BIM 360 Glue helps streamline design, construction processess, provides tighter integration between cloud and desktop
Autodesk Inc., a global leader in 3D design software for manufacturing, building, construction, engineering and entertainment, Monday launched a new version of its cloud-based Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, BIM 360 Glue.
San Rafael, Calif.-based Autodesk sells BIM software to the design and engineering industries to help develop and manage building and infrastructure projects faster, more economically and with less environmental impact.
Clash detection, coordination, collaboration
Coordinating project models across an extended project team requires significant file management, which can slow down the collaboration process.
Autodesk said BIM 360 Glue gives the extended project team one-click access to the latest models in the cloud at any time, simplifying model coordination and allowing contributors to run their own clashes via desktop, mobile and web, reducing the coordination cycle and helping save on project duration and cost.
“BIM is transforming the AEC industry; this happened first in architecture and more recently in construction,” said Amar Hanspal, Autodesk senior vice president of information modeling products “Autodesk’s cloud and mobile technologies are untethering BIM from the desktop, allowing extended project teams to more effectively collaborate and coordinate projects with greater speed and power.”
Major features of BIM 360 Glue include:
- bringing together 2D CAD, GIS, raster, and 3D models
- creating and managing multiple alternatives in a single model
- securely publishing, storing, and managing large models in the cloud
The new release provides a redesigned and optimized user interface as well as support for larger project models, and improved coordination with Autodesk Revit, Autodesk AutoCAD, and Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D.
“We believe BIM 360 Glue will take our construction services to the next level,” said Rodd Merchant, senior vice president of JE Dunn Construction, a leading provider of construction management services, design-build, and integrated project delivery.
BIM 360 Glue supports over 50 3D formats
Now supporting more than 50 different 3D formats, customers can use BIM 360 Glue for team-based coordination and then bring the coordinated models directly into Navisworks software.
From there they can take the project even further with advanced analysis, 4D animated timelines, and model-based quantification. The updated BIM 360 Glue mobile app also provides better anti-aliasing and support for Navisworks models to deliver virtually “anywhere access” to critical project data, the company said.
“The introduction of mobile devices into the construction industry is transforming the way that projects are built and managed,” Autodesk said in a press release.
Investment bank bullish on Autodesk’s BIM prospects
In April, an analyst with investment bank and securities firm Jefferies Group LLC said Autodesk is well positioned for a leading share in the BIM market.
Jefferies analyst Ross MacMillan cited three takeaways from research provided by BIM expert, Steve Jones, of McGraw-Hill Construction, that point to Autodesk’s future success:
- BIM adoption up from 17 percent in 2007 to 71 percent in 2012, but penetration is low in many areas, i.e. 26 percent of engineers and 31 percent of contractors
- Autodesk is well positioned as a leading player in this market, though others are vying for share
- McGraw-Hill sees acceleration in construction industry growth from 7 percent this year to 17 percent in 2014
