• BIM Basics

    How to Choose the Right Software

    Whether you’re looking for a productive field-to-finish solution, an office tool for point cloud processing, or another software package, more solutions exist today than ever before. How can you make sure you’re choosing the right software for your application? Here are five easy steps to success.   Read More

  • BIM Basics

    Five Steps to Safely Open Revit Models

    Contractors see Autodesk Revit models (.RVT) all the time from design partners, precast detailers, electrical contractors, engineers, and many others. However, while the Revit format is easy to open, files provided by external sources can generate error messages, corrupt files and other unwelcome dialog boxes that can make working with these models a challenge. Fortunately, …   Read More

  • BIM Basics

    Why You Should Be Modeling in Decimal Units

    Modeling for the field and/or layout demands more precision than your standard visualization model. If you’re based in the US, this is especially important. In Revit, for example, the units may be set to show up to 1/16 or 1/8 inches of precision. This means any dimension less than 1/8 of an inch will simply …   Read More

  • BIM Basics

    Six BIM Point Cloud Formats You Should Know About

    Scanning a space and bringing it into a program like Leica Cyclone will let you further manipulate the scans and, most importantly, stitch them together into a single cloud, which can then be exported as a standalone file. But what type of file do you need, and what do you do with it after it’s …   Read More

  • BIM Hardware

    Three Easy Steps to Bring Reality to BIM with Scanning

    Before diving into point cloud formats and how to use them, it’s worth starting with an overview of how scanning works. Although this article primarily focuses on Leica Geosystems reality capture solutions, the same procedures also apply to other modern laser scanners.   Read More

  • BIM Hardware

    An Essential Tool for a Standout BIM

    Laser scanning is not a new technology. It has long been applied in many other industries for applications such as crime scene investigation, car crash analysis, historical documentation and clash detection. However, it has recently begun taking off in the AEC industry, and we’re seeing a lot more activity from almost all stakeholders, including civil …   Read More

  • BIM Basics

    Where Did That Model Originate?

    Much like layout, BIM has to have some sort of control – something to reference in order to orient yourself and your content. Every BIM file, whether CAD-based or otherwise, has an origin point. The trick on any project involving multiple design parties and subcontractors, is agreeing on where to line up models.   Read More

  • BIM Basics

    The Top Five BIM File Formats & How To Use Them

    Everyone has seen an email hit their inbox with attachments in file formats they’ve never heard of. Here are the top five most common BIM file formats and what you can do with them.   Read More