Pause for a moment and reflect on the numerous projects or teams you’ve been part of. How often were you navigating through custom, outdated, or non-existent standards? This is a common challenge, but breaking free from the “status quo” mindset is the first step toward embracing the innovation and efficiency that comes with evolving standards.
Staying current isn’t just about compliance – it’s about gaining a competitive edge. Those who design and seek out the latest standards and innovations promote themselves as forwardthinkers, poised to navigate the twists and turns of our ever-changing professional landscape. Success hinges on an ongoing quest for knowledge and adaptability to the evolving standards shaping our industries.
BUT WE’VE ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY If that sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. I can’t help but roll my eyes every time I hear it. The 32
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Getting on board with change is no walk in the park; it’s often met with its fair share of challenges and pushback. However, tapping pre-existing standards becomes a game-changer, making implementation and adaptation a breeze. This approach cuts down on the complexities of forming specialized teams to craft custom solutions, allowing for a more straightforward and efficient integration within our existing workflows. Providing teams with the ability to work together more effectively.
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Standards I’VE TRIED TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES, I CAN’T GET BUY-IN
Getting buy-in to update or implement current industry standards can be a real uphill climb, thanks to some deeply rooted mindsets and an aversion to change. It’s like trying to break through the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality that’s deeply ingrained in some corners. People often get cozy with what they know, making it tough to convince them that there might be a better, more efficient way of doing things. When it comes to navigating these older mindsets, understanding where the resistance is coming from is key. Some folks see change as a threat, worried that their tried-and-true methods will be cast aside. So, part of the battle is showing that embracing new standards isn’t about tossing aside experience but rather enhancing it and staying relevant in an ever-evolving industry. It’s a tricky game, but fostering open conversations, making people feel heard, and providing the right kind of training can chip away at those barriers. Changing minds is all about painting a picture of the perks that come with updated standards. It’s like telling a compelling story that showcases how others in similar shoes benefited from making the leap. Efficiency gains, long-term advantages – these are the hooks that can turn skepticism into curiosity. Plus, getting key players involved from the get-go, valuing their input, and addressing their worries head-on can turn resistance into active engagement. In a nutshell, changing minds is a mix of strategy, empathy, and a bit of storytelling to show that the path forward is worth taking.
CONCLUSION
Navigating the current wave of interconnected creativity, the collaborative vibe across disciplines not only boosts innovation but ensures each project aspect aligns with current standards, setting the stage for success in the ever-evolving design industry. The importance of standards kicks in even more when it comes to group projects involving diverse disciplines. Following established norms becomes the secret sauce, smoothing integration and sidestepping the pitfalls of custom approaches that can throw a wrench into the gears. Think of these standards as a universal language— they don’t just streamline the technical stuff; they create a shared understanding augi.com/augiworld
Photo: Image by stocking from Freepik
among the team, reducing miscommunication and fostering a comfortable project environment. On the global stage, standards become the glue that spans borders, making communication and collaboration a breeze. Standards shape industries and uphold a foundation of order and quality. The challenge is navigating the jungle of available standards, demanding careful consideration to set up a united front. The big takeaway? In the midst of tech leaps and ever-changing playbooks, embracing the right standards isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s a strategic move, giving pros a competitive edge and positioning them as savvy navigators in the evershifting landscape of their industries. 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.
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AUGIWORLD brings you recent developments in Autodesk and related software items
AUGI Members Reach Higher with Expanded Benefits AUGI is introducing three new Membership levels that will bring you more benefits than ever before. Each level will bring you more content and expertise to share with fellow members, plus provide an expanded, more interactive website, publication access, and much more!
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AUGIWORLD June 2022
The Official Publication of the AUGI Design Community
Implementing Best Strategies
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Also in this issue: Automating Punch Lists with Bluebeam Revu | Setting Up System Variables for Success in AutoCAD
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