OpenBuildings Designer is a single, shared, multi-discipline Building Information Modeling (BIM) solution that combines architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical design and construction documentation into a single consistent application. Delivered with this product are integrated datasets and tool sets for Architectural, Mechanical, Structural and Electrical disciplines.

OpenBuildings Designer is specifically designed for AEC engineers and other building professionals to design, analyze, and construct buildings of all types and scales. It empowers architects and engineers to design sustainable infrastructure and enables project teams to deliver well-designed and high performing buildings while taking advantage of the many benefits associated with BIM.

A unified interface presented in a ribbon format enables seamless interoperability between disciplines, and fosters collaboration throughout the project life cycle.

OpenBuildings Designer Focus

OpenBuildings Designer enables you to address essential project needs such as:

• Mass modeling and space planning that occur in the early stages of their projects.
• Production of the design model including placement of structures, walls, windows, doors, casework, HVAC systems and components, and electrical systems and components.
• Production of project documentation such as drawings, schedules and reports throughout the project life cycle and beyond.
• Analysis capabilities ensure the building is structurally sound, energy efficient, and meets the architectural requirements created by its designers.
• Simulation capabilities such as energy analysis and clash detection for construction review and identify design deficiencies within the building model early in the design process.
• Supports the design of large, complex, and distributed models, and provides integrated visualization with the Luxology rendering engine.

The Integrated Project Model

In the integrated project model, intelligent 3D models are the single source for all information and data (input and output) regardless of the discipline. So the integrated project model typically includes model data that is architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical as well. Data from virtually any discipline can be included in the integrated project model.

When an element is placed in the model it appears as a 3D element and becomes the source for all extracted 2D information. That information can take form as plans, elevations, sections, reports, schedules, and other documentation. The entire design process, from Schematic Design to Presentation, evolves and originates from this data. All design revisions are made in the model and 2D data is automatically updated.

The organization of model files needs to be considered fairly early in a project. Quite often the 3D master model will be made up of several DGN master models which are necessary for the development of all the various discipline and design areas. These master models typically include a Building (architectural) model (more than one usually), a Structural model, a Site (civil) model, a Plant model, a Mechanical model (HVAC and plumbing), and models related to other discipline specific areas. Some key project model considerations are:

• Establishing master models for major design areas, Building components, and discipline specific Building applications.
• Dividing master model areas into smaller models that can be completed by other project team groups working simultaneously. The smaller models are referenced into the master model.
• Limiting models to essential data; restricting detailing to construction documentation.

DataGroup System

The DataGroup System manages both application and user defined Building objects and instance data for modeling, drawings, and scheduling. Among the many advantages to this system is the ability to add custom information and to apply user-definable attributes to virtually any object in a 2D/3D file. The DataGroup System manages all of this data, making it available for schedules and reporting.

Unified Building Dataset

OpenBuildings Designer delivers a full, multiple discipline dataset for Architectural discipline, Structural discipline, and Mechanical discipline components. It has been enhanced and streamlined for ease of use and management.

This dataset also supports concatenation of parts and families which enables you to easily append the OpenBuildings Designer delivered dataset with project related data.

The The Part and Family System is organized into discipline specific and industry standard systems. The parts and families are organized with Uniformat and IFC systems.