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by Moult on 30 Oct 2021
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+1 votes
Hey everyone and welcome @Coen @Yoann and @hammadhk ! It's really exciting to see increasing powerusers of free software like Blender and FreeCAD.
@hammadhk you might be interested in the owner history aspect of IFC. IFC keeps track of the ownership and changes of elements, which reflect the liability of the consultant who created them. In terms of smart buildings, there is also a couple of ongoing initiatives with implementations of procedures and events https://wiki.osarch.org/index.php?title=IFC_building_operations_concepts - and an ongoing initiative to integrate IFC, the successor to COBie (for FM) with Brickschema.
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by ideabuilder on 16 Nov 2021, edited 16 Nov 2021
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+6 votes
Hello Everyone,
I am new to this community. Thanks @Moult for referring me to this network. Since this is a community focused on open innovation, I would like to start by asking for your advice on the best open web systems that we can use for two of our communities.
AEC Hackathons - We have organized 46 AEC Hackathons since 2013 in 30 cities in 10 countries. Our AEC Hackathons are volunteer-organized, technology neutral, non-profit and very low costs (we use ticket and sponsorship revenues to cover venue, food and small prize costs). Here are over 200 videos from our past AEC Hackathons.
We have used Slack, Zoom and Teams for our events but want to add a persistent online community. I saw links to our AEC Hackathon at Bloxub in this forum as well as links to our AEC Hackathon at www.bloxhub.org in Copenhagen on October 29th-31st - all presentations from that event are in this Youtube video
I also want to move my Mass Timber Linkedin group with 2,900 members to an open online community. I organized an open Online Mass Timber event back in March with 37 speakers and shared all 33 video presentations from that event on Youtube. I am working with multiple wood and mass timber organizations in Europe and the US to help connect the industry - here is a post on linkedin with more info on that effort.
We are planning more AEC Hackathon and Mass Timber events in Europe, the US and Asia and want to help connect and grow our communities using open web systems. All advice appreciated. My expertise is mass timber digital fabrication and our small business in Oregon is extremely busy and we are building a new factory but I want to also help grow and connect the AEC innovation networks.
Here is my bio on Linkedin. I share a lot of content on linkedin and have for many years but I want this content to be public and searchable and not locked behind linked or any other walled garden.
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by Moult on 27 Nov 2021
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+2 votes
@ideabuilder welcome to the OSArch community! What do you think about helping organise a Free and Open Source AEC Hackathon? People could build stuff only using open source software, and the results will also be open source.
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by thunderbolt_132 on 6 Dec 2021
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+4 votes
Hi people,
I am a mechanical engineer with some experience in HVAC and Plumbing design, with a strong interest for anything BIM related. I am currently working as a BIM Application Engineer, implementing Autodesk solutions and studying BIM workflows. I also have a strong interest (although not a strong background) in computation, mostly with visual programming and a little bit of python. I recently found out about the openBIM movement and got very excited because it seems that it could speed up the general adoption of BIM as a methodology. I am hoping my knowledge of proprietary software and industry could help with the ideas regarding good workflows that could be implemented, and I am hoping to develop my python skills to help with the actual implementation of those ideas (mostly MEP side of things and general ISO 19650 implementation)
I am new to blender so my idea is to try and learn the portion of the software that applies to architecture, and then dive a bit more into the coding part of and try to understand what is going on under the hood. I am always open for suggestions how to structure my learning in the best way, so feel free to try and help me with useful tips, and even better, actual project ideas if you think of any.
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by Cyril on 6 Dec 2021
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@thunderbolt_132 Welcome !
If you want to talk about HVAC let me know. Until we are able to perform all our workflows using FOSS tools, you might be interested by my FOSS addon pyRevitMEP.
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by thunderbolt_132 on 6 Dec 2021
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+1 votes
I actually did use a bit it after seeing it mention in one of Ehsan's recommendations (maybe with TheRevitKid) and it really has some interesting features, like level change, but I did not use it extensively. Thanks for welcoming me, feels good to be good in such a company.
If you need any help with the development of the add-on let me know, I would be more than happy to help. Probably wouldn't be too helpful with the coding in the beginning since I am not experienced, but maybe I could provide some ideas regarding MEP workflows.
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by InformationWorker on 8 Dec 2021
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+4 votes
Hi All, I am here to learn/test Bbim and ifcopenshell workflows and information exchange. Main focus is the Python CLI to check model quality, georeferencing, clash detection and update models accordingly.
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by Massimo on 8 Dec 2021
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Hi @InformationWorker , you can find useful videos here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbFY94gzUJhGkxOUZknWupIiBnY5A0KUM
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by InformationWorker on 9 Dec 2021
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+1 votes
Thanks @Massimo :-) I saw your post on the first 4 videos (after I got these first bits myself). Now the next steps are to get the different bits of ifcopenshell to work together with the "overall" environment. I am able to run the IFC Class Sets, BIMtester, IFCdebug, IFC Diff, IFC Patch. I am still trying to figure out stuff related to "basepoint/georeferencing" and Classifications Property Sets.
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by Moult on 10 Jan 2022
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+1 votes
Welcome @thunderbolt_132 and @InformationWorker !
@thunderbolt_132 I know nothing about MEP so any help in that area would be greatly appreciated!
@InformationWorker georeferencing is a little area of BIM that seems daunting at the beginning until you've done it on a project :) Feel free to ask any questions either here or on the live chat if you need any clarification!
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by InformationWorker on 12 Jan 2022
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@Moult said:
Welcome @thunderbolt_132 and @InformationWorker !
@thunderbolt_132 I know nothing about MEP so any help in that area would be greatly appreciated!
@InformationWorker georeferencing is a little area of BIM that seems daunting at the beginning until you've done it on a project :) Feel free to ask any questions either here or on the live chat if you need any clarification!
Probably a live chat would be the best for that, but here is a start. I have 2 files file A from Revit, and file B from ProVI. If I load A its way up in the air and I need to bring it back to earth. If I load B then A all is well. So... that tells me there is something in file A that is not quite ok and if I were to send it to a client they could reject it flat out as it does not show up where it is supposed to. I have tried several thing and gone through a ton of resources but have not understood it lol
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by Moult on 13 Jan 2022
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@InformationWorker feel free to hang out in the OSArch live chat https://osarch.org/chat/ and perhaps we can discuss in more detail.
There are two separate issues here - one is simply synchronising model coordinates such that two model overlaps. Another is georeferencing, where a model is in the correct place on Earth. Models can align, but not be georeferenced. However, georeferenced models generally always align.
The strategies are also different for vertical construction (buildings) and horizontal construction (infrastructure / roads / etc). So know which you are dealing with would change things.
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by InformationWorker on 14 Jan 2022
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@Moult said:
@InformationWorker feel free to hang out in the OSArch live chat https://osarch.org/chat/ and perhaps we can discuss in more detail.
There are two separate issues here - one is simply synchronising model coordinates such that two model overlaps. Another is georeferencing, where a model is in the correct place on Earth. Models can align, but not be georeferenced. However, georeferenced models generally always align.
The strategies are also different for vertical construction (buildings) and horizontal construction (infrastructure / roads / etc). So know which you are dealing with would change things.
I hear you.
In this case we are talking about a small ( < 200m) linear model.
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by Loren on 9 Mar 2022
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+13 votes
Hi Everybody,
My name is Loren and I have really been inspired by what is going on here re. AEC innovation.
Native IFC, BlenderBIMAddon, IfcOpenShell - These are game changers, in my opinion.
I am very interested in tool development, automation and integrating existing applications to solve problems. Advanced beginner with Python, C#, Javascript/GAS, as well as many hours using Dynamo and FME. Have been struggling to get to the next level in coding, but still enjoy the challenge. Spent 10 years in architecture firms doing project coordination, CAD and BIM, now working at the GSA /PBS going on 11 years helping manage and support a large portfolio of public buildings and leases. So much data!
I'm working on a few projects that might have good synergy with this community and hope to share soon.
Looking forward to seeing what comes next!
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by Hobbes on 27 Jul 2022
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+8 votes
Hi all,
I'm a Electrical Engineer from Spain (now working in the south of France). I'm here because year after year commercial software is becoming more closed, more expensive and more limited, specially technical software. I wasn't a Open Source fan, but I've realized that in my search for stable, reliable and good cost/benefit rate software I usually land in Open Source solutions... Windows 10/11 and Autodesk (in)evolution also helps a lot.
Now I'm migrating to Linux and Open Source (changing my entire workflow), tired of closed and expensive "service like" software and proprietary data files (one of the big problems of technical software).
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by duncan on 27 Jul 2022
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+1 votes
Welcome @Hobbes nice to see you here. If you start a thread asking for recommendations for relevant software to your work we can see what we can dredge up. I guess you already know KiCAD if that relevant. Otherwise there's plenty to browse on our software directory https://wiki.osarch.org/index.php?title=AEC_Free_Software_directory
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by Hobbes on 28 Jul 2022
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Thank you @duncan.
I check te directory from time to time, it is really a great software directory. If I come back to my other profession in the future (vocational school teacher), it will be a good reference to the students (in Spain, the presence of MS/Autodesk proprietary software in the schools or colleges is overwhelming).
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by zamtmn on 9 Aug 2022
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Andrey, Russia, an electrical engineer. I have a hobby - cad system development))
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by lukas on 9 Aug 2022
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Hello Andrey, do you have a deeper knowledge of KiCAD ? Is the simulation engine 'portable'? easy to adapt to basic electrical systemsin building contruction? how is the 'intelligence' of all those electronic components managed? simple sql database or graph like?
Nice to have you here.
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by zamtmn on 9 Aug 2022
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@lukas
no, I use eplan and autocad at work, and know them pretty well
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by Matcoq on 3 Sep 2022
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+2 votes
Hello to you guys, dreamers of a plausible BIM project. Thanks for letting me in!
I'm an architecture technician (kind of a nurse++ vs Dr. Architect in the province of Quebec) using Revit extensively mostly for quite large residential and commercial projects around Quebec City for over ten years. Wouldn't go back to Autocad, but I soon developped a metaphysical hatred for Revit, its ways and its design, to say the least. I'm abashed at every aspects of it, even though I manage to produce proper documents within expected delays. Can't think of a sofware where workarounds are such a necessity. The Revit promise seems far from what it actually provides.
I prefer to 2D draft a lot than to 3D over-model, given Revit's limitations, and I haven't much clues about programming.
So I'll stay in the back of the room, watching the project unfold before my wishful eyes, commenting only when I feel I can add some value.
Oh! Here's a question: Wouldn't your project be backed up by established corporations, federations or any group of interest in the building field? Imagine the AIA saying "Hey! We want more from BIM, let's finance your project!"
Just asking.
Best regards, I'll be watching
Matthias Coquereau
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by jchkoch on 3 Sep 2022
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Welcome @Matcoq to the community.
@Matcoq said:
I prefer to 2D draft a lot than to 3D over-model, given Revit's limitations, and I haven't much clues about programming.
So I'll stay in the back of the room, watching the project unfold before my wishful eyes, commenting only when I feel I can add some value.
You say you prefer to 2D draft over 3D modelling, what do you think is the biggest stumbling blocks to making 3D modelling more attractive? Perhaps the OSArch software directory https://wiki.osarch.org/index.php?title=AEC_Free_Software_directory has some projects addressing some of these issues.
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by Moult on 4 Sep 2022
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+2 votes
Welcome @Matcoq ! It would be great to get more sponsors. IFC.JS has done a great job in selling training series to fund their core development, and OSArch is just getting off the ground financially. You can see more here: https://opencollective.com/osarch
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by wattlewin on 20 Sep 2022
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+1 votes
Hi everyone!
My name is David. I'm a certified passive house designer, software engineer of 21 years and CTO of a fintech business. I have done a few years in C++/Qt, more recently in Typescript/React.js, some open source projects like Alembic.io in the film industry (an open source file format for film special effects production connecting proprietary and open-source tools like Maya, Zeno and Blender), commercial projects in finance, and worked a fair bit in medical imaging research, helped develop a colonoscopy simulator using beam theory. I am also an aspiring startup founder of sustainable construction business (read Passive House). I have no prior experience with BIM tools other than as a client. I have touched SketchUp but no in-depth use. I would love to create a web-based SaaS lead-generation tool for property developers to sell more panellised passive house homes.
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by Moult on 20 Sep 2022
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Welcome @wattlewin ! It sounds like you been around quite a bit! There are a few projects that might interest you:
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OpenSourceEcology, who is designing the Seed Eco-home, which might have some overlap with passive houses :) They use FreeCAD and do a "swarm" build and have a rather left-field business model.
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IFC.JS, who is building a JS based library for IFC models. IFC is the open data standard for BIM. If you want to continue hacking on web languages. If you want to do a web-based SaaS, there's a good chance IFC.JS will come into use! :)
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Xeokit is another web library alternative to IFC.JS who can either use IFC.JS to process things client side, but also supports server-side processing for a heavily optimised experience if you want to do large web-based BIM displays which IFC.JS can't scale up to right now. Xeokit's serverside processing is based on IfcOpenShell.
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IfcOpenShell / BlenderBIM Add-on - an OpenCascade based C++ and Python library for IFC which offers desktop native IFC authoring. If you want to continue hacking on C++, it's a C++ based project with SWIG Python bindings, and there are some potentially easy minor Qt tasks if you'd like to address them, and lots of C++ geometry tasks that need doing if that's up your alley. If you want to do web dev over a weekend, we're hoping for a web developer to build a tiny static site (a design is ready), or if you want to hack on Blender, the BlenderBIM Add-on is perhaps the most advanced IFC authoring platform out there with an infinite todo list.
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Ladybug Tools, they've developed middleware to connect the various sustainability engines out there (EnergyPlus, Radiance, OpenFOAM, etc). If you want to connect your web platform to some sort of sustainability analysis tool, they're the guys to go to, and are industry leaders when it comes to sustainability.