B2: Group A - Gary Reiff

Chapter 2 in the BIM handbook discusses BIM design tools and parametric modeling.  More specifically, the chapter goes into depth on the differences between the technology used for BIM design applications and earlier CAD systems.  Parametric modeling was first developed in the 1980's for manufacturing purposes, and is unique by representing objects using parameters and rules that determine the geometry of an object, rather than representing objects with fixed geometries and properties.  Not only does parametric modeling create more accurate models, but it can model more complex objects as well.  In terms of architecture, BIM software developers have predefined base building object classes, which vary based on the different parameters and relationships with other objects.  Some of the predefined base building object classes are shown in the figure below. 

BIM designers can modify the parameters of these predefined base building object classes, but more interestingly the objects can modify their own parameters based upon the context the object is being used in.  This makes me wonder if any of the AI discussed in last weeks posts used parametric modeling in a similar fashion.

As previously stated, parametric modeling was first developed in the 1980’s.  Architectural BIM design applications utilize parametric modeling by allowing users to mix 2D drawn sections with 3D modeled objects.  Not only does this allow users to produce complete drawings, but it also allows users to determine the level of 3D detailing.  The level of 3D detailing in fabrication-level BIM design applications is crucial, as every object is fully fabricated and represented in 3D.

Parametric modeling is also used in other current BIM design applications as tools to carry out specific jobs, while also providing a platform to manage and experiment with data in multiple different models. When used as tools, the BIM applications vary depending on how the base building objects were originally defined.  However, as platforms BIM applications vary in their ability of managing large and detailed projects. 

It’s crazy to me how the base building objects can be so accurately predefined by just using parametric modeling.  Parametric modeling certainly revolutionized BIM applications.  While I don’t have any previous experience with BIM applications, I have plenty of experience with different CAD applications.  The chapter discusses 3D modeling in CAD applications back in the 1960’s.  I cannot imagine how much more difficult 3D modeling was before being integrated with parametric modeling.  I can only imagine using BIM applications back in the day were equally as difficult before parametric modeling was around.

Reference

Eastman, Charles M. 2011. BIM Handbook : A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed January 18, 2016).

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