How to combine BIMcollab Zoom with Solibri in a project?
As the use of BIM models in projects is growing, new opportunities to improve coordination processes are emerging. One of these is checking BIM models automatically, rather than manually. In this blog, you can read how to maximize the strengths and expertise of your team by using different BIM tools in the smartest way.
Checking BIM models
While applications like Archicad, Revit or Tekla are used for modeling BIM models, Solibri Office and BIMcollab Zoom mainly focus on checking these models. All models in a project are combined into a federated ‘coordination model’ and checked together. When new models are available, they are updated in the federated model and checks are re-run.
Checks can be performed from various model aspects:
- Clash detection: are geometric conflicts present within the same or between different models?
- Information review: does the model meet the information requirements?
- Design check: does the model meet the client’s requirements and applicable regulations?
- Construction/technical implementation check: can the model be built on the construction site?
One could say that points 1 and 2 are more generic, as they can be applied to any project. Point 3 is more specific, as it depends on the project requirements. Point 4 highly depends on how the design is translated into implementation and is, therefore, project specific.
Solibri Office versus BIMcollab Zoom: the most efficient option
Although Solibri Office can be used for all 4 aspects, this does not necessarily mean that it is always the most efficient option. Because of Solibri’s extensive capabilities, it can be quite complex for team members with less BIM knowledge, as it requires a specific understanding of the models and the project.
On the other hand, BIMcollab Zoom is easier to learn and intuitive for new users, but can only be used on points 1 and 2. However, when you add the integration with BIMcollab Nexus, it offers significant advantages for points 1 and 2, making Zoom the better choice for this kind of checks.
Combine the benefits of both
On projects where Solibri Office is used, BIMcollab Zoom can be used to take on the labor-intensive model checks from points 1 and 2. Zoom requires less specific BIM and project knowledge to set up and perform a review. An integrated workflow of clash detection and issue management, which are Zoom’s Smart Issues, makes it easier and faster to bring models to a high-quality level.
For the project’s BIM experts that are using Solibri, adding Zoom to the workflow also brings advantages. Running the checks from points 1 and 2 in Zoom allows the complex checks from points 3 and 4 to be performed much more efficiently in Solibri. In this workflow, the strong points of both programs are being utilized depending on the team members’ expertise level, and the most cost-efficient approach is achieved.
The added value of Zoom in the field of clash detection
When looking at clash detection and management process, we can identify three steps:
- Setting up and executing clash rules
- Processing the results (reporting clashes to issues)
- Validating and closing issues based on new BIM model versions
BIMcollab Zoom significantly simplifies these steps due to its integration with BIMcollab Nexus for BIM coordination and issue management. Here are some of the benefits of this integration:
1. Clash rules can be shared with others in a project
A responsible team member can set up and share the rules for checking the models so that they can be used directly by others in their Zoom program.
2. Grouping clash results
With Zoom’s clash boxes, it is quickly identifiable which results are relevant and which are not. Additionally, filters can be set to group clash results. With the grouping filters, clash results can be quickly processed into issues (a group of clashes becomes one issue) and assigned to the right team members.
3. No duplicate clashes
In BIMcollab Zoom, clash results are linked to Smart Issues. Clashes that have already been reported are clearly distinguished (also for other team members), and duplicate reporting of clashes is a thing of the past. Smart Issues offer a unique possibility to report (many) clash results at the same time as other team members.
4. Smart Issues are automatically updated
No more manual searching for the issues resolved by a new check based on model updates. Smart Issues automatically check whether the associated clashes have been resolved in new model versions. They also contain all the information necessary to review the changes. In addition, all changes are directly recorded in the in your BIMcollab Nexus project.
Hopefully, this has given you a better insight into what is the added value of using both Solibri Office and BIMcollab Zoom in one project. Here you can learn more on how to organize project files to combine Solibri and Zoom.