Graphisoft UK Ltd launched its Library Part Maker Tool last month, a new tool that allows designers and manufacturers to create their own BIM objects.
Whilst being able to create BIM objects in an ARCHICAD format, the data schema behind the tool has been constructed in line with the NBS BIM Object Standard – the recognised national standard for creating BIM objects.
Rob Kalocay, Product and Technical Manager for Graphisoft UK Ltd, said: “Library Part Maker marries the powerful GDL technology that has been on the market for 20 years with the highly intuitive ARCHICAD user interface delivering data and geometry-rich standardised BIM objects. This tool will bring manufacturers’ well-specified “real-life” products closer to anyone engaged in a BIM process.”
For those creating objects, no previous GDL or programming knowledge is required; the tool allows authoring of complex geometry tied to structured data of a BIM object, either by importing geometries and spreadsheet-based data or by creating them from scratch in ARCHICAD. This should streamline the process for the newly created BIM objects to be certified and hosted on the NBS National BIM Library.
Newcastle-based NBS, the UK’s leading provider of construction information and knowledge management services, created the BIM Object Standard to counteract the lack of an industry-wide standard for BIM objects.
Chief Executive of NBS, Richard Waterhouse, said: “Learning that a key, international player like Graphisoft chose to use our BIM Object Standard in their new tool was a huge boost for us, showing that they value our standard and see us as global leader in this field - the recognition that will further strengthen our reputation nationally and internationally when it comes to excellence in BIM.
“By defining what constitutes a high quality BIM object and providing consistency in the content and structure of these objects, designers and manufacturers creating their own objects using the Library Part Maker Tool can now do so to a common standard, enabling greater collaboration, efficiency and more meaningful information exchange.”
Stuart Clark, Director of Constructive Thinking, said: “Having created BIM objects in ARCHICAD using a variety of different tools and workflows, I can’t recommend the new ARCHICAD Library Part Maker more highly. It’s easy to use, intuitive, and required no programming knowledge at all.
“Whether modelling from scratch or using it to convert objects from other formats, the add-on and template provide consistency – particularly in respect of Data. Constructive Thinking now uses ARCHICAD Library Part Maker to create all of its custom objects, doors and windows.”
ARCHICAD is the leading Building Information Modelling (BIM) software application used by architects, designers, engineers and builders to professionally design, document and collaborate on building projects.
