We have conducted a systematic review of BIM requirements on large, Norwegian road and rail projects the last 5 years, and you can read more about it in a dedicated article here.
In the article, we have identified and described 30 BIM requirements across four categories: A general requirements (6 requirements), B requirements for content in the BIM model available to the client (10), C model functionality requirements (10), and D model accessibility (4). In this article, we describe how Novorender can help meet all these requirements.
Summary:
Novorender is both the project’s viewer, project information model (PIM), and common data environment (CDE) in one. Additionally, Novorender supports a wide range of required model data, federating all discipline and foundational models, along with GIS, point clouds, and much more. Key required functionalities such as version control, quality and geometric control, etc., are all supported. Finally, Novorender also has unique accessibility, with models loading in just a few seconds regardless of size, and it is easily accessible via a browser and on mobile devices.
Table of Contents
A General BIM Requirements
A.1 BIM Execution Plan:
Novorender can play a central role in a BIM execution plan by being one, single system for both viewing, project information model (PIM), and common data environment (CDE). The tool can visualize all information in the project model by integrating other CDE solutions (BIM 360, Trimble Connect, etc.), exports from design tools, operations & maintenance data, terrain, and a longer list of systems and data formats into one model. Novorender ensures that everyone has up-to-date project information readily available and that the same model and software is used by both the owner, designers, contractors, and subcontractors — across the entire project lifecycle. Novorender also ensures that information can flow freely via its APIs, giving the project great freedom to customize functionality on top of Novorender since these APIs are open. Additionally, Novorender contributes to increased BIM adoption as the solution loads in a few seconds (regardless of size, including on mobile devices), is accessible with just one click on a link via a browser, and has a simple user interface designed for “non-expert” users.
A.2 Model-Based Project (compliance with ISO 19650 parts 1 and 2):
Novorender is a highly suitable tool for model-based projects, as the software can quickly 3D visualize and make available nearly unlimited amounts of data (>100 GB) in a fast and easy way through the browser, including on mobile. This contributes to the adoption of BIM in the project, which is a critical prerequisite for a successful model-based project. Novorender has been used in a wide range of model-based projects, including by Statens Vegvesen, COWI, and Bjelland, who reduced construction time by >50% with the model-based approach on a road project.
A.3 Viewer”):
Novorender can be the viewer for the project information model (PIM) by quickly/easily visualizing it for everyone without specialized software (accessible with one click via a browser, including on mobile). Furthermore, users can interact with the model with functions such as filtering/measuring/searching, task management, checklists, collision detection, model validation, and finding links to documentation, e.g., 2D drawings, etc.
A.4 Project Information Model (“PIM”) in accordance with ISO 19650:
Novorender can be the project’s PIM by managing, controlling access to, and visualizing all information in the project. For example, Bane NOR has recently acquired Novorender as its project information model (PIM) to be used in all projects.
Add Files from Other CDEs:
CDE – Activity Logs – Version History:
A.6 Virtual Design & Construction (VDC):
Novorender is well-suited for inclusion in the VDC methodology as the software can combine and make available all discipline models in the project quickly and easily in a browser (including mobile), ensuring that everyone is looking at the same information and can identify and solve problems based on the model, for example, for use in ICE meetings (Integrated Concurrent Engineering).
B Model Content
B.1 Federated Model:
Novorender can federate a virtually unlimited number/size of discipline models, foundational models, and other models/data into one solution. Novorender is used, among other things, as the federated model for (probably) the world’s largest BIM model on the Fornebubanen project in Oslo/Bærum.
This project consists of >20 disciplines, 1,200 models, >10 million unique objects, and >10 billion polygons.
B.2 Model Maturity Index (MMI):
Novorender can easily visualize maturity levels on objects (MMI) when this is stored as an attribute on objects in the BIM model.
B.3 Open Formats:
Novorender supports >50 different formats/system integrations (see the full list of formats here and integrations here), including open formats such as IFC, BCF, bcfXML, IDF (see the list of supported open formats here). Novorender is an open system with open APIs, and over 70% of the source code is made available as open source, giving users great flexibility and interoperability. This further expresses our strong desire to be an open platform.
B.4 Terrain/GIS:
Novorender integrates both BIM and GIS into one viewer, both through integration with GIS systems (e.g., ArcGIS) and support for a range of GIS file formats (see the full list of formats here). We also have native support for WMS, added to the project according to the bounding box (open databases), as well as internal WMS servers.
B.5 Temporary Measures:
In Novorender, the user can configure their own objects, called “geo forms,” which are tied to a location and can be assigned information (including images, PDFs, external links, icons etc.). These objects can also be visualized as a physical object linked to a temporary measure, such as cones, barriers, containers, etc.
B.6 Environment/SHA/RUH etc.:
In Novorender, the user can configure their own objects either tied to an object (“forms”) or a location (“geo forms”). These model-based objects can be further enriched with a wide range of information, including attributes, checklists, images, PDFs, external links, etc. This can, for example, be used to add important information regarding environmental considerations, incidents related to health, safety, and the environment (SHA), and incident reporting (RUH)— all directly linked to the model.
B.7 FM/Operations and maintenance documentation:
In Novorender, the user can configure forms that can be used, for example, for checklists related to as-built documentation. Additionally, Novorender integrates with common operations & maintenance systems like Omega 365, used by both Bane NOR and Nye Veier, enabling direct links between objects in the model and documentation in these FM system.
B.8 Drone Footage and Photos:
Novorender can handle and visualize images and laser output from drones and display them directly in the model.
B.9 MWD Data:
Novorender integrates drilling logs, Machine While Drilling (MWD) data, and can visualize these directly in the interface in a simple and scalable way. This is especially large data sets that few/if any, other systems handle as scalably as Novorender. This is used, among other things, to improve decision-making during tunnel excavation and especially to minimize the extent of injection masses and to better tailor the injection masse type used to the rock’s geology and fractures.
B.10 Point Cloud:
Novorender can handle and visualize a virtually unlimited amount/size of point cloud data with support for point cloud formats such as PTS, LAS, LAZ, and E57. This is especially used to visualize and analyze deviations (geometric control) between the model and as-built.
C Model Functions
C.1 Version Control:
Novorender gives the user full control over model and file revisions through an interface that displays and allows the user to select/roll back between different versions, view logs of changes, etc.
C.2 Quality Control:
Novorender enables its users to assert quality assurance and control primarily by ensuring that all project staff have access to the same, up-to-date project information model (PIM) at all times. Furthermore, Novorender supports model validation through user-defined rule sets. The user can define rule sets (via the interface, uploading a JSON file, or with GPT-technology support) that apply to all models uploaded to the project and across projects. Novorender also supports quality control through collision detection, geometric control, etc.
C.3 Checklists/Systematic Completion:
In Novorender, the user can define their own checklists (via the “forms” function), where one can flexibly configure forms with fields, options, descriptions, documentation, etc., including support for approval. Checklists can also be integrated from 3rd-party systems like Omega 365 and used directly in Novorender. This can be used, among other things, for systematic completion.
C.4 Geometric Control:
Novorender has features for visualizing and analyzing deviations between the model and point clouds. This is used to perform geometric control between the model and as-built, e.g., during excavation and tunnel construction. LNS has implemented Novorender and especially utilized this capability to improve surveyors’ efficiency by 1500 hours per year (15%) in tunnel projects.
C.5 Filtering/Grouping/Searching:
Novorender has features for filtering, grouping, and searching objects based on attributes (attribute data), with the ability to create dynamic groups and conditional bookmarks and actions on them. These can be created automatically based on the attributes in the project or with advanced searches using Boolean algebra (and, or, not, etc.).
C.6 Replace 2D Drawings:
Novorender has functions for 2D views, including “clipping” in the model. When all disciplines are federated in the model and using measurement functions, a number of drawings can be wholly or partially replaced. Novorender has previously helped reduce 2D drawings by 90%. Most of the drawings described in Statens Vegvesen’s Handbook R700 (referred to by both Statens Vegvesen and Nye Veier) can wholly or partially be replaced with the model using Novorender.
C.7 Link to Documentation:
Novorender can flexibly integrate documentation directly linked to the model, such as 2D/PDF documents, links to internal/3rd-party operations & maintenance systems. This is used by Bane NOR, among others, through an integration with the operations & maintenance system Omega 365.
C.8 Measurement Functions:
Novorender has developed extensive measurement capabilities, including distance, angles, laser, area, perimeter, slope, and parametric measurements that extract and visualize more advanced measurement parameters directly from BIM objects.
C.9 Task/Issue Management:
Novorender can support task/issue management directly on the model, either with the solution’s built-in function called “forms” or with integration into 3rd-party systems such as Jira, Ditio, Newforma Konekt, among others, with support for the BIM Collaboration Format (BCF).
C.10 Collision Control:
Novorender supports collision control in three different ways: 1. between objects, 2. between object and point cloud, and 3. between point clouds. To perform collision control between objects, the user can define a wide range of collision rules that are then applied to the model and result in identified and visualized collisions. Collision between object and point cloud is used, among other things, for geometric control, as described further in C.4.
D Model Accessibility
D.1 Mobile Devices:
Novorender runs directly in the browser and on mobile, requires no download (of app or model), and is therefore accessible as easily as with one click on a link. Access to model excerpts can also be provided without the need for registration/logging in, further lowering the barrier to using the model on mobile devices in the field. Many Norwegian construction projects have succeeded in using models in the field on mobile devices with Novorender, for example, Risa, who recently eliminated all paper on a project.
D.2 Quick & easy access:
Novorender can visualize and make available a virtually unlimited amount of BIM and other data directly through the browser. Novorender is used as the federated model for the (probably) world’s largest BIM model on the Fornebubanen project in Oslo/Bærum. This project consists of >20 disciplines, >1200 models, >10 million unique objects, and >10 billion polygons. The model takes only a few seconds to load. Moreover, we have compared Novorender’s load time against other viewers on a smaller project (E18 Vestkorridoren, 5 GB of data), where Novorender loads in about 2 seconds, while other viewers can take >2 minutes, i.e., >100 times longer.
D.3 Offline:
Mobile coverage can be a challenge on some projects. Therefore, Novorender also supports using the model “offline,” meaning the model is downloaded in advance and can then be used without the internet. When the device reconnects, the server is checked for updates, and the model is updated accordingly.
D.4 Automatic Updates:
The model in Novorender updates automatically when the user uploads new data and/or when updates are made to other integrated storage services such as BIM 360/ACC (Autodesk Construction Cloud), Sharepoint, Trimble Connect, etc.
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