BIMMeasure

Drawing Configuration to Maximise Usable Data

V1.4
February 2018

Causeway Technologies Ltd

Comino House, Furlong Road, Bourne End
Buckinghamshire, SL8 5AQ

T: +44 (0) 1628 552000

F: +44 (0) 1628 552001

Copyright © 1988-2018 Causeway Software Solutions Limited

Release Certificate Page 1 of 27

Table of Contents
CHAPTER- 1 GENERAL ................................................................................................................................ 2
SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 2
TERMINOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
SUPPORTED FILE FORMATS .............................................................................................................................................. 2

CHAPTER- 2 BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM) FILES ................................................................... 3

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN SAVING RVT FILES OR PRIOR TO EXPORTING ALL OTHER BIM FILE FORMATS ........ 3
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR REVIT FILES ............................................................................................................. 3
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR REVIT EXPORT TO DWF/DWFX ............................................................................... 4
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN EXPORTING TO IFC FROM ANY BIM MODELLING PROGRAM ............................. 4

CHAPTER- 3 2D DRAWING FILES ................................................................................................................. 5

DWG ................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
PDF AND IMAGE FILES ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

APPENDIX A - EXPORT TO DWF/DWFX ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................ 7

REQUIRED DRAWINGS ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
FILE PREPARATION - GENERAL ......................................................................................................................................... 7
FILE PREPARATION – VISIBILITY........................................................................................................................................ 9
SHARED PARAMETERS IN REVIT® ................................................................................................................................... 14
HOW TO ADD A SHARED PARAMETER TO THE PROJECT IF NECESSARY: ....................................................................... 14

APPENDIX B - EXPORT TO IFC FILE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ................................................................. 17

REQUIRED DRAWINGS. .................................................................................................................................................. 17
FILE PREPARATION ......................................................................................................................................................... 17
CONSIDERATIONS........................................................................................................................................................... 22
MEASUREMENT OPTIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 23

APPENDIX C - MEASUREMENT FROM 2D ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ....................................................... 24

DWG ............................................................................................................................................................................... 24
CONSIDERATIONS........................................................................................................................................................... 24
MEASUREMENT OPTIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 24
PDF FILES ........................................................................................................................................................................ 24
PDF CREATION................................................................................................................................................................ 24
CONSIDERATIONS........................................................................................................................................................... 25
MEASUREMENT OPTIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 25
IMAGE FILES ................................................................................................................................................................... 25
FILE PREPARATION ......................................................................................................................................................... 25
CONSIDERATIONS........................................................................................................................................................... 25
MEASUREMENT OPTIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 25

APPENDIX D - 3D DRAWING FILES VERSUS BIM MODELS ........................................................................... 26

OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................................................................... 26

i
Chapter- 1 General
Scope
This document is intended to give guidance on how to:

 Prepare design data for best use in BIMMeasure

 Maximise the data received from the designer in whichever file format it is presented
 Understand the advantages and limitations of each format

Terminology
CADMeasure: The standard version previously shipped without the extended BIM
functionality. This is also the generic name that the software is known by in many companies.

BIMMeasure: CADMeasure plus the extended functionality previously bought as an upgrade.

This is now the standard and only version provided.

The software will be referred to generically as ‘BIMMeasure’ throughout this document

unless there is specific need to differentiate.

Supported File Formats

BIMMeasure will allow measurement from any of the following file formats.

For 3d Models
Object Rvt file Native Autodesk Revit file
based
IFC file Exported from BIM modelling tool,
(eg: Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft
ArchiCAD, Bentley Architecture,
Vectorworks Architect )
2D or 3D DWF/DWFx Object based (exported from Autodesk
Revit

For 2D Views
Vector 2D DWF From Autodesk Revit BIM Application
Files
2D or 3D DWG Line/solid object based
2D DWF From AutoCAD

Raster 2D PDF files Some vector properties may be present

Files
2D PDF as an image, Converts to high resolution jpg if required.
Image file formats bmp; tif; tiff; jpg; jpeg; png.

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Chapter- 2 Building Information Modelling
(BIM) Files
Building Information Modelling is a process, which includes the creation of the 3D Model
and any subsequent analysis or extraction of information from it.

BIMMeasure can accept BIM data in RVT, DWF or IFC format.

General considerations when saving RVT files or prior to

exporting all other BIM file formats
File Preparation - Summary
 Shared (Instance) Parameters should be converted to Project Parameters before
being exported.
 Floors – accurately define the floors by type. If a floor transitions from one type to
another (eg, from cast slab to decking) make sure these exist as their own right.
 Walls – Define using interior or exterior as appropriate, either in type names or
parameters
 Walls – Define using structural or non-structural as appropriate, either in type
names or parameters
 Glazing / Windows – Define using interior or exterior as appropriate, either in type
names or parameters
 Doors – Define as interior or exterior as appropriate, either in type names or
parameters. It is also very helpful to include parameter information for Fire Ratings,
Hardware, Frame Types etc.
 Doors – Do not use two single doors to create a double door
 Roofs – Clearly define roofs as such, and differentiate between floor and roof slabs.
Do not use a floor slab to define a roof.
 Model Lines / Thin Lines – if these are used to draw elements (typically early on)
then try to use a different colour for them, so they can be easily identified
 Visibility/Graphics overrides:
o Switch on all necessary model categories
o Ensure all necessary worksets are visible
 Ensure the 3D view Phase filter is set to ‘show all’
 Set the appropriate Project Units
 Reveal all hidden objects, as necessary
 Supporting 2d dwg, dwf or pdf files should be provided as necessary.

Additional Considerations for Revit files

Applies when the BIM authoring tool used is Autodesk REVIT
File Export – Summary
RVT files can now be opened in BIMMeasure V19 for direct measurement.

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Additional Considerations for Revit export to DWF/DWFx
Applies when the BIM authoring tool used is Autodesk REVIT
File Preparation - Summary
 Composite Objects such as Floors, Walls and Roofs should have their component
make-up clearly defined in Family/Type names or in a Project Parameter.
 They can also be converted to component parts using the ‘Create parts’ tool.
Unfortunately this cannot be undone in the model so there may be reluctance to do
so.
 Building views should be saved as separate DWFs, not multi-view DWFs.
 Rooms and Areas, if present in the model, should be exported in the dwf by ticking
the dwf export option: ‘Rooms and Areas in a separate boundary layer’. This will
provide important structural envelope data that is otherwise difficult to determine.
File Export – Summary
 A 3D dwf is the minimum export requirement.
See Appendix A for further information on any of the above steps.

Additional Considerations when exporting to IFC from any

BIM modelling program
Applies when any BIM authoring program is used which is capable of writing to IFC format
(Eg: Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Bentley Architecture, Vectorworks Architect or others capable
of writing to IFC format, including Autodesk Revit)
File Preparation - Summary
 In BIMMeasure v17 and later versions, the object component properties will be
defined in the exported file under the parent object properties so there is no need to
‘create parts’ as mentioned in dwf export.
See appendix. ‘Composite Objects’

File Export – Summary

 The Base quantities option should be selected during the export / save process
(normally a tick box option) to ensure that the measurement quantities are applied to
the objects.
 Files should be saved as IFC 2x3 format to maximise the data content.
 The IFC file should be opened in an IFC viewer to confirm the correct information has
been included in the export and if not, reviewed in the authoring application before
submission for measurement.
See Appendix B for further information on any of the above steps.

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Chapter- 3 2D Drawing Files
The Supporting 2D files should be provided to clarify specific points not obvious in the 3D
model and for standard details.

DWG
File Preparation - Summary
 They should be orientated orthogonally (i.e. X across the page, Y up the page)
 In AutoCAD it is possible to copy scaled paper-space layouts to the ‘real world’
model-space which BIMMeasure reads by default. This should be avoided at all
costs and is bad practice. The model-space drawing should always be full size.
 Dimensions should be provided
 Use sensible and consistent layer name conventions
 Objects / linework should be on their correct layer
 Avoid heavy lineweights
 Do not explode polylines unnecessarily (especially useful for measuring room
bounding and complex linear objects (drainage, external boundaries and
carriageway layouts))
 Minimise number of views per drawing
 Blocks:
o Should have descriptive names.
o Should not be exploded or nested (blocks within blocks)
o Should be on the correct layer and sub-components on correct layer for
isolation
o There should be a distinct block for each type of object even if graphically
similar. (Example: 2 different types of door should be two different blocks
and named accordingly.)
 X Refs should be bound into the host drawing or forwarded using the Etransmit
tool to include all linked files.
 Unnecessary draughting should be removed prior to issue of drawing.
 Irrelevant linework (construction lines etc) should be frozen.
 The drawing should be saved zoomed to extents
 Subsequent drawing revisions should be based on previous revision, not redrawn.
 A wireframe visual style should be selected when exported from Revit

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PDF and Image Files
File Preparation - Summary
 The file must contain either:
o A scale bar
o A suitable dimension on the drawing (of a reasonable length – the width
of a door is not big enough to give accurate scaling over longer
distances)
 There should only be a single scaled view in each page
 They should be orientated orthogonally (i.e. X across the page, Y up the page)
 Lineweight should be off when exported from AutoCAD

See Appendix C for further information on 2D files.

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Appendix A - Export to DWF/DWFx
Additional Information
Required drawings
3D BIM model
A 3D view from the BIM model incorporating the BIM database will be the minimum
requirement. The 3D view is the best view to use for measurement due to its retention of the
Revit Model structure (Category-Family-Type-Instance).

 From Revit, the 3D model will be in DWF/DWFx format.

2D Views
The model will be augmented by traditional 2D plans, elevations and sections/details for
clarification of details as required. These may be standard details from a CAD application or
have been generated from the model as 2d views.

 The 2D views will be DWF or DWG, although less intelligent formats (PDF, Image) can
be accepted if there is no alternative. See Appendix C for more Information on 2D
files.

File Preparation - General

Composite Objects
Revit® makes good use of composite objects to allow simple and fast modelling of items
such as complex floors, roofs and walls. These multi-layered objects are treated as
single entities during the design phase.

For take-off purposes it is vital that the component parts are conveyed to the Quantity
Surveyor.
This can be achieved in one of three ways:
1. By using a descriptive Family / Type name

2. By applying a parameter to the object which defines it’s make-up.

3. By using the Revit ‘Parts’ function to break the composite object into its component
elements:

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Composite Floor Before breaking into parts.

After breaking into parts – One element selected

Areas and Rooms

Rooms and areas can be converted into boundary lines for convenient take-off.

Designers should include this data in the models using the ‘Area and Room’ tools on the ribbon
in Revit.

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To ensure that the data is exported in the model when exported to DWF:
1. Select Export > DWF from the File menu and select the DWF Properties tab.
2. Select the Rooms and Areas in a separate boundary layer check box (if exporting a
2D or 3D DWF view).

The room properties will be exported with the file.

File Preparation – Visibility

Overrides
If elements/objects are hidden, exporting without first ‘un-hiding’ them may result in a DWF
that does not contain all objects you might expect.

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With the Project Open > select the default 3d Orthographic view:

On the left side of the screen in the properties window, navigate to the Visibility/Graphics
Overrides property and click Edit.

Under the Model Categories tab, make sure that all of these are switched on, as a general
rule.

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Leave the Visibility Graphic Overrides dialog box open and select the Worksets tab if there is
one.
Worksets
Similarly, under the Worksets tab, ensure all worksets are set visible, as a general rule.
If they are not, understand why, and what that means for your export.

Select OK to exit Visibility/Graphics Overrides; the changes you made will now be in effect.

Extents
1. On the left of the screen in the Properties pane, scroll to the Extents section as in
the following screenshot.

2. Clear all the check boxes selection under the Extents section:

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Phasing
1. On the left of the screen in the Properties pane, scroll to the Phasing section as in
the following screenshot.
2. Configure the Phase filter property to Show all and the Phase property to New
Construction as in the following screenshot:

Project Units
1. Select the Manage tab on the ribbon.
2. Click the Project Units button.

3. Confirm that each unit of measurement is set to an appropriate number of

decimal places on the Project Units dialog box.

Example: If, for example, the lengths are shown in millimetres, zero (‘0’) decimal places is
acceptable whereas two (‘2’) decimal places is more appropriate for lengths in metres.
This step ensures that measurements are as accurate as possible, and it is then down to the
QS to round as and when necessary.

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Hidden Elements.
Lastly, before exporting, check that there are no more hidden elements/objects that you wish
to be included in the model export.

 Select the Reveal Hidden Elements lightbulb at the bottom of the screen.

The existing view will grey-out, and hidden elements will show up in pink. If they exist,
understand what they are and whether or not they need to be in the export.

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Shared Parameters in Revit®
There is a lot of automatically generated parameter information associated with each object
in Revit. This is generally applied to a Revit family of objects and when an object from that
family is used in the model, the object displays the parameter as an instance parameter or
‘property’. There is also the option for designers to enhance this with their own shared
parameters which can be applied to various objects.
BIMMeasure can make good use of this data, both for measurements and for scheduling
purposes prior to collating measurements or exporting to Excel. It is vital that shared
parameters are converted to project parameters prior to export.

In all cases, it is vital that the exported dwf file is checked by opening in Autodesk Design
Review to ensure that the parameters have exported correctly before issuing the file for
measurement. Any anomalies should be investigated and export properties adjusted to
resolve the issue. The Revit helpfile should be referred to as necessary.

How to add a shared parameter to the project if necessary:

1. Select the Manage tab on the Revit ribbon and click the Project Parameters button.

2. The Project Parameters window is displayed.

3. Click Add.
4. The Parameter Properties window is displayed.
5. Parameter Type > select the Shared parameter > then click Select.
6. The Shared Parameters window is displayed.
7. Select the relevant shared parameter group, parameter from the list, and then click
OK.
8. Select the Instance check box.
9. In the Categories section, select all categories that the parameter applies to and click
OK.
10. Select any other parameters and then click OK in the Parameter Properties box. Commented [RP1]: Is this a dialog box
11. Click OK in the Project Parameters window to create the new parameters in the
project.
12. The new Shared Parameters are now available to be applied to the objects within the
model.
Generic Models
Objects that have been modelled in place (these typically end up in the Generic Models
category) sometimes contain very little embedded quantity data. Again, check these in Design
Review and if necessary, revisit the Revit file to make quantity parameters available.

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Multi-View files
Views should be exported as separate files. This can be done in a single operation from the
Model.
The required views should be selected
on the DWF Export Settings dialog box:

The selected views should then be

exported as separate files by clicking
Next then clearing the Combine selected views and sheets into a single dwf fiel check box
selection on the second dialog box in the DWF export process:

This will avoid the possibility of having to open a 3d view plus a large number of 2D views, just
to access the 3D view. A 10 view DWF will open on 10 separate tabs in BIMMeasure and
could significantly slow down opening of sessions through unnecessary work. If the views are
exported as separate files they can be cherry-picked for opening in the session, thereby
keeping the number of open files to a minimum.
Considerations
 DWF/DWFx’s will be full size and will not require scaling in BIMMeasure.
 The 3D view is the best view to use for measurement due to its retention of the Revit
Model structure (Category-Family-Type-Instance) but this can be augmented with
extra 2D views (DWG or DWF) as required.

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DWF Integrity Check
Depending on the size of the Revit file the export may take some time – please allow the
process to finish fully. Once complete, you will now have a DWF file in the folder you specified.
It is important to open the file prior to using/sending it (for example, using the default reader
freeware: Autodesk Design Review) to ensure the validity of the file and that the export was
performed successfully.

If your export was successful you should now have a complete and accurate DWF file of your
3D model, showing all of the relevant object parameters.

The exported 3D view as viewed in BIMMeasure.

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Appendix B - Export to IFC File Additional
Information
As there are a number of BIM authoring applications, an international exchange format has
been developed called IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) which most BIM authoring tools can
save or export to.

Required Drawings.
3D BIM model
A 3D view from the BIM model incorporating the BIM database will be the minimum
requirement.

 From BIM authoring tools other than Revit (Eg : Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Bentley
Architecture, Vectorworks Architect, to name a few) the 3D model should be exported
in IFC 2x3 format with base quantities.
2D Views
The model will be supported by traditional 2D plans, elevations and sections/details for
clarification of details as required
 The 2D views will be DWF or DWG if possible, although less intelligent formats (PDF,
Image) can be accepted if there is no alternative.

File Preparation
BIMMeasure will allow measurement from IFC format, however, the content of the IFC file
may vary slightly depending on the authoring tool used.
File format
Files should be saved as IFC 2x3 format to maximise the data content.
Options available in the export dialogue box include:
Split walls and columns by level
Allows you to divide multi-level walls and columns by level.

IFC Export Options

These are found under File > Export > Options > IFC Options

The key options in Revit export to IFC are covered below.

If the IFC file is being exported from a program other than Revit there may be similar
export options which can be selected.
Refer to the BIM application user guide for specific export guidance.

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General Options

Option Which to select Notes

IFC Version IFC 2x3 Coordination View The default certified version of export, and the
2.0 latest version generally supported by other
systems,

File Type IFC

Phase to Export Default phase to export Selects the phase of the document to export,
defaulting to the last phase of the document
Space Not ‘NONE’ The level of room/space boundaries exported:
boundaries • None - room/space boundaries are not
exported.
• 1st level - the room/space boundaries are
included but are not optimized to split elements
with respect to spaces on the opposite side of the
boundary.
• 2nd level - the room/space boundaries
are included and are split with respect to spaces
on the opposite side of the boundary. A second
level space boundary considers the material of
the building element and the adjacent spaces
behind it, providing thermal properties, for
example.
Split Walls, Optional Allows you to divide multi-level walls, columns,
Columns, Ducts and ducts by level.
by Level When you use this option, Revit cuts the walls,
columns, and ducts by each level that is defined
as a building story. (See Level Instance
Properties.)
For elements whose base level is a non-building
story level, Revit exports them using the next
lower building story as their base level, with an
appropriate offset.
Revit only exports levels for which the Building
Story parameter is enabled, unless no levels are
defined as building stories. In that case, Revit
exports all levels that are used as base levels for
walls, columns, and ducts.

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Additional Content

Option Which to select Notes

Export 2D plan Optional Select this option to include 2D elements
view elements supported by IFC export (notes and filled
regions), clear the option to exclude these
elements.
File Type Export Optional Select this option to export any Revit links in the
linked files as project as separate IFCs. Clear the option to
separate IFCs exclude Revit links.
• Each linked instance in the file will export
as a separate IFC file with the correct positioning
relative to the host file.
• Multiple instances of the same linked
document will export as separate files, identical
except for their position and orientation.
Note: Linked IFC files will be re-exported, so they
may suffer data loss on roundtrip.
Export only Optional Select this option to export only the visible
elements visible elements of the current view.
in view Visible elements include those that are hidden by
hidden line or shaded mode, any underlays in the
view, and elements that are cropped from view by
the crop region. ase of the document to export,
defaulting to the last phase of the document
Export rooms in Optional - Recommended If the "Export only elements visible in view" option
3D views is selected, selecting this option will export all of
the rooms that are contained inside the section
box of the selected 3D view. If there is no active
section box, all rooms will be exported.

Property Sets

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There are various sets of data available in a Revit Rvt file and as a general rule, the more that
are exported in the file, the more useful the file is for measurement take-off.
These options should be ticked

Base Quantities:
There are a number of objects in the IFC format for which base quantity data has been defined.
These include:

 Walls, Doors, Windows, Openings, Slabs, Columns, Beams, Curtain Walls, Spaces.
It is important that the Base Quantities option is selected during the export / save process to
reflect actual physical quantity values, independent of measurement rules or methods and that
the measurement quantities are applied to the objects.

Properties in Revit (Note: No length property) Properties in BIMMeasure (Base Qtys

enabled)

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Level of detail

Option Which to select Notes

Level of detail Optional Allows control of the level of tessellation for some
for some Revit elements. Selecting Medium or High for this
element option will generally result in larger, but more
geometry accurate, BRep and profile representations. The
main Revit elements affected by this control are:
elbows, floors, pipe fittings, railings, ramps,
spaces and stairs. Highly detailed extrusion
profiles are also affected for these items.
• Extra Low
• Low
• Medium
• High

Advanced

Option Which to select Notes

Export parts as Optional Select this option to export parts as standard IFC
building elements. Clear the option to export them as
elements IfcBuildingElementPart.
Allow use of Not recommended Select this option to allow for mixing BRep and
mixed "Solid extrusion geometries for an entity. This can result
Model" in smaller IFC files, but the files are not strictly
representation within the standard IFC MVDs.
Use active view Not recommended Select this option to use the active view to
when creating generate the exported geometry. Note that this
geometry can have unexpected results if used on a non-3D
view.
Use family and Optional Select this option to use the family and type
type name for name for references. Clear the option to use the
reference type name only.

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 Use 2D room Optional Select this option to use a simplified approach to
boundaries for calculation of room volumes (based on extrusion
room volume of 2D room boundaries) which is also the default
when exporting to IFC 2x2. Clear the option to
use the Revit calculated room geometry to
represent the room volumes (which is the default
when exporting to IFC 2x3).

Composite Objects
Revit® makes good use of composite objects to allow simple and fast modelling of items such
as complex floors, roofs and walls. These multi-layered objects are treated as single entities
during the design phase.

For take-off purposes it is vital that the component parts are conveyed to the Quantity
Surveyor.
In addition to the three methods mentioned in Appendix A, BIMMeasure v17 and later versions
offer a fourth and most flexible method.

It will recognise the sub-item values and present them in properties under the composite
parent item.

Considerations

The author should always check the file in an IFC viewer to confirm that the
parameters expected have indeed been saved in the file. Any missing data should be
investigated and the export settings adjusted as necessary. Reference to the
authoring application help file may be necessary.

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It may be necessary to augment the IFC file with standard 2D dwg files to clarify any areas
found to be lacking in the IFC file.

Measurement Options
 Interactive, by tracing over the linework
OR
 By drag and drop from the object viewer, model contents window or properties window.
Measurements are then based on embedded property data and parameters.
 Snaps are fully enabled

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Appendix C - Measurement from 2D
Additional Information
DWG
This is the preferred format for 2D drawings and can contain some useful 3D information.
These files are vector line / solid object based.
They contain drawn entities and block objects defined with property data. The drawing
structure is defined as layers.

Considerations
 DWGs should be full size in the model space and therefore should not require scaling
in BIMMeasure.
 Some embedded parameters may be present.

Measurement Options
 Interactive, by tracing over the linework in 2D or isometric (3D) views
OR
 By drag and drop from the object viewer, model contents window or properties window.
Measurements are then based on embedded property data and parameters.
 Snaps are fully enabled

PDF files
PDF creation
PDFs can be created as follows: (in order of best result)

 Export to PDF from CAD or BIM Modelling Application (eg Revit)

 Print from CAD to PDF via default plot configuration or 3rd party PDF creation freeware
(Eg Cutepdfwriter)
 Print from CAD to PDF via Adobe plot configuration
 Other image editing tool (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc)
 Scan to PDF

All are PDFs but all have different properties. Some may be ‘dumb’ raster (bitmap) files whilst
others may have some vector (linework) properties. Subsequently some perform very well,
some less so.
Raster PDFs
These are normally created by scanning or having been edited in an image editing application.

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Vector PDFs
These files have coordinate information that will allow snaps to pick up linear properties (end
point, mid-point etc) for greater accuracy but otherwise perform in much the same way as
Raster PDF files.
They are normally created by exporting to PDF from a CAD or BIM application or printing from
CAD via Adobe plot configuration or ‘dwg_to_pdf’ plot configuration.

Considerations
 PDFs will need to be scaled up to full size in BIMMeasure based on a known distance
or scale bar
 Using a specific scale factor is possible (e.g. 1:100) but this may be up to 5% out so is
not as good as using a known distance.
 Multi-page pdfs can be accepted with differing scales between pages, but not on same
page. 
 All will be blurry when zoomed in close, when compared to a CAD drawing.

Measurement Options
 Interactively, by tracing over the image or pdf
 Using object snaps to increase accuracy and speed. (Vector PDFs only)

 If it is necessary to measure off two views with differing scales on the same page,
they should be measured separately in two different BIMMeasure sessions.

Image Files
File Preparation
These files will need to be scaled up to full size which BIMMeasure can do but the user must
have a known distance.
If the file is a photo (eg Google Earth snapshot for rough site costing) the scaling will have to
be based on a rough road width or building length, but will not be very accurate.

Considerations
 Image files will not allow snaps to be used when measuring although the zoom control
can facilitate a good level of accuracy.
 Some image files, especially bmp, can be very large so other image file formats should
be considered
 All will be blurry when zoomed in close, when compared to a CAD drawing.
 Image files should be used as a last resort

Measurement Options
 Interactive, by tracing over the image.

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Appendix D - 3D Drawing Files versus BIM
Models
Overview
There is a distinct difference between 3D drawings and BIM models.
Traditional 2D and 3D CAD drawings are made up of basic elements such as lines, polylines,
arcs and circles and embellished with text, annotation and hatching to better convey the
designer’s ideas to the built process. If 2D view is used, these elements are all drawn in the
X,Y plane as a rule. If 3D, the Z plane is also introduced. The main information contained in
either type is geometrical data such as length or area. In either case there is little in the way
of embedded intelligence although the 3D views convey more visual information than 2D,
especially to the untutored eye.
The main drawback of these drawings is that the various views are not automatically
coordinated and they rely on the designer to manually change each view which is affected by
a design change.
There have also been programs around for some time (Eg AutoCAD Architecture ) that use
‘objects’ as well as linework to represent the drawn building. These are normally 3D modelling
tools in as much as the designer doesn’t draw things, so much as ‘insert’ 3D objects (eg a wall
object) and then specify the location or length. Each object could have properties such as
length, area, height, width and volume but are still basically graphical objects that have to be
inserted and coordinated manually across the drawing set.

Note: The key difference provided by a BIM application is that it provides a coordinated set of views
which are all based on a central database of geometrical and parametric information. This database is
represented on screen as a 3D view and supporting 2D views which are generated from the 3D view.
This 3D View is entirely made up of ‘objects’ which have parametric properties so that they understand
their relationships with nearby objects. This database and its associated 3D/2D views are known
collectively is a Building Information Model

A simple example would be a wall containing three windows would understand that its area
and volume need to be reduced by the area and volume of the 3 windows. If one of the
windows was removed from the wall, the wall area and volume would be automatically
adjusted to compensate.
This understanding is percolated throughout the views in the model because all 2D views
(plans sections etc) are generated from the 3D view, which itself is a graphical representation
of the object property database.
The upshot is, if an object is added, edited or removed from any view in the Building
Information Model, the database is updated and any other views that referenced that object
will also be updated. This means that there is a much higher level of integrity in the drawing
set generated from the model and less reliance on manual cross-checking.

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