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Unity Reflect - An easy and fast real-time 3D BIM solution
Unity is no more just the world’s most popular game engine.
With the last few years collaboration with Autodesk, finally Unity had officially launched a new product that can work natively with Autodesk AEC solution.
The new product name is called Unity Reflect.
Unity for AEC
Currently Unity Reflects has plug-in for Revit and Navisworks, and more Autodesk solution will be available soon. Unity Reflects also natively supports other popular 3D modelling software – SketchUp and Rhino.
After the stop of development/ support of Stingray and Revit Live, Unity Reflect would be a good choice to produce VR and AR content for your BIM projects.
Seamless data federation
Architects, 3D designers and engineers working on different systems (iOS, Andriod, Mac, PC, AR/VR devices, and more) in one model can bring their BIM model/ data into the same Reflect project, to create real-time immersive and interactive experience in a quick and easy way.
With the native plugin for the 3D modelling/ BIM software, users can synchronize model and retrieve metadata from CAD/ BIM model directly to Unity Reflect in just one click.
Easily Customizable
Users can also use Unity Editor to custom real-time BIM applications to deliver more function and better result.
Learn more >>
Unity Reflect: BIM to real-time 3D in one click for better design decisions
https://blogs.unity3d.com/2019/06/05/unity-reflect-bim-to-real-time-3d-in-one-click-for-better-design-decisions/
Online course: Basic Reflect Customization
https://learn.unity.com/course/basic-reflect-customization
Register for Unity Reflect 14 days free trial
https://create.unity3d.com/lets-talk-unity-reflect
How to tag your opening inserted by AGACAD Cut opening
AGACAD Cut opening can help you automatically insert opening. In a drawing, there are many openings are required to create for ducts, pipes, cable trays and conduits intersect walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, beams or columns etc. How can we quickly extract the information of all those opening after we have used AGACAD Cut opening to insert the openings.
The following step will show you how to make it visible in the tag.
1. In opening editor, click shared parameter and create a new shared parameter file.
2. In opening editor, find the parameter you want to display in the tag (in this case, use “diameter” as example) in the family type and edit the parameter.
3. Export the shared parameter.
4. Go the label editor, in the Edit Label dialog box, add new parameter and select the shared parament you want to display.
5. Find the parameter you just added and add it into the label.
Finally, based on your drawing requirement, you can now extract the information of opening like diameter, opening type and level offset and display it using the tagging shown as below capture.
Want to learn more about AGACAD? Visit our product page:
http://www.forida.com.hk/index.php/products/agacad
AGACAD Cut Opening is under the pre-approved BIM software list of The Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF), check out about more information:
http://www.forida.com.hk/index.php/solutions/bim-fundings
What is Unity Reflect?
Unity Technologies is a company in Denmark best known for the development of Unity – a licensed game engine used to create video games and other applications. Recently, it has further extended this widely used real-time 3D development platform for other industry, such has automobiles, transportation equipment, films, animation and architectural design.
Meanwhile, collaborating with Autodesk, which is a leading solution provider of BIM software, a new tool called Unity Reflect was released in December 2019, aiming for Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.
Unity Reflect = Unity for AEC
Unity Reflect integrates BIM data and supports collaborate workflow to let users to produce real-time immersive and interactive visualization with one click.
A building project involves different stakeholders, such as Architects, 3D Designers and Engineers. During the design stage, it is very important that all change request of BIM model can be reflected immediately within the team and get feedback quickly. Visualize the issues and changes can always facilitate the discussion and speed up the decision making. However, to update the BIM data visually in a 3D model may require a complex process and take times.
Unity Reflect was thus developed to provide solutions. It allows users to seamlessly synchronize BIM data from any platform (Windows, Mac, smartphone), making it easy for the team to collaborate and proceed with the projects smoothly.
How can it help actually?
- Synchronize Data with one click
As mentioned earlier, it is important to seamless syncing BIM data and review the 3D design in real-time. It is because not everybody has experience or skilful enough to operate 3D model in real-time, thus having an ease of use platform like Unity Reflect can eliminate the need to create physically prototypes from blueprints or an optimized 3D model.
Moreover, Unity Reflect can show a 3D model with AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) content, to help visualizing the design issues earlier rather than only find it out in construction stage.
- BIM Filtering
BIM models always consist of different information from different aspects, such as Architecture Design, Building Construction, Electrical System, Mechanical System, Plumbing System (MEP) etc. When viewing the models with Unity Reflect, user can select and filter which information they want see.
- AR and VR Viewer
Unity Reflect supports a wide range of AR and VR devices, hence it is possible to review a shared BIM model in a more immersive manner using xR technology which is an increasing trend and needs in AEC industry.
User can simply use the smartphone, tablet or AR glasses to display the 3D model at real-time at the actual construction site. The Unity Reflect viewer can give a realistic experience, like walkthrough inside the model to check the appearance of the object, helping you to notify any problems that you may not aware by just viewing the model by the computer screen.
It supports the walkthrough mode, fly over model and able to review the 3D from different angle. It gives users flexible to see the building in the design from a new perspective.
Windows viewer is available to allow user to view the 3D model, also in reduced sized, on the desktop computer at home. Unity Reflect supports various type of viewers to let users to review any way that is in harmony with reality.
Both AR and VR supports BIM filtering, so user can decide how much data to view to suit for any purpose.
Possibility to create customized apps and reviewer
Unity Reflect provides various ways to view BIM model to serve different people needs.
For example, when some of the stakeholder do not well understand how to operate AR and VR, they can use a simpler browsing method, such as Windows viewer. On the contrary, advanced user can
make use of Unity Editor to build apps and customized app with advanced setting to meets their demand and special usage.
How to start?
The annual subscription cost of a Unity Reflect license is USD690. However, for users that need Viewer only is free of charge.
There is also 14-day trial version, so you can try it for free before putting it into practical use.
For advanced users that are looking for customizable viewer and real-time BIM applications, they will need an additional license of Unity Pro as well.
Unity Reflect is currently available with the Native plugins for Revit, Navisworks, Rhino and SketchUp. More plugins for other AEC solution will be coming soon.
More new editing features are also under development, such as cloud support, large model support and UI Redesign are on the roadmap.
Please stay tuned for the update and please free to submit your idea to Unity.
Want to learn more about Unity Reflect? Visit our product page: http://www.forida.com.hk/index.php/products/unity-reflect
Cupix 1.0: Use your imagination and unlock the power of Cupix 3D tour
Cupix is a web-base creator for 3D models from photos taken with 360 degree camera. Cupix can be used to build virtual tours and floor plans for Real Estate, Museums, Hotels, Restaurants, Galleries, Construction Sites, Renovation Works and more. An intuitive tool to share a 3D tour and monitor your project progress.
Why Cupix?
- Fast and easy: Cloud solution, just need 360 degree camera
- Compare and Track Construction Site Progress
- Compare Construction Site/ As built with BIM model (Revit, Navisworks, SketchUp, IFC)
- Featuring tools to compare a better 3D tour, such as push pin, insert photo, video & hyperlink
- Support 3D tour publish to Google Map
Although the primary use of Cupix is capture a 3D space in reality, i.e. making use of panorama photo taken by 360 degree camera.
Actually Cupix also accept panorama photo produced by 3D design software or BIM software, that means we can produce a 3D tour for design stage.
Here let us demonstrate a workflow of a Cupix 3D tour creation from Revit and 3ds Max.
- Revit →Enscape →Cupix
Revit natively does not support panorama export, Through Enscape, we can render panorama photo from Revit model.
Enscape is a real-time rendering plug-in Revit (and for SketchUp, Rhino, ArchiCAD and Vectorworks as well) and support VR output.
A Quick Steps:
- Open Revit and start Enscape
- Locate spots to take panorama in Enscape
- Render enough photos and save them
- Upload to cupix
Now, we go back to Cupix and
Upload the panorama photos to create a 3D tour (same for any 360 photo)
- Create new 3D tour in Cupix workspace
- Set tour name and no. of sections in the tour
- Select panorama photos for each section
- Confirm the setting and upload the tour
- An email will be sent to you when your tour is ready
- 3ds Max -> Cupix
Here is a workflow demonstration of 3Ds Max to Cupix
Like working on Revit, we need first render the panorama photo from 3ds Max and this time we use the Autodesk rendering solution – Arnold (free use for 3ds Max subscriber)
Steps:
- Open 3DsMax
- Set camera type to Arnold, select VR camera and set camera name, select stock lenses
- Locate camera and set mode, look around and verify camera position
- Open rendering environment setting, set up Physical Camera Exposure control and Exposure value
- Open Render setup, set the renderer and select camera to be rendered and set up the output size
- Finished rendering, save file for the panorama output
By using Enscape and 3Ds Max, it can easily to create 3D tours without taking any photos from the site. You can also create the preview tours at design stages.
Want to learn more about Cupix? Visit our product page:
http://www.forida.com.hk/index.php/products/cupix
Check out about The Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF)?
http://www.forida.com.hk/index.php/solutions/bim-fundings
BIM Model Checking and Quality Assurance
CITAC is striving for the improvement of the productivity, safety and sustainability of the Hong Kong construction industry by promoting innovation adoption. Webinars on construction technologies are organised to promulgate technology solutions to the industry via our online platform.
Manual checking of the BIM model is a time-consuming and cost-consuming process as it always requires an experienced professional to do repetitive work. In this webinar, which is jointly organised by CIC and CITAC, Forida will present how digital tools such as Solibri Model Checker can help practitioners to do quality checking automatically to meet the BIM project requirements.
Topic : BIM Model Checking and Quality Assurance
Date : 21 April 2020 (Tuesday)
Time : 10:00 am
Language : Cantonese
Fee : Free of Charge
Format : Webinar
Speaker : Ms Helen CHEUNG, Application Consultant of Forida Limited
Webinar Highlights
- Digital Solution for BIM Model Checking and Quality Assurance
- Open BIM and Model Checking Workflow
- Real-time demonstration on BIM Model Checking & Quantity Takeoff
Use Solibri Model Checker for your BIM Model Quality Assurance
Do you ever think of how to ensure Quality Assurance for your BIM projects? Do the BIM models produced following the BIM standard you have set?
Without a proper tool, you would need to check the model manually for the Clash Detection but also the correct Naming Convention and Required Properties. That is time-consuming and requires an experienced professional to do so.
Here we introduce Solibri Model Checker that allows users to define how QA/ QC tasks are performed. It is a software developed by a Finnish company and fully adopted to the Open BIM methodology, which refers to IFC models and BCF format.
It is also available with a free viewer called Solibri Anywhere (previously named Solibri Model Viewer)
Quick Overview
Let’s start with the User Interface.
There are 5 tab
- FILE: for document operation, such as open file, save file and setting
- MODEL: for models reviewing, such as IFC, DWG or SMC file and visualizing the model in different views
- CHECKING: checking a model/ design by a collection of Rulesets (the core feature of Solibri)
- COMMUNICATION: generate a slideshow to present the checking result and issue list
- INFORMATION TAKEOFF: full information quantity takeoff
The Three Core Concepts
Before we go into the functions of Solibri, we should first understand some basic concepts in Solibri.
They are Role, Rules and Rulesets, and Classification. Most of the BIM workflow applies to this concept as well.
What is a Role in Solibri?
- A Role (or professional function) is essentially to call on a grouping of resources.
- An example of Role is BIM Validation could be Architectural or Quantity Takeoff.
- Grouping of resources refers to Rulesets, Classifications, and Information Takeoff Definitions (ITO)
- It helps users to perform their tasks by focusing on their Role only.
What are Rules and Rulesets?
- Rules and Rulesets are the criteria (of a requirement or regulation) used for checking the BIM model or Information Takeoff.
- It should include all required checkpoints, such as the information contained in the BIM model, for both geometry and non-geometry components.
- Solibri comes with more than 50 out-of-the Rulesets that are ready for use.
- Users can create their own custom Rulesets as well, either from scratch or by adding to, removing from, and/or modifying the parameters of an existing Rulesets.
What is Classification?
- Classification in Solibri allows users to classify or categorize elements or spaces.
- Model checking and Information Takeoff would be performed based on the Classification
Model Checking
Finally, let’s see how Solibri checks your model.
- Firstly, open the model
- And then, select the Discipline such as Architectural (it is important to choose the Discipline right, as the Ruleset in Solibri is classified by Discipline)
- Next, select the Rulesets (Ruleset is another important concept in Solibri that is the “standard” used for the model checking. It can be easier setup and created by medication from the sample Rulesets provided.)
- The Issue report will be easily generated and categorized into different Severity (Critical, Moderate, Low) and the user can review and decide the issues if they are Rejected Results or Accepted Results.
- Lastly, the users can create a report into a PDF or Excel file.
Solibri Model Checker is now a pre-approved CITF product.
Solibri 5 min demonstration video: https://youtu.be/pUMsElKEKZ4
Want to learn more about Solibri? Visit our product page: http://www.forida.com.hk/index.php/products/solibri
Check out about The Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF)? http://www.forida.com.hk/index.php/solutions/bim-fundings
Case Sharing: Using Bluebeam Revu on Quantity Takeoff tool for your PDF drawings.
Do you found it is tough to performing Quantity Takeoff on numerous PDF drawings?
And it is also not easy to measure the objects with shapes of curves and twists?
Here we have a case study from a Consultancy firm called KCI Management Consultancy Limited, sharing how Bluebeam Revu can help on their daily jobs on Quantity Takeoff.
Quantity Takeoff
With a complex drawing, performing quantity takeoffs requires high level of accuracy. KCL mentioned several tools provided by Bluebeam® Revu® that were particularly useful for their daily workflow, including calibration, snapping, multiple scale viewports, conversion of lines to arcs, counting, markup list and export function.
The calibrating function allowed KCI to determine the scale of the drawing in PDF, enabling accurate measurements. In addition, Revu® allowed KCI to store multiple scales in the same document, including storing X and Y scales separately, which reduced error in calculations and measurements.
Snapping is favorable to making precise and accurate measurements. The Grid and snap-to-grid functionality aided precise placement and calculation of markups.
With their project and large drawing sets, KCI was able to effectively use the counting tool to tally up different items within the drawings with ease, including windows, doors, lights, etc.
Benefits
30% time savings in Quantity Takeoff
Easy tracking locations of markups
Increase efficiency and accuracy with precise tools
Implementation
The implementation for Bluebeam® Revu® was relatively seamless for KCI. The simple installation allows KCI to get started right away after acquiring the licenses. They also mentioned that the learning curve for Revu® was relatively low, and the extensive resources provided online also assisted them in their early adoption.
Right now, all the new on-boarding members of KCI have started using Revu® from day 1 with ease. The new members of KCI were particularly impressed how easy it was to find all the functions that Revu® has to offer from their tool chest once they get used to the interface.
KCI has purchased licenses of Revu® over 2 years ago. Since then, they have continually used Revu® with no plans to seek out other solutions.
Implementation
The implementation for Bluebeam® Revu® was relatively seamless for KCI. The simple installation allows KCI to get started right away after acquiring the licenses. They also mentioned that the learning curve for Revu® was relatively low, and the extensive resources provided online also assisted them in their early adoption.
Right now, all the new on-boarding members of KCI have started using Revu® from day 1 with ease. The new members of KCI were particularly impressed how easy it was to find all the functions that Revu® has to offer from their tool chest once they get used to the interface.
KCI has purchased licenses of Revu® over 2 years ago. Since then, they have continually used Revu® with no plans to seek out other solutions.
Want to learn more about Bluebeam? Visit our product page: http://www.forida.com.hk/index.php/products/bluebeam
Check out about The Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF)? http://www.forida.com.hk/index.php/solutions/bim-fundings
WEBINAR: Automatic dimensions for precast concrete in Revit
Do shop tickets take longer for you to pull together than they should? Join our webinar about inserting dimensions automatically in shop drawings of precast concrete elements in Revit.
Whether you're a seasoned user of our Precast Concrete software for Revit or you're just looking into ways of streamlining your precast design process, we hope you'll join in.
Date: February 13, 2020 (Thursday)
Time: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Cost: Free of Charge
Topics to be covered:
- How to set up rules for auto-dimensioning, schedules, and sheets
- How to create several assemblies with drawings and dimensions at once
- How to create automatic dimensions in elevation view
- How to create dimensions in an assembly with multiple host elements
- Take a look at a sample file for automatic dimensions
WEBINAR: Manage & access your Revit content with Smart Browser Manage
Does finding content in your Revit® library eat up too much time? How about modifying Revit families?
If so, then sign up for our free webinar about efficient BIM content management using our Smart Browser software for Revit.
This free webinar will be about efficient BIM content management using our Smart Browser software for Revit. It makes browsing, sorting, managing, and controlling Revit families a breeze and drastically reduces the time required to modify families. Intended for BIM managers, BIM content creators, and really all Revit users.
Date: January 30, 2020 (Thursday)
Time: 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Cost: Free of Charge
Topics to be covered:
- quickly find Revit families in your library by parameter name, value, version, or host type.
- modify existing parameters of hundreds of selected families.
- auto-sort and number families using specific rules.
- batch-modify materials of selected families.
- add, modify, and delete family types. (No need to rename types one by one!)
- add new shared or family parameters to selected families.
- transfer family units from one family to another.
- keep families in projects up-to-date by easily finding differences between families in a project and families in your library.
WEBINAR: Is Revit ready for precast?
Precast Concrete enables you to quickly and easily model all prefabricated concrete elements and get full project updates on the Revit platform in real time.Create element views with automatic dimensions, and generate bills of materials and shop drawings for quality production and accurate assembly on site.
This webinar is aimed at current Revit users as well as those who are considering to switch over to Revit for precast design.
Slabs, stairs, balconies, columns, connections, reinforcement, shop drawings, construction drawings, and detail views will all be covered.
Advantages and challenges of Revit, tips & tricks, plus the efficiency brought by Precast Concrete BIM Solution. Q&A to follow.
Date: December 12, 2019 (Thursday)
Time: 5:00 pm – 5:55 pm
Cost: Free of Charge
Topics to be covered:
- Ways to model different precast elements – walls, slabs, beams, stairs, balconies, etc.
- Inserting connections – corbels, embed plates, grout tubes, column shoes, lifting hardware, bolts, etc.
- Families for precast elements
- Renumbering precast elements, adding additional parameters and information to them
- Creating assemblies and shop drawings for precast elements
- Generating construction drawings, erection details
More...
Updates for AGACAD MEP Hangers
MEP Hangers enables the instant large-scale insertion of hangers and supports throughout a Revit® model for ducts, pipes, cable trays, and conduits. You get accurate bills of materials and builders work drawings, and accurate on-site assembly thanks to BIM-to-Field features.
In this webinar will go over what MEP Hangers tool for Revit is capable of.
Especially for architects, structural and MEP engineers, BIM coordinators, and really anyone who needs to distribute hangers, supports, clamps, or similar elements along MEP systems in Revit.
Date: December 6, 2019 (Friday)
Time: 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Cost: Free of Charge
Topics to be covered:
- Placing hangers on ducts/pipes/conduits/cable trays
- Connecting hangers to walls/floor/roof/beams/columns in a linked model
- Connecting hangers between themselves
- Splitting ducts/pipes/conduits/cable trays into pre-set lengths
- Auto-copying shared parameters from structural and MEP elements into hangers
- Convenient hanger marking and detailed scheduling
Annual Subscription - A new license option for SketchUp Pro is now available
SketchUp Pro has been selling as perpetual license for a long period times, finally Trimbles has offered an option of Annual susbcription early of this year when SketchUp Pro 2019 is launched.
It may be confusing that the product name of “SketchUp Pro” now refers to the annual subscription while the perpetual license is named as “SketchUp Classic”.
SketchUp Pro Subscirption would be an option for users that look for a more affordable up front investment or additional features:
- Trimble Connect with unlimited cloud storage
- SketchUp for Web premium
- Viewing apps for HoloLens, VR and Mobile
- Sefaira: High performance building design software plug-in for SketchUp and Revit (*bundled in SketchUp Studio Subscription)
Click here to learn more about the perceptual and subscription license, and the plug-in tools that enpower your SketchUp.
Free Event: CITF Sharing Seminar
To boost the industry adoption of innovative construction methods and new technologies including implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM), the Construction Innovation and Technology Funding (CITF) has been
The approved projects can be subsidized by at most 70% and the funding ceiling is HK$600,000 per applicant.launched and available for the eligible applicant (company) to apply.
The seminar will introduce the funding details and cover a few pre-approved products that you may not familiar with but truly useful for your BIM projects.
WEBINAR: Wood/Metal Framing for Revit®: New Version – New Features!
Join in this free webinar to see the flexibility of AGACAD's Wood/Metal Framing solution for Revit, which has been enchanced by implementing some highly requested features.
In this 30-min webinar, you’ll see the extended possibilities for distributing studs and sheathing that will help you automate even more complex situations.
THURSDAY, April 11, 2019 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM REGISTER HERE