BIM Collaboration Format

Structured file format

The BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) is a structured file format suited to issue tracking with a building information model. The BCF is designed primarily for defining views of a building model and associated information on collisions and errors connected with specific objects in the view. The BCF allows users of different BIM software, and/or different disciplines to collaborate on issues with the project.[1] The use of the BCF to coordinate changes to a BIM is an important aspect of OpenBIM.

The format was developed by Tekla and Solibri and later adopted as a standard by buildingSMART.[2] Most major BIM modelling software platforms support some integration with BCF, typically through plug-ins provided by the BCF server vendor.

Although the BCF was originally conceived as a file base there are now many implementations using the cloud-based collaborative workflow described in the BCF API, including Open Source implementation[3] as part of the Open Source BIM collective.

Research work has been done in Denmark looking into using the BCF for a broader range of information management and exchange in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector.[4]

## Supporting software

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There are two main categories of support for the BCF: authoring software and coordination software. Authoring software can generate and share BCF issues. Coordination software is most powerful at coordinating issues and presenting a user interface for the management and tracking of issues. Coordination software is typically a web-based service which allows for real-time coordination across multiple authoring software platforms and geographies. Most BIM software has a mix of these functions.

The BCF is supported natively by authoring software such as Vectorworks, ArchiCAD, Tekla Structures, Quadri, DDS CAD,[5] BIMcollab Zoom,[6] BIMsight,[7] Solibri, Navisworks, and Simplebim. Standalone BCF plugins include BCF Manager,[8] and BCFier.[9] Coordination software as cloud services offering BCF based issue tracking include BIMcollab, Newforma Konekt, Vrex,[10] Catenda's Bimsync,[11] Bricks app,[12] ACCA software's usBIM.platform,[13] and OpenProject.

## See also

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* Industry Foundation Classes
* aecXML
* BuildingSMART
* Open-source 3D file formats

## References

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1. ^ Rafael Sacks, Chuck Eastman, Ghang Lee, Paul Teicholz (2018). BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-54137-1.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. ^ "BCF intro". www.buildingsmart-tech.org. Archived from the original on 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
3. ^ Léon van Berlo, Thomas Krijnen (2014). "Using the BIM Collaboration Format in a server based workflow". Procedia Environmental Sciences. 22 (12th International Conference on Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning, DDSS 2014): 325–332\. Bibcode:2014PrEnS..22..325V. doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2014.11.031.
4. ^ Treldal, Niels; Parsianfar, Hussain; Karlshøj, Jan (2016). "Using BCF as a mediator for task management in building design". Proceedings of the International RILEM Conference Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering 2016: 48–59. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
5. ^ CAD Open BIM
6. ^ zoom
7. ^ BIMsight
8. ^ BCF Manager
9. ^ archived from original at BCFier.com.
10. ^ Vrex
11. ^ Catenda's Bimsync website
12. ^ Bricks, BIM collaboration platform using Agile approaches (Scrum, Kanban,...)
13. ^ ACCA software | usBIM Cloud Integrated System

## External links

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* buildingSMART standards library

* v
* t
* e

Building information modeling (BIM)

Software|

| Current|

* Allplan
* Archicad
* AutoCAD
* Autodesk Revit
* BricsCAD
* cadwork
* CodeBook
* DDS-CAD
* Digital Project
* FINE MEP
* FreeCAD°
* MicroStation
* Navisworks
* OpenStudio
* RFEM
* Tekla BIMsight
* Tekla Structures
* Trimble SketchUp
* Vectorworks
* VisualARQ

|

Historic|

* Gable CAD
* Reflex
* RUCAPS
* Sonata

Companies|

* Autodesk
* Bentley Systems
* BuildingSMART
* Cadwork informatik AG
* Glodon
* GRAITEC
* Nemetschek
* Data Design System
* Graphisoft
* Vectorworks
* Open Design Alliance
* Trimble
* Tekla

Related topics|

* 3D BIM
* 4D BIM
* 5D BIM
* 6D BIM
* BIM Task Group
* Centre for Digital Built Britain
* Computer-aided design
* COBie
* Geometric modeling kernel
* Industry Foundation Classes
* BIM Collaboration Format
* Raster image processor

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