BIM and AI: A Call for Open Discussion and Collaboration

The AECO industry is facing a new wave of technological advancements, particularly in BIM, GIS, and AI. To navigate these changes effectively, open communication and community are more crucial than ever. I recently returned to social media and was reminded of the power of connection, prompting me to reflect on the history of BIM user groups.

Early Revit users connected in online forums and later in in-person gatherings, often supported by vendors. This collaborative spirit fueled the growth and success of BIM. But as the market matured and search engines became readily available, participation in these groups waned. Now, as we face the complexities of incorporating AI, this same spirit of collaboration is needed more than ever.

How can we make informed decisions about AI without open dialogue? We need to hear from users, not just vendors. (No offense, vendors, you're doing a great job!) Whether your outlook is optimistic or cautious, sharing your experiences—successes and failures—is essential. This prevents others from repeating mistakes and sparks new ideas. We need to foster personal, local connections. If in-person meetings aren't feasible, virtual gatherings will do. But let's talk to our colleagues, contemporaries, even our competitors. Let's not repeat the mistakes of vintage CAD firms, guarding their "secret sauce."

I'm committed to contributing to this conversation by continuing to share my thoughts on BIM, GIS, and AI. I'm also reaching out to my colleagues at the South Coast Revit Users Group (SCRUG) to explore how we can revitalize local engagement. I encourage you to join local groups, participate in online discussions, and share your own experiences. Let's find out what's really going on.

#BIM #AECO #DigitalConstruction #BuildingInformationModeling #GIS #AIinConstruction #BIMCommunity #Revit

Celebrate Summer with SCRUG in L.A.

Alexa, how far is it from O.C. to the Long Beach Promenade?

"It is twenty-four miles from Irvine to the Long Beach Promenade."

Alexa, why should I attend SCRUG in L.A.?

"Because it's summer and you deserve a break."

It's possible that your spouse or significant other has no idea what you do, and may not have seen the cool technology involved in BIM and VDC. Please bring them along for this special meeting. There are plans for an after-party at 111, and that's just one block from the Long Beach Promenade.

This Thursday will be an excellent opportunity for you to network with colleagues from across the profession. That is SCRUG's primary purpose. If you attended any of our recent meeting you know what to expect.

We apologize for the short notice. There will be a limit on the number of attendees.

Thursday, June 21, 2018
6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Please RSVP at SCRUG.Anyvite.com. No “maybes”.

Thanks to our sponsors Kelar Pacific, Microdesk & US CAD, and to Studio 111 for hosting the event.

Allen Jay Holland
SCRUG Co-Chair

The Great Escape ~ SCRUG in Long Beach

Colleagues,

In another first for the South Coast Revit Users Group, this Thursday, June 21st, we are escaping from Orange County to hold our first L.A. meeting at Studio One Eleven in Long Beach. (Just one block from the Long Beach Promenade.)

Studio One Eleven is an innovative multidisciplinary design firm founded in 1999. Practice areas include Mixed-Use Development, Affordable and Market Rate Housing, Adaptive Re-use, Transit Oriented Development and Urban Retail. The office was transformed from a vacant retail store into vibrant, creative office space while achieving LEED Platinum and WELL Gold ratings.

Scan2BIM

Scan2BIM is a process which utilizes high definition laser scanning to create high accuracy 3D BIM models for retrofit, refurbishment and renovation projects.

LIDAR Scanning is becoming more widely used, less expensive, and easier to work with. If you want a Revit as-built model, accurate topo surface, verify site grading, or verify construction installation, don’t do it manually - leverage LIDAR.

Chuck Keeley and Garrett Maldoon from Kelar Pacific will demonstrate using point clouds in Revit, Recap Pro, and Navisworks.  They will highlight EdgeWise from ClearEdge3D that can automatically extract elements like pipes and surfaces in point clouds and convert to Revit families. Lessons learned and project examples will be shared.

“BIM Planning Made Simple"

BIM is supposed to save us time and money. How do we scope the right BIM, at the right time, by the right people - for the right reasons?

Founder and CEO of LOD Planner Clive Jordan will describe what’s been broken in traditional BIM planning workflows for over a decade, and what others are doing to achieve a process with less waste and risk today.

Previously, Clive served as BIM and Process Integration Leader at The Irvine Company and was with Vico Software (now part of Trimble) during the time when the groundwork for intelligent BIM was being laid.

Thursday, June 21, 2018
6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Please RSVP at SCRUG.Anyvite.com. No "maybes".

Driving Directions and Parking

All members registered here please also join SCRUG on LinkedIn, our primary platform for communicating about other BIM related news and events.

Allen Jay Holland

SCRUG Co-Chair

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Thanks to our sponsors:

Kelar Pacific, Microdesk, & US CAD

SCRUG May - BIM & VR at Taylor Design

Colleagues,

On Thursday, May 31st the SCRUG will meet at Taylor Design in Irvine.

Taylor Design is a strategy-based design firm with practices in Architectural Design, Interior Design and Design Strategy. Their markets include healthcare design, education, science & technology, and senior living. Taylor was an early advocate of 3D modeling for architecture, and continues to be a technology leader.

Long-time SCRUG member Steve Bennett will take a quick dive into the Kaiser Permanente Ventura Medical Office project to review a few key benefits of producing the project using Revit - including a plugin they’ve been using to produce Furniture Specification Reports. This will be followed by a quick glimpse into VR 101, how easy it is to get going with VR, and why your teams should be using it to inform their design process. Taylor will have their HTC Vive set up for viewing a design model in VR.

In addition, U.S. CAD Technology Consultant Troy Gates will present “Dive into your Model Data with Dynamo” and “What’s New in Dynamo 2.0”

Using some sample recipes, Troy will be showing how to get to the data that is in your model in Dynamo. The recipes will show how to collect, organize, and view data about your model. Also, Troy will give a quick update on what’s new in the recently released Dynamo 2.0.

RSVP for this event at scrug.anyvite.com

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Our thanks to Taylor for hosting the event and to our sponsors Kelar Pacific, Microdesk & U.S. CAD.

SCRUG Meeting Follow-Up

We had an historic turnout at last night's meeting of the South Coast Revit Users Group. The event was held at and hosted by Architects Orange.

Autodesk Technical Specialist Scott Davis presented the new features to be found in Revit 2019, including support for multiple monitors and un-cropped 3D views.

The presentation also touched on the transformation of the BIM 360 Platform.  

Thanks to all who attended, and to our sponsors Kelar Pacific, Microdesk, and U.S. CAD.

SCRUG April - Revit 2019 + BIM 360 Design

RSVP for this event at SCRUG.Anyvite.com

The news is already out regarding the new features in Revit 2019.

Read all about it on the Autodesk Revit Blog.

What's New in Revit 2019?

Highlights:

Greater control over view graphics with “or” in filters

Tabbed views & multi-monitor support

Immersive design experience

• Work in uncropped 3D views
• Levels in 3D views!

Complex fill patterns and more life-like renderings

More new features:

• Split railings
• Create more complex piping networks
• More streamlined design-to-fabrication workflows
• Dimensions for curved objects in section views
• Enhanced 3D modeling and communication of fabrication instructions

Possibly more significant for some users is the announcement of the BIM 360 Platform transformation.

“BIM 360 Design is a cloud worksharing, design collaboration, and data management product made for distributed and multidisciplinary teams.”

On Thursday, April 26th, Autodesk technical Specialist Scott Davis will join us at SCRUG to provide an overview of these developments.

RSVP for this event at SCRUG.Anyvite.com

SCRUG Happy Hours

Colleagues,

Welcome to a new year of innovation and change!

Our next regular meeting will be February 15th. Those who can't wait are invited to another SCRUG Happy Hour at the Streamliner Lounge in Orange.

We will be gathering for professional networking and for setting goals and objectives for the year, including creating more value for our members. All those who are interested in presenting should definitely attend.

(This is not a hosted event so be prepared to BYO.)

To RSVP go to: SCRUG.Anyvite.com

~Allen Jay Holland

Note:

• Happy Hour ends at 6 p.m.
• Southbound trains depart at 7:47 and 10:23.
• Northbound trains depart at 6:22 and 9:17.