Session 2.6
Creating 3D BIM applications from scratch (LAB BYOD)
Synopsis:
It seems that creating BIM applications is reserved for specialized software companies. However, IFC.js allows any professional to create their own BIM software completely free of charge, using the same technology distributed by large software companies. We will see how.
(All LAB attendees must bring their own devices.)
Learning Objectives:
1. Create a 3D BIM web application from scratch, including the visualization of properties in menus, controlling the visibility of the model, exporting floor plans and more
2. Secure and publish our BIM apps for free in GitHub for distribution and testing
3. Fundamentals of IFC.js and its possibilities to create powerful BIM tools for free and for any platform (desktop, mobile apps, server applications, web apps, etc)
Body:
Creating BIM applications is not easy. In fact, if we wanted to create something similar to Revit, many professional developers would not know where to start. However, this is not the case in all industries. In the video game industry, for example, anyone can create a video game in an afternoon with game engines like Unreal Engine or Godot. These tools exist because there have been companies in the video game industry that have decided to make their technology available to everyone, so anyone can create their own video games.
Unfortunately, any big BIM software company has done the same for BIM. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a “BIM engine” that would allow any individual or company could create their own solutions and sell them in the market to compete on equal terms with the industry giants? That’s exactly what IFC.js is.
IFC.js allows anyone to create powerful 3D BIM applications for web browsers, servers, desktops, and mobile applications. It is a javascript framework that brings together the collective effort and knowledge of programmers and companies with extensive experience in the BIM software sector. It includes complex functionalities behind a simple and intuitive API, so that creating high-level BIM and digital twin applications is within the reach of any programmer.
IFC.js is (and always will be) completely free and open source. It has an open and active community of companies and users of all levels building and selling their own BIM software.
In this space we will approach the API and create a BIM application capable of importing IFCs, navigate in 3d through them, select elements, view their properties, create section plans and measure them in 3D.
(All installation instructions will be provided by the speaker.)