An intuitive & multi-player approach to BIM

By Altaf Gunihar

However, the use of these programs is highly inefficient because they:

• Are not compatible with each other, leading to rework (lack of interoperability)

• Don’t support collaborative work

• Are not BIM (lack of actionable data or feedback

This means that most of the work done on BIM is only documentation and coordination.

A Unified Design Environment for Teams

Imagine an alternate scenario where project stakeholders can:

• Design collaboratively with real-time data to support their decisions (costs, compliance, quantities etc.)

• Rapidly turn ideas into a detailed 3D model

• Avoid rework completely

• Communicate with all stakeholders on a single platform

We can see that by focusing on collaboration, data and interoperability right from the start, projects are bound to be more efficient. What we need today, is the right tool to bridge the gap that exists at the early project stages. With Snaptrude, we’ve managed to come closer to bridging the gap.

Unlike other modelling tools, users on Snaptrude can invite their teams for real-time collaboration at any point in the design. It’s like a live brainstorming session but, instead of using a whiteboard or sticky notes, users rapidly model their ideas in 3D. Snaptrude’s commenting capability also allows participants to record their thoughts on the 3D model, streamlining communication between stakeholders.

To simplify the modelling process, users work with masses (3D volumes) instead of lines. A mass is a data-rich element that can be sculpted like clay on the digital canvas.

But the strongest differentiator comes in the form of data automation. While the user is busy designing, the software automatically populates data like areas, costs and quantities in the background. This ensures that stakeholders are always aware of the implications of their decisions on cost or compliance.

How Snaptrude Enables Interoperability

The biggest roadblock as we saw, was in the possibility of pushing a concept model to a BIM tool. While firms manage to achieve this with the help of plugins and other third-party applications, these solutions are never reliable. When we designed Snaptrude, we picked the best of existing concept modeling tools and BIM programs.

Today, it’s already possible to export a model to IFC. Soon, users will also be able to import to or export from Revit. This allows BIM enabled firms to use Snaptrude in two ways - as a collaborative brainstorming tool or a schematic design tool. Existing Revit files can be imported to Snaptrude for clients and other collaborators to view and comment. Design changes can then be validated with real-time data before pushing them to Revit. Or, the firm can start designing on Snaptrude and push the model to Revit for documentation, with no data loss. This possibility of seamlessly moving data between Snaptrude and Revit alone will save users hundreds of hours.

By creating a unified design environment, Snaptrude is helping teams centralize data, remove silos and supercharge productivity. Of course, our goal is to take this a step further by building Snaptrude to handle everything between concept, construction and beyond.