3D is Only the Beginning

4D and 5D modeling for the AEC industry is gaining momentum in the press and with software developers. In fact, applications that handle 4D and 5D modeling are rapidly becoming a reality. Read more about how these new dimensions bring time, space and cost savings for designers. And, they compliment CAD technology to such a degree that many AEC professionals are eagerly awaiting their debut. AutoCAD® Civil 3D® has given the AEC industry all of the advantages of dynamic 3D modeling, and the benefits are significant. But the world we work in is constantly evolving, so it’s in our best interest to keep an eye on developing technologies so we can be prepared to take the next step. 3D Brings Space to the Design Process Despite a slow beginning, the CAD world is now adopting three-dimensional modeling as a business standard. Historically we relied on 2D drawings and were unable to visualize the design in 3D, so errors were identified and addressed during construction rather than during the design phase. This model of operation proved profoundly expensive. 3D is old news to the mechanical community who pioneered technologies for parametric modeling in the 1970s. The arrival of AutoCAD® Revit® Architecture a few years ago introduced the architectural community to intelligent 3D models. Although many architects had embraced 3D years before, the models they worked with were essentially static. Autodesk Revit gave them the ability to create dynamic, reactive models. Now AutoCAD Civil 3D lets those of us in the AEC industry take full advantage of 3D models. DCA, Soft desk and AutoCAD® Land Desktop are static model-based applications, so when a design change is made, the models have to be rebuilt manually. With Civil 3D’s dynamic 3D modeling, models and drawings update automatically. This capability provides significant increases in productivity. 3D models improve both the design process and the business process. Designers agree that migrating from 2D to 3D tools makes design work more efficient and accurate, improving overall design quality and resulting in fewer costly errors. Exploring design alternatives is easier because engineers don’t have to spend time making new 2D drawings to consider design alternatives. The 3D model’s dynamic reactivity not only illustrates the design change in real time, but also updates the plan set automatically. 3D design also helps designers communicate concepts to any audience, without sacrificing tried-and-true modes of communication with suppliers and partners. 3D design software creates everything that a 2D application can only better. Furthermore, dynamic, 3D modeling technology is the fastest way to create drawings. Drafting tasks occur as the design progresses, so drawings are a byproduct of the design. 3D tools also perform interference detection. For example, water, sewer and fiber assets with all of their crossings and clearances can be modeled in 3D. It’s far cheaper to do blunder detection during the design phase rather than in the field after construction has begun. 4D Brings Time to the Design Process 4D introduces the concept of time to the design process. Visual 4D modeling tools extend traditional planning tools, so users can link a 3D model with a construction schedule to visualize construction over time. While the underlying 3D model and schedule model are based on object-oriented concepts and can be queried by the user about their content and relationships, the resulting 4D model is purely a visualization. In facilities design, 4D has been used at various levels of detail, from simulating and coordinating the overall phasing of a project to coordinating the daily work of a group of subcontractors. 5D Brings Cost to the Design Process The implications of time and cost overruns are well understood throughout the design and construction worlds. Because 5D modeling can be used to derive time-based procurement requirements and perform various cost analyses, its advantages are immediately obvious to those in the business. The 5D system will continuously maintain a bi-directional link between design, cost and schedule. During design, predefined time and cost to construct the model will continually update. Using 5D modeling, CAD applications will generate reports that estimate the time and cost to construct what is designed. Changes made to the design will also update the reports automatically. Here’s how the process works: 1. The application generates an accurate 3D construction model of the building. This virtual model helps designers identify design errors and clashes before going on site, and verify the overall assembly procedure of the various building elements. 2. The 3D construction model is connected to the project estimate. Items like tax, risk and margins for materials, labor, equipment and subcontracted items can be factored in. The cost estimate can be easily updated to reflect subsequent changes in the design. 3. The scheduling application applies duration to the tasks, adding the dimension of time to the model. The 5D model is then ready for cost and time analysis or for generating procurement requirements. Because design, cost and time are bi-directionally linked, the project team can immediately see and examine the consequences of any change. Looking Ahead Craig Barrett, chairman of Intel, once said, “Innovation = 30% Technology + 70% Culture.” To be truly innovative, you’re going to need amazing tools and technology. But more importantly, you have to overcome the cultural resistance to innovation. Standardization, pilot projects and training are how it’s done. If you are still in the process of adopting 3D technology, don’t stop! 4D and 5D are just around the corner and you want to be ready for them. Now that you know what 4D and 5D are, how they will influence our processes in the future, and what tremendous benefits they can offer your business, you can start planning now to implement 4D and 5D into your standards, processes, pilot projects and training programs. Pete Kelsey, Autodesk Originally published in [acronym] magazine, Issue 4