Regarding Google SketchUp, Jurgen Schroeder with NanaWall's Technical and R&D Department says it is still actively used, especially for early design activities by owners. Back in 2006, they also produced models in a manufacturing industry software called SolidWorks, which was effective for visualization but not for technical integration into BIM. These early attempts to create objects for BIM were not very successful. "They were too generic without enough information about the properties of the walls, what the hardware, glass and sill options were, and all the technical aspects," Schroeder recalls. In March 2010 the company released more robust objects with specification information that have been well-received by architects.

According to Tim Aspinwall, National Sales Manager of Nystrom, Inc., a manufacturer must be fully committed to BIM users' technical needs with its "supported content." Nystrom's Product Manager, Kristine Oppong, defines supported content as reliably reflecting the manufacturer's "technical knowledge about how the product functions, its limitations as well as how it operates within a model." To be successful, manufacturers must also actively seek input from the AEC community to expand and improve their product lines.

Illustrated here is an opening product shown in a BIM-generated rendering. All aspects of its geometry, finish, reflectivity, transparency, etc. are calculated by the BIM rendering tool from the data in the BIM object. Image courtesy of NanaWall Systems, Inc.

 

In reflecting on what inspired his relatively small company to embark on a BIM content program, James Sable, Executive Vice President at greenscreen®, says "we partner with 80 percent of the top 50 firms in America," and they are aware of the fact that these firms are advancing along the line of BIM adoption. "We wanted to provide models and we wanted to be part of that dialogue," he adds. Sable believes offering BIM content "streamlines the process of incorporating our offerings into a faÇade design," enabling architects and landscape architects to "grow their palette" of alternatives.

Shown here is a BIM object of a louver in a BIM exterior wall assembly. Image courtesy of Nystrom, Inc.