BIM - Building Information Modeling

What is BIM?

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a digital method for planning, constructing, and managing buildings. Instead of simple 2D plans, an intelligent, three-dimensional building model is used that centrally consolidates all geometric and technical data.

What is the difference between BIM and classic 3D CAD?

Traditional CAD delivers pure geometry (lines and shapes). A BIM model is "intelligent": Every component (e.g., a wall or a pipe) knows exactly what it is, what materials it contains, what it costs, and what its fire protection rating is.

What does IFC mean in the context of BIM?

IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is the universal, open standard file format in the construction industry.
IFC is an open standard for exchanging building and product information between different software solutions. The quality of this exchange depends, among other things, on the IFC version, export, import, and the respective modeling rules.

Is it possible to view large BIM models directly in the browser?

Yes. There are numerous free IFC viewers for the desktop, such as BIMcollab Zoom, Autodesk Viewer Solibri Anywhere or BIMvision, which are considered standard tools in the DACH region. Even more convenient are modern web viewers such as Dalux, Revizto or Autodesk Construction CloudThey process the IFC data in the background, allowing you to smoothly view the complete model, including all technical data, directly in your web browser (via WebGL).

We create and validate your digital product data according to global standards. openBIM standard (IFC). We prepare the geometries and metadata specifically for leading software environments used by architects and planners – including Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft Archicad, Allplan, and Vectorworks. Specific compatibility is always verified based on the target software, the IFC version, and the specific project requirements. Furthermore, your models are optimally prepared for listing on leading BIM object portals (such as...). BIMobject, Heinze or PlanRadar), tender platforms (ausschreiben.de) as well as for flexible CADENAS-Catalogs (BIMcatalogs.net) prepared. cross-manufacturer BIM object portals (such as BIMobject, Heinze or PlanRadar) prepared, as well as directly in the tendering process via ausschreiben.de or in flexible configuration catalogs via CADENAS (BIMcatalogs.net)

Chronological BIM timeline (EU & DACH)

2014–2016: The European foundation stone

  • 2014 (EU Directive 2014/24/EU): The European Union issued the official procurement directive. It explicitly permits and recommends that all EU member states mandate the use of electronic modeling tools (BIM) for construction contracts. This spurred national legislative initiatives.

  • 2016 (Great Britain & Denmark): The UK is introducing mandatory "BIM Level 2" for all centrally procured public construction projects. Denmark is following suit with strict requirements for state-owned building projects.

2020–2021: The deadline for German infrastructure

  • December 2020 (Germany): The Step-by-step plan for digital planning and construction The project of the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) has reached its final stage. Since the 31.12.2020 BIM is used in all newly planned federal highway and rail infrastructure projects (e.g. by DEGES or Deutsche Bahn) mandatory.

  • 2021 (Germany – Federal Building Construction): The federal government is following suit in the infrastructure sector: For federal civilian buildings (e.g. ministries, administrative buildings) with an estimated construction value of 5 million euros or more, the application of the BIM methodology will be made mandatory in stages.

2022–2025: Austria, Switzerland and the EU South are picking up the pace

  • 2022 (Austria): According to the master plan of the digitalization strategy, the application of BIM in the area of federal building construction (e.g. projects of the Federal Real Estate Company BIG) will be made mandatory in stages for budget limits exceeding the EU threshold.

  • 2025 (Switzerland): The Federal Council has decided that the BIM method will be mandatory for federal real estate (e.g., Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics BBL) and for the infrastructure of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (roads and railways) from [date]. Binding until 2025 to be applied.

  • 2025 (Italy): A milestone in other EU countries: Since January 1, 2025, BIM has been approved in Italy for all public buildings (regardless of the contract value, excluding maintenance below certain limits) legally required.

2026 and beyond: Comprehensive B2B standard

  • From 2026 (municipal sector / DACH): Although municipalities (cities and towns) in the DACH region often still have legal leeway, more and more cities are requiring BIM in their tenders for projects above a certain size (usually from about 2-5 million euros) in order to avoid interface problems.

  • Future (EU-wide standardization): Within the framework of the European Green Deal And in the context of the circular economy, intensive work is underway on digital building passports. Since these passports require structured geometry and material data, the The IFC format will provide the legal basis in the long term. for every building permit and public procurement throughout the EU.

What is an IFC file?

IFC stands for Industry Foundation Classes. It is the globally standardized, open file format for exchanging building information modeling (BIM). It ensures that all project participants can collaborate regardless of the platform.

Why is IFC so important for Open BIM?

Without IFC, everyone would have to use the same software. IFC breaks down this barrier: The architect can plan in software A, the structural engineer can perform calculations in software B, and the building services engineer can design in software C, all without any data loss.

What data is contained in an IFC file?

Not only the pure 3D geometry, but also all alphanumeric information:

  • Component types: Wall, window, door, pipe, ventilation duct.

  • Characteristics: Materials, dimensions, fire protection classes, U-values, costs.

  • Relationships: Which component is located in which room and floor?.

What is the difference between IFC2x3 and IFC4?

These are the two most common versions of the standard. IFC2x3 is the older, but still the most widespread standard.

IFC4 Compared to older IFC versions, it offers expanded capabilities and is used depending on the software and project requirements. The actual file size depends primarily on the geometry, level of detail, and export method.
 

Is it possible to open IFC files without expensive software?

Yes. There are numerous free IFC viewers for desktop computers. Modern web viewers are even more convenient: they process the IFC data in the background, allowing you to smoothly view the complete model, including all technical data, directly in your web browser (via WebGL).

Yes, this is easily possible thanks to modern cloud and WebGL technologies. Specialized apps and web viewers such as [example of apps/web viewers] have proven effective for mobile use on construction sites or during customer meetings. Dalux, Revizto as well as the Autodesk Construction Cloud (BIM 360) has become established. These systems process the highly complex IFC data server-side in the background and stream it in an optimized format to the end device. Modern web viewers can also display extensive IFC models on mobile devices. Actual performance depends on factors such as model size, geometry, end device, connection, and viewer.

Not generally. Whether BIM or IFC data is required depends on the specific tender, the client, the project type, and the technical requirements. However, such data is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for many public infrastructure projects and larger construction projects.
Since the end of 2020, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been legally mandated in German infrastructure construction (rail and highways). This requirement also applies to almost all tenders exceeding EU thresholds in federal building construction projects, as well as in neighboring Austria and Switzerland (mandatory from 2025).
If a tender explicitly requires certain BIM or IFC data, the absence of this documentation may result in a product not meeting the participation or evaluation requirements.

For industrial and construction products LinkedIn This is by far the most important channel. Here we reach decision-makers, planners, and buyers directly. Visually compelling 3D renderings and animated short clips (shorts/reels) are also ideally suited to making technical innovations tangible in seconds on platforms like YouTube or Instagram and generating maximum attention.

Traditional CAD data from your internal design or production is useless to architects for two reasons:

  1. Performance collapse: These files are far too detailed ("high-poly") and contain millions of polygons. If a planner were to load 50 meters of such a fence or drainage channel into their model, the BIM software could slow down significantly and make editing the overall model more difficult.

  2. Lack of intelligence: Pure 3D geometry is "dumb." For a BIM-compliant tender, the planner needs metadata. A well-structured IFC model can contain not only geometry but also agreed-upon product and technical properties, such as material specifications, performance values, or fire protection information.

     

Providing optimized data shifts the process from a time-consuming retrieval obligation to an automated delivery obligation:

  • Efficiency in sales: Your back office will be significantly relieved of its workload. Gone are the days when employees had to manually send large amounts of 3D data via email for days on end. Planners can simply access the data themselves on your website or via an online configurator.

  • Maximum range scaling: The lightweight OpenBIM catalogs we create are immediately ready for listing on the leading platforms in the DACH region (such as...). BIMobject, Heinze, ausschreiben.de or BIMcatalogs.netTheir products become visible exactly where the target group is already actively searching for solutions for their digital twins.

  • Project security: Once your product is placed as an intelligent object in the architect's digital design, the software automatically generates it in the quantity calculation for the final tender. Your product is technically "integrated" into the project.

WebGL (Web Graphics Library) is a technology that renders smooth 2D and 3D graphics directly in the web browser. Because it accesses your device's graphics card (GPU) directly, complex animations and interactive visualizations are possible without noticeable lag.

Do I need a special plugin for that?

No. WebGL is integrated by default in all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) – both on desktop computers and on smartphones or tablets. You don't need to install anything.

How is WebGL developed?

Native WebGL is very complex. In practice, developers usually use ready-made JavaScript libraries, which greatly simplify development. The most well-known are: Three.js (for general 3D scenes) and Babylon.js (often used for games and WebXR).

Why does a 3D application stutter and how can it be optimized?

If the game is lagging, the graphics card is usually overloaded. The most important optimizations are:

  1. Reduce draw calls: Group objects made of the same materials together.

  2. Reduce geometry: Reduce the polygon count of 3D models in tools like Blender.

  3. Adjust textures: Compress image files and optimize resolutions.

Is WebGL secure?

Yes. Although WebGL uses the graphics card, it runs in a protected environment (sandbox) within the browser. Access to your local files or private storage is impossible.

For detailed analysis and review of BIM models on PC or Mac, there are established desktop applications. In the DACH region, tools such as... BIMcollab Zoom, Solibri Anywhere (formerly Solibri Model Viewer) and BIMvision as absolute standard tools. In addition, purely web-based desktop solutions such as the Autodesk Viewer The ability to open IFC files directly in the browser via drag-and-drop without any software installation and to analyze them including the complete attribute structure.