Applying BIM in FreeCAD

H by HRCompacta on 12 Mar 2023, edited 13 Mar 2023 # +3 votes

The BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology is a technique that is based on the creation and management of digital information about a building or infrastructure in all phases of its life cycle, from design to construction, maintenance and demolition. The use of the BIM methodology allows collaboration and information sharing between members of the construction team, improving efficiency and reducing costs and errors.

Currently, the use of free software is an increasingly strong trend in various industry sectors, and civil construction is no different. Free software is software that can be used, copied, studied, modified and redistributed without restrictions, which allows users and developers to have more control over the software, promoting transparency and collaboration. There are several free software available for use in civil construction, such as FreeCAD, which is a 3D modeling software.

FreeCAD is a free 3D modeling tool that can be used to apply the BIM methodology. With it, it is possible to create parametric objects and model architectural objects, in addition to allowing the import and export of files in industry standard formats. The integration of FreeCAD with the BIM methodology enables the creation of more accurate and collaborative models, reducing errors and costs.

HR Compacta is a company that aims to simplify and promote practicality in the civil construction industry, offering training and coordination services and implementation of the BIM methodology, using free software, such as FreeCAD. HR Compacta offers FreeCAD BIM courses in Brazilian Portuguese, with classes subtitled in several languages and support material also in English and Spanish. The company has several professionals in more than 10 countries carrying out training.

Additionally, HR Compacta is developing Workbench Planner BIM, a tool that allows users to plan and manage BIM projects using FreeCAD. With Workbench Planner BIM, you can create schedules and budgets for BIM projects, as well as manage resources and collaboration between team members.

Recently, HR Compacta launched a new FreeCAD course for BIM Architecture, offering advanced training in modeling and coordinating architectural projects using the BIM methodology. The course includes content on BIM workflow, parametric object modeling, file import and export, and project coordination.

With the use of free software, such as FreeCAD, and the application of the BIM methodology, HR Compacta is transforming the civil construction industry, offering training and services for the coordination and implementation of BIM projects. The launch of the Workbench Planner BIM and the new FreeCAD course for BIM Architecture demonstrate HR Compacta's commitment to offering complete and innovative solutions for the industry. Check out more details by accessing our website and our YouTube channel and feel free to collaborate with us in promoting the use of Free Software.

Site: www.hrcompacta

B by bernd on 12 Mar 2023 # +2 votes

Is "Workbench Planner BIM" OpenSource software?

H by HRCompacta on 12 Mar 2023 #

@bernd said:

Is "Workbench Planner BIM" OpenSource software?

"Planner BIM" is a Workbench that is being developed to stay inside FreeCAD. It is currently in the Beta phase, so far, only training students have access to test material to provide Feedback. This Workbench has the purpose of being an alternative for those who cannot afford software such as Solibri and Navisworks, being able to create or import a Gantt chart and generate the linking of parts and thus have the work simulation. More details in this link:

https://hrcompacta.com.br/workbench-planner-bim/

P by paullee on 12 Mar 2023 # +1 votes

Would be great if it could be released with an open-source license and put on web git repository for more collaborative development :)

H by HRCompacta on 12 Mar 2023 # +1 votes

@paullee said:

Would be great if it could be released with an open-source license and put on web git repository for more collaborative development :)

The project will soon be available for collaboration, it turns out that we are in beta phase #2, which will be very different from what it is currently. With that, if it opens to the public now, it could hinder the evolution of the development by our team of what is really planned.

M by Moult on 13 Mar 2023 # +2 votes

@HRCompacta that is exciting! Have you investigated IfcOpenShell's built-in IFC task, work schedule, work calendar, critical path analysis, etc tools? These allow you to have native IFC scheduling, instead of something that is FreeCAD specific. That would also allow us to share more resources!

H by HRCompacta on 13 Mar 2023 # +1 votes

@Moult said:

@HRCompacta that is exciting! Have you investigated IfcOpenShell's built-in IFC task, work schedule, work calendar, critical path analysis, etc tools? These allow you to have native IFC scheduling, instead of something that is FreeCAD specific. That would also allow us to share more resources!

Yes, the Planner BIM tool within FreeCAD is capable of creating a Gantt chart and importing its XML, in addition to offering other features such as critical path analysis and work calendar. However, currently the use of native IFC is in the future deployment plans, as we are in Beta phase #1.

We are working to improve the tool and offer new functionalities, such as the inclusion of the Gantt chart in an additional screen, similar to what happens with Workbench BIM that enables the "BIM Views Manager" screen. When this implementation is available, it will be possible to share more resources and have native IFC scheduling, which will further extend the functionality of the Planner BIM tool and is certainly available to the general public.

M by Moult on 13 Mar 2023 # +2 votes

It's great to hear you have it on your radar. It might be more work to do it in the future, as it represents quite a different shift in how data is managed.

You might also be interested to know IfcOpenShell supports import / export of scheduling data from various platforms, like Microsoft Project, Oracle P6, and Asta PowerProject.

H by HRCompacta on 13 Mar 2023 #

@Moult said:

It's great to hear you have it on your radar. It might be more work to do it in the future, as it represents quite a different shift in how data is managed.

You might also be interested to know IfcOpenShell supports import / export of scheduling data from various platforms, like Microsoft Project, Oracle P6, and Asta PowerProject.

Rest assured, I believe that as soon as Beta nº2 is ready you will be surprised with the potential of the tool and of course after it is open to the public, the staff will be able to collaborate with even more efficient improvements. It is worth highlighting my invitation to access my website and YouTube channel so that you can stay on top of more news.

B by bernd on 13 Mar 2023, edited 13 Mar 2023 # +2 votes

@HRCompacta

If you compare yourself to solibri and navisworks it means you work on ifc? What do you use to open the IFC in FreeCAD? Own parser? FreeCAD standard importer, FreeCAD native AddOn?

H by HRCompacta on 13 Mar 2023 #

@bernd said:

@HRCompacta

If you compare yourself to solibri and navisworks it means you work on ifc? What do you use to open the IFC in FreeCAD? Own parser? FreeCAD standard importer, FreeCAD native AddOn?

Yes, it is possible to work with IFC in FreeCAD, either developing directly in the software or importing native IFC files, as Yorik has been publicizing on his blog (https://yorik.uncreated.net/blog/2023-010-freecad-weekly3) . I also have a video that also shows that FreeCAD now recognizes and imports IFC files directly. (https://youtu.be/_6dTlaUsIdg)

In addition to this video, I invite you to watch more content on the channel that talks about the use of BIM in FreeCAD and also access the website to find out about the training available. (www.hrcompacta.com)

To open IFC files in FreeCAD, you can use the software's default importer or a native FreeCAD AddOn. Remember that the process may vary depending on the complexity of the IFC file in question.

B by bernd on 13 Mar 2023 # +2 votes

We missunderstood ... I wanted to know what your AddOn uses? Nevermind we will see anything when it is released. Looking forward ...

H by HRCompacta on 13 Mar 2023 # +1 votes

@bernd said:

We missunderstood ... I wanted to know what your AddOn uses? Nevermind we will see anything when it is released. Looking forward ...

Here's an appetizer: https://youtu.be/yfNmywi0fCc