Datasheet

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CHAPTER 1 Beyond Basic documentation
an a l y z e
As with visualization, the authoring environment of a BIM platform isn’t necessarily the most
efficient one to perform analysis. Although you can create some rendering and animations within
Revit, a host of other applications are specifically designed to capitalize on a computer’s RAM
and processing power to minimize the time it takes to create a rendering or animation. Analysis
is much the same way—although some basic analysis is possible using Revit, other applications
are much more robust and can create more accurate results. The real value in BIM is the interoper-
ability of model geometry and metadata between applications. Consider energy modeling as an
example. In Figure 1.7, we’re comparing three energy modeling applications: A, B, and C. In the
figure, the darkest bar reflects the time it takes to either import model geometry into the analysis
package or redraw the design with the analysis package. The middle shaded color reflects the
amount of time needed to add data not within Revit, such as loads, zoning, and so on. The lightest
bar represents the time it takes to perform the analysis once all the information is in place.
In A and B, we modeled the project in Revit but were unable to use the model geometry in
the analysis package. This caused the re-creation of the design within the analysis tool and also
required time to coordinate and upkeep the design and its iterations between the two models.
In application C, you can see we were able to import Revit model geometry directly into the
analysis package, saving almost 50 percent of the time needed to create and run the full analysis.
Using this workflow, it is possible to bring analysis to more projects, perform more iterations, or
do the analysis in half the time.
Figure 1.6
A still from an ani-
mation showing
accurate physical
conditions for the
project
Figure 1.7
BIM environmental
analysis time
comparison
Geometry Manipulation
A
B
C
Adding Load Data Simulation
BIM Environmental Analysis Time Comparison
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