Software app slides

Software
Application
GROUP MEMBERS:
Ee Hui Teng 0322548
Lim Hong Wei 0322741
Loo Siah Mong 0321995
Pui Chun Shian 0323470
Tan Jia San 0322406
Yip Xiaojung 0323852
ASSIGNMENT 1: GROUP REPORT

Part A
Compare the functions and limitation of BIM QS computer software in the market.

Introduction to Building Information
Modelling (BIM)

What is BIM?
❖ the process of designing
a building collaboratively
using one coherent
system of computer
models rather than as
separate sets of
drawings.
❖ improve the 3 most
important aspects to
their projects:
- Time
- Cost
- Quality
❖ Divided into 3 levels
where parties
collaborate on same
model and share same
date on the same
repository.

Benefits of using BIM
❖ enable a QS to easily take
off quantities and estimate
the project costs
❖ helping a construction
project move from the
design desks to physical
reality
❖ prunes redundant data
❖ improves coordination
among departments
❖ maintains updated information
brings operational efficiency
❖ erases communication
lag and noise
❖ gives an overall
efficiency to the whole
lifespan of the project

Vico Office Takeoff Manager CostX
Buildsoft Cubit Cubisoft (Glodon)

Functions of Vico Office Takeoff Manager (8)
1) 2D to 3D Management (Vico Document Controller)
❖ Identify the changes of 2D and 3D versions
❖ Compare coodinated 3D model to 2D contract documents for final checking

2) 3D BIM for Visualization
❖ Performs well with practical BIM authoring tools such as Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft
ArchiCAD and Tekla Structures
❖ additional import softwares such as Google SketchUp, 3D DWG, CAD Duct and IFC file
3) 3D BIM for Clash Detection (Vico
Constructability Manager)
❖ Help to identify constructability problems in
the planning process
- integrated solutions for clash detections
- coordination resolution.

4) 3D BIM for layout (Vico Layout Manager)
❖ Offers precise analysis of virtual model
critical points
❖ offers speedy installation and remove costly
rework.
5) 3D BIM for Quantity Takeoff (Vico
Takeoff Manager)
❖ provides more precise, up to date
schedules, estimating and cost planning
❖ helps scans a 3D model’s content and
automatically generates take of items
with a set of construction-caliber
quantities off the 3D model.

❖ Vico Production Controller
- manages on-site production and planning
schedules during the build phase
6) 4D BIM for Scheduling and Production Control (4)
❖ Vico LBS Manager
- Divides the project into work locations
❖ Vico 4D Manager
- provides a clear 3D visualization of project timeline.
❖ Vico Schedule Planner
- Uses BIM model elements to generate
construction schedules

7) 5D BIM for Estimating (2)
❖ Vico Cost Planner
- A strong model-based cost estimating
solution
- uses Vico Takeoff Manager
- provide a precise estimation within a short
period of time
❖ Vico Cost Explorer
- the first model-based budgeting application
- enables project team to visualize the
elements of the projects that are affecting
the changes in the cost

8) Construction Management Report
❖ enable information to be communicate across the
project team
❖ delivers constructability reports
❖ provide cost and resource loaded schedules
❖ cash flow reports
❖ cost estimates
❖ proposed design changes
Limitation of Using Vico Office
❖ allows only one model file to be used at one
time
❖ unable to detect any collisions automatically
❖ require more time to complete the 3D model

3. Able to support various files types
- ability to compare and review the contemporary
drawings with the previous one.
- allows the user safe plenty of time and fastens the
work.
Functions :
1. Auto-revisioning
2. Subcontractor Comparison
- workbooks can be generated in CostX allow the
user to compare with the subcontractors
information.
- allow the user have better view and make
comparison with one another about the cost and
quality.
- allows quantity surveyors to extract quantities and
measure through existing project drawings.
- allows for a productive back office and streamlined
process.
4. 3D / BIM Takeoff
- enables them to visualise their measurement in 3D,
leveraging the latest developments in automated take-off.
- helps users to visualize and understand the drawing have
a general idea of the building before build.

Limitations :
QS firms need to pay more for other products like Cost XL in
order to exploit the software to its full potential including its
function.
1. Add-on Cost 2. Rebar detection
Main reinforcement bar and Bents for mesh fabric reinforcement
(BRC) of the beam or column could not be detected by using the
software, hence the users will have to measure the length of fabric
reinforcement of the whole beam .

3. Price Lists2. 3D Takeoff1. Natural Estimating
Functions :
By tracing directly over imported plans, simple
or complex quantity takeoffs are performed
quickly and accurately.
Application that seamlessly integrates takeoff
with estimating for an all-in-one solution that
called Natural Estimating.
Collect pricing information and save them as
template price lists to control how the
company prices jobs, ensuring accuracy and
maximising profitability.
4. Job Analysis
Estimate in a way that allows us to sort data
into different formats, giving us the ability to
quickly analyse or breakdown a job by cost
code or material.
Able to save countless hours estimating as
revisions to plans are overlaid on an existing
plan that already taken off.
5. Automatic Plan Revisions

Limitations :
The job file that had been created in
Buildsoft will be permanently deleted
when doing the amendment on the existing
data.
1. Permanently deleted
2. Typing errors
This software has not created to check or
identify the typing errors like numbers or
figure that already type in.
3. Virus Attack
When no anti-virus was installed, the virus can
attack the computer system and also all the
content of the computer.

Cubicost Glodon
Cubicost Takeoff for
Architecture and Structure
(TAS)
Cubicost Takeoff for Rebar
(TRB)
Cubicost TBQ
Cubicost Takeoff for
Mechanical & Electirc (TME)

3. Professional, accurate and easy to check
- Can identify different types of drawings files like
DWG, JPG , PDF or tracking 2D drawings.
- Deals with variations quickly by adjusting model
information
Functions :
1. Quick modelling and BIM-based
quantity takeoff
2. Various Quantity Reports
- Ability to generate reports by floors, element type
or other condition.
- Unique Reversely Check which can trace the
origin of quantities in BIM models. Making it easy
to check modify changes.
- Local measurement method which proved by users
from many countries.
- Deduct automatically based on the relations among
elements in BIM model to ensure calculation
accuracy.
4. Teamwork High Efficiency
- Can supports rapid adjustment and reuse of BIM models,
which can reduce working intensities.

Limitations
Cost
- Extremely costly to own Cubicost
license and installed in a QS firm.
- Fees will be incurred when users which
to update.

Feature Glodon Cost X Buildsoft Cubit Vico Office
3D Model
Visualization
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Simplicity ✓ ✓ ⅹ ⅹ
Auto-revisioning ✓ ✓ ⅹ ⅹ
Able to export into
others format
✓ ⅹ ⅹ ⅹ
Able to read
different types of
drawings
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Summary & Recommendations

Part B
Compare benefits and constraints of Building Information Modelling (BIM), CAD
Measurement and Manual Measurement in each stage.

Building Information Modelling (BIM)
BENEFITS CONSTRAINTS
Provide visualization of project
- Provided with a visual to know how a
building will look like way before the
project commences.
- better insight of the project.
Cost of Software
- Very costly and is a huge capital
investment.
- Huge restriction for small companies
who have difficulties to afford it.
Ability for Collaboration
- Project data are readily accessible.
- Input information and make necessary
amendments.
Lack of Experts
- New to the industry.
- Requires additional investment in
time to train and educate an
individual to be an expert.

Computer-Aided Design
Provide the data base for manufacturing
- Include the date in CAD for designing
purpose.
- 2D drafting tool
High Initial Cost
- High expenses incurred
- (eg. computer hardware, software
updates and training cost for the
workers.
Visualisation
- The size and resolution of the
drawings can be changed.
- Helps in visualizing the final product
that is to be made
Training is required
- To ensure that they know to use the
software effectively and efficiently
Improve the quality of the design
- Large number of tools that help
designers to consider large number of
investigation.
Higher risk of loss of information
- CAD software does not have a
backup system

Manual Measurement
Cost
- Does not require purchasing of
software
- Only require printing, which is cheap
Experience
- Cost plan is required to be produced
- Need experience to produce cost
plan
Training
- Software requires training and fresh
graduates are usually more well
versed in manual measurement

Amendments Can Be Made Easily
- Links all data related to the
construction together.
- When a change is made, it
automatically amend the other related
data.
Requires Adaptation Period
- Long period to adapt and get used to
functioning it.
- Extra time and effort is essential
before one can fully operate
effectively it.
Ability to Design Complex Projects
- Any design complication and clashes
can be detected easily.
Incompatibility
- Barrier for many especially small
scale companies to own BIM as it
requires high cost.
- incompatible to be used if one of the
parties involved in the project do not
own the software.

High accuracy of design
- It can draw to scale to produce high
accuracy design .
Lack of standardisation in design
- Few methods of drawing the plans
which are depends on the architect
preferences
Easy to edit
- You can fix the errors and modify the
drawings easily
- CAD has a variety of drawing tools
that can create straight lines, circles,
curves and many more.
Requires update of skills
- Users have to update their skills
time to time to ensure that they can
use the software properly and
efficiently

Manual Measurement
Changes
- In this stage, there can be many
changes
- Hard to make changes in calculating
and could miss out certain elements
Limitation
- Could take time due to human
limitations

Effective and Efficient
- Clashes of elements can be detected
immediately and with ease at early
stage.
- Ensures all elements to be perfect fit
for each other.
Lack of Single Point of Responsibility
- BIM enables all parties to make any
amendments easily without consent.
- Any party that made a mistake will be
difficult to be identified and the
responsibility will be push to one
another.
Time Saving
- Simplify the process of measurement
and pricing as it features an automatic
quantity taking off and cost estimation.

On- screen takeoff
- CAD drawings are produced
according to the actual size
- Users can choose to measure any
items
Unable to produce bill of quantities
- Limited to taking-off only
- Data has to be transferred manually
or imported to other software to
prepare BQ
- ( Consume more time)
Data managing
- Able to manage data effectively by
categorizing it into two categories :
a. Graphic
b. Non-graphic

Manual Measurement
Data Security
- In an event of computer error, power
loss, the information does not get
removed as everything is done
manually
Human Error
- During this stage, projects get more
complex
- Therefore, there is risk of
miscalculation

Promote use of Pre-fabricated
Components
- Prefabricated components are rarely
used as it only has very minimal
allowance for errors.
- BIM ensures all construction
components to be perfect fit for each
other.
Cost Variation
- BIM does not take external factors
such as price fluctuation into
consideration.
- Extra effort is required to ensure that
all these factors are being
considered.
Waste Reduction
- Quantities extracted are very
accurate.
- Reduces waste of storage space and
labour cost.

Improve communication process
- Easier understanding of the design
and measurement.
- Reduce the misinterpretations and
uncertainty in reading plans
Limited measurement
- (eg: For 2D drawing, is it just for unit
measurement of 2D only )
Reduce confusion
- Ability of CAD to show design
information clearly and accurately
Higher expenses incurred on site
- Construction site may require a
computer
- Extra expenses = higher construction
cost
Increase the speed in measurement
- Produces semi-automatic ability to
measure the quantities.

Manual Measurement
Error Identification
- Hard to spot error as there is no tools
Information
- Does not provide much information,
like 5D, 6D

Data Management
- Ability to gather all project related data
and store it together in one place.
- Various information such as
architectural drawings, structural
drawings, building materials and
models can be kept in an ordering
manner and tracked easily.
High Maintenance
- Updates of software are fairly costly.
- In order to get the most updated
version of the software, users need
to spend extra money from time to
time.

Computer-Aided Design (Post Construction Stage)
Extension of information
- Provides information given in the
Manual by visualizing the various
compartment of the building
Limited information
- There are little to no information
provided for the softscape of a
building
- Leads to an inadequate of
visualisation of the designated space
usage.
Commonly usable
- CAD files can be read in a variety of
software in the market today
- Most of them provide free file readers
- ( Very convenient)

Manual Measurement
Experience
- Easy to understand
- Does not require much
experience/knowledge
Time
- Time is needed to scan and print
copies
Information
- No information generated like BIM

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