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Closed BIM vs Open BIM

What is the difference between Closed BIM and Open BIM?

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the most important technological developments in the construction industry, enabling the digital design, construction and operation of buildings. Two main BIM methodologies can be distinguished: Closed BIM and Open BIM. Both methodologies have their own advantages and disadvantages and different approaches to data exchange and collaboration.

Closed BIM

Closed BIM is a closed system, usually managed by a single software platform.

This method is based on software developed by manufacturers such as Autodesk Revit or Bentley Systems. Data is exchanged only in the original native file format specified by the manufacturer, which makes data exchange faster and with fewer errors, minimal data loss and faster file usage.

The benefits of closed BIM include a single workflow and easier support and maintenance. The disadvantage is that it limits compatibility with third-party software, making it more difficult, time-consuming and more work-intensive or impossible to work with certain design disciplines.

Open BIM

Open BIM, on the other hand, is an open, standardised system that allows data exchange and collaboration between different software platforms.

Open BIM is supported by international standards organisations such as buildingSMART. The main file formats of Open BIM are IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) and BCF (BIM Collaboration Format), which aim to standardise data exchange and ensure software compatibility.

The main advantage of Open BIM is that it allows designers to work with their own, well-known and in many cases better-skilled, target software. The disadvantage, however, is that the data content is not consistent, and the export-import process not only makes data exchange more time-consuming, but also means that data loss is a regular occurrence.

BuildEXT opted for the closed BIM methodology

Which methodology is accepted?

In certain countries and regions it seems to be decided whether open or closed BIM will be the dominant methodology, but this is influenced by many external forces – some of which we might not even think about (see Artem Boiko’s articles on this).

There is a serious battle for dominance, and this has reshaped the market to a large extent with the spread of digitalisation and BIM in the construction industry:

Between 2000 and 2010, 3D CAD software in all countries was dominated by Hungarian Graphisoft, which developed AutoCAD, and US-based Vectorworks.

⮕ Following Nemetschek‘s takeover of ArchiCAD and Vectorworks, interest in Revit surged in all countries after the 2008 global crisis. The design community virtually switched to Revit and within a few years it had displaced ArchiCAD in a good number of countries.

Tekla and Allplan, which started out in the same direction as Revit, lagged behind – the reasons for this are fewer features than Revit and poorer marketing.

⮕ Revit now has the lion’s share (more than 50-90%) of the BIM CAD market in almost every country in the world.

Closed BIM vs Open BIM battle, or the rise of Revit
Closed BIM vs Open BIM battle, or the rise of Revit

Summary

Both Closed BIM and Open BIM play important roles in modern construction projects.

The choice depends on which methodology best meets the specific needs and requirements of the project, and which is recommended based on local practice.

Another important factor is the future direction envisioned by the architectural firm. Whichever methodology is chosen, it will shape the company’s future for years. Establishing a well-functioning BIM workflow, training and integrating the team, and creating the necessary software and hardware environment requires significant resources.

We chose closed BIM

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Csaba Melovics

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