The changes to user types this year has opened up access to a range of products to new audiences. With this, comes new possibilities, but also lots of questions – which products might be useful for me and my organisation? One such product ArcGIS GeoBIM, which is now included with a Contributor user type, is often overlooked and misunderstood, so let’s briefly explore what it is, who it’s for and what benefits it might unlock for you. If you see potential, I’ll point you to some more resources on how to get started.
What does ArcGIS GeoBIM actually do?
In simple terms, ArcGIS GeoBIM is a configurable web application that allows you to view GIS data and Autodesk engineering documents (e.g. CAD and BIM files) in one place. It does this by reading the data directly from the core systems you use to manage that type of data – GIS layers from your ArcGIS system (ArcGIS Online or Enterprise) and Engineering documents from Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) or BIM 360 – so you don’t need to convert the data yourself.
For example, in the screenshot below, you can see that I have an ArcGIS scene on the left-hand side showing buildings and roads and the extent of a BIM model, whilst on the right-hand-side, I can view and interrogate that model in more detail directly within Autodesk.
The key thing is that I can see the real-world locations of Autodesk engineering documents and drawings and access the live version of them directly from a map! It even automatically creates the locations on the map for you (assuming your drawings are correctly georeferenced).
Viewing Autodesk Revit models directly from an ArcGIS Scene.
In fact, any documents stored in ACC or BIM 360 can be linked to features on the map – ensuring users have quick access to the right information at the click of a mouse.
For example, in the screenshot below I can associate engineering drawings and operating manuals (stored as documents in ACC) to a railway signal that is held as a point feature in ArcGIS.
Linking ArcGIS features to other documents in Autodesk.
And it works the other way too, you can find and open an Autodesk document then ask the map to zoom to the extent so you can see the real-world location and context.
That seems nice, but…
Are there tangible benefits to adopting ArcGIS GeoBIM?
Several! ArcGIS GeoBIM is all about saving time, improving efficiency and making data more accessible to people who need it to make decisions.
It saves time and duplication of data – as you don’t have to convert data between systems.
It improves accuracy – since you can avoid data conversion errors and give everyone access to the latest version of design documents.
It supports better decision making – with important design information available to a wider audience in an easy-to-use way. No need for expensive and complex desktop software licenses and associated training.
So who would actually use it?
Much like other configurable web applications, you can think of GeoBIM as having (at least) two types of user who need different levels of licensing.
- Project Manager – someone who sets up the application and configures the linkages between ArcGIS and Autodesk. This person would need to be a Creator user type in ArcGIS and also requires Autodesk licensing to be able to access ACC or BIM 360.
- Project Workers – people who simply need access to this information or the ability to add notes and issues. This might include project workers, executives and other stakeholders. These people would need to be a Contributor user type (or higher) in ArcGIS and appropriate Autodesk licensing (as above).
- Mobile Project Workers (OPTIONAL) – people who need to be able to access information on a mobile device and add notes and issues based on their current location. This might include project workers, surveyors or those carrying out inspections. These people would need to be a Mobile Worker user type (or higher) in ArcGIS and appropriate Autodesk licensing (as above).
Sounds interesting, but…
Is it complicated to set up?
ArcGIS GeoBIM is surprisingly easy to get started with – especially if your documents in Autodesk are already correctly georeferenced. If your documents aren’t georeferenced you can find out how to here.
Part of ArcGIS GeoBIM is a Locate Engineering Documents tool that will scan through all the documents within the selected projects (in ACC or BIM 360) and automatically create polygons (in ArcGIS) representing the spatial extent of each drawing and the project as a whole. This allows organisations to quickly get a handle on what data they have for where (another quick win!)
In the screenshot below you can see how each drawing in ACC (on the right-hand side) results in a corresponding drawing extent in ArcGIS (on the left-hand side).
Creating ArcGIS polygons from Autodesk documents.
Users with appropriate permission can then establish further links between specific features on the map and documents in Autodesk manually or using rules based on common file names or IDs (like the railway signal example earlier).
In short, you can be up and running in only a few minutes and it doesn’t require the kind of fancy 3D data in the examples I’ve shown… If you do need help or support, Esri UK’s professional services team is geared up ready to turn your vision into reality.
Viewing document extents in ArcGIS, linked to live drawing files.
So back to my original question…
Should I take a look at ArcGIS GeoBIM?
Well, if you are already working with ArcGIS and Autodesk then you probably should – especially if your GIS and BIM/CAD teams are separated, as it might be a great way to bring them together. ArcGIS GeoBIM provides some quick and easy tools to make your Autodesk data more accessible, alongside your existing maps and apps, and allows you to then share useful information to a much wider audience and in context with other useful location data (such as existing assets, buildings, infrastructure or constraints).
Ready to have a go?
If you’re itching to have a go for yourself, why not start by working through this learning plan. It takes you through a series of tasks to introduce ArcGIS GeoBIM concepts, georeference Autodesk documents, and prepare Revit and CAD data for GeoBIM in ArcGIS Pro.
It could be the beginning of an exciting new development in your organisation!