OpenBuildings Designer

All Disciplines

• Design in 3D to explore ideas with free-form modeling
• Design in context with referenced reality models and point clouds
• Perform clash detection
• Produce lifelike renderings, visualizations and movies
• Apply company and project standards
• Exchange data in common formats (i.e. IFC, COBie, RealDWG, Revit Family RFA, and SketchUp SKP)
• Incorporate project documents, media, web links, and more with hypermodeling
• Easily manage data with bidirectional editing in Microsoft Excel
• Share project information with iModels
• Enforce production standards within a ProjectWise managed environment
• Automate coordinated drawings by controlling drafting styles and annotations

Architectural

• Speed up design by using a catalog of walls, doors, windows, and furniture
• Manage floor definitions for reference planes and floor groups
• Define custom grid systems
• Manage spaces to ensure compliance with owner requirements
• Model custom design stairs and handrails
• Interactively design configurations of curtain walls

Structural

• Model detailed steel structures, trusses, bar joists, handrail, and ladder assemblies with ProSteel elements
• Model concrete and timber structures
• Reference a comprehensive library of international steel and concrete shapes
• Produce quantity reports and volume and weight analyses
• Share structural models and analysis using Bentley’s Integrated Structural Modeling (ISM) technology
• Exchange data with detailing applications using industry standards (i.e. CIS/2, and SDNF)

Mechanical

• Route multiple pipes simultaneously with different diameter, spacing, end type, insulation, and with manufacturer catalog
• Parametrically model HVAC, piping, and plumbing systems
• Define components, paths, and angles to be modeled automatically when completing connections in HVAC and piping systems
• Dynamically route pipe systems with slope applied or apply as a post process
• Create and configure air handling units using standard modules
• Size ductwork based on air flow, velocity, and friction rate
• Export designs to Trimble’s FabShop for fabrication

Electrical

• Streamline lighting design using smart symbol arrangement tools that are aligned with ceiling grid and wall-mounted components
• Design electrical circuits and associate with lighting, power, or fire protection panels
• Automatically label components with user-definable labeling formats for switch designation, circuit numbers, and device IDs
• Model cable trays, baskets, conduits, and wireways
• Evaluate lighting level with a bidirectional interface with Relux lighting analysis
• Produce drawings and block diagrams, lighting, cable, and panel schedules based on user-definable templates

Computational Designs

• Define objects, assembly relationships, and dimensional constraints to capture design intent to explore a broad range of what-if scenarios
• Use visual programming techniques to create design solutions, manage dependencies, and orchestrate behaviors between design objects
• Use mathematical statements to control geometry and define dependencies between design objects
• Create reusable geometric assemblies extending the range of geometry with embedded intelligent behaviors
• Define input controls (i.e. sliders and law curves) to dynamically manipulate design components and propagate change within the design
• Play the design script forward and in reverse incrementally to visualize the design intent and behaviors of design relationships

Energy Simulation

• Perform whole building energy analysis with analytical space models and conceptual mass models using industry-standard EnergyPlus
• Calculate design and satisfy building regulation requirements using industry-standard building load calculation methods (i.e. ASHRAE, PartL, and CIBSE)
• Reference a catalog of predefined standard HVAC system templates
• Calculate daylight factors using industry-standard Radiance engine
• Model surrounding buildings to simulate the effect of their shade on the design
• Create reports and charts for all aspects of building simulation including heating and cooling loads, LEED compliance, annual energy use, equipment sizing requirements, and CO2 emissions