Building information modeling, or BIM, is the use of intelligent 3D modeling software to help architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals with project planning, design, construction management, and ongoing building operations. Because it also greatly enhances collaboration between team members, learning the process of working with BIM has become an important or even mandatory skill for working in AEC industries today.
Until relatively recently, building professionals had to rely on stacks of blueprints to guide the design and construction process. This was replaced by pioneering 2D computer-aided design (CAD) software programs, which effectively brought blueprints into a digital environment, and then by 3D modeling-enhanced CAD software such as Autodesk capable of creating more realistic visual representations of buildings to work with.
BIM is the latest step in this evolution, and it is characterized by its ability to harness vast amounts of data and building information to create an intelligent model that automatically updates itself as different project elements are changed. For instance, BIM can be used to model building operating costs based on various combinations of construction materials, HVAC technologies, and passive design features. These intelligent modeling capabilities are especially important for enabling smooth collaboration between all the different stakeholders and professionals engaged on a project, as it allows them to share a common software environment as projects evolve.
