Watch the video on Virtual Design Software.
Applications for virtual building design software are as varied as the industries that use these digital tools. This versatile software can create a virtual model of a home, so a sales team can visually demonstrate site plans, floor plans, options, and finishes to potential homebuyers. It can produce a photo-realistic illustration of a proposed community, so a builder can receive quicker project acceptance from a client. It can produce detailed 2D and 3D images of potential scenarios for a home interior, so a design center can provide a better experience for its customers.
Virtual design software comes in a variety of classes to meet the needs of a wide market. For architects, virtual design software changes the traditional way of designing buildings, creating new ways to concoct, construct, and communicate designs to clients. In architecture, this move from paper-centric information to digital design is known as building information modeling (BIM). BIM has the potential to improve productivity, minimize or eliminate costly mistakes, increase efficiency, enhance coordination, and generate more satisfied customers. It gives architects the ability to design an entire building solely using software.
David L. May, Jr., AIA, Director at HBA Architecture & Interior Design in Virginia Beach, VA, says he sees the building industry moving in the direction of virtual design software. He notes, "As a profession, we've been talking about virtual design for over 10 years. In the past, it's been too expensive for residential builders, but with recent software developments, the industry will begin to move in that direction." Virtual design software adds a layer of intelligence to a project. For instance, it has the ability to highlight conflicts in a building design, or if the design doesn't meet the requirements of handicap accessibility. With such sophisticated software, though, comes a price. "The software uses up a lot of horsepower," May says, "so many are waiting for the next version to arrive."
Revit by Autodesk is a BIM system that has the potential to significantly improve the design process and impress clients. Revit proclaims its ability to increase project coordination through its "parametric change engine." Parametric change means that when you adjust a feature in one location, all documents in Revit are updated to reflect the adjustment; a change made in one location is a change made everywhere. This feature helps to deliver more complete documents and higher quality designs.
For architects, virtual design software offers many potential benefits that are hard to ignore, especially if the benefits include highly satisfied clients. For more information about virtual design software, visit these manufacturers:
www.graphisoft.com/products/virtual_building
usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=5106083
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