What is BIM?
BIM is an acronym for Building Information Modeling. It is a highly collaborative process that allows architects, engineers, real estate developers, contractors, manufacturers, and other construction professionals to plan, design, and construct a structure or building within one 3D model.
It can also span into the operation and management of buildings using data that building or structure owners have access to. This data allows governments, municipalities, and property managers to make informed decisions based on information derived from the model — even after the building is constructed.
BIM Web Visualization Challenge
Traditional smart buildings/building automation/building security/smart parks often use BIM software, such as Revit or Bentley for Autodesk, but these BIM modelling data are often too bulky, with most of the detailed information on the building. Usually not able to display on the web.
- BIM modelling data too bulky, with most detailed information on the building
- Many of the 3D elements are not necessary to display (Such as building furniture, construction steel, etc.)
- Massive models lead to an unpleased loading speed or even failure to load
- The texture is not appealing, visualization effect is not ideal
BIM Web Visualization Solution
Hightopo BIM solution converts BIM file to be lightweight and retain their critical information data, hightopo powerful web rendering engine enables BIM files accessible from any modern browser to visualize and manipulate them.
BIM file uploading and parsing and BIM model lightweight are realized through the HT BIM Editor. The visual scene construction and visual display are realized through the HT rendering engine. The visualization engine provides a front-end BIM visualization plug-in, which is responsible for parsing BIM information.
Users can focus on the development of the business layer without caring about BIM-related loading processing. Data exchange between platforms in the development process can be completed by dragging and dropping or one-click import, without complex configuration.
HT BIM EDITOR
HT BIM Editor generates snapshots (HT private format JSON) based on model height or asset type information. Snapshots can be directly parsed by the HT SDK and used directly for project development.
Generate OBJ files based on model height or asset type information. OBJs can be opened and edited with general 3D software.
The user can manually control the model to load, show or hide in batches. It is convenient for users to analyze and generate optimal snapshots. The explored file is only 1/10 of the original size, which significantly increased the loading speed while maintaining all necessary information from the BIM file.
1. Users upload .ifc files to HT BIM Editor
2. After the IFC file is processed by the HT BIM Editor server, the BIM model is displayed on the client side according to the BIM attribute structure.
3. Users can select the BIM components that need to be preserved through the editor
4. Editor generate a BIM model snapshot(HT special format JSON file) or OBJ file from the selected BIM components.
5. The generated snapshot and OBJ files can be directly loaded by the HT SDK. The OBJ files can be used on other 3D modelling software, such as 3D MAX, Maya, and Blender.
HT BIM Visualization Use Case
Data Center BIM Web Visualization
Hightopo Web visualization technology empowers data centre construction, covering: planning, design, construction and operation and maintenance management and other stages. Combined with BIM technology, the building structure of the data centre and the equipment in the infrastructure system are simulated and presented in 3D, which is intuitive and realistic. Various systems in the data centre can be visualized using BIM, including air conditioning systems and ventilation systems.
Metro Train Station BIM Visualization
Hightopo visualization solution use digitally twins for the infrastructure and appearance of the metro station, presents data information such as equipment information, energy consumption, and surveillance video through a 2D panel. Integrates existing video surveillance, air conditioning, pipe network, security, computer room, power distribution and other systems to one united web application. The system supports roaming from the first person perspective, presents the overall appearance of the metro train station to users, and monitors the various data for early warming.
Construction Process
Conclusion
Hightopo offers a comprehensive solution to visualize BIM files on the web. The HT BIM Editor helps to lightweight the BIM data and convert those data to OBJ files or snapshots (HT special format JSON file) for the next step of web development.
