BIM, or building information modeling, is essential to reap the benefits of digital construction projects. Axis CAD Tools make it easy to visualize and design the right video surveillance at the drawing stage.
With the rapid technological developments around us, more and more industries are embracing digitization. For example, the Internet of Things, automation, virtual and augmented reality, and machine learning take production and business processes to the next step.
Disruption of the construction industry
As building projects become increasing more complex, digital technology is used with greater frequency to create smart buildings with smart designs.
The development is snowballing and already modernizing the engineering & construction industry (E&C). New players are introducing digital business models. Change is also driven by the public sector, which sees massive advantages of adopting digital technology, such as 4D and 5D BIM.
BIM, defined as “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility,” can be used to manage the information during a construction project. It covers every component of a building and the process from design to operation and maintenance to end-of-life. It improves collaboration across projects as well as efficiency, which reduces time, costs, and errors.
The use of BIM can lower error sources by 60 percent and speed up the communication flow by 50 percent. Small wonder that large organizations and governments are starting to demand the use of BIM.
Getting the right software
5D BIM brings together design (3D), time management (4D), and budget (5D). With the addition of 6D and 7D, environmental and sustainability, and life-cycle management aspects also included.
To reap the benefits of BIM, you need software that can handle the information about a building or structure. One leading software is Autodesk® Revit®, which is used by architects, structural engineers, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineers as well as designers and contractors.
One of the benefits of Revit is the possibility of analyzing and simulating systems and constructions and creating 3D visualization models. The building blocks of these models are BIM objects, which are digital descriptions of products and materials and can cover practically everything you could imagine. And it is here that Axis enters the picture.
Plugin for superior video surveillance
The AXIS Plugin for Autodesk® Revit® is a goldmine for anyone who wants to add cameras or other surveillance products when planning entire IP video surveillance systems directly in a building plan. The AXIS Plugin for Autodesk® Revit® is free to download if you are a member of the Axis A&E program. You will find cameras and other Axis BIM objects in your preferred BIM library.
Explaining why Axis has made these BIM objects available, Veronica Sällberg, globally responsible for the Axis Architects & Engineers program, says: “It’s about innovation and understanding our partners. The objective is to simplify and help them be more efficient. Our plugin and the BIM objects let them see how the video surveillance will work, already at the drawing stage.”
Veronica continues: “The 3D visualizations let you see how the cameras fit into the general architecture. Not only will it create better safety and security solutions; you – and the end-customer – can also experience the final product, which is important.”
Axis cameras within the plugin are available as 3D BIM objects. Using the product selector in the plugin, you can quickly choose a suitable camera. Downloaded to your building plan, you get valuable information about the cameras, such as focal range and resolution. You can adjust focal length, pan-tilt-zoom, and other settings. You can experience a 3D view, as seen through the camera lens.
It is also easy to change and get the right mounting. When you are satisfied with the camera placement, it is easy to verify the entire solution's camera coverage.
Continuous improvements
AXIS Plugin for Autodesk® Revit® has been around for some years, but we improved the updates and release frequency of camera models and plugin features to match the expectations and feedback from our customers,” says Veronica.
“We will continue to invest in design tools because we believe in digitization”, Veronica says. “It involves the entire value chain, reducing errors and misunderstandings, improving efficiency and communication, but above all, it’s about the end-customer experience.”