VIMTrek

On October 5, 2011 at an exhibition and the Greenbuild SMARTBIM conference and the VIZERRA command submitted the new joint software product – VIMTrek. The VIMTrek program is capable to convert completely detailed information model of the building from the standard Revit format in incredibly realistic, suitable for joint work 3D - Wednesday. All process will take less than five minutes at the same time given to an initial information model of the building will not be damaged. The VIMTrek application using the innovative technologies it is capable to transform quickly drawings of Autodesk of the Revit format to incredibly realistic interactive environment exclusive on quality of graphics and also to publish result of converting on the Internet.

The idea is developed on the basis of modern technologies of the game industry where superfast algorithms of rendering are used for creation of the realistic and highly detailed environment. The standard methods of rendering used in architecture for converting of drawings in photorealistic images usually mean the process, labor-consuming and expensive on time, lasting not less than 15 hours and requiring high professionalism of contractors and also big computing powers. Visually faultless, but static images which do not have interactive potential, as well as that is more important tools for joint work – because of big file size become a result of such traditional rendering.

The VIMTrek program can convert the file of the drawing in the Revit format into incredibly realistic 3D - Wednesday less than in five minutes, and process of converting does not require special preparation or experience. The new method of rendering uses a unique data compression technology that does the volume of the final file equal one tenth volumes of the file created by a traditional method, and this final file is completely interactive and allows designers, to draftsmen, architects, contractors and their clients to move in the interactive environment and to observe the building the same as it could be observed in the video game.

"Architecture and design – processes, on the most essence cooperation, inseparably linked with the ideas, and adoptions of the best solutions on the basis of the most authentic data, - Errol Walford, the CEO of SMARTBIM company says. – We take data from an information model of the building, we complement them with data on an environment, and we place all this in fascinating 3D - the Wednesday suitable for joint work, and all this becomes in several minutes, but not in several hours. This technology really in a revolutionary way".

Users can freely move on the building, including at the same time, the whole groups, interacting with each other. For example, the designer can leave a digital note of VIMNote which will be will seen and used afterwards by the architect in model. Or, for example, the designer and the architect can appear together in one of projectible premises, carry out audit of data, make decisions on design in real time.

"For the first time all participants of design process and construction will get access to uniform 3D - versions of the project and will be able to make joint decisions in real time, - Nicholas Jaffray, the chief executive of VIMTrek says. - So VIMTrek provides full virtual interaction".

Program components

• VIMTrek Producer — this key component is required for creation of highly realistic virtual environment and converting of files of Revit in the VIM format (Visual Information Model, "visual information model").
• VIMTrek Viewer is the simplified version of the program intended for the ordinary users and project participants who are not taking part in its development. Allows to move in virtual environment and to leave notes.

Advantages

• Speed — rendering in VIMTrek Producer takes minutes, but not hours. Architects, designers and contractors can render through stage.
• Economy of means — taking into account rendering speed, it is essential to save means it is possible in three areas: designers will save hundreds of working hours over each project; decision making on design will become possible at the earliest stage, even prior to construction so considerable means will be saved on a stage of construction; high speed of rendering will allow not to entrust rendering process to the third parties.
• Cooperation — project teams will be able to get simultaneous access to an object under construction via the Internet, to leave notes in real time, to reduce the unforeseen risks arising at a construction stage.
• Usability — functions of the VIMTrek program are very simple: users can move in model space back and forth, to the left-to the right and up-down, the same as in the video game — thus, clients will not need special preparation for virtual walk on an object under construction even prior to its construction.
• Third-party applications: ecoScorecard plug-in — this plug-in allows users to browse data of the three-dimensional environment and also third-party certified data (for example, LEED®) for the corresponding objects in real time.

The VIMTrek project is founded in 2011 as joint development of SMARTBIM company – developer of program information models for construction, - and the Vizerra project which specialization – interactive 3D - technologies and also development of game and simulation algorithms. The VIMTrek program provides high-speed 3D - rendering, thereby offering the whole range of new opportunities to the companies working in the field of construction, design and architecture. The VIMTrek program is aimed at creation of the virtual environment allowing project participants to interact among themselves in real time, being completely submerged on interactive Wednesday. The VIMTrek program allows architects, designers and contractors to work quicker, more effectively and more eco-friendly.