Using QTO with Bentley BIM data

[jason.combs]

All,

How would you use Bentley BIM data effectively with QTO?

[hougd]

I assume that you can publish Bentley Microstation to 2D DWF Sheets and also as a 3D DWF....even if using DWF Writer? Just checked Microstation v8i's product data sheet....Not sure what 'Intelligent 2D/3D PDFs are and how they would react in QTO. If you can share/post just a 3D DWF from Bentley I could try bringing it into QTO and see what happens. QTO can also do 'Manual' Takeoffs by using PDFs somewhat like On Center's On Screen Takeoff (OST). I also noticed V8's Speedikon as having an Add-on QTO Interface.

As a Cost Estimator I use BIM Qty Takeoff tools (QTO and Innovaya) to develop 'Check Qtys' that are compared to other Qtys, mostly done with OST and then use these Qtys in Sage Timberline Cost Estimating. I don't currently use any of the 'linking' features to bring BIM Qtys to Timberline as I am hesitant to give too much control over to software.

[jason.pratt]

David you sound like a sharp estimator. Your company is lucky to employ you! The idea of not giving too much over to software is one that all the best estimators share. Hopefully BIM tools will help estimators generate, and more importantly, verify quantities that can be checked and cross-checked more easily and consistently over time.

3D DWF files from Bentley or 3D PDFs are not likely to give you the same level of associativity in QTO that you get from DWFs from Revit or AutoCAD Architecture. However, having said that, it's possible that the properties in the 3D DWFs might be readable.

If you send data to DWF through the DWF Writer, you'll get a less-intelligent file for sure. DWF Writer is a printer driver, and intelligent BIM data doesn't survive the printing process - it gets flattened. Best to avoid that for QTO purposes.

I'd like to see a 3D Bentley DWF also! Can we get one posted for testing?

Jason

[EECylwik.224738]

I am hoping to use a Bentley model in QTO as well... Has anyone tried exporting to IFC from Bentley, importing that into Revit, and then exporting to a DWF? I have a feeling you will loose random objects, but for walls, slabs, and basic objects the IFC should carry over most information used to generate a take off.