MiTek brings project planning alive with 3D modelling service.
If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, then a 3D model must surely be worth a whole lot more especially if you are planning a new building project.
Being able to see designs in 3D, explore fly-throughs, examine elevations from different aspects and view immediately any modifications or enhancements are all reasons why this kind of visual technology is an increasingly critical element of all kinds of construction projects.
Visualise your project
There are five core benefits to using 3D technology for your projects. The first is visualisation. Using the right software and design expertise can help all players, from investors, clients, builders and occupants, quite literally to see plans take shape, and to gain a good understanding of what the finished project will look like.
It also helps them to understand the context of the development, and see how it might fit with the local environment, whether it’s a brownfield site, a rural location, or a business park or industrial complex.
Streamline the creative process
Another great benefit of 3D is the way it speeds up the building information modelling (BIM) and design process. It’s an excellent solution if you are looking to get a project off the ground quickly or you need to supply a proposal to a client, investor or stakeholder and want to provide a really robust and tangible plan. It’s estimated that using a 3D / BIM approach can reduce design time by around 45%.
The third major advantage is the way that 3D modelling enables you to experiment with different ideas and be creative in your design. You can test what works and what doesn’t, and map it against the context of the building and the surrounding area. How will your project fit with its environment – do you need to adjust roof lines or cladding colours to better blend with existing building? This is a great way to find out. You can also identify any potential design problems there and then, rather than causing costly issues down the line.
It’s not just about static visualisation. 3D modelling and BIM bring virtual walk-throughs to your fingertips, with the chance to demonstrate the effects of lighting, different furniture, a variety of compass angles and the impact of internal decoration and external design. It really does bring a project to life.
Reduce surprises
And finally, the beauty of a virtual 3D model and associated BIM is that they can easily be shared with others digitally, either as video animations or stills. It makes promoting your project to stakeholders straightforward, without the need for physical in-the-office meetings – something which is of particular benefit as the industry seeks covid-safe ways of working. This ease of sharing is invaluable in the case of projects where public consultation may be involved or you have multiple, geographically spread stakeholders.
We’ve found 3D modelling and BIM to be a huge asset and something our clients truly value. Working with them, we developed MiTek 3D, a cloud based platform. It’s aimed at component manufacturers who use MiTek timber engineering software an enables them to share interactive 3D models of roof, floor and timber frame designs with their stakeholders. It also provides housebuilders the ability to see the roof design before a single brick is laid and once onsite, the 3d models provide an invaluable virtual tool using a mobile phone or tablet to show exactly how the roof is to be built.
MiTek’s easily accessible 3D model of engineered timber designs facilitate greater interaction between the manufacturer and end client, allowing for better collaboration on design, easy identification and resolution of potential issues, and a greater overall understanding of the project.
Roof truss, Posi-Joist (metal web floor joist) and timber frame designers using MiTek Pamir design software all have access to generating brilliant 3D visualisation tools enabled by Pamir, which also helps them to create accurate and cost-effective designs.
The models are extremely simple to share and can then be viewed anywhere, for free, on any device. Since beginning the roll out of MiTek 3D in December 2020, more than 20,000 3D models have been uploaded of roof truss, Posi-Joist and timber frame designs.
We’re very proud that our MiTek 3D tool has been shortlisted for the 2021 Constructing Excellence Digital Construction Award in the UK – peer review is very important and we’re looking forward to hearing how we have fared this September!
Want to know more? Check out these links …
The link below shows how simple it is for a designer using MiTek design software to create and share the 3D model: https://vimeo.com/492091069
For an example of a MiTek 3D model please click here.
.ifc files can be incorporated into the models, allowing for two way information to be exchanged between the client and component manufacturer. This model shows a soil vent pipe position (brought into the model from an ifc file) clashing with roof truss and floor joists. This was a real job and MiTek 3D helped to identify the issue and agree on a solution.
More information can be found at our website here
