This presentation by João Poças Martins talks about information technologies (IT) evolved in a fairly significant way over the last few years, having its impact also reached the AEC industry (Architecture, Engineering and Construction). The modeling programs of Building Information Modeling (BIM) are presented as the next step in the cooperation and collaboration between the various actors in the construction site and between several specialties. However, there are still barriers to be exceed to its complete adoption in work because, not only of its complexity, but also due to fact that its usage is in personal computers so, in a fixed workstations. There is a necessity of bringing these models to portable workstations through simple and easy inter-faces that can be generated in game engines. The present dissertation conducted an empirical study with the goal of finding a workflow between BIM software and game engines that would preserve the greatest possible amount of information. Af-ter finding a workflow that presented good results, it was proceeded to deepen this process, by explor-ing some of the potential of the game engine which can be applied to the interface. After this, the in-terface was built through a webpage. At last, it was made a practical application of this methodology in a real building, exploring how the reunion of BIM models with game engines can contribute in a positive way to situations that involve teaching and security in work.

1. DEVELOPMENT OF 3D INTERFACES
FOR MOBILE BIM APPLICATIONS
João Poças Martins, jppm@fe.up.pt
University of Porto – Faculty of Engineering
Portugal

2. INTEROPERABILITY
Software
• Data formats
• Open and Propriety
Human / Institutional
• Lack of trained personnel
• Interfaces

3. DESKTOP INTERFACES
Similar to CAD apps’

4. MOBILE INTERFACES
Mobile (“Companion”) Apps for viewing and annotating

5. MOBILE DEVICES
• Portability
• Connectivity (Wi-Fi, 3G/4G, Bluetooth)
• Cameras
• Microphone
• Motion sensors (accelerometers/
gyroscopes)
• GPS
• RFID
• Increased processing power (required
for 3D graphics)
• Low Cost
• Compatible with multiple development
environments
Suitable for
Virtual Reality (VR)
and
Augmented Reality (AR)
Applications

6. DEVELOPMENT OF 3D MOBILE INTERFACES
BIM
Modeling
App
Popular apps offer
3D export
3D
Computer
Graphics
Software
Optional graphics
treatment (simplify
model, improve
textures, etc.)
3D Engine
Programmable
platform to develop
and deploy
applications with a
3D interface to
multiple platforms

7. DATA FLOW: OVERVIEW
BIM
Modeling
App
3D Engine
3G Graphics
Software
(optional)
3D Graphics Export
Non Graphical Information
Embedded DB
Custom DB
GUIDKey
GUID preserved GUID preserved
Deployment
• Mobile
• Web
• Desktop

8. 3D DATA FLOW
Example
Source: Miguel Monteiro, 2013

9. 3D DATA FLOW. INTEROPERABILITYTEST
TEST ID MODELING APP > FILE FORMAT > 3D GRAPH SOFT > FILE FORMAT > 3D ENGINE MODEL GUID SCALE MATERIAL TEXTURE
1 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX - - Unity     
2 Autodesk Revit 2013 DXF - - Unity     
3 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX 3DS Max FBX Unity     
4 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX 3DS Max MAX Unity     
5 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX 3DS Max 3DS Unity     
6 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX 3DS Max DXF Unity     
7 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX 3DS Max OBJ Unity     
8 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX Maya MB Unity     
9 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX Maya FBX Unity     
10 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX Maya DXF Unity     
11 ArchiCAD 16 OBJ - - Unity     
12 ArchiCAD 16 3DS - - Unity     
13 ArchiCAD 16 DXF - - Unity     
14 ArchiCAD 16 3DS 3DS Max FBX Unity     
27 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX - - UDK     
28 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX 3DS Max FBX UDK     
29 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX 3DS Max ASE UDK     
30 Autodesk Revit 2013 FBX Maya FBX UDK     
31 ArchiCAD 16 3DS 3DS Max FBX UDK     
32 ArchiCAD 16 3DS 3DS Max ASE UDK     
33 ArchiCAD 16 OBJ 3DS Max ASE UDK     
34 ArchiCAD 16 OBJ 3DS Max FBX UDK     
35 ArchiCAD 16 OBJ Maya FBX UDK     
36 ArchiCAD 16 DXF Maya FBX UDK     
… … … …
Source: Miguel Monteiro, 2013

10. 3D DATA FLOW. INTEROPERABILITYTEST

11. CASE STUDY
First Person Model Navigation / Annotation (including images from camera)

12. SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE, BRAZIL. RC STRUCTURE.

13. CONCLUSIONS
 Mobile devices can play an important role in extending BIM use
beyond the design phase.
 Major BIM suppliers have presented solutions that are open
enough for smaller developers to explore, mixing and matching
information from different applications and sources. Small
companies are not limited to “out-of-the-box” solutions.
 Empirical testing is essential to assess suitability of available
software and file formats.

14. DEVELOPMENT OF 3D INTERFACES
FOR MOBILE BIM APPLICATIONS
João Poças Martins, jppm@fe.up.pt
University of Porto – Faculty of Engineering
Portugal