Updated 9 February 2024 by James Ocean
3D BIM: Definition, Modeling, & Software
Table of Contents
BIM as a concept has drastically changed many aspects of the AEC industry, and its adoption rates continue to grow. Most construction contracts and projects are now planned with at least some form of BIM in mind. However, BIM is far too complex a methodology for everyone to be able to adopt it from scratch. As such, there are plenty of cases in which only the most fundamental advantages of BIM are utilized, whether it is the common data environment or the use of BIM software to generate models without sharing them with other parties.
BIM itself is a sophisticated process that allows for improved communication, seamless information exchange, and easy collaboration between stakeholders. BIM efforts rely on designated BIM models, the centerpieces of proper BIM projects that act as centralized data sources.
Concept of 3D modeling
3D modeling as a whole is a somewhat universal concept that is more than just a part of the BIM methodology. 3D modeling is the ability of computer hardware and software to produce three-dimensional digital representations of objects and structures. It is used in many different industries, including film, gaming, and architecture.
Creating a suitable 3D model can be a surprisingly daunting task that even the industry’s most seasoned veterans may struggle with occasionally. Accuracy is the key here: since the model will act as a reference point for all project-related tasks in the future, even a slight miscalculation on the designer’s part may create many issues down the road.
There are several different ways to simplify this process. The first step is to determine the target audience for the model, since different professionals require differing levels of accuracy for their work. Determining the project’s overall scope is a good idea, as well, since this directly affects the model quality necessary for the task.
3D BIM modeling
3D BIM is the most popular “dimension” of BIM so far. The concept of BIM dimensions expands the sophisticated nature of implementing BIM and allows for multiple integration phases to be segregated and visualized. 3D BIM represents the ability to present a digital version of a present or future asset as a model that can be shared with other project participants.
The concept of 3D BIM implies the existence of a common data environment that hosts a variety of project-related information within a three-dimensional model. This information is both geometrical and non-geometrical, providing an extensive overview of the structure in its “as-built” state.
The topic of “information” can be expanded further with other BIM dimensions, including:
- 4D BIM, representing all time and schedule-related information, including project timelines, Gantt charts, etc.
- 5D BIM, a showcase of cost-oriented data, including cost management processes, estimation calculations for budgets and material costs, and more.
- 6D BIM, representing all kinds of sustainability and environmental data, such as economic impact studies, environmental impact analysis, etc.
- 7D BIM, acting primarily in favor of facility management and encompassing scheduled maintenance and other similar operations.
It is worth mentioning that every additional dimension of BIM includes all of the previous ones by default. That way, attempting to implement 5D BIM in the context of a specific business would have to cover not only cost-oriented information but also time and schedule data.
Advantages of 3D BIM
3D BIM is often treated as a “complete” implementation of BIM that offers a lot of what BIM as a concept stands for. As such, it can be somewhat difficult to implement, but the number of potential advantages is just as impressive:
- The ability to offer a centralized approach to project data for different contributors.
- Clash detection and issue tracking performed automatically with all project elements in mind, significantly reducing the chances of expensive on-site rework.
- Capability to analyze a variety of environmental impact parameters thanks to extensive information about the structure.
- Detailed visualization of the future building or structure, including both the external shape and many internal details such as MEP layouts.
- Easy and convenient coordination and communication using the centralized data source mentioned above.
Challenges of 3D BIM
Building information management is a methodology that spans the entire process of project realization from start to finish. It is only natural that such a massive process would have its own share of challenges and disadvantages, even if the overall number of advantages more than makes up for the disadvantages:
- The steep learning curve is one of the first and most prominent disadvantages of 3D BIM. Getting into the field of 3D modeling is difficult enough, and BIM as a process expands upon the concept, making BIM extremely challenging by design.
- The inevitable increase in the complexity of data is an advantage that not many people talk about, but the sheer complexity of the information that an average BIM solution works with can make collaborating and sharing data with other, less advanced companies and solutions challenging.
- The BIM software market as a whole is very fragmented, and there are many different BIM solutions with their own file formats. This kind of fragmentation makes collaboration between different software variations more complicated than it might be, even though there are a few technologies that aim to solve this issue, such as the existence of the IFC file format.
How 3D coordination works in the context of BIM models
Coordination is one of the main goals of BIM. It allows different team members to work with the same 3D model without interrupting each other, creating a single 3D BIM model that includes all of the changes and modifications made by different contributors.
The introduction of BIM software can significantly simplify this process, but it is still difficult to deal with. There are plenty of challenges to deal with here, including the issue of updating the model with each subsequent change. This issue is not easy to solve, especially when there are multiple team members working with entirely different elements of the model.
Luckily, a proper BIM execution plan combined with a versatile common data environment can make this issue much more manageable. The same goes for the issue of conflicts between the changes that different project participants make. It can be solved by implementing a competent BIM solution that either alerts users about potential clashes with other people’s work (clash detection) or even resolves the issue automatically (Revizto is an excellent example of a solution that can do so).
Examples of 3D BIM software
The concept of 3D BIM software is an overarching term that covers many different solutions in the field. The most basic requirement for 3D BIM software is that it be able to interact with 3D BIM models in some way. As such, many other BIM-adjacent solutions also fall under the “3D BIM software” umbrella. The list below includes multiple examples of 3D BIM software with different sets of features and use cases.
Autodesk Revit
Autodesk Revit is one of the most prominent BIM solutions on the market. It is an incredibly complex software solution that can resolve plenty of issues from start to finish in the construction process. Revit can be advantageous to designers, engineers, contractors, specialists, MEP professionals, architects, and more. It works only with Windows devices, but the overall feature set is more than enough to compensate for most of its shortcomings. Revit can improve communication, boost coordination capabilities, simulate projects, manage workflows, run clash detection analyses, and even calculate project costs.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Extensive feature set that includes a wide variety of capabilities.
- Impressive customer support team with quick and detailed responses.
- Capability of integration with various BIM-adjacent software, especially solutions that are also created by Autodesk.
- Comprehensive toolset that allows for detailed model generation, if necessary.
Shortcomings:
- Automation capabilities are severely limited when compared with other players on the market.
- The software requires expensive high-end hardware to reach its full potential in terms of rendering speed and other parameters.
- Revit’s user-friendliness is not exceptionally high, and the software’s interface may confuse and overwhelm many newcomers.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- Revit offers two different pricing models.
- The first is an essential subscription that can be paid for on a monthly basis, yearly basis, or every three years:
- $355 per month
- $2,835 per year
- $8,505 per three years
- The second involves accessing Revit as a part of the Autodesk Flex program, a “pay-as-you-go” option that offers a daily price in tokens for a number of Autodesk services. Revit’s Flex cost is 10 tokens per day, and there are at least two token bundles available for purchase:
- 100 tokens for $300
- 500 tokens for $1500
- It is also possible to purchase custom amounts of tokens depending on the needs of the company. The tokens themselves have an expiration period of 1 year after purchase.
My personal opinion about Autodesk Revit:
Revit is often perceived as something of a gold standard for BIM solutions. It is incredibly complex and expensive while offering one of the most sophisticated feature sets on the market. It is challenging to get into, and learning the entire scope of the software’s capabilities can take months. At the same time, users who can afford Revit and learn to work with its internal structure get one of the best 3D BIM solutions on the market.
Solidworks
Solidworks is a well-known brand of CAD software that has been on the market for a long time. Solidworks was also the first 3D CAD solution for personal computers in history, released in November 1995. The solution exists to this day and is updated regularly, with a straightforward naming convention that consists of the brand name and the release year. The main field of work for Solidworks is the creation of CAD models. It offers a variety of different capabilities for 3D modeling and beyond, including features such as performance analysis, data management, and more.
Customer ratings:
- Capterra – 4.7/5 stars based on 723 customer reviews
- TrustRadius – 8.1/10 stars based on 399 customer reviews
- G2 – 4.4/5 stars based on 552 customer reviews
Advantages:
- Impressive variety in the overall feature set, including extensive 3D modeling capabilities and plenty of other features.
- The software excels at material simulations, including testing different materials for the same project.
- Solidworks’ environment management tools are some of the best on the market for 2D and 3D models.
Shortcomings:
- High system requirements for the software to operate correctly.
- Confusing and sophisticated license management system.
- There is a steep learning curve for the solution as a whole, and some of the more specific features are even more difficult to work with.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- The Solidworks 3D CAD solution is industry-leading software presented on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It is available via three different offers:
- The Standard Offer includes 3D Creator, 3DEXPERIENCE Solidworks Standard, 3DSwymer, and Collaborative Industry Innovator.
- The Professional Offer adds 3D Creator to the package and changes the version of 3DEXPERIENCE Solidworks from Standard to Professional.
- The Premium Offer also modifies the version of 3DEXPERIENCE Solidworks to Simulation Designer while also adding the Premium version of that solution
- Unfortunately, there is no public pricing information for any of these offers, and the only way to obtain such information is to request a quotation from the company.
My personal opinion about Solidworks:
Solidworks is a CAD solution, first and foremost, but it also has plenty of CAD-adjacent features that make it more than eligible to be on a list of 3D BIM software applications. It offers an incredible range of features for a comparatively low price, but its overall pricing model can be confusing. At the same time, Solidworks does fit in with most of the market in terms of its steep learning curve, so getting to know the solution’s capabilities can take a while, and the overall interface of the software is not exactly user-friendly.
Revizto
Revizto is an excellent example of a solution that is technically a 3D BIM solution, even though it cannot create CAD models by itself. It is a versatile and convenient collaboration platform that focuses on providing extensive issue-tracking and clash-detection capabilities. As a collaboration platform, Revizto can be used throughout the entire project realization process from start to finish. It provides quick and convenient access to project information for all stakeholders and project participants while also providing a number of unconventional features, such as VR walkthroughs.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Many integration capabilities with other BIM and CAD software, promoting interoperability and cooperation.
- The convenience of centralized access to all project data works wonders for collaboration between departments and stakeholders.
- Extensive issue tracking capabilities with easy issue management.
- A sophisticated clash detection model that also allows for individual clashes to be assigned to specific employees.
Shortcomings:
- Lack of customization options for the reporting feature as a whole.
- The user interface is unique and may take a while to get used to, especially if the user has previous experience with other well-known BIM solutions.
- The solution may struggle a bit when managing large and complex project models.
- Setting up data filtering is a long and somewhat confusing process.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- Revizto does not provide public pricing information. The only way to obtain such information is to request a quotation from the company and/or schedule a demo of the solution.
My personal opinion about Revizto:
Revizto is a great BIM solution with an impressive feature set, even if it cannot modify or create BIM models by itself. It is an advantageous collaboration-oriented solution that acts as a centralized data source for project participants throughout the construction process. Many of its features are focused on particular fields of work, such as issue tracking and clash detection. There are also several features that are not very common in the industry, such as support for VR walkthroughs. The solution has multiple mobile versions of its software, and the overall convenience of the software’s interface puts it above most of the competition in terms of user-friendliness.
SketchUp
SketchUp is a well-known drafting and sketching tool that can produce all kinds of 2D and 3D models. It is not a dedicated CAD or BIM solution by itself, but it still has a lot of value in these fields due to its modeling capabilities. SketchUp has multiple different subscription tiers that reflect its capabilities. The basic version of SketchUp is free and has a number of basic modeling tools. SketchUp Pro has a dedicated desktop client and is far more versatile in terms of 3D model creation. On the other hand, SketchUp Studio is the most expansive option available, adding more sophisticated features to the package, such as the ability to perform various analyses on existing models regarding their real-life influence.
Customer ratings:
- Capterra – 4.5/5 stars based on 1,014 customer reviews
- G2 – 4.5/5 stars based on 1,109 customer reviews
Advantages:
- A massive point of convenience in the form of a user-friendly interface.
- Capability to serve as a basic collaboration solution when integrated with Trimble Connect
- Extensive built-in library of ready-made 3D objects that removes the need to model every single object from scratch.
- Vast capabilities in the field of 3D modeling and sketching.
Shortcomings:
- The process of importing and exporting 3D CAD models to and from the solution is rather complicated.
- Heavy reliance on a system of plug-ins to expand and improve existing functionality.
- Many plug-ins have separate price tags, and it is not uncommon for these plug-ins not to work together at all.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- SketchUp offers four different pricing tiers:
- Free is the most basic set of features for all users
- Go, at $119 per year, is a rather minor extension of the free version without its limitations on 3D models and cloud storage capacity
- Pro, at $299 per year, is a more serious approach, with a desktop application, design insights, 2D documentation, and an entire warehouse of extensions
- Studio, at $699 per year, is a Windows-only tier with real-time photorealistic visualization, easy file imports from Revit, and many other features
My personal opinion about SketchUp:
SketchUp is a well-known solution in its own right and is one of the best-known modeling solutions on its market. Two of the most significant advantages of SketchUp are its price (the basic version is entirely free, which is unheard of) and its user-friendliness. It has a very low skill requirement for basic actions, making it highly accessible to newcomers. At the same time, most of the helpful educational materials are provided by users themselves, and there is little to no official instruction about the basic features of SketchUp. It is also not the most versatile solution for BIM capabilities specifically, and the plug-in system can only do so much to provide various collaboration features.
ArchiCAD
ArchiCAD from Graphisoft is a complete BIM solution (despite the “CAD” in its name) that offers plenty of capabilities to work with. It supports Mac and Windows devices and is extremely popular in architecture, design, and urban planning. ArchiCAD is often regarded as one of the first BIM solutions in the field, offering plenty of tools to manage workflows and improve visualization processes across the board. It is also relatively user-friendly compared with most full-fledged BIM software.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Capable of viewing project models in 2D and 3D.
- Supports the entirety of the project realization process from start to finish.
- User-friendly interface and convenient navigation from one tool or feature to another.
- Extremely capable in terms of 3D modeling capabilities.
Shortcomings:
- Its detailing tool is not easy to work with at all.
- The built-in object library is surprisingly rigid and lacks customization options.
- The 3D drawing toolset is far more flexible than its 2D alternative.
- Low performance in terms of updating layouts within drawings.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- ArchiCAD offers three different licensing options: a commercial subscription-based license, a one-year renewable free educational license, and a fully functional 30-day trial license.
- ArchiCAD’s commercial license can be purchased in three different forms:
- ArchiCAD – $225+ per month (before tax) – the basic version of ArchiCAD
- ArchiCAD Solo – $200+ per month (before tax) – a limited version of ArchiCAD with most of its sharing features turned off
- ArchiCAD Collaborate – $225+ per month (before tax) – a combination of ArchiCAD and BIMcloud
My personal opinion about ArchiCAD:
ArchiCAD is a direct alternative to solutions like Revit. It is a comprehensive 3D BIM software application that can create and modify BIM models while also supporting a variety of BIM capabilities such as workflow management. Its reputation as one of the first BIM solutions in the industry helps it a lot on the marketing side, and when you’re dealing with an industry as conservative as the construction field, reputation and time in the field are incredibly important. ArchiCAD does have its fair share of issues to deal with, but none of them are substantial enough to be a significant detriment to the solution’s reputation or capabilities.
Trimble Connect
Trimble Connect is a solution that has already been mentioned several times. It is a BIM product that makes it possible for non-BIM solutions to participate in the information exchange process. The primary goal of Trimble Connect as a solution is to deliver information within an appropriate time frame to a specific person or persons. It can be extremely helpful to architects, subcontractors, MEP engineers, and more. In this way, Trimble creates a collaborative environment where sharing and receiving information about a given project is easy and convenient. The fact that many modern-day BIM strategies rely on timely information exchange makes Trimble Connect one of the most important solutions in this field.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Significant focus on collaboration and cooperation-oriented features.
- A variety of simple and useful BIM capabilities.
- Impressive mobility thanks to its functional mobile version.
Shortcomings:
- The “help” section is not particularly helpful to newcomers.
- The solution itself is entirely cloud-based, making it very dependent on a stable internet connection.
- The overall user interface is challenging to work with and may be confusing to newcomers.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- Trimble Connect offers three main pricing tiers:
- Free is a basic set of features for a single project and no more than five participants.
- Business, at $12.99 per month per user, completely removes the limitations of the free version and adds administrative capabilities.
- Business Premium, at $23.95 per month per user, only billed annually, offers advanced BIM capabilities, access to extensions and third-party apps, as well as a more detailed 3D workflow
My personal opinion about Trimble Connect:
Trimble Connect is not the most sophisticated solution in this field. It is a collaboration-focused platform that can also help other solutions participate in communication and cooperation efforts (such as the aforementioned SketchUp). It can help a variety of industry professionals with data sharing and coordinating tasks, among other advantages. It is relatively cheap, has a functional mobile version, and can work as a great source of basic BIM capabilities, even if its interface is a bit confusing and its cloud-based nature requires a constant and stable internet connection.
Navisworks
Navisworks is another notable solution from well-known software developer Autodesk. Navisworks starkly contrasts with Revit, since the former is mainly oriented toward conducting project reviews. Navisworks is at its most effective in the earliest phases of project realization, offering project outcome predictions and analyses based on existing BIM information. This interaction helps prevent potentially expensive rework and mistakes that may otherwise go unnoticed until the construction phase. Navisworks itself is distributed in two forms: Simulate offers most of the model review capabilities, while Manage expands upon this feature set with issue tracking, clash detection, and more.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Support for various types of BIM data in the form of “dimensions,” going as far as support for everything up to 7D BIM (sustainability).
- Easy and convenient clash coordination process with accessible communication between different project teams.
- Ability to open and manage many different file types, increasing the overall convenience of using Navisworks.
Shortcomings:
- Following the tradition of Revit, Navisworks requires considerable hardware power to operate to its fullest.
- The solution is priced higher than most competitors.
- Getting into Navisworks with no prior BIM software experience is a daunting task.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- The pricing model of Navisworks Simulate is relatively simple, with a single price that can be paid monthly, yearly, or once every three years:
- $135 per month
- $1,080 per year
- $3,240 per three years
- Navisworks Manage, on the other hand, can be paid for as a regular subscription:
- $335 per month
- $2,670 per year
- $8,010 per three years
- Alternatively, it is also possible to pay for Navisworks Manage using Autodesk Flex, a token-based pay-as-you-go system (Navisworks Manage costs 9 tokens per day):
- 100 tokens for $300
- 500 tokens for $1500
- It is also possible to purchase custom amounts of tokens, depending on the needs of the company. The tokens themselves have an expiration period of 1 year after purchase.
My personal opinion about Navisworks:
Navisworks is solid BIM collaboration software that also technically falls within the realm of the term “3D BIM solution.” Its most prominent use case is creating a collaborative environment for a specific project, allowing for more accessible communication between stakeholders. Navisworks can also be purchased in two different forms, making it a bit more convenient to work with (unlike solutions such as Revit, which only have a single full-priced solution). Navisworks is a solution with its own share of issues, as well, such as its high hardware requirements and sophisticated user interface. These are not the most groundbreaking issues a BIM solution may have, but they are essential to remember when choosing between different software solutions.
BricsCAD BIM
BricsCAD BIM can also be considered a fully-fledged 3D BIM solution capable of supporting and working with every single project phase, from pre-design to post-construction maintenance. It also offers plenty of sketching and modeling capabilities, combining the power of CAD and BIM solutions in a single platform. BricsCAD BIM boasts smart structural modeling capabilities for automatic object classification, BIM data management, and plenty of other options.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Relatively affordable lifetime license.
- Can expand its functionality with hundreds of different third-party plugins and utilities.
- An interface closely resembling AutoCAD makes it much easier for a specific user category to start using BricsCAD BIM.
Shortcomings:
- The autosave process creates visible distractions in the form of stuttering.
- The starting screen of the software does not have much to offer in terms of customization.
- There is no feature parity or performance level parity between the Linux and Windows versions of the solution.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- BricsCAD BIM is one of several offerings provided by Bricsys.
- It can be purchased for several different time periods. All of these prices are before tax:
- $1,010 for a year
- $2,725 for three years
- $1,890 for a perpetual license
My personal opinion about BricsCAD BIM:
BricsCAD BIM is one of many solutions that try to offer as many features as AutoCAD/Revit without the extreme price tag. BricsCAD is an impressive 3D BIM solution with an interface that resembles AutoCAD, while also offering a variety of BIM tools and services. Its existing feature set can be expanded with third-party utilities, and there is even an option to purchase a lifetime license. It can be a bit difficult to work with, especially on Linux devices, and some customization options are currently missing, but the solution as a whole is more than competent in its own field.
Vectorworks Architect
Vectorworks Architect is a rather interesting solution that offers features and tools for both BIM and CAD processes. The main self-imposed goal of Vectorworks is to enhance the design process without interrupting the original creative vision. It can enhance the existing project workflow from start to finish using parametric objects, design-oriented tools, extensive BIM capabilities, and so on. That way, Vectorworks can streamline the creative process behind project design while also making various construction papers and other documents much more accessible to other users.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Extremely accurate built-in rendering engine.
- The solution itself is mostly user-friendly, which is not very common in the CAD/BIM field.
- The overall user experience is unilaterally praised by most customers.
Shortcomings:
- Significant potential for version incompatibilities due to new features being introduced.
- Limited BIM tool set with few features available.
- May experience various issues when working with large and complex project models.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- Vectorworks Architect uses a worldwide network of global distributors to deliver its products. Unfortunately, this means there is little to no public information available about the pricing of Vectorworks Architect, and it differs quite a lot depending on location.
My personal opinion about Vectorworks:
The unusual 3D modeling engine is the centerpiece of Vectorworks Architect as a solution. It offers a tandem of BIM and CAD capabilities in a single package. It is relatively user-friendly, and its rendering quality is impressive by itself. It is also somewhat rudimentary in its BIM capabilities and is not particularly suitable for working with extensive and detailed project models. Nevertheless, it is still a viable option for small-scale BIM projects and companies, even if it does have its own share of issues.
Autodesk Construction Cloud
Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is a solution that grew from what was previously known as Autodesk BIM 360, an impressive BIM communication solution with plenty of features to work with. ACC itself offers much more than that, covering both the project delivery and construction management phases with ease. It is a comprehensive cloud-based web service that can improve decision-making, boost coordination, improve cooperation efforts, and manage the entirety of the project lifecycle using the same solution.
Customer ratings:
- Capterra – 4.3/5 stars based on 2,158 customer reviews
- G2 – 4.3/5 stars based on 2,473 customer reviews
Advantages:
- Extremely versatile platform for collaboration-oriented efforts.
- Impressive accessibility thanks to the web-based nature of the solution.
- Offers the substantial convenience of having centralized data storage for all kinds of project data.
Shortcomings:
- Little to no support for integrations with other non-Autodesk solutions, limiting collaboration potential.
- Inability to create new project templates. There are only options to modify or duplicate existing templates.
- Heavy reliance on the cloud-based nature of the solution is an incredible security risk in the event that Autodesk servers are not operating for some reason.
Pricing (at the time of writing):
- Autodesk Construction Cloud is a collection of many different products. Each product has its own price that can only be learned by requesting a quotation from Autodesk.
My personal opinion about Autodesk Construction Cloud:
ACC is our last example of a solution that still offers a lot of advantages to many construction projects without being able to actually create or modify BIM/CAD models. The collaboration-oriented nature of ACC makes it extremely useful for bigger and more complex construction projects that have a lot of trouble coordinating their efforts at different project phases. Autodesk Construction Cloud can greatly reduce the chances of conflicts between teams while also improving overall decision-making and boosting various collaborative initiatives. At the same time, its web-based nature and lack of compatibility with other well-known BIM solutions puts a significant dampener on its full potential.
Conclusion
3D BIM is the best-known “dimension” of building information modeling. It represents the capability of a complex 3D CAD model to interact and integrate with the massive amount of information that a BIM solution can provide in a centralized manner. There are many different 3D BIM solutions to choose from on the market, and not all of them have to have complex CAD capabilities to be considered 3D BIM solutions. The most important factor for these solutions is to be able to create a convenient collaborative environment, and different solutions achieve this goal in different ways.
About the author
BIM/VDC Specialist. James Ocean is Head of BIMspiration at Revizto and keeps everything moving onwards and upwards. From supporting and teaching our internal team as well as our clients, James shows us the ins-and-outs and how to best leverage Revizto to maximize workflows, cut costs, and get all types of projects through the finish line.
