Architosh

Ultimate iPad Guide: BIM Apps for Architects

  • Anthony Frausto-Robledo, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

    • BIM Apps for Architects on iPad

    Okay, unlike Mobile CAD Authoring here is a category of apps that is quite exciting. Some of the best desktop software developers in CAD are in this space. Autodesk is in this space. Bentley and Graphisoft are in this space. And some really exciting new AEC software players like CadFaster and M-SIX.

    In terms of “category” we have tried to test the BIM-ness question for each app listed here but there are likely some in the next category on Mobile CAD Viewers & Collaboration which should perhaps be listed or double-listed here. We admit, our lists are not perfect.

    When it comes to BIM apps for Architects on iPad there is no one app that is running away with the market. And–although we have a Gem listed at the bottom of this page it was rather hard to choose. There are several very good BIM apps doing specific things for specific purposes or related BIM eco-systems.

    01 – BIMx by Graphisoft is one of the more unique BIM model viewing applications.

    02 – This BIM app Field3D by SVS Innovations is unique because it views IFC model files.

    03 – CadFaster is alone in its real-time, multi-party co-viewing and commenting.

    Graphisoft’s BIMx is a dedicated ArchiCAD BIM model viewer with some interesting features (image 01) including stereo 3D. Field3d by SVS Innovations is the first IFC file format based BIM model viewer. The premium version adds many advanced features including shared collaboration sessions (image 02). CadFaster Collaborate is nearly alone in its class as a multi-party real-time co-viewing and co-commenting cloud-based iPad app. It has a superb walk-thru functionality. (image 03)

    The three apps above are ones we especially want to draw readers’ attention to. We also have a review coming up on CadFaster as part of this special article series, and a special interview article here. (see Architosh, “Interview: CadFaster of Finland talks to Architosh about BIM and Mobility,” 15 Mar 2013).

    The List (12 Apps)

    Here is the most complete listing of BIM apps for Architects on iPad at the time of this writing. Again, if we have somehow missed an app we would sure appreciate your email on the subject. It may also be listed in another category in our series. Without further ado:

    The Gem in the Group

    We think the Gem in this group is CadFaster | Collaborate. The reason is because it is a very fast real-time viewer, co-viewer and multi-party collaboration tool. And it does mark-up and the commenting stays in the cloud saved for reference. We especially like that it works with three of the five dominant BIM authoring apps worldwide: Revit, Microstation and Vectorworks Architect.

    04 – CadFaster Collaborate works with 3 of the top 5 BIM authoring apps (Revit, Microstation and Vectorworks Architect). No word yet on ArchiCAD and Digital Project.

    If Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD and Gehry Technology’s Digital Project were also included CadFaster would be the only BIM app in the entire market place that handles all five BIM formats equally across its cloud-based platform. We are currently reviewing it and it just works–almost magically well for what it does. And we like what we hear about where this company is going.

    next page: Mobile CAD Viewers & Collaboration Apps for Architects

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