Today, surveillance solutions are planned as an integrated part of a building’s infrastructure. In this article, we look at how Axis supports this through our plugin for Autodesk® Revit®, one of the world’s most popular building planning software solutions.
From power supply and network cabling to heating, plumbing, and ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), network video surveillance, network audio, and related sensors have become essential parts of any new building.
With the increasingly advanced capabilities of these technologies and the greater availability of deep learning-based analytics, the value of network video, audio, and connected sensors extends far beyond just security. Technologies are now being combined to optimize the use of a building, create efficiencies in energy consumption, and, of course, keep the building occupants safe and secure.
Integrating network video into the fabric of a building
With such a fundamental role to play, architects need to plan network video and audio into the fabric of a new building from the outset, alongside other essential services and components. To do so, they need the capability to add devices and associated technology within their core planning solution. With AXIS Plugin for Autodesk® Revit®, architects and building planners have the full portfolio of Axis technologies at their fingertips.
Autodesk® Revit® is one of the world’s most popular building information modeling (BIM) software solutions. The software allows architects, designers, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers, planners, and construction professionals to design a building and structure its components in 3D to create coordinated design plans from conception to construction. Within Autodesk® Revit®, every aspect of a building can be designed and specified, from the foundations to the furniture.
Supporting all current versions of Autodesk® Revit®, AXIS Plugin for Autodesk® Revit® brings the Axis portfolio of network devices into building design. The plugin allows designers to choose any specific Axis device and place it into the 3D projects. They can also accurately visualize and tailor the coverage delivered by an individual surveillance camera or speaker, ensuring that the specified solution meets the customer’s needs.
Full interactivity in surveillance solution planning
With built-in 3D Camera View, designers can see a complete 3D visualization of the area of coverage as seen from the point-of-view of the camera. This feature offers an intuitive way to confirm camera placement and settings. By visualizing camera placement, plans can be aligned with customers’ expectations early in the design process.
Once the camera location is selected and the mounting configuration is defined, it’s easy to adjust the camera height, pan, tilt and zoom to determine the field of view for each individual device. Additionally, multiple settings for pixel density (PPM / PPF) are available to illustrate the field of view for industry standards—from detection to identification—ensuring it aligns with actual results.
Based on the desired settings, the Collision Detection feature can be used to recognize solid or transparent objects in the projected field of view. This rendering provides a true 2D representation of the camera’s coverage and displays exactly what is visible from the camera.
The designer’s perspective
Nathan Mudler, production manager at Guidepost Solutions LLC, is using AXIS Plugin for Autodesk® Revit® on a weekly basis and expands on the benefits:
“The plugin adds great functionality to Autodesk, both in aiding solution design and in providing easy access to up-to-date Axis content, including product information and configurations.
We’re using it in design projects across commercial, healthcare, and education sectors, and I find the 3D view creation and Collision Detection incredibly useful in automating what would otherwise be a manual task. As an example, we recently completed a project where we developed 3D views and employed Collision Detection on a plan including 120 Axis cameras. The time saving through automation was significant, and we were also able to provide a high level of design detail to the field installers which creates additional efficiencies in system installation.”
Network video surveillance, network audio, and analytics have grown to be as fundamental to a building’s infrastructure as any other essential service. With AXIS Plugin for Autodesk® Revit®, they can be easily integrated into the essential planning tool for architects and building designers worldwide.