BIM-Based 4D Modeling and Scheduling - Construction Project Scheduling and Control - page 400

Table 15.1 Some BIM Tools to Develop 4D Models a

Company Product Product Overview

Autodesk Revit

Architecture

Each Revit object includes parameters for “phasing” that allow
users to assign a “phase” to an object and then use Revit's view
properties to view different phases and create 4D snapshots. It is
not possible to play back a model, however. Via the API b ,userscan
link to scheduling applications and exchange data with tools like MS
Project to automate 4D entity.

Tekla Tekla Structures A full-fledged, Gantt chart scheduling interface allows definition of

tasks and association of model objects to one or more tasks. The
model can be played between dates, and objects can be color coded
according to time-dependent attributes.

Gehry
Technologies

Digital Project An add-on product, Construction Planning and Coordination, allows

users to link 3D components to Primavera or MS Project activities
with their associated data and generate 4D simulation analysis.
Construction-related objects need to be added (and removed when
appropriate) to DP b model. Changes to Primavera or MS Project
schedule are propagated to linked DP model.

Bentley ProjectWise

Navigator V8i

This is a standalone application that provides a series of services
for: Importing multiple 2D and 3D design files from many sources
(DWG, DGN, DWF b , etc.) and from Bentley's iModel design system
Reviewing 2D drawings and 3D models concurrently
Following links between data files and components
Reviewing interferences (clashes), and viewing and analyzing
schedule simulations

Innovaya Visual

Simulation

Links any 3D design data in DWG with either MS Project or Primavera
scheduling tasks and shows projects in 4D. Generates simulation of
construction process. Synchronizes changes made to either the
schedule or 3D objects. Uses color codes to detect potential
schedule problems, such as objects assigned to two concurrent
activities or not assigned to any activity.

Autodesk Navisworks

Simulate

The Simulate module includes all the features of Naviswork's
visualization environment and supports the largest number of BIM
formats and best overall visualization capabilities. The Simulate
module supports automatic and manual linking to imported schedule
data from a variety of schedule applications. Manual linking is
tedious and not user-friendly, and there are few custom 4D features.

Synchro Ltd. Synchro

Professional

This is a powerful, new (since 2007) 4D tool, with the most
sophisticated scheduling capabilities of any of the 4D software. The
tool requires a deeper knowledge of scheduling and project
management than the other tools to take advantage of its risk and
resource analysis features. It includes built-in tools to visualize risk,
buffering, and resource utilization, in addition to basic 4D
visualization. It accepts building model objects and schedule
activities from a variety of sources.