[New post] What makes SMC Unique? The ability to check for Logic and Behavior

John Lipp posted: "Solibri Model Checker (SMC) allows for simple, discrete, property checks of components and spaces, such as verifying that certain types of components and spaces have a specific property defined (e.g. Fire Rating) and the property is valid (e.g. 2-HR).  Th" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on http://solibri.wordpress.com What makes SMC Unique? The ability to check for Logic and Behavior by John Lipp Solibri Model Checker (SMC) allows for simple, discrete, property checks of components and spaces, such as verifying that certain types of components and spaces have a specific property defined (e.g. Fire Rating) and the property is valid (e.g. 2-HR).  These simpler types of property checks are useful for validating information related to COBie, Level of Development (LOD), Quantity Takeoff, etc.  Likewise, you can check a model geometrically to ensure certain types of components or disciplines of models don't have interference with one another, such as duct and pipe running into structural beams and columns, or a check for required clearances in front of windows or electrical panels. However, SMC also allows for complex conditional checks that involve logic and behavior to verify that if a component or space has some property, condition, relationship, and/or behavior then that component or space must also pass certain other requirements. In short, knowing that specific information is required to accompany model elements is important, but being able to analyze the IMPACT of that information and how it can affect building performance is where the real value of SMC is established. In this article, we'll describe how you are able to set up more complex checks in this way. A Logical check: Plumbing above Electrical Rooms In the first example, we will focus on a check to ensure that plumbing such as domestic cold or hot water and sewer does not run above electrical rooms, as this could cause serious issues if this plumbing leaks or bursts above spaces containing electrical components. A logical statement to check against the model is: "IF a space is an electrical room THEN no plumbing system that is of type cold water domestic, hot water domestic, or sanitary should run above that space." In order to find spaces in the model that are electrical rooms, classification is used to map those spaces either by their name or some other distinguishing characteristic such as an OmniClass number. Below we see the mapping of any space that starts with "ELEC" to the classification "Electrical": Spaces with names that start with "ELEC" map to the Electrical classification To check if plumbing is of type Domestic Cold/Hot Water or Sanitary, we need to know what property set/property pair stores that information. Again, using classification allows us to map to that property location and set the Classification to the value of the property automatically.  Below, the "System Type" classification sets a classification name for any component base on the value of the "System Classification" property found under the property set "Mechanical": Mapping the System Classification to the value of the Mechanical.System Classification property More information on classification can be found in the articles: - CREATING CLASSIFICATIONS IN SMC - USING ADVANCED CLASSIFICATION IN ITO These classifications are used in the rule parameters of the SOL/222 - Component Distance rule template below: Plumbing must be a minimum distance of 5' above Electrical rooms This rule checks that any component that has a System Classification that is classified as Domestic Cold Water, Domestic Hot Water, or Sanitary has a minimum distance of 5' above any space classified as "Electrical". After running a check on a model, there is a result in which a pipe on the Sanitary system is running 3" inches above the space in the model. An issue where Sanitary pipe is 3" above Electrical space Another view shows that the pipe runs above the suspended ceiling across this electrical room that has electrical panels: Another view of the result Advanced Logical Checks using Gatekeeper Rules Rather than using the name of the space to determine if it is an electrical room, the SOL/225 – Number of Components in Space rule template could be used to return any spaces that contain electrical equipment as a result.  Using this as a Gatekeeper rule, the spaces returned as results are then fed to the sub-rule SOL/222 - Component Distance as the source component to ensure any plumbing has a minimum distance of 5' above those spaces. Gatekeeper rules also allow SMC to chain multiple conditions together.  Below is the example from the article Self-Configuring Rulesets: Gatekeeper Rules that checks that any space over 500 sq. ft. and that contains a boiler, incinerator, or furnace must have 2 exit doors. Gatekeeper Rule with multiple chained sub-rules The logical statement based on the chained gatekeeper rules and their results is: IF a space is more than 500 sq. ft. and IF the space contains a boiler, incinerator, or a furnace THEN that space must reference 2 or more doors. More information on Self-Configuring/Gatekeeper rules can be found here: - SELF-CONFIGURING RULESETS: GATEKEEPER RULES The behavior of door components for accessibility Checks Door components have an operation property defined. This property defines the behavior of the door as to whether it is a sliding, folding, or swinging door. If it is a swinging door, the operation also states if the door swings left or right.  There is also a behavior on the part of a person opening the door, in terms of pulling or pushing the door open and whether the door is normally approached from the front, latch, or hinge based on their room. The article, Enhanced in v9.6: Accessible Door Rule – SOL/208, provides a detailed look at modeling doors to have their behavior included and a ruleset can be used to check maneuvering clearance of accessible doors based on the logic of how the door is approached. Below is a single-swing-right door that has the behavior of how it is approached from the push and pull sides included in the Data property set.  On the push side, it is approached from the front.  On the pull side, it is approached from the latch. Door with a latch approach on the pull-side Again, a gatekeeper rule is used as a logical check to return any doors as results IF they have a latch approach on the pull side and IF they have a closer attached. Those door results are then passed to the sub-rule that checks for the clearance areas in front of the door, and past the latch based on that type of approach. Below you can see a result where there is not enough clearance perpendicular to the door: John Lipp | June 28, 2016 at 1:17 am | Tags: Rules, Self-Configuring Rulesets | Categories: Rules, Self-Configuring Rulesets | URL: http://wp.me/p61zmR-ta Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from . Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://solibri.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/what-makes-smc-unique-the-ability-to-check-for-logic-and-behavior/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

Repost: [New post] SMC Workflow with BCF

John Lipp posted: "Solibri Model Checker (SMC) is able to generate a BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) file based on issues found in a model after running a rules-based check.  The BCF file includes the 3D locations of issues along with textual information.  In this article, y" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on http://solibri.wordpress.com SMC Workflow with BCF by John Lipp Solibri Model Checker (SMC) is able to generate a BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) file based on issues found in a model after running a rules-based check.  The BCF file includes the 3D locations of issues along with textual information.  In this article, you'll learn the workflow of communicating issues back and forth via BCF between an SMC user and a user working in ArchiCAD to correct issues found in a model. Below, is an issue that was found using an SMC out-of-the-box validation rule "Clearance in front of windows," where the ceiling is visible through the exterior window. The SMC user wishes to communicate this issue to the designer (using ArchiCAD) to be corrected. A window that is too tall, making the ceiling visible An issue is created by right-clicking the result in the Results view, and selecting "Add Slide." In addition to setting the description, a comment "This window is too tall." is added in the comments box.  This is a BCF comment, which also saves the date the comment was made and username of the user that created it. You can also set the "BCF Status" to one of the 4 options (Error, Warning, Info, or Unknown) in the Coordination tab Creating an Issue Details slide with a BCF comment After creating several slides of other issues, a new presentation is created from the checking results in the Communication layout.  Once the presentation is created, a report of the results is generated. In this Create Report dialog, the BCF Report v1.0 option is selected and a report is saved, which can be sent to the user of ArchiCAD. Exporting a BCF report This BCF file can be opened in a standalone BCF viewer, or in a BCF Manager extension installed on the building authoring tool. KUBUS BV provides BCF managers for free for many applications including ArchiCAD.  For more information on the BCF Manager and to download, please click the link: http://www.bimcollab.com/en/BCF-Manager/BCF-Manager After the ArchiCAD user installs the KUBUS BCF Manager over ArchiCAD, the BCF file that the user of SMC sent can be opened within ArchiCAD. Opening the BCF Manager in ArchiCAD 19 Once opened, the ArchiCAD user sees a listing of issues that were found in Solibri. Below is the issue with the clearance in front of the windows. The issue includes the comment along with the author of the comment and the date the comment was created. Viewing issues in the BCF Manager By double clicking on the listed issue in the BCF Manager, the components involved are isolated in a 3D view within ArchiCAD and the camera of the 3D view is moved to the same location as that of the issue in SMC.  From here, the ArchiCAD user can make the correction. Double-clicking an issue zooms to and isolates components with issues within ArchiCAD The issue is fixed by swapping out the window with another type of window that is shorter. Issue resolved by replacing the window with a shorter one The ArchiCAD user adds a new viewpoint along with a comment within the KUBUS BCF Manager, that they have corrected the issue.  The status of the issue changes from "Active" to "Resolved" by clicking the Resolve button. Adding a comment/viewpoint about the fix and setting the status to "Resolved" The SMC user receives the BCF file that the ArchiCAD user updated along with the new model with the issue corrected. The issue presentation in SMC can be updated with the ArchiCAD user's comments and viewpoint of the issue after it was corrected by right-clicking the presentation and selecting Update Presentation from BCF. Updating the presentation from a BCF The issue slide in the presentation has an additional slide showing the correction, and the comment that the ArchiCAD user created is listed.  The status is also changed to Resolved. Comment, viewpoint, and status updated in SMC from BCF from ArchiCAD After updating the model to the new corrected version and re-running the check there is no longer a result in the Results view for the clearance in front of windows issue.  To update the existing presentation, right-click the presentation and select Update Presentation from Results. Update Presentation from Checking Results of new model In order to add new issues to the presentation, but allow existing issues that were resolved to remain, mark "Add new issues from the results," but leave "Remove issues that don't exist in results" unmarked. Add new issues, and leave issues that no longer exist. The presentation is updated and the clearance in front of windows issue remains in the presentation. Notice that the results link icon  no longer exists on the slide because there is no longer a result that exists, as the issue was fixed.  Since the issue no longer exists, the SMC user can set the status to closed and a BCF comment is generated automatically that saves the date and user that closed the issue with the comment "Status changed from Resolved to Closed". Closing a resolved issue John Lipp | June 27, 2016 at 6:07 am | Tags: ArchiCAD, Reporting | Categories: Reports | URL: http://wp.me/p61zmR-sI Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from . Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://solibri.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/smc-workflow-with-bcf/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

Combining the Power of ITO with a Model Comparison Check

From the Solibri blog.

In addition to using the Model Comparison Ruleset to compare model versions, this article defines the steps to create an Information Takeoff (ITO) that displays the changes in Quantities in the ITO table format. This allows for easy review of any changes in the model quantities, in real-time.

A model recreating the screenshots and model conditions in this article is available here: SMC Building – ITO Model Comparision.smc

For tutorial information about using the ITO tool, please see our previous article on the topic:  Understanding Information Takeoff (ITO)

In Solibri Model Checker, with two different IFC versions of the same model loaded, create an ITO sorting the model by Components. ITO sorts elements within the model by the values of their properties of the left most columns.

Now, create an ITO column for the “Model” property of the “Identification” column type and ensure that “Grouping” is checked.  By doing this, ITO will create an individual row for each type of component in each model.  In other words, one type of component will be listed twice: one row representing the component(s) in Model A, and a second row representing the component(s) in Model B.



Next, decide which quantities are relevant for the comparison.  In this example, we have added columns for length, width, height, area, volume, and count.  For each column, ensure that “Grouping” is turned OFF, and the function is set to “SUM”.  This means that ITO will not use these columns as a sorted grouping mechanism and that the quantity displayed in the column will be a sum for the components.



The resulting ITO will resemble the results below.  Each Component type is listed on two rows, representing the components and their quantities from each of the respective two model versions.



Please use the example model to explore the screenshots from this article, and to experiment with the settings in ITO.

Model Checking - What Tools Do You Use?

Working on updating my Modeling checking presentation for RTC EU. There are a lot of good model checking tools on the market including but not limited to:

• Autodesk Revit Model Review
• Autodesk Model Checker for Revit
• BIMAssure
• Assemble Systems Insight
• Solibri

I am interested in hearing about other tools that people might be using for model checking in addition to those listed above.

Revit Model Checking

One of the many problems associated with working with Revit models is finding an effective method for reviewing models for compliance with company, client or industry standards. Manually checking a model can be time consuming and documenting deficiencies can sometimes be more labor intensive than correcting the issue. Below is a list of some of the software options I am aware of that can assist in checking models. The list is by no means comprehensive and if you are aware of other tools, please let me know so that I can include them in this list.

Revit Model Checker:
Originally an Autodesk subscription tool, the tool is now being developed by CADD Microsystems. The add-in for Revit 2013-2016 can be configured to  automatically checks Revit models and helps with verifying compliance to BIM Requirements. There are a lot of different checks that can be created to check single models or batch process multiple models. Once rules are defined, the Revit Model Checker is fairly easy to use. Creating and modifying rules can be a little time consuming and complicated.
Cost: free

Solibri:
Solibri is a rule-based model checking platform, that allows you to define rules to check models. Solibri is a very comprehensive tool that allows you to perform a very wide range of checks on both geometry and meta data. Revit files are not natively supported, so models do need to be converted to either DWG or IFC. Solibri can also be used for quantity extraction and clash detection. Overview Video

Assemble Systems:
Assemble Systems positions there Insight product as a cloud based data management tool. It allows non-BIM users easy access to BIM data as well, change management functionality and the ability to edit meta data. Assemble Systems has developed some customized reporting tools that allow users to check models. Assemble Model Checking Made Easy video.

Ideate Explorer:
Ideate Explorer is a little different than the previous mentioned offerings. Ideate focuses (in my opinion) more issues related to model quality rather than on constructability or standards. For example, if you wanted to find any DWGs that are in your model, then Ideate can easily perform that task. It's a very powerful tool. What New in Ideate Explorer 2015 & 2016

These are just some of the tools that are available to aid you in checking your Revit models. If you would like assistance is model reviews or BIM Compliance Checking for your projects, please feel free to contact us: info@davisconsultingllc.net

Solibri Webinars

Webinars

See dates and register below

Below is a series of webinar dates for those needing information – for new users with general trial user questions.
The webinars start at 10.00 am (timezone is EET – Eastern European Time). To check the right time in your country you can use for example this site (www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html).

Solibri Model Checker Webinars:

(Time: 10.00 am – Timezone: EET – Eastern European Time)

February 19th: Register Here

February 26th: Register Here

March 5th: Register Here

March 12th: Register Here

March 19th: Register Here

March 26th: Register Here

April 2nd: Register Here

For the next set of dates, please watch this page for more information.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Mac®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer

Mobile attendees
Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet

BIMForum Summer 2011 New Dates: Call For Presentations

When Does Design End and Construction Begin?
New Dates: July 19-21, 2011   |   Chicago, IL

A consensus is emerging about the benefits of tapping the expertise of consultants, contractors, and facility managers during the early phases of a BIM-enabled project. The intent is to achieve design decisions that are both early and well informed to avoid costly later revisions. But does this necessarily imply that all design effort should be concentrated exclusively at the start of a project? Are late design decisions necessarily detrimental to budget, schedule, and quality? Are changing client requirements and construction volatility such that early decisions are not only impractical but also to be avoided?

If you have direct experience related to the impact of early or late design decisions, we are very much interested in hearing from you. To provide additional clarity, submitted presentations should consider addressing some of the following design related topics:

• Is the idea of good early decisions pragmatically an oxymoron and not possible?
• Is a good decision once made always a good decision?
• Is it reasonable to expect a fixed functional program from a client?
• Can all factors that affect design and cost be known early in a project?
• Do late design decisions always adversely affect a project budget and schedule?
• How does BIM technology affect the cost and schedule implications of late decisions?
• Can design realistically progress in an efficient and linear way without iteratively searching for an optimum solution?
• Are legacy project phases applicable in integrated design and construction?
• What are valid contractual relationships related to consultant, contractor, subcontractor, and facility manager design input?
• How can consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and fabricators be engaged in evaluating multiple designs when they have monetary incentives to consider the fewest schemes possible?
• Are clients willing to pay for additional early design effort by “non-designers”?
• Are consultants and contractors assuming more the role of the designer in early phases while simultaneously ceding much of their legacy documentation and management roles to subcontractors and fabricators?
• Where does traditional design leave off and spatial coordination begin?
• When does spatial coordination morph into design?
• How can contractors and designers find common ground for design and coordination?

Submissions are due by Friday, May 6, 2011. To submit a proposal, click here.

Solibri v6.1 Deficiency Detection

Solibri Introduces "Deficiency Detection" in Design Analysis, Reducing Risks in its Latest Release - Solibri Model Checker v6.1

Helsinki, Finland, and Scottsdale, USA, November 1st, 2010
Solibri, Inc., the innovative global leader of Model Checking for BIM Quality Assurance and analysis, announces the release and availability of Solibri Model Checker v6.1. Offering greatly enhanced checking rules and advanced exploitation of design information, Solibri Model Checker v6.1 introduces rulesets for “Deficiency Detection”, as well as powerful hyperlink management capabilities.

Deficiency Detection: Applying Logic to Model Checking

Solibri has been the pioneer and industry leader in checking the quality of building information models for suitability, or of consistent quality, for various usages such as Spatial Coordination, Information Takeoff, or Energy Analysis. With the introduction of Solibri Model Checker v6.1, these features have been elevated to a new level. Solibri has taken a major leap forward making it possible to detect missing components and non-existing or incorrect information.
Solibri Model Checker v6.1 is able to detect faults in models which cause the model to be incomplete – or of bad quality. Checking results may yield for example, illogically or incorrectly modeled components, or altogether missing spaces or components.
Heikki Kulusjärvi CEO of Solibri, Inc., states “We are very excited to introduce this set of rules. Solibri has established its leading position in the Model Checking market with excellent rulesets for Quality Assurance. Spatial Coordination or Design Version Management (Model Comparison) are just two examples of many rules which have been widely accepted for their high value and tangible benefits. Previously, rules could show mainly what is not fitting, is incorrectly located or does not belong in the models. The bigger problems typically surface when something is totally missing from the models. This is much more challenging and Solibri Model Checker is the only solution available with dedicated rules able to detect what is missing from the design. This ability greatly reduces risks in exploiting BIM information for uses such as area calculations and quantity takeoff.

Hyperlink Manager: Enriching and Expanding the QA/QC Process

Solibri, Inc. introduces an extremely powerful, flexible and highly practical implementation of hyperlinks for quality assurance. The Solibri Hyperlink Manager will enable the use of BIM as a centralized user interface to coordination activities, specifications, building code and BIM requirements, construction phase documents, etc.
Links can be added at any level within Solibri Model Checker and to almost any element, including rulesets, models, types, components, issues and slides.
“The introduction of Hyperlinks is great. More importantly though is the very elegant and logical implementation of this functionality. In many cases there could be multiple hyperlinks associated with a specific model component. In most applications the result is a very crowded viewing environment with all hyperlinks impacted by a global on/off choice. In Solibri Model Checker v6.1, we have delivered hyperlink management and flexibility. Any component in the model can have multiple associated hyperlinks, all at the users fingertips and without overpopulating the model view. The Hyperlink Manager creates powerful links between model-resident information and external related information.” Says Jonathan Widney, CEO of Solibri LLC (US HQ).

About Solibri

Solibri, Inc. is the global leader in BIM quality assurance and quality control, providing out of the box tools for BIM validation, compliance control, design process coordination, design review, analysis, and code checking. Solibri’s corporate mission is to develop and market quality assurance solutions that improve the quality of BIM files and make the entire design process more productive and the construction process more cost effective.
Solibri’s customers include major building owners, construction companies, architects and engineering firms in more than 60 countries.

HNTB and Solibri

Press Release


HNTB Architecture Inc. extends BIM capabilities by executing a firm-wide implementation of Solibri Model Checker v5.

Las Vegas, NV, December 3, 2008 - HNTB Architecture Inc. has selected the Solibri Model Checker v5 technology as part of its corporate initiative to advance the practice of BIM. “We are committed to BIM and are always exploring ways to improve the consistency and quality of our processes. Using the Solibri Model Checker will allow us to establish an internal BIM quality assurance program, where we can dramatically extend our model analysis capabilities, throughout the organization”, said Phil Read, VP and Director of Technology at HNTB Architecture.

Jonathan Widney, CEO of Solibri LLC (the US HQ of Solibri) stated, “HNTB Architecture is regarded as a leader in BIM and Solibri is a company that is totally dedicated to improving the quality of BIM analysis. This will allow us to work together to advance the BIM process and practices. We will continue to provide market leading BIM solutions, incorporating the needs and enhancement requests of valued customers like HNTB.”

For Solibri

Solibri, Inc. was established in 1999 to develop and market solutions that improve the quality of Building Information Modeling and make the entire design process more productive. Solibri is well recognized as the pioneer in providing out of the box software that automates the BIM Model Checking, Design Review, Analysis, and Code Checking process. Solibri’s customers include building owners and users, construction companies, architects and engineering firms.
For more information about Solibri, please visit www.solibri.com.

For HNTB Architecture Inc.
HNTB Architecture Inc. serves aviation, private, education, federal and local government clients across the nation. The employee-owned firm's design professionals provide comprehensive architecture services ranging from planning to design to construction services.
For more information about HNTB Architecture Inc., visit www.hntbarchitecture.com.