How to use architectural objects when designing buildings with a BIM software
How do we use architectural objects when designing buildings with a BIM software for architecture?
Architectural designs with a BIM software are accomplished by drawing and inserting objects in a 2D and/or 3D input environment. This means that it’s vitally important to understand how to correctly draw objects such as building envelopes, ornamental walls, back-fills, structural elements and slabs, etc. It is equally important to use and position these objects inside of the BIM project in a correct and efficient manner.
Let’s run through a group of these objects and see how they are used in the architectural BIM design software, Edificius.
Architectural object: the building envelope
Let’s start off by using the building envelope to define the building’s rooms or compartments. In order to do this, simply select the Building envelope object from the Edificius objects menu, and define the room perimeter by left-clicking to fix the necessary intersection nodes on the Drawing Model.
Envelope selection
Architectural object: the room or compartment
After defining the room perimeter, we can use the Room object, selecting it from the objects menu, and left-click inside the defined room area. At this stage, we can see that the Properties toolbox on the right hand side of the program interface, allows us to customize the room’s properties and characteristics.
Room selection and Room Properties
Architectural object: the ornamental wall
We are going to use this object type to define a balcony to our model. To add a balcony, just select the Ornamental Wall object from the objects menu and draw, by leftclicking, the ornamental Wall to delimit the balcony. In the Properties box you can modify the ornamental wall’s features, such as height, length and elevation.
Ornamental wall selection and Balcony drawing
Balcony drawing
Architectural object: backfill
Let’s now insert the Back-fill (vertical fillings) object in order to indicate the presence of loose stones used for our drainage system. Simply activate the back-fill object, from the Edificius objects menu, and trace the drainage system according to the required length.
Back-fill object selection and tracing the drainage system for our building
Architectural object: horizontal envelope
How about the floor slabs? Let’s see how to insert the floor slabs using the Horizontal envelope; another object available in the objects menu. Slabs are defined by simply tracing a contour corresponding to its perimeter. Each intersection point, or node, is set into place with a left mouse button click.
Horizontal envelope and Floor drawing
After defining the slab’s entire perimeter, clicking the FINISH button on the multifunction toolbar, confirms the editing process.
Floor drawing completion
Architectural object: balcony slab
We previously inserted an ornamental wall to define a balcony perimeter. let’s now complete this section of the building by adding its slab underneath. Another dedicated architectural BIM object allows us to insert it by following the same procedure as seen for the horizontal envelope .
Slab selection and Slab drawing
To complete the balcony’s slab, just select the FINISH option from the local pop-up menu, activated with a simple right mouse button click.
Inserting the slab object
Switching to the Edificius 3D view, you can view the objects drawn in 3D as well. If we try selecting each of these objects, their relating properties are shown in the Properties toolbox placed on the right hand side of the interface.
3D View of the drawn objects
