BIM and automation of repetitive processes lie at the core of Construction 4.0.
Submitted by HitechDigital Solutions. Written by Bhushan Avsatthi, Director – BIM Consulting at HitechDigital.
At a Glance
- Dynamo’s visual programming and automation enhance Revit project productivity.
- Extend Revit’s capabilities with Dynamo integration, better organization of visualization, and bi-directional data flow.
- Boost stakeholder collaboration, automate repetitive tasks in construction design, and enable the creation of multiple design prototypes with ease in accordance with standards.
Introduction
BIM and automation of repetitive processes lie at the core of Construction 4.0. Often, repetitive tasks are time consuming and monotonous. The visual programming facilities of the open-source Dynamo tool (also available as a plugin in Revit) help inclusive teamwork. It extends Revit’s abilities and lets it do things Revit can’t do solo. For instance, Dynamo can read design data from Excel files and export it to Excel files, which Revit can’t do.
Dynamo enables the automation of tasks that otherwise would have first required the creation of macros in Revit. Automation is key to creating complex webs and seamless data flows for effective BIM functions. Using Dynamo in Revit allows easier automation of BIM workflows.
Understanding Revit and Dynamo
Before we get into the details of automation, let’s understand the key components: Revit and Dynamo.
Revit
Revit is a powerful building information modeling software developed by Autodesk. It allows architects, engineers and construction professionals to design and model buildings in a 3D environment. With parametric modeling, Revit can create smart building elements like walls, floors, roofs and doors. This is crucial for extracting accurate data for different use cases and for automating tasks in the BIM workflow.
Dynamo
Dynamo is an open-source visual programming platform that works seamlessly with Revit. It enables users to create custom scripts and automate repetitive tasks within Revit. Dynamo allows you to work with BIM data, make complex shapes and perform analysis without needing to know how to code. This is why this visual scripting tool has gained popularity in the AEC industry. It’s very useful in streamlining processes and collaboration.
Challenges faced by stakeholders and Revit Dynamo automation as a solution
Design and planning are the core functions for architects, designers and engineers for any construction project. They play a crucial role in creating, communicating, modifying and managing all project data. Construction documents and project reviews have all the necessary information, such as 3D designs, 2D drawings, material info, project schedules, cost, labor and equipment data.
Multiple designs, documentation worksheets and drawings can increase the risk of mistakes and inefficiencies. Any data mismatch or incorrect information affects decisions and can lead to unrealistic project budgets and quotes. Dynamo helps streamline workflows and prevent such issues.
Here are some key challenges:
- Manual data entry and updates: The process of manual input and update of data in BIM models is time-consuming and error-prone, especially in large and complex projects.
- Inefficient coordination: Coordinating and synchronizing changes across multiple disciplines (architecture, structure, MEP) can lead to communication gaps when updates are not made in real time.
- Complex design iterations: Architects and designers often need to explore multiple design iterations to meet project requirements and client preferences. Manually creating and modifying design alternatives can be labor-intensive and limit creativity.
- Data extraction and reporting: Extracting specific data from BIM models for reports, cost estimation, or project management purposes is cumbersome and leads to delays in decision making and project progress.
- Adherence to standards: Ensuring that BIM models adhere to industry-or company-specific standards and guidelines is a challenge. Manual checks and corrections are required to maintain consistency, which is both time-consuming and prone to oversight.
Implementing Revit-Dynamo automation can overcome these issues and enhance productivity in architectural, design and engineering projects.
How Revit-Dynamo automation improves BIM productivity
Dynamo allows BIM modelers, designers and engineers to automate tasks that are repetitive and complex. Some Dynamo automation benefits are as follows:
- Elimination of repetitive tasks: Dynamo saves over 90 percent of time spent on repetitive tasks like creating sheets, renumbering and rearranging sheets. These also include revisions and batch insert processing for Revit families, auto changes in text cases, etc. For example, you can create a Dynamo script that automatically places tags on hundreds of doors in a matter of seconds, saving hours of manual work.
- Parameter management: BIM models are rich in data, with each element carrying numerous parameters. Managing and updating these parameters can be challenging, especially in large-scale projects. Revit-Dynamo automation simplifies this process by allowing users to create scripts that modify parameters based on predefined rules. This ensures consistency and accuracy throughout the BIM model.
- Ease of accessing building data: Data access becomes easier through multiple system integration and two-way data communication between Revit models, Excel, graph creation and modifications.
- Creating multiple design options: In the early design stages, architects and engineers often need to explore various design options. Revit-Dynamo automation facilitates design iteration by quickly generating multiple design alternatives. For instance, you can use Dynamo to create parametric models that adjust key design parameters, allowing you to explore different design scenarios and make informed decisions. Dynamo also allows designers to explicitly define rules for generative designs and to explore more designs that fit the bill.
- Data management: BIM models contain a wealth of information that is valuable for project management, cost estimation, and facility management. Revit-Dynamo automation can extract this data and generate reports in various formats, such as Excel or PDF. This automation ensures that stakeholders have access to up-to-date and accurate information, thereby improving decision-making processes.
- Design validation automation: Dynamo allows designers to check at the design phase itself whether their designs will perform per set standards. It helps to save costs of iteration, materials and labor during the development phase of a construction project.
- Computation approach: Dynamo allows the creation of logical workflows and data. By incorporating the knowledge of experienced architects and designers, BIM workflows become more useful and efficient.
- Customization and integration: Every project has unique requirements and standards. Revit-Dynamo automation empowers users to create custom scripts tailored to their specific needs. Moreover, Dynamo can integrate with other software and tools, enhancing interoperability and data exchange between different platforms. This flexibility allows BIM professionals to adapt to evolving project demands.
- Error Reduction: Automation minimizes the risk of human errors in BIM workflows. Dynamo scripts follow predefined rules and execute tasks consistently, reducing the likelihood of inaccuracies that can lead to costly reworks. This not only saves time, but also improves the overall quality of the project.
The use of Dynamo graphs using Revit automation
Dynamo is a powerful visual programming tool for design automation with Revit. It allows automation experts to program process flow to meet project requirements with greater ease.
When Dynamo applications are used effectively, they increase efficiency across BIM functions—from design and project execution to elimination of repetitive tasks. The right graph generation, automation and integrated data management allow project teams to automate tasks and facilitate seamless collaboration. Error-free communication optimizes construction project delivery.
Designers and project teams often need to provide repetitive information to project stakeholders. They also need to use it for design validation and optimization. Here are some tasks where Dynamo graphs are used:
Project review data through the SCOPE box
Scope box includes headers, all view plans, sheet names and exports these files in an automated way using Dynamo graph. This makes it easier to review Scope box allocation by the team.
Elements data through equipment to Excel
To manage data output to a specified format, a graph is used to select all elements in a category, report a parameter and export data to Excel with headers. This helps in communicating a quick evaluation to the team.
Design review: Column splicing
This graph allows for correcting multi-story columns across the project quickly, more efficiently, and precisely. It uses a select node to:
- Select columns
- Input a splice offset above a specified level
- Set the original elevation at the top before splicing
- Set the level of column
- Set top offset of column
- Modify Revit elements
Design review: Span-to-depth
As part of the structural design criteria, designers can review span-to-depth using this graph. This graph uses typical framing spans compared to beam depths, according to standards. It provides a view filter to suggest areas that may need further validation.
Design Iterations: Match elements to the reference plane
With this graph, designers can automate adjusting offsets at the beginning and end of each structural member in relation to a reference plane. This can be used to match sloped roofs or slabs with design requirements and sift through various options quickly.
Success story using Dynamo for Revit Automation
A European architectural company needed 100,000+ BIM models to digitalize their housing property data for the management and maintenance of their buildings. The team of BIM experts at HitechDigital created 3D BIM models at LOD 200, with BOQs, and linked them to the GIS data of the building.
The team automated repetitive tasks using Revit and Dynamo scripts, such as quality verification functions and data extraction from the 3D BIM models to the real estate sheets. These were then uploaded to the online platform. Fast delivery helped the client save 50 percent on time and 18 percent on costs.
How Revit Dynamo automation will drive enhanced efficiencies in the future
Revit Dynamo automation plays a crucial role in shaping the future of architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects. As technology continues to advance and the AEC industry becomes more digitally oriented, here’s how Revit Dynamo automation is expected to drive enhanced efficiencies in the future:
- Enhanced collaboration: In the future, AEC projects are likely to become even more collaborative, involving teams from diverse geographical locations and disciplines. Revit Dynamo automation facilitates real-time collaboration by streamlining data exchange and ensuring that all team members are working with up-to-date and synchronized BIM models. This enables seamless communication and coordination among architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders, regardless of their physical location.
- Sustainability and energy efficiency: The demand for sustainable and energy-efficient building design is on the rise. Revit Dynamo automation can aid in the optimization of building designs by running simulations and analyses to determine the most energy-efficient solutions. This can include evaluating the impact of various materials, building orientations, and systems, ultimately leading to greener and more sustainable construction practices.
- Prefabrication and modular construction: As construction projects become more complex and deadlines tighter, prefabrication, and modular construction techniques are gaining popularity. Revit Dynamo automation can assist in the creation of detailed fabrication models, allowing for precise manufacturing and assembly of building components off-site. This approach not only accelerates construction but also reduces waste and enhances quality control.
- Data-driven decision-making: Data-driven decision-making will be integral to the success of AEC projects in the future. Revit Dynamo automation empowers professionals to extract valuable insights from BIM models, enabling better-informed decisions throughout a project’s lifecycle. Whether optimizing building performance, tracking costs, or ensuring compliance with regulations, automation tools can provide the necessary data for making informed choices.
- AI and machine learning integration: As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning continue to advance, their integration with Revit Dynamo automation can further revolutionize the AEC industry. AI-driven algorithms can predict potential issues in a project, identify optimization opportunities, and automate complex design tasks. This not only saves time, but also enhances the overall quality of designs.
- Scalability and customization: Revit Dynamo automation offers scalability and customization options to meet the unique needs of each project. Architects, designers, and engineers can create custom scripts and workflows tailored to their specific requirements, ensuring that automation remains adaptable to evolving project demands.
- Error reduction and quality improvement: Future projects will require even higher levels of precision and quality. Revit Dynamo automation significantly reduces the risk of human errors in BIM workflows, leading to fewer costly rework instances and a higher quality of deliverables. This can enhance client satisfaction and project success rates.
Revit Dynamo automation is not just a tool for the present, but a catalyst for the future of AEC projects. Its ability to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and harness data-driven insights will continue to drive innovation in the industry. Professionals who embrace this technology will be better equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the evolving AEC landscape, leading to more efficient, sustainable, and successful projects.
Conclusion
Dynamo not only automates processes but also allows the integration of multidisciplinary systems for BIM through Revit. It allows designers and teams to collaborate seamlessly for optimized design and project execution.
Automation with Dynamo isolates repetitive team tasks and improves their efficiency and quality. The designed programs offer a clear and organized visualization with automated object placement and manipulation. It allows multiple discipline integration and bidirectional data flow for the review and updating of design iterations. Thus, Dynamo has become essential for building designers to automate workflows.
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About the Author
Bhushan Avsatthi, Director – BIM Consulting, at HitechDigital.
An architect with over 20 years’ experience in the AEC industry, Bhushan leads a 200+ strong team of BIM professionals at HitechDigital. He commands a successful track record of having delivered 1,000+ complex projects across hospitals, hotels, malls, airports etc. Bhushan’s focus on operational excellence relies on integration of technology tools, automation and lean techniques.
