What types of building information are best portrayed in 3D views?
- Which stakeholders require 2D views, and why?
3D views are good for portraying the spatial relationships between different elements within a building and for giving a realistic sense of the structure’s aesthetics, such as exterior and interior finishes. They are also valuable for ensuring better coordination of the MEP systems with the structural elements, helping to prevent clashes.
Structural engineers require 2D views because they provide more detailed information on load paths, structural connections, and other technical aspects of the building’s framework. Contractors also rely on 2D plans to understand dimensions and specifications. Additionally, estimators usually use 2D views to calculate quantities and costs, as it is easier to extract information from these plans compared to 3D models.
Give examples of how the building information for a specific location in the project needs to be filtered for different audiences and purposes?
Should your design ideas always be conveyed through photorealistic renders?
- How does the level of detail in the rendering and its presentation affect the perception of stakeholders reviewing your design?
Design ideas do not always need to be conveyed through photorealistic renders, especially in the early stages of design, when various iterations of structural elements and layout is required. At this phase, it is more beneficial to use visuals that can be produced quickly, especially since photorealistic renders take more time and may shift attention away from the overall form and function of the structure.
As the design progresses toward the final stages, rendering should become more realistic, especially when presenting to non-technical stakeholders, who are more focused on aesthetic details rather than technical aspects. A higher level of detail in the render can create a more immersive experience for these stakeholders. To encourage broader feedback at the start of the design process, it is better to use simpler renders, which avoid creating unrealistic expectations or biases. As the design becomes more finalized, more detailed and refined renders should be introduced to accurately convey the final structure.
Name some applications where viewing the building and model information in virtual reality or augmented reality would be most beneficial?
- Are there advantages to using a C.A.V.E as a virtual environment versus VR headsets?
How can schedule views be used to assist with procurement and model-based estimating?
Schedule views are important because they provide a clear, automated list of quantities for each item based on the model. For example, schedule views can generate quantities for flooring, finishes, and other building components, making procurement and model-based estimating faster and more accurate. Since the information is automatically updated and extracted from the model, there is a reliable baseline for ordering materials during construction. This reduces the likelihood of errors that can occur with estimates based solely on 2D plans.