Building information modeling (BIM) is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. The resulting building information models become shared knowledge resources to support decision-making about a facility from earliest conceptual stages, through design and construction, through its operational life and eventual demolition.

(The National Building Information Model Standard Project Committee)

BIM merupakan perubahan paradigma yang memiliki banyak manfaat, tidak hanya untuk mereka yang bergerak dalam bidang industri kontruksi bangunan tetapi juga untuk masyarakat yang lebih luas lagi, bangunan yang lebih baik adalah bangunan yang dalam tahap pembangunannya menggunakan energi, tenaga kerja dan modal yang lebih sedikit. BIM pada dasarnya adalah digital platform untuk pembuatan bangunan virtual. Jika BIM diterapkan, modelnya harus dapat berisi semua informasi bangunan tersebut, informasi tersebut digunakan untuk bekerjasama, memprediksi, dan membuat keputusan tentang desain, konstruksi, biaya, dan tahap pemeliharaan bangunan.

BIM dianggap lebih dari sekedar teknologi biasa, melainkan cara baru untuk menangani proses pembangunan. Dengan menggunakan BIM dapat diperoleh 3D, 4D, 5D, dan 6D. Dimana 3D berbasis obyek pemodelan parametric, 4D adalah urutan dan penjadwalan material, pekerja, luasan area, waktu, dan lain-lain, 5D termasuk estimasi biaya dan part-lists, dan 6D mempertimbangkan untuk fasilitas manajemen, biaya siklus hidup, dan dampak lingkungan. Konsep ini sangat tergantung pada teknologi software yang digunakan. Inti dari konsep tersebut adalah bahwa model BIM berisi informasi- informasi. Model suatu objek tidak hanya geometris tetapi model tersebut juga berisi informasi tentang bahan yang digunakan, berat, biaya, waktu dan bagaimana bagian dipasang, dan lain-lain.

Pada dasarnya Building Information modeling (BIM) ini merupakan penggabungan dari dua gagasan penting, yaitu :
- Menjaga informasi desain kritis dalam bentuk digital, sehingga lebih mudah untuk diperbaharui dan berbagi dari perusahaan yang merencanakan dan perusahaan yang menggunakannya.
- Membuat real-time yang berhubungan terus menerus antara data desain digital dengan inovasi-inovasi teknologi pemodelan bangunan, sehingga dapat menghemat waktu dan uang serta meningkatkan produktivitas dan kualitas proyek.

Manfaat Building Information Modeling (BIM) dalam tahap desain yaitu apabila dalam sebuah proyek bangunan arsitek harus menyeimbangkan ruang lingkup proyek antara jadwal dan biaya. Apabila terjadi perubahan dari satu variabel biaya waktu dan uang maka akan mempengaruhi hubungan antara konsultan dan klien, dengan menggunakan Building Information Modeling (BIM) semua informasi penting sudah tersedia, sehingga proyek yang berhubungan dengan keputusan dapat dibuat lebih cepat dan efektif. Objek 3D dengan menggunakan BIM dapat dilihat dan diperiksa secara otomatis apabila ada kesalahan ataupun kendala. Dengan kemampuan yang dimiliki oleh BIM maka kesalahan dapat berkurang. Konsep dan metode BIM dipilih karena bentuk-bentuk geometri beserta propertinya diperlakukan seperti halnya pada dunia nyata.Tidak dikenal perumpamaan ataupun layering seperti halnya konsep dan metode pada perangkat CAD. BIM dapat mengubah cara AEC (tim proyek) dalam bekerja sama untuk berkomunikasi, memecahkan masalah dan membangun proyek lebih baik lebih cepat dan dengan biaya kurang.

BIM with Autodesk

Liat bagaimana setiap proses-proses dalam suatu perancangan arsitektur ( Design, Documentation, Fabrication, Construction Management, dll) semua terangkum dalam satu konsep kerja, yaitu BIM

yg ini bagus jg dari NBS

Autodesk Revit is Building information modeling software for architects, structural engineers, engineers, and contractors. It allows users to design a building and its components in 3D, annotate the model with 2D drafting elements and access building information from the building models database. Revit is 4D BIM capable with tools to plan and track various stages in the building's lifecycle, from concept to construction and later demolition.

The latest released version is Revit Architecture / Structure / MEP 2014 (April, 2013) and the corresponding suites. Revit is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, localized into multiple languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Polish, Hungarian and Russian.

All three Revit products (Architecture, Structure and MEP) use .RVT files for storing BIM models. Typically, a building is made using 3D objects to create walls, floors, roofs, structure, windows, doors ductwork, electrical systems and other objects as needed. These parametric objects— 3D building objects (such as windows or doors) or 2D drafting objects (such as fasteners)— are called "families" and are saved in .RFA files, and imported into the RVT database as needed.

A Revit model is a single database file represented in the various ways which are useful for design work. Such representations can be plans, sections, elevations, legends, and schedules. Because changes to each representation of the database model are made to one central model, changes made in one representation of the model (for example a plan) are propagated to other representations of the model (for example elevations). Thus, Revit drawings and schedules are always fully coordinated in terms of the building objects shown in drawings.

When a project is shared between several users, a central file is created which stores the master copy of the project database on a file server on the office's LAN. Each user works on a copy of the central file (known as the local file), stored on the user's workstation. Revit manages permissions on objects by locking them in the central file, ensuring that only one user has rights to them at a time. Users can periodically synchronize their changes back to the central file and receive changes from other users.

Multiple disciplines working together on the same project make their own project databases and link in the other consultants' databases for verification. Revit can perform collision checking, which detects if different components of the building are occupying the same physical space. When setup correctly schedules can also provide information to verify the functional aspects of a building. For example the level of occupancy for the room area, as well as electric and ventilation loads.

Revit is one of many varieties of BIM software which support the open XML-based IFC standard, developed by the buildingSMART organization. This filetype makes it possible for a client or general contractor to require BIM-based workflow from the different discipline consultants of a building project. Because IFC is a non-proprietary and human readable format, it is archivable and compatible with other databases, such as facility management software.

•Windows® 7 32-bit Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, or Home Premium edition operating system[1]
•Single- or multi-core Intel® Pentium®, Intel® Xeon®, or i-Series processor or AMD equivalent with SSE2 technology (highest affordable CPU speed rating recommended)
•Multiple cores for many tasks, up to 16 cores for near-photorealistic rendering operations
•4 GB RAM (Usually sufficient for a typical editing session for a single model up to approximately 100 MB on disk. This estimate is based on internal testing and customer reports. Individual models will vary in their use of computer resources and performance characteristics.)
•Models created in previous versions of Revit products may require more available memory for the one-time upgrade process
•/3GB RAM switch not recommended. Revit software and system stability can be affected by memory conflicts with video drivers when the /3GB switch is active.
•5 GB free disk space
•1,280 x 1,024 monitor with true color
•Display adapter capable of 24-bit color for basic graphics, 256 MB DirectX® 11-capable graphics card with Shader Model 3 as recommended by Autodesk
•Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 7 (or later)
•MS-Mouse or 3Dconnexion®-compliant device
•Download or installation from DVD9 or USB key
•Internet connectivity for license registration and prerequisite component download

•Windows® 8 64-bit Enterprise or Professional edition, or Windows 7 64-bit Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, or Home Premium edition operating system
•Multicore Xeon or i-Series processor or AMD equivalent with SSE2 technology (highest affordable CPU speed rating recommended)
•Multiple cores for many tasks, up to 16 cores for near-photorealistic rendering operations
•8 GB RAM (Usually sufficient for a typical editing session for a single model up to approximately 300 MB on disk. This estimate is based on internal testing and customer reports. Individual models will vary in their use of computer resources and performance characteristics.)
•Models created in previous versions of Revit software products may require more available memory for the one-time upgrade process
•5 GB free disk space
•1,680 x 1,050 monitor with true color
•DirectX 11 capable graphics card with Shader Model 3 as recommended by Autodesk
•Internet Explorer 7 (or later)
•MS-Mouse or 3Dconnexion-compliant device
•Download or installation from DVD9 or USB key
•Internet connectivity for license registration and prerequisite component download

•Windows 8 64-bit Enterprise or Professional edition, or Windows 7 64-bit Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, or Home Premium edition
•Multicore Xeon or i-Series processor or AMD equivalent with SSE2 technology (highest affordable CPU speed rating recommended)
•Multiple cores for many tasks, up to 16 cores for near-photorealistic rendering operations
•16 GB RAM (Usually sufficient for a typical editing session for a single model up to approximately 700 MB on disk. This estimate is based on internal testing and customer reports. Individual models will vary in their use of computer resources and performance characteristics.)
•Models created in previous versions of Revit software products may require more available memory for the one-time upgrade process
•5 GB free disk space; 10,000+ RPM for Point Cloud interactions
•1,920 x 1,200 monitor with true color
•DirectX 10 capable graphics card with Shader Model 3 as recommended by Autodesk
•Internet Explorer 7 (or later)
•MS-Mouse or 3Dconnexion-compliant device
•Download or installation from DVD9 or USB key
•Internet connectivity for license registration and prerequisite component download