Using Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Software with BIM

Digital transformation is no longer an optional advantage in the modern construction industry: it is practically required now for any company that wants to stay relevant and competitive. The widespread popularity of virtual design and construction has been a significant leap forward in this area, changing the way projects are planned, managed, and executed.

The primary goal of this article is to explore the topic of VDC and show how it integrates with BIM and other technologies to boost collaborative efforts, drive better business outcomes, and completely revolutionize project delivery processes.

What is VDC?

A major portion of modern construction technology is related to VDC in some way, making it a necessity to understand the definition and all the nuances of the technology. It is far from just another digital tool. Instead, it is a complete paradigm shift in project delivery and construction management that can even integrate with existing environments, all of which is mandatory knowledge at this point.

Basics of virtual design and construction

Virtual design and construction is a new way to approach construction project delivery that supports project objectives using human-computer interactions, automation, and model-based design tools. VDC makes it possible to create complex virtual models of project goals long before the on-site construction phase, which is where it differs from traditional construction methods. These virtual models also serve as central hubs of project information that support collaboration and informed decision-making during every phase of project realization.

How VDC relates to BIM

Despite the fact that VDC and BIM are used interchangeably on a regular basis, it would be fair to clarify that they are not the same. BIM is the foundation of what makes VDC possible, including its tools, processes, and more. VDC, on the other hand, encompasses tools, processes, and people working in tandem to improve the efficiency of project delivery. As such, VDC and BIM are very close in concept but serve different, complementary purposes.

Key components of VDC as a concept

On a conceptual level, VDC is comprised of several core components:

1. Process modeling – the mapping of construction workflows and sequences.
2. Organizational modeling – the definition of roles, responsibilities, and communication channels necessary for successful project completion.
3. Product modeling – the process of creating detailed 3D models that serve as digital representations of the goal of the project.
4. Performance metrics – the tracking of project objectives using established, measurable parameters.

A clear understanding of all the basics of VDC is practically mandatory in the ever-evolving construction industry, which has gone through many changes over the last few decades. The integration of something as complex as VDC might seem difficult at first, but the results are well worth the effort, and we explain why in what comes next.

Primary advantages of virtual design and construction

Having established the basics of VDC and how it relates to BIM, we can now go over the specific ways such an integrated approach can deliver tangible benefits to both stakeholders and construction firms, massively transforming project outcomes.

Improving business performance through VDC

The implementation of VDC can directly affect the bottom line of a business in several ways. Two of the most notable examples of this are extensive simulations and improvements in cost optimization.

The ability to offer virtual walkthroughs and extensive simulations greatly assists with identifying potentially troublesome elements in the project early on, eliminating the possibility that such issues will be noticed only during construction (when the cost of resolving these issues is much higher).

The fact that virtual models can store accurate quantity takeoffs dramatically improves general resource allocation. It also assists with cost optimization due to the lack of guesswork in resource calculations in construction, reducing unnecessary overhead.

Streamlining project workflows

VDC operates as a single source of truth for all stakeholders, practically revolutionizing traditional construction workflows. Using the same source of information for every task reduces the time spent searching for or verifying project information and destroys any information silos that might have existed before.

At the same time, the centralization of information opens up more opportunities for automation, especially when it comes to various routine tasks such as progress reporting, document generation, quantity takeoffs, and so on. This way, professionals have significantly more time to work on more valuable activities, contributing to the project’s performance as a whole.

Reducing rework and improving project outcomes

Another massive advantage of VDC is the ability to minimize rework using comprehensive issue and conflict detection frameworks. Both clash detection and interference checking tools can assist teams with finding most, if not all, potential issues at the design phase, dramatically reducing the cost of each resolution.

This proactive approach is so prevalent in the modern construction industry that there is an entire category of BIM tools focused solely on collaboration and clash detection efforts. This helps maintain project momentum, boosts team morale, and even saves company resources in the process, both time and money.

The advantages of the VDC environment go above and beyond basic efficiency improvements and cost savings. At the same time, the practical implementation of VDC does require a lot of attention and a structured approach for these advantages to be gained, which we discuss in more detail below.

How to use VDC in construction projects

Now that we have a certain frame of reference when it comes to what VDC can provide, it should be clear that it can only be implemented using a systematic approach to all of its practical aspects.

Best practices for implementation of VDC

Establishing clear project objectives and performance metrics should be the very first step of any implementation of VDC. This is the most fundamental recommendation for any endeavour at this scale, considering how much it can change the result of the efforts. Additionally, it is always recommended to implement a VDC execution plan that outlines the different roles, responsibilities, and deliverables that will be used during the implementation process.

Other recommendations for the successful implementation of VDC include:

• The establishment of quality control procedures for virtual models.
• The standardization of naming conventions and the pre-configuration of file structures.
• Model coordination meetings with defined agendas which are held on a regular basis.
• Clear and concise protocols for version control and model update processes.
• Regular validation of model accuracy against pre-established project requirements.

Common technologies and tools used in VDC

As mentioned above, the VDC toolkit goes beyond the wide range of BIM software solutions to also cover a number of other specialized applications for different aspects of construction project realization. Some of the most important examples are:

• Coordination software for issue tracking and clash detection purposes.
• Model creation tools for working on 3D representations of the project.
• Cloud-based collaboration platforms with support for the sharing of information between stakeholders in real-time.
• Scheduling tools that can link model elements and project timelines in a single cohesive environment.
• Visualization solutions with support for VR and AR to greatly improve the immersiveness of project visualization efforts.

Integration of VDC into project planning

The integration of VDC into project planning can follow a somewhat standardized strategic sequence in most cases:

1. Define the project goals and the requirements for VDC with specific and measurable objectives.
2. Establish the current capabilities of the team responsible for implementation and address potential training needs.
3. Generate a detailed plan for the implementation of VDC with all the responsibilities, workflows, and deliverables outlined in a convenient fashion.
4. Set up hardware and software that meets the team’s needs and the project requirements.
5. Create guidelines on how project models should be developed, shared, and managed during each stage of the project lifecycle.
6. Define clear communication channels for any activity related to VDC, including issue reporting.
7. Think about how to implement various quality control processes in the VDC framework in the form of validation procedures, checkpoints, or other means to ensure data integrity and model accuracy.
8. Establish detailed performance measurement environments with tracking mechanisms that can monitor project outcomes and the effectiveness of VDC implementation.
9. Develop contingency plans for potential disruptions or technical issues, such as troubleshooting protocols, backup environments, and so on.
10. Perform regular project reviews to evaluate the current state of VDC implementation while also developing potential ways to improve the situation.

Careful planning is not the only prerequisite for successful implementation – a clear understanding of all the potential challenges is also necessary to prepare for them or mitigate them beforehand. We will explore these challenges in the following section.

What are the challenges of implementing VDC?

Even though VDC offers numerous advantages to construction companies and stakeholders, the implementation of it does regularly entail certain struggles. Being prepared for these challenges and having a good understanding of their origins are both necessary for success in adopting VDC.

Common obstacles and solutions in virtual design and construction

The transition to VDC as a general framework often has to deal with a lot of resistance in the form of established practices and workflows. Change management is extremely important due to the necessity to help teams with adapting to new processes or tools.

The most noteworthy challenges by far in situations like this include:

• Interoperability between different software platforms.
• Data standardization issues.
• Initial dips in productivity during the learning phase.

A clear and concise strategy should be developed to address all major issues like these, with adequate support during the transition period, standardized processes, etc. More importantly, the change in general should be actively championed by various leadership figures, showing clear and practical examples of how VDC improves existing processes. It would never hurt to also demonstrate commitment to the change with consistent communication about the progress of the implementation and adequate resource allocation.

Required team training and skills development

Significant investment in human capital is another important aspect of the implementation of VDC. Most employees must adapt to working within the new frameworks and even develop new technical skills along the way. Basic software training is rarely enough in such situations. Rather, a fundamental shift in the entire approach to project delivery is necessary.

Comprehensive training programs should be established in organizations to combine hands-on practice with formal instruction, in addition to ongoing support resources, peer mentoring, and so on. Team members must develop a deeper understanding of digital construction processes, gaining knowledge on how to work with new collaboration or modeling tools in the process.

Technology infrastructure requirements

Knowledge and training are important, but they do not account for much without a stable technological foundation. This includes both hardware and software investments, as well as data storage, security protocols, and network capacity.  Simultaneous access to large model files without decreases in system performance should be supported, with regular data integrity verification built into the environment.

Most companies will need significant upgrades to their current IT environments. Powerful workstations, cloud-based solutions, high-speed networks, and enterprise-level security measures are good examples of such upgrades. All this infrastructure also has to be kept in top shape and updated on a regular basis to ensure that the system is both reliable and resistant to downtime.

The ability to account for all of these considerations and challenges can set the stage for leveraging the full potential of VDC. Most of these should be approached as opportunities for growth and not obstacles to be overcome, making a more safe and efficient environment in the process.

Speaking of safety, VDC can contribute to several aspects of construction, one of which is on-site safety, something that we discuss in more detail below.

How can VDC help with construction safety?

The power of VDC also extends to the area of safety management, introducing a number of significant changes to traditional approaches toward risk mitigation or prevention. VDC offers the ability to address safety concerns early on in most cases, reducing the amount of expensive rework on-site.

Using VDC in safety management

Safety planning soars to new heights with the introduction of VDC. It brings the ability to create detailed safety visualization models to present various safety measures for each phase of construction while highlighting any potential hazards.

This proactive approach often proves itself much more efficient than traditional 2D planning when it comes to risk identification, offering the ability to notice far more unconventional clashes or issues, such as the placement of temporary structures or crane swing radius conflicts. The integration of safety considerations into the project model itself also improves coordination for any protective measure, emergency route, or safety equipment placement during on-site construction activities.

Virtual models for risk assessment in construction

Risk assessment can use virtual modeling capabilities to become more comprehensive but also significantly more convenient to work with. Detailed safety simulations for complex construction operations before execution help with both the identification of potential hazards and the development of risk mitigation strategies.

The use of virtual walkthroughs can contribute to this effort in its own way, offering a number of perspectives for existing site conditions and helping with identifying life-threatening risks on-site. Additionally, the comprehensive simulation ability can be an invaluable source of insights when it comes to safety planning, including emergency evacuations, equipment operations, and more.

Safety communication improvements through BIM

The set of visualization features of VDC and BIM can even contribute to the transfer of safety information between project teams or stakeholders. The ability to embed safety requirements directly into the model itself makes this information a lot more accessible and understandable to all stakeholders, which is a far cry from the traditional method of using only 2D drawings and written procedures.

Communication enhancements also affect site orientation, safety training, and even toolbox talks, offering a much more effective way of highlighting specific hazards or demonstrating proper safety procedures than ever before.

It would be fair to say that VDC’s effect on safety management is at least moderately significant, at this point. With that in mind, we can also see how the same performance improvements can affect scheduling methods and approaches, since all safety considerations have their place in construction sequencing. As such, our next goal is to see how VDC can enhance project efficiency by improving scheduling processes across the board.

What role does VDC play in schedule management?

The traditional timeline management process can be transformed into a dynamic visual process with the help of VDC, making the project realization process both more predictable and more efficient. The ability to link 3D models with schedule-based information can provide a lot of insights when it comes to resource allocation and project sequencing.

Using VDC to optimize construction schedules

Construction schedule optimization uses a process called 4D scheduling, which is an evolution of basic 3D BIM modeling made possible with the addition of time-based project information. The ability to store all scheduling information in the same base model as the rest of the project data can dramatically change the way teams formulate and execute their construction plans.

The biggest advantage here is the ability to visualize the construction process as it unfolds over time in order to optimize resource allocation and also locate potential sequencing errors. This kind of visualization-based approach to scheduling dramatically speeds up the process of issue detection, making it possible to create construction sequences that are more efficient, which contributes to the achievability of overarching project timelines.

Impact of VDC on project timeline and efficiency

Project efficiency is another aspect of the construction process that is significantly improved with the introduction of VDC tools. The ability to reduce the number of conflicts while offering better coordination helps a lot with improving the performance of project realization processes. Virtual analysis capabilities offer unprecedented levels of performance and accuracy when it comes to scenario analysis, making it possible to find the most efficient approach every time.

More complex construction projects benefit the most from these advantages, considering the fact that visualization also helps with finding clashes or other issues between trades that have to work in close proximity on a regular basis. The precision of both logistics planning and resource leveling are improved, as well, when supported by visual confirmation of factors such as the availability of working area and the use of storage space.

Clash detection as a scheduling tool in VDC

Despite the fact that clash detection was originally created for the sake of working with design issues, it also plays a substantial role in schedule optimization processes. Many costly on-site conflicts can be prevented early on by adjusting construction schedules in accordance with the results of clash detection analyses.

The proactive approach also applies to workspace conflicts, scheduling conflicts, resource allocation issues, and so on. The risk of schedule delays and cost overruns is significantly reduced when a company has the ability to detect and resolve such conflicts virtually a long time before on-site construction begins.

The improvements in schedule management from the introduction of VDC often result in improved collaboration performance among stakeholders. The effects of VDC on collaboration efforts are explored in more detail in the following section.

How to collaborate effectively in a virtual environment

The interactions between VDC and collaboration are more of a two-way street than a traditional one-way improvement process. When executed properly, VDC can help break down the communication barriers of most traditional collaboration methods, creating a much more integrated approach to project delivery. At the same time, the success of VDC integration processes relies a lot on effective collaboration between stakeholders early on.

Stakeholder engagement in virtual design processes

Effective stakeholder management in VDC should go beyond traditional meetings and offer a structured approach to engagement. The use of virtual environments allows for real-time collaboration between owners, designers, contractors, and other stakeholders with near-zero delay for any model-related interaction.

The ability to receive immediate feedback from any of your actions tends to dramatically improve the speed of decision-making in construction processes, keeping all parties aligned with overarching project objectives. When the collaborative environment is set up properly, all this takes is regular virtual design review sessions (with clear objectives and protocols) to maintain project momentum and ensure stakeholder buy-in.

Collaboration techniques for success with VDC

The use of virtual collaboration instead of traditional communication methods necessitates a completely new approach to both information sharing and team interaction. The exact nature of such techniques and processes differs from one situation to another and might include:

• Digital sticky notes
• Automated notification systems
• Virtual pull planning sessions and a number of other ways to share model updates

All these techniques must be supported using well-defined workflows and clear communication protocols for collaboration to remain quick and efficient. Regular team check-ins and structured feedback loops also tend to contribute to the success of collaborative efforts on a larger scale.

Cross-team coordination through virtual platforms

Virtual platforms are the bread and butter of cross-team coordination, offering a single centralized environment that allows for the simultaneous work of many disciplines in the same location. Many of these platforms strive to support different needs of collaborative environments, including formal design reviews, informal daily interactions, or anything in between.

The established success formula for such virtual platforms is to facilitate the smooth transfer of information between project teams while offering support for version control protocols, permission levels, and access hierarchies, at the very least.

The successful implementation of VDC is directly dependent on the effectiveness of collaboration between stakeholders. As such, it is time for us to go over software solutions that make VDC possible.

Best VDC software in the field

The process of implementing virtual design and construction relies a lot on the correct combination of software operating in tandem to achieve better results. Despite the fact that experts in the field tend to think of VDC software as a “one size fits all” solution, the reality is almost completely different, with most effective VDC implementations including several specialized services or tools that excel in their own areas of expertise.

This way, construction businesses can leverage the benefits of some of the most effective solutions on the market for each aspect of the project delivery process, whether it is 3D modeling, clash detection, cost estimation, construction sequencing, or even collaboration itself. The fact that most comprehensive solutions also include a lot of compromises to make themselves work only reinforces the efficiency of such methods.

Below, we explore some of the most powerful solutions in different domains of VDC, showcasing how each tool contributes to the overarching goals of the implementation of virtual design and construction without losing focus on its own advantages.

Autodesk Revit

Autodesk Revit is one of the most comprehensive BIM platforms in the industry, providing a large number of tools and features for structural engineering, architectural design, and MEP environments. It excels at working with detailed parametric building components without disrupting the relationships between project elements. Revit also has its own family system that assists with the creation of custom architectural elements, and its flexible collaboration tools simplify the information exchange processes between team members in the same project.

Revit works as the proverbial foundation of VDC environments, supporting a variety of critical project processes. It is often the primary creation tool for working on information-heavy 3D models to drive downstream construction activities. It can store large amounts of information in each model element, supporting construction sequencing, quantity takeoffs, coordination between trades, and other VDC workflows. In a way, it is the quintessential “one size fits all” solution in the BIM field. This explains its overwhelming popularity, which continues to grow irrespective of the software’s disadvantages.

Customer ratings:

• Capterra – 4.6/5 points based on 461 user reviews
• TrustRadius – 9.1/10 points based on 226 user reviews
• G2 – 4.6/5 points based on 902 user reviews

Benefits:

• A combination of BIM and CAD capabilities in the same package, providing an unusual take on feature-rich BIM software.
• Large feature set with many useful capabilities in both modeling and BIM-related tasks.
• Extensive interoperability because Autodesk offers a large number of solutions in adjacent fields.

Disadvantages:

• Notoriously steep learning curve, making it a difficult solution to get into for both newcomers and seasoned professionals in the industry.
• Basic automation capabilities cannot be applied to the most time-consuming and menial tasks.
• Substantial hardware requirements necessary to operate Revit at its full potential, forcing most users to upgrade their hardware on a regular basis.

Pricing (at the time of writing):

• Revit uses a pricing model that has become a standard for most Autodesk solutions.
• The software is available for a subscription fee that can be paid for different time periods in advance:
  • 1 Month – $365
  • 1 Year – $2,910
  • 3 Years – $8,730
• It is also possible to purchase Revit on a “pay-as-you-go” basis using the Autodesk Flex program. Revit’s cost in this program is 10 tokens per day, and these tokens can be purchased in at least two different bundles:
  • 100 tokens for $300
  • 500 tokens for $1,500
• Purchasing custom amounts of tokens (more than 500) is also an option.

My personal opinion about the software:

Revit is a comprehensive BIM solution with strong 3D modeling capabilities. The number of BIM software applications on the market that actually offer both BIM and CAD capabilities in the same package is surprisingly small, making Revit a noticeable outlier in this regard. It is fair to mention that Revit is extremely well-known in the field of BIM as a whole, and most companies work with it purely for interoperability purposes, which does create a somewhat one-sided picture of this segment of the market, especially when all of the disadvantages of the solution are kept in mind, such as the steep learning curve and high hardware requirements.

Revizto

Revizto is an issue tracking and model coordination solution capable of transforming the most complex 3D models into convenient and easy-to-navigate environments for construction teams and stakeholders. It excels at operating as a single collaborative environment made from combining multiple models from different sources, making both clash detection and issue management processes much more accessible and intuitive. It also uses a cloud-based infrastructure to ensure that all team members have only the most up-to-date project information while making it possible for everyone to participate in coordination efforts from practically any location that has an Internet connection.

Revizto can operate as an important metaphorical bridge between design and construction teams through a unified collaborative platform with issue resolution capabilities. It can be integrated into several other design platforms with ease, and its comprehensive clash detection capabilities make it invaluable in large-scale VDC implementations that require coordination between multiple trades. It does rely a lot on external model creation tools for most design changes, however, which makes interaction with other software practically mandatory, but the solution does have a variety of features that stand on their own.

Customer ratings:

• Capterra – 4.3/5 points based on 31 user reviews
• G2 – 4.5/5 points based on 107 user reviews

Benefits:

• Ability to operate as a single source of truth for any project-related information, merging multiple models into a single information source.
• Outstanding capabilities in the field of clash detection and issue tracking.
• The software can be integrated with many different solutions, including BIM and CAD tools.

Disadvantages:

• Problematic data filtering feature that can be challenging to set up at first.
• Somewhat rigid reporting feature with minimal customization.
• Difficulties when using large and complex project files, slowing down the solution and causing minor lags across the system.

Pricing (at the time of writing):

• Revizto’s pricing information is not available to the public and can only be acquired by receiving a personalized quotation from them.

My personal opinion about the software:

Revizto falls into a specific category of BIM software that operates as a collaborative platform for stakeholders to work off of. It offers the means of convenient data sharing and collaboration while also providing outstanding capabilities in clash detection and issue tracking. Many of its issues are relatively minor, with the only major issue being the fact that it needs complementary BIM or CAD software to do major model-related manipulations.

Autodesk AutoCAD

Despite its age, AutoCAD is still one of the best-known computer-aided design solutions on the market, providing a powerful toolset for 3D modeling and 2D drafting tasks. It includes an extensive toolset for drawing and editing with robust annotation capabilities, precise geometric construction, and customizable drafting standards. AutoCAD can be surprisingly versatile despite its complexity, handling conceptual 3D designs, detailed construction documentation, and a variety of other situations.

AutoCAD is often treated as a complementary solution when it comes to creating specialized drawings and 2D documentation to support the broad virtual construction process. It is an essential part of most VDC toolchains due to its ability to offer accurate technical drawings. At the same time, the BIM capabilities of AutoCAD are extremely limited, and the consistency between 2D and 3D representations needs to be maintained manually, both of which are noticeable disadvantages to most users of AutoCAD in construction environments.

Customer ratings:

• Capterra – 4.6/5 points based on 3,178 user reviews
• TrustRadius – 8.4/10 points based on 559 user reviews
• G2 – 4.4/5 points based on 1,457 user reviews

Benefits:

• Outstanding versatility in terms of CAD modeling and ability to help in sketching, prototyping, design, and other adjacent fields of work.
• Impressive integration potential with support for almost all other Autodesk software.
• Access to API and support for multiple programming languages opens up a lot of opportunities for third-party customization of the software with enough skill.

Disadvantages:

• The abundance of features can make it difficult to navigate for new users.
• Similar to Revit, AutoCAD is very demanding software when it comes to the workstation hardware necessary.
• Limited sharing and collaborative features out of the box, necessitating integration with other solutions for practically any data sharing task.

Pricing (at the time of writing):

• AutoCAD offers two licensing models.
• The first is a subscription-based license with different time frames:
  • $250 per month
  • $2,030 per year
  • $6,085 per three years (with a fixed base price per month).
• The second is the Autodesk Flex program, a “pay-as-you-go” solution with a daily price in tokens for a number of Autodesk services. AutoCAD’s Flex cost is seven 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 company’s needs (if the necessary number is higher than 500).
• All tokens have a one-year expiration time limit.

My personal opinion about the software:

AutoCAD has been around for a long time, and it is often treated as “the” CAD solution to choose. Luckily, it has a lot more powerful and popular alternatives than Revit, making it a valid choice mostly in situations where working with Autodesk software is preferable from a collaborative standpoint. Its modeling and design capabilities are still outstanding on their own, but the combination of cost, learning curve, and demanding hardware requirements does not make it any more appealing than a dozen similar options on the market.

Procore

Procore is a leading cloud-based construction project management platform that forms a single collaborative environment by combining project communication, workflows, and documentation. It has a comprehensive feature set for RFIs, submittals, document management, field observations, and even robust mobile capabilities to use on-site. Other key features of Procore include extensive capabilities for integration with other software and a convenient, user-friendly interface, making it a well-known name in the field of construction management platforms.

Procore operates as an important link between the on-site construction and virtual design processes when it comes to the VDC ecosystem. It handles BIM files with ease, simplifying coordination with project documentation in the process – a priceless trait for teams with a greater focus on on-site construction. At the same time, it is more of a general construction management solution, meaning that its BIM capabilities, such as collaboration and viewing, are much more limited and standardized than what some competitors might offer.

Customer ratings:

• Capterra – 4.5/5 points based on 2,757 user reviews
• TrustRadius – 8.6/10 points based on 1,289 user reviews
• G2 – 4.6/5 points based on 3,227 user reviews

Benefits:

• An abundance of learning material available to both newcomers and experts in the field.
• Impressive workflow centralization capabilities with a strong feature set.
• Extensive visualization that makes coordination and sequencing significantly easier.

Disadvantages:

• Substantial learning curve with an abundance of features and challenging navigation.
• Certain processes are much more time-consuming than they should be.
• Inability to toggle between subsequent RFIs or submittals.

Pricing (at the time of writing):

• Procore does not provide any public pricing information on its official website.

My personal opinion about the software:

Procore is a great example of a BIM-adjacent solution that specializes in construction management. It is very popular in its own corner of the construction software market, and the inclusion of collaborative features also makes it a worthwhile contributor to VDC. The software itself is separated into four major “blocks” depending on the primary purpose: financials, field productivity, project management, and safety/quality. Workflow centralization is definitely its most noteworthy capability, and it does not have any major shortcomings aside from a few obvious ones, such as its learning curve, hardware requirements, and so on.

Navisworks

Navisworks from Autodesk is a versatile solution for project review. It specializes in clash detection, construction sequencing, and visualization. The software can help with detailed project reviews and walkthroughs while providing capabilities to handle project scheduling, interference checking, and construction coordination. There are two primary versions of the solution:

• Navisworks Simulate – a model review tool with a basic feature set like model analysis, simulation, quantification, etc.
• Navisworks Manage – a complex version of Simulate with additional features such as clash detection, integration with other Autodesk software, coordination, and more.

In the context of VDC workflows, Navisworks is primarily used to integrate construction schedules into existing 3D BIM models in order to create and manage 4D simulations of building processes. The platform can link project models with realization timelines, making it invaluable for logistics planning and construction sequencing in virtual environments. With that being said, Navisworks is a challenging solution to get into, and its resource-intensiveness may be a significant turn-off for many smaller firms that may consider it for coordination or clash detection purposes.

Customer ratings:

• Capterra – 4.7/5 points based on 29 user reviews
• TrustRadius – 9.2/10 points based on 42 user reviews
• G2 – 4.6/5 points based on 189 user reviews

Benefits:

• Extensive collaboration feature set.
• Simple and convenient clash coordination capabilities.
• Large variety of supported file formats that can be imported into the software for further review.

Disadvantages:

• Substantial hardware requirements for the desktop version of the software.
• Challenging to learn with no prior experience with BIM.
• Potential slowdown when dealing with large project files.

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:
  • $140 per month
  • $1,110 per year
  • $3,330 per three years
• Navisworks Manage, on the other hand, can be paid for via a regular subscription:
  • $340 per month
  • $2,740 per year
  • $8,225 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 a custom amount 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 the software:

Navisworks is a decent project review solution with an interesting approach to its distribution. It uses two primary “versions” that focus on different aspects of the project review workflow, and its overall feature set is solid enough, with issue tracking, clash detection, model analysis, information consolidation, etc. It is far from the best option on the market, from the standpoint of its set of features and its price, but it can do its job well, and its integration with other Autodesk solutions is a substantial advantage for many potential users that are looking into getting a dedicated project review platform.

The variety of software solutions presented in this section highlight the need for VDC to use multiple specialized tools to achieve the goals of a specific organization. Despite the strong market presence of Autodesk in the form of AutoCAD, Revit, and Navisworks, the construction software landscape provide numerous alternatives to each of these solutions with their own unique spins, including:

• Vectorworks and ARCHICAD as BIM creation platforms
• BIMcollab and Solibri as coordination tools
• VICO and Synchro as construction planning software, and so on

The competitive environment of the industry ensures continuous innovation in each category, and the abundance of different options provides end users with a lot of flexibility to create their own best combinations of VDC software.

Conclusion

Virtual design and construction is more than just a technological advancement in the construction industry. It is a complete shift in how construction projects are planned and executed. The integration of specialized software solutions, collaborative workflows, and the power of BIM makes VDC an incredible new approach to construction that improves safety measures, optimizes resource allocation, and helps construction teams with identifying and resolving issues early on.

The overabundance of improvements from the integration of VDC are a clear sign that it is less of an optional upgrade and more of a necessary change in order to remain competitive in the modern construction market. It may require substantial resource investments early on, including in hardware, software, and training, but all of this is greatly outweighed by all the long-term benefits a business can acquire.

The construction industry has been slowly embracing digital transformation for a while now, and organizations that are already using VDC stand firmly at the proverbial forefront of innovation in the industry. These companies are positioned much better to deliver projects that are more cost-efficient, more predictable, and of higher quality than their competitors can offer. The future of construction lies in the widespread adoption of digital technology by everyone, which makes VDC a much more fruitful approach for any modern construction expert.

Frequently asked questions

Can VDC take advantage of emerging technologies such as machine learning or artificial intelligence?

Many VDC solutions have been pushing for the incorporation of AI and ML capabilities for a while now. At this point, AI technologies can offer suggestions about optimal construction sequences, predictions on possible scheduling delays, automatic detection for clashes or design patterns, and so on. As for ML capabilities, they can be used to analyze the abundance of information from past projects and models to look for common issues, best practices, and other useful information.

Can VDC be beneficial to smaller construction companies?

Although VDC is mostly associated with bigger, enterprise-grade construction companies, it is still a reasonable option for smaller businesses, too. The most important part here is to “start small,” addressing the specific pain points of the company using basic VDC capabilities such as 3D coordination or clash detection. This kind of basic implementation can also be used as a foundation for the further expansion of the concept of VDC later on, with business teams having at least some degree of experience in a more modern environment.

Can VDC help with renovation projects, or is it just for new construction efforts?

For starters, VDC is applicable to any construction effort, including renovation, and this particular field of construction also has its own challenges and other aspects that are worth noting. The most notable example is the necessity of creating an extremely accurate representation of an existing structure in a virtual form using laser scanning or photogrammetry. This is a much more important step here than in any new construction project, since the degree of accuracy can directly affect the efficiency of all renovation efforts.