BIM Collaboration Format

The BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) is a structured file format suited to issue tracking with a building information model. The BCF is designed primarily for defining views of a building model and associated information on collisions and errors connected with specific objects in the view. The BCF allows users of different BIM software, and/or different disciplines to collaborate on issues with the project.[1] The use of the BCF to coordinate changes to a BIM is an important aspect of OpenBIM.

Script "Logo of the BIM Collaboration Format.

The format was developed by Tekla and Solibri and later adopted as a standard by buildingSMART.[2] Most major BIM modelling software platforms support some integration with BCF, typically through plug-ins provided by the BCF server vendor.

Although the BCF was originally conceived as a file base there are now many implementations using the cloud-based collaborative workflow described in the BCF API, including Open Source implementation[3] as part of the Open Source BIM collective.

Research work has been done in Denmark looking into using the BCF for a broader range of information management and exchange in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector.[4]

Supporting software

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There are two main categories of support for the BCF: authoring software and coordination software. Authoring software can generate and share BCF issues. Coordination software is most powerful at coordinating issues and presenting a user interface for the management and tracking of issues. Coordination software is typically a web-based service which allows for real-time coordination across multiple authoring software platforms and geographies. Most BIM software has a mix of these functions.

The BCF is supported natively by authoring software such as Vectorworks, ArchiCAD, Tekla Structures, Quadri, DDS CAD,[5] BIMcollab Zoom,[6] BIMsight,[7] Solibri, Navisworks, and Simplebim. Standalone BCF plugins include BCF Manager,[8] and BCFier.[9] Coordination software as cloud services offering BCF based issue tracking include BIMcollab, Newforma Konekt, Vrex,[10] Catenda's Bimsync,[11] Bricks app,[12] ACCA software's usBIM.platform,[13] and OpenProject.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rafael Sacks, Chuck Eastman, Ghang Lee, Paul Teicholz (2018). BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-54137-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "BCF intro". www.buildingsmart-tech.org. Archived from the original on 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  3. ^ Léon van Berlo, Thomas Krijnen (2014). "Using the BIM Collaboration Format in a server based workflow". Procedia Environmental Sciences. 22 (12th International Conference on Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning, DDSS 2014): 325–332. Bibcode:2014PrEnS..22..325V. doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2014.11.031.
  4. ^ Treldal, Niels; Parsianfar, Hussain; Karlshøj, Jan (2016). "Using BCF as a mediator for task management in building design". Proceedings of the International RILEM Conference Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering 2016: 48–59. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  5. ^ CAD Open BIM
  6. ^ zoom
  7. ^ BIMsight
  8. ^ BCF Manager
  9. ^ archived from original at BCFier.com.
  10. ^ Vrex
  11. ^ Catenda's Bimsync website
  12. ^ Bricks, BIM collaboration platform using Agile approaches (Scrum, Kanban,...)
  13. ^ ACCA software | usBIM Cloud Integrated System
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