BIM Collaboration Format

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Script "Logo of the BIM Collaboration Format.
Short description: Structured file 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.

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

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

References

  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. 
  2. "BCF intro" (in en). http://www.buildingsmart-tech.org/specifications/bcf-releases. 
  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. 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. http://orbit.dtu.dk/en/publications/using-bcf-as-a-mediator-for-task-management-in-building-design(5ce7b1e8-c53c-4bc3-b5d4-fba24cc6ead2).html. 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

External links