The Integration of a Scan-to-Hbim Process in Bim Application: The Development of an Add-in to Guide Users in Autodesk Revit

Abstract

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> In recent years, the generative process of building information modeling (BIM) digital models oriented to the digitisation of heritage buildings has been supported by the development of new modeling tools, able to integrate the point cloud data produced by laser scanning and digital photogrammetry in major modeling software applications such as Autodesk Revit and Graphisoft Archicad. Architectural and structural elements of churches, castles, and historical monuments such as complex vaults, arches, decorations and ornaments, irregular walls with a variable section and wall stratigraphy require higher levels of detail (LOD) and information (LOI) than new buildings. Consequently, the structure of a BIM model oriented to represent heritage buildings (HBIM) required the definition of a new digital process capable of converting the traditional techniques to the generation of 'unique' digital models able to connect different type of information. Consequently, the generation of 'new' 3D objects able to follow the constructive logic of the detected artefact has required the establishment of new grades of generation (GOG) and accuracy (GOA) to reduce the time and cost of the scan-to-BIM process. The main challenge of this research was the integration of these new modeling requirements in BIM software through the development of an add-in for one of the most used BIM software (Autodesk Revit). Through the generation of the complex vaulted system of the Basilica of Collemaggio (L’Aquila, Italy) and one of the most famous monuments of northern Italy (Arch of Peace in Milan, Italy), the following research shows how it was possible to support users in the HBIM generation, reducing the modeling impact of complex shapes from point cloud data and increasing information sharing for different BIM-based analysis, disciplines and users.</p>

From Reality to Parametric Models of Cultural Heritage Assets for Hbim

“…The workflow here presented, named also scan-to-BIM process, needs different levels of accuracy and generation, especially because, actually, there are no three-dimensional objects corresponding to historical elements inside predefined libraries and families. In this sense every BIM project, Grade of Generation (GOG) should be referred to the quality of creation and the modelling requirements, while the Grade of Accuracy (GOA) should set out the standard deviation between reality-based point clouds and model, in this case NURBS model (Banfi F., 2017(Banfi F., , 2019. In other words, GOG defines the techniques of modelling and then how the model has been generated.…”

“…As said before, this aspect is fundamental in order to adapt the modelling action to the real object and not the opposite. Indeed, a NURBS model created interpolating point clouds is classified as GOG 10 (maximum level), while a model generated by extracting geometric primitives from slices is referred to GOG 9 (Banfi F., 2019). This is the case of the rib vault, generated by extracting slices from planar sections, creating a spar profile and modelling directly on it by using sweep, loft, patch functions (GOG 9).…”

Multicriteria analysis and information modelling in management of built environment

“…Time-consuming scan-to-BIM process needs to be optimized, so necessary add-inns for the most used BIM software such as Revit are currently developed [19].…”

Hbim Generation: Extending Geometric Primitives and Bim Modelling Tools for Heritage Structures and Complex Vaulted Systems

“…The second study considered is 'The integration of a Scan-to-HBIM process in BIM application: the development of an addin to guide users in Autodesk Revit' (Banfi, 2019). This research shows how it was possible to develop and improve Revit functions and modelling tools thanks to an accurate study of the application programming interface (API).…”