System and method for multi-step parameter filtration and manipulation in building information modelling (BIM) software - revit

Abstract

A method of modifying a building information modelling (BIM) 3D building design comprises generating an initial BIM design having mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) components. An interface di

Description

Field of the Invention The field of the invention relates to Building Information Modelling (BIM) Software. The invention is applicable to, but not limited to building design produced with BIM software. Background of the invention BIM Revit modelling can get particularly complex, especially when incorporating MEP designs into building projects. Contractors often rely on these models to guide the actual construction. The Revit BIM model is crucial in the MEP process. As the design develops throughout the construction project, changes are frequently made. BIM modelers face challenges and spend a lot of time ensuring that even minor adjustments are accurately reflected without disrupting the overall design. Sometimes, a single model can contain thousands of items, and making changes to one component can misalign others. Autodesk Revit is a leading Building Information Modelling (BIM) software utilised by architects, engineers, and construction professionals to design (3D Authoring tool), coordinate, and manage complex building projects across disciplines. A persistent challenge in Revit projects is the management of element parameters for design objects—attributes such as names, types, reference levels, and custom values—which often necessitates repetitive manual edits across thousands of elements in large-scale models. For instance, updating reference levels (origin reference point of an object or items in the design) after an architectural change, standardising naming conventions with prefixes or suffixes, or transferring parameter values for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems can be time-consuming, prone to human error, and disruptive to project timelines. These tasks are especially complicated in projects with high element counts, such as data centres or hospitals, where models may contain tens of thousands of components requiring precise interdisciplinary coordination. Current solutions within Revit, such as parameter schedules, Dynamo scripts, or manual property adjustments, fail to address these inefficiencies comprehensively. Schedules provide limited bulk-editing capabilities and lack real-time visual feedback, while manual edits are impractical for large datasets and risk introducing inconsistencies. On the other hand, Dynamo (another feature in Revit which involves visual scripting rather than manual) - though powerful, demands scripting expertise and significant setup time, rendering it inaccessible to many users and inefficient for rapid, repetitive tasks. Moreover, when correcting reference levels or other parameters, Revit’s native tools frequently disrupt MEP system networks in design—such as duct runs, piping, or electrical circuits—forcing users to manually reconnect systems, further compounding delays and errors. This is particularly problematic in MEP disciplines, where parameter accuracy directly impacts system performance, clash detection, and downstream fabrication processes. To date, no tool available online or in the commercial market combines the specific functionality of centralised parameter management, multi-step filtration, automation of bulk edits, and real-time visualisation into a single, user-friendly plugin for Revit. Consequently, there is a clear and unmet demand for a plugin that streamlines these processes, optimises computational performance by restricting operations to active views, and enhances user interaction through intuitive controls. This need is particularly acute in MEP disciplines, where parameter consistency—e.g., flow rates, insulation values, or equipment naming—is critical to ensuring design integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in complex, high-stakes projects. Summary of the invention According to an embodiment there is provided a computer implemented method of modifying a BIM 3D building design comprising the steps of: generating an initial BIM building design, where the building design comprises details of mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components across an entire building design: providing an interface for editable parameters and read only parameters for the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components, to allow the editable parameters to be edited by a user, where parameters values are assigned to the editable parameter based on user defined criteria; providing a prefix and a suffix to the editable and read only parameters for naming of electrical, mechanical and plumbing components in the building design; selecting which of the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components to display to a user, where the components can be selected by the user according to one or more of category, parameter and value, displaying only the selected components and providing information on category mismatches between the initial building design and the selected components; selecting a parameter from the editable parameters and the read only parameters, to filter the selected components, so only components from the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems with the selected parameter are displayed; highlighting specific components with the selected parameter in the building design, to make them more visible; isolating the highlighted components by removing all unhighlighted components in the BIM building design to allow a user to identify any inconsistencies on the highlighted components; editing the isolated highlighted components; transferring parameter values between components in the same category, to ensure consistency across similar components; and providing a confirmation control to the user to either finalise and apply all changes across the building design or to cancel any changes to the building design; to provide a real time visualisation to the user of changes made to the building design. Preferably, the steps are accessed via an dashboard interface. In a preferred embodiment, the editable parameters are parameters related to at least one of: element names, element types, reference levels, element attributes. Further preferably, the parameter selection and filtration step is repeated to further refine the selected components that are displayed. In an example, the components of the mechanical system comprise one or more of: Air Handling Units (AHUs), Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes, Fan Coil Units (FCUs), ductwork, and supply / return diffusers and grilles. In a further example the components of the electrical system comprise one or more of: lighting fixtures, power outlets, distribution boards or panel boards, transformers, and conduits and cable trays. Further preferably, the components of the plumbing system comprise one or more of: sanitary fixtures, domestic hot water heaters, plumbing pipes, valves.. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. Brief description of the drawings Further details, aspects and embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers are used to identify like or functionally similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Figure 1: an example embodiment of a Get &Set interface; Figure 2: an example Functional workflow , demonstrating the process from initialisation to confirmation of changes; Figure 3: an example embodiment of the interface and a building design Before replacement of Family and Type. Figure 4: an example embodiment of the interface and a building design After replacement of Family and Type. Figure 5: Before replacement of a text parameter (e.g., Comments). Figure 6: After replacement of a text parameter (e.g., Comments). Figure 7: Sheet Numbers Before Applying Prefix and Suffix. Figure 8: Sheet Numbers After Applying Prefix "BWE-" and Suffix "-B01". Figure 9: Highlighting Sanitary Pipes Running Under 0% Slope Figure 10: Isolating the Highlighted Sanitary Pipes. Figure 11: Empty Comments Parameter Before Transfer. Figure 12: Comments Parameter Updated with Family and Type Name After Transfer. Figure 13 (a) and (b) is an example flowchart according to an embodiment. Detailed Description Ongoing issues have led to the creation of a unique feature within the software. This innovation is designed to help BIM modellers work more efficiently, and provide enhanced viewing outputs. It offers enhanced filtering options to isolate items in complex designs, allowing for edits without misaligning other necessary components. Users can filter objects based on one or multiple parameters, enabling them to focus on specific changes without risking errors that could affect the entire design. This approach not only streamlines the editing process but also aims to cut costs by saving time for modelers. In this proposed invention, a system and method for a software plugin integrated into BIM software, streamlining element parameter management via a centralised dashboard with multi-step filtration by category, parameter, and value, and tools for modifying names, types, reference levels, adding prefixes / suffixes, transferring values, and visualising elements in real-time, enhancing efficiency and accuracy, especially for MEP applications. The plugin automates repetitive tasks, reduces manual effort, and improves quality control across large-scale building models. The invention, introduces a novel solution for parameter management. Integrated as a dashboard interface, it provides a unique combination of multi-step filtration—selecting elements by category, parameter, and value—and comprehensive modification tools unavailable in existing solutions. Following points addresses the proposed invention features: • Multi-Step Filtration: A 2-3 step process to filter elements by category, parameter, and value, enabling precise selection. • Parameter Modification: Tools to update element names, types, reference levels, and other attributes efficiently. • Prefix and Suffix Addition: Automated addition of prefixes and suffixes to parameter values for consistent naming. • Parameter Population: Assignment of values to parameters based on user-defined criteria. • Value Transfer: Transfer of values between parameters within the same category. • Value Setting: Assignment of values to empty or specific parameters. • Find-and-Replace: Search and replacement of parameter values across elements. • Visualisation: Highlighting and isolation of filtered elements in the active view for quality control. The plugin’s user-friendly interface includes checkboxes, dropdowns, search boxes, and buttons, making it accessible and efficient. It is particularly beneficial for MEP workflows, such as managing duct insulation or air terminal flow rates, offering significant time savings and improved accuracy. System Overview In an embodiment there is provided a design methodology and viewing arrangement, fully integrated into Autodesk Revit, accessible through a user-friendly dashboard As described, in an embodiment a computer implemented method of modifying a BIM 3D building design is provided. The method comprising the steps of: generating an initial BIM building design, where the building design comprises details of mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components across an entire building design: providing an interface for editable parameters and read only parameters for the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components, to allow the editable parameters to be edited by a user, where parameters values are assigned to the editable parameter based on user defined criteria; providing a prefix and a suffix to the editable and read only parameters for naming of electrical, mechanical and plumbing components in the building design; selecting which of the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components to display to a user, where the components can be selected by the user according to one or more of category, parameter and value, displaying only the selected components and providing information on category mismatches between the initial building design and the selected components; selecting a parameter from the editable parameters and the read only parameters, to filter the selected components, so only components from the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems with the selected parameter are displayed; highlighting specific components with the selected parameter in the building design, to make them more visible; isolating the highlighted components by removing all unhighlighted components in the BIM building design to allow a user to identify any inconsistencies on the highlighted components; editing the isolated highlighted components; transferring parameter values between components in the same category, to ensure consistency across similar components; and providing a confirmation control to the user to either finalise and apply all changes across the building design or to cancel any changes to the building design; to provide a real time visualisation to the user of changes made to the building design. The interface, as illustrated in Figure 1, is designed to provide an intuitive and efficient way to filter, modify, and transfer parameter values within Revit projects, to allow an output of a design visualisation. In an embodiment of the invention, the method steps are accessed vias a dashboard interface. Figure 1 presents the interface, which is divided into multiple functional components that streamline the process of parameter selection and modification. The dashboard is structured to ensure an optimal user experience, providing clearly defined sections with interactive controls for managing Revit element parameters efficiently. In an embodiment, the editable parameters are parameters related to at least one of: element names, element types, reference levels, element attributes. Preferably, the parameter selection and filtration step is repeated to further refine the selected components that are displayed. Specifically, category elements active view is provided at 1, category elements at 2, parameters to access elements at 3, 4 is the general search box, 5 is elements of selected category, 6 filtered elements of the selected category, 7 is parameter name to be updated, 8 is values of the parameter, 9 is find text function, 10 is replace text function ,11 is replace element function, 12 is family and type, 13 is button to select if the value is a number, 14 is value to set, 15 is the set button, 16 is prefix text, 17 is suffix text, 18 is add suffix or prefix, 19 is highlight elements of selected parameter value, 20 is hide or isolate highlighted elements, 21 is transfer the value, 22 is ok, 23 Is cancel control. The functional workflow of the plugin is depicted in Figure 2, which outlines a structured process 200, beginning with initialising the plugin 202 in Revit, followed by selecting the Active View Restriction option 204 in the Revit software (corresponding to feature 1 in figure 1) and Category (corresponding to feature 2 in figure 1) 206, filtering elements using Parameter Selection (corresponding to feature 3 in figure 1) 208, and proceeding through parallel modification processes, depending user requirements, including Find and Replace (corresponding to feature 9-11 in figure 1 in figure 1) 210, Value Setting (corresponding to feature 13-15) 212, Prefix / Suffix Addition (corresponding to feature 16-18 in figure 1) 214, Visualisation (corresponding to feature 19-20 in figure 1), and Parameter Value Transfer218(corresponding to feature 21 in figure 1. The process concludes with Confirm and Apply Changes 220 (corresponding to feature 22-23 in figure 1), ensuring user control over modifications. By leveraging the Revit API, this tool ensures real-time updates and precise control over model data, significantly improving the efficiency of parameter management. Functional Components Th interface as shown in figure 1 comprises multiple interconnected functional components designed to enhance the efficiency of parameter selection, filtration, and modification within BIM models. Below each of the features in figure 1 is described in detail, and how they can used in the filtering features in proposed plugin for Revit software. The Active View Restriction 1, is a checkbox labelled "Categories Elements (Active View?)", allowing users to limit processing strictly to elements visible in the active Revit view. When enabled, this feature optimises performance by eliminating unnecessary data, significantly reducing processing time. Adjacent to it, a message box provides clarification on category mismatches between the model and the user selection. The Category Selection 2, is a dropdown labelled "Categories (Complete Project)", which presents a list of categories, such as DuctTerminal, DuctCurves, PipesCurves etc.. If the Active View Restriction is enabled, the dropdown dynamically filters out categories that are not present in the active view, ensuring that users focus only on relevant elements. In an embodiment, the components of the mechanical system comprise one or more of: Air Handling Units (AHUs), Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes, Fan Coil Units (FCUs), ductwork, and supply / return diffusers and grilles. Preferably, the components of the electrical system comprise one or more of: lighting fixtures, power outlets, distribution boards or panel boards, transformers, and conduits and cable trays. Further preferably, the components of the plumbing system comprise one or more of: sanitary fixtures, domestic hot water heaters, plumbing pipes, valves.. Further refining the selection, Parameter Selection 3, consists of a dropdown menu titled "Parameter to access elements", where users can choose a parameter (e.g., "Family and Type") to filter elements. This serves as the initial filtration step, allowing users to retrieve elements based on a specified parameter. Alongside this, the interface includes an Editable Parameter and Read-only Parameter toggle, ensuring that users differentiate between parameters they can modify and those restricted for reference. To facilitate quick searching, a Search Box 4, enables users to enter keywords or specific values to refine the listed elements further. A significant component is Element Filtration 5, 6, which consists of three interconnected sections. The All-Elements List, 5, displays all elements belonging to the selected category, such as M_Supply Diffuser - Sidewall: 450 x 200, along with checkboxes to allow individual selection or a "Select All" option. The Filtered Elements List 6, presents a refined subset of elements transferred from the All-Elements List using an arrow button ("»>"). This enables users to progressively refine their selections, ensuring precision before proceeding to modifications. Additionally, a Clear Button allows users to reset the selections in the filtered list, providing flexibility in reapplying filters. For targeted modifications, the Parameter to Update 7, section enables users to select a parameter that will be modified. A dropdown menu labelled "Parameter name to be updated" allows users to specify any parameter they intend to change (e.g., "Elevation from Level"), ensuring that modifications are applied to the correct data fields.8 is a box of items that are filtered using dialogue box visualisation. Below this, another Search Box helps users locate specific parameters quickly. The Values of a Parameters, section displays a list of values associated with the selected parameter, helping users visualise the potential modifications they might perform. Each value can be selected individually, streamlining the process of targeted updates. A powerful feature in the interface is Find and Replace 9 and 10, which includes a Find Field 9 where users can input specific text values they want to search for within the dataset. Correspondingly, the Replace Field 10allows users to enter the desired replacement value, supporting batch modifications across multiple elements. Additionally, a specialised Replace Dropdown 11 enables users to replace values related to elements like Level, Family and Type, System Type, ensuring comprehensive control over parameter modifications. The Change Button 12executes these changes, ensuring accurate and bulk updates efficiently. Figure 3: is an example of the interface 100, and a building design 150, before any replacement of Family and Type elements in the entire design.. Figure 4: is an example of the interface 100, and a building design 150 after replacement of Family and Type. To execute the functionality of an embodiment, the user needs to determine whether the replacement is for a double, integer, string, or Elementld. If replacing an Elementld, the user must use the Replace Dropdown, which will automatically highlight, preferably in green after detecting the corresponding parameter in the Parameter Selection (Mark 3) dropdown menu titled "Parameterto access elements." See Figure 3, where the "Mitered Elbows / Taps" Family and Type parameter of the DuctCurves is changed to "Mitered Elbows / Tees" (Figure 4), demonstrating a family modification for DuctCurves. Figure 5: is a view of the interface 100, Before replacement of a text parameter (e.g., Comments) in the interface Otherwise, users can perform a standard Find and Replace operation for double, integer, or string values using Find and Replace 9,10. See Figure 5, where the "Test" value in the Comments parameter 502 of the DuctCurves category is replaced with "Air Flow" Figure 6 shows the updated value 602 after the modification. To provide further control, Value Setting 13, 14, 15 incorporates radio buttons to specify whether the data type of the parameter being set is a Number or a String 13, . If "Yes" is selected, the system treats the input as a numerical value, whereas selecting "No" designates it as a text string. An input field 14 allows users to define the Value to Set, and the Set Button 15applies the defined value. This feature ensures precision in modifying specific parameters, such as insulation thickness (numerical values) or classification labels (text values), preventing data type mismatches. To standardise naming conventions, Prefix and Suffix Addition 16, 17 and 18 enables users to append text to parameter values, ensuring consistency across multiple elements. The Prefix Field 16 allows users to enter a prefix, while the Suffix Field 17 lets them define a suffix. Once specified, the Add Suffix / Prefix Button 18 applies the modifications efficiently. As illustrated in Figure 7, the Sheet Numbers initially do not have any prefixes or suffixes. However, after applying the prefix "BWE-" 802 and the suffix "-B01" 804, the updated values are displayed in Figure 8, showing the transformed sheet numbers (e.g., "BWE-E101-B01", "BWE-M100-B01"). This functionality ensures systematic naming, improving clarity and organisation within the project. For enhanced visualisation and quality control, Visualisation Tools 19, 20 provide interactive options to help users identify and inspect specific elements efficiently. The Highlight Button 19 emphasises the filtered elements within the active BIM view, allowing users to visually verify the selected components. Similarly, the Isolate Button 20 hides unselected elements, creating a focused inspection environment to ensure accurate modifications. Figure 9: illustrates an embodiment highlighting Sanitary Pipes Running Under 0% Slope. As shown in Figure 9, the user has filtered out sanitary pipes running under 0 slope using the Element Filtration 4, 5, and 6 and then utilized the Highlight Button 19 to emphasize them in the active view, making it easier to identify problem areas. In Figure 10, the user has further refined the visualization by using the Isolate Button 20, which isolates the highlighted pipes, ensuring a clear view of the affected elements without distractions from surrounding components. This functionality enhances quality control by enabling users to inspect and correct critical design inconsistencies effectively. The Parameter Value Transfer 21 is an essential function that allows users to transfer values between parameters within the same category. This feature ensures consistency across related parameters by enabling automated data propagation. A common use case is transferring "Design Flow" values to "Actual Flow" in mechanical systems to maintain accuracy across parameters. To execute the transfer, the user must ensure that the parameter selected in the Parameter Selection 3 dropdown menu, titled "Parameter to access elements," corresponds to the intended source parameter. Meanwhile, the Parameter to Update 7 dropdown menu, labelled "Parameter name to be updated," must be set to the target parameter for the transfer. Once these selections are confirmed, clicking the "Transfer Value" Button 21 initiates the data transfer, automatically updating the specified parameter. Figure 11: illustrates the feature of Empty Comments Parameter in the interface 100 Before T ransfer. Figure 12: illustrates the feature of Comments Parameter Updated with Family and Type Name After Transfer. As shown in Figure 11, the Comments parameter 1102 for the Lighting Fixture category is initially empty. The user selects "Family and Type" in the Parameter Selection 3 dropdown as the source parameter and "Comments" in the Parameter to Update 7 dropdown as the target parameter. After clicking the "Transfer Value" Button 21, the Comments parameter is successfully updated with the Family and Type names of the Lighting Fixtures, as illustrated in Figure 12. This ensures that essential information is consistently maintained across elements, improving data organization and accessibility. Finally, the Confirmation Controls 22, 23 provide users with decision-making authority before applying changes. The OK Button 22 finalizes and applies all modifications, while the Cancel Button 23 discards the changes, ensuring that users have full control over the adjustments they make. Overall, this interface is designed for precision-driven workflows, offering multiple layers of filtration, modification, and validation to streamline Revit parameter management. Each functional component is carefully structured to enhance usability, reduce processing time, and ensure accurate modifications within the BIM environment. Example scenarios show how proposed interface can be used in Revit BIM modelling: Scenario 1: Changing reference levels for 1,000+ elements (e.g., from Level 1 to Level 2) after an architectural update using buttons 11, 12 reducing manual effort from multiple hours to few minutes, as performed in one of the 48 MW data centre project with 43,285 model elements. Scenario 2: Adding prefixes to loadable family names (e.g., "M_" to "Supply Diffuser") via buttons 16-18. Scenario 3: Populating air terminal group parameters using buttons 3-8 and 15. Scenario 4: Transferring flow rates from "Design Flow" to "Actual Flow" for MEP pipes using button 21. Scenario 5: Setting insulation values for ducts based on size with buttons 13-15. Scenario 6: Replacing parameter values (e.g., "OldValue" to "NewValue") using9-10. Scenario 7: Highlighting zero-slope sanitary pipes or specific-height switches with 1920. Fig. 13 is a flowchart of an example process 1300. In some implementations, one or more process blocks of Fig. 13 may be performed by a device . As shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include generating an initial BIM building design, where the building design may include details of mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components across an entire building design: (block 1302). For example, device may generate an initial bim building design, where the building design may include details of mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components across an entire building design:, as described above. As also shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include providing an interface for editable parameters and read only parameters for the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components, to allow the editable parameters to be edited by an user, where parameters values are assigned to the editable parameter based on user defined criteria (block 1304). For example, device may provide an interface for editable parameters and read only parameters for the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components, to allow the editable parameters to be edited by an user, where parameters values are assigned to the editable parameter based on user defined criteria, as described above. As further shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include providing a prefix and a suffix to the editable and read only parameters for naming of electrical, mechanical and plumbing components in the building design (block 1306). For example, device may provide a prefix and a suffix to the editable and read only parameters for naming of electrical, mechanical and plumbing components in the building design, as described above. As also shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include selecting which of the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components to display to an user, where the components can be selected by the user according to one or more of category, parameter and value, displaying only the selected components and providing information on category mismatches between the initial building design and the selected components (block 1308). For example, device may select which of the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components to display to an user, where the components can be selected by the user according to one or more of category, parameter and value, displaying only the selected components and providing information on category mismatches between the initial building design and the selected components, as described above. As further shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include selecting a parameter from the editable parameters and the read only parameters, to filter the selected components, so only components from the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems with the selected parameter are displayed (block 1310). For example, device may select a parameter from the editable parameters and the read only parameters, to filter the selected components, so only components from the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems with the selected parameter are displayed, as described above. As also shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include highlighting specific components with the selected parameter in the building design, to make them more visible (block 1312). For example, device may highlight specific components with the selected parameter in the building design, to make them more visible, as described above. As further shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include isolating the highlighted components by removing all un highlighted components in the BIM building design to allow an user to identify any inconsistencies included on the highlighted components (block 1314). For example, device may isolate the highlighted components by removing all unhighlighted components in the bim building design to allow an user to identify any inconsistencies included on the highlighted components, as described above. As also shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include editing the isolated highlighted components (block 1316). For example, device may edit the isolated highlighted components, as described above. As further shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include transferring parameter values between components in the same category, to ensure may include across similar components (block 1318). For example, device may transfer parameter values between components in the same category, to ensure may include across similar components, as described above. As also shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include providing a confirmation control to the user to either finalise and apply all changes across the building design or to cancel any changes to the building design (block 1320). For example, device may provide a confirmation control to the user to either finalise and apply all changes across the building design or to cancel any changes to the building design, as described above. As further shown in Fig. 13, process 1300 may include to provide a real time visualisation to the user of changes made to the building design (block 1322). For example, device may to provide a real time visualisation to the user of changes made to the building design, as described above. Although Fig. 13 shows example blocks of process 1300, in some implementations, process 1300 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Fig. 13. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1300 may be performed in parallel. Overall, proposed invention presents a technical advance through developing unique and bespoke methodology for use with BIM software which allows multifactor filtering option for components within the design and make necessary changes. Although the present invention has been described in connection with some example embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognise that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in accordance with the invention. In the claims, the term ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented by, for example, a single unit or processor. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and / or advantageous. Also, the inclusion of a feature in one category of claims does not imply a limitation to this category but rather indicates that the feature is equally applicable to other claim categories, as appropriate. Furthermore, the order of features in the claims does not imply any specific order in which the features must be performed and in particular the order of individual steps in a method claim does not imply that the steps must be performed in this order. Rather, the steps may be performed in any suitable order. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Thus, references to ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘first’, ‘second’, etc. do not preclude a plurality. Acronyms: MEP - Mechanical Electrical Plumping BIM - Building Information Modelling API - Application Programming Interface

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of modifying a BIM 3D building design comprising the steps of:generating an initial BIM building design, where the building design comprises details of mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components across an entire building design:providing an interface for editable parameters and read only parameters for the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components, to allow the editable parameters to be edited by a user, where parameters values are assigned to the editable parameter based on user defined criteria;providing a prefix and a suffix to the editable and read only parameters for naming of electrical, mechanical and plumbing components in the building design;selecting which of the mechanical components, electrical components and plumbing components to display to a user, where the components can be selected by the user according to one or more of category, parameter and value, displaying only the selected components and providing information on category mismatches between the initial building design and the selected components;selecting a parameter from the editable parameters and the read only parameters, to filter the selected components, so only components from the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems with the selected parameter are displayed;highlighting specific components with the selected parameter in the building design, to make them more visible;isolating the highlighted components by removing all unhighlighted components in the BIM building design to allow a user to identify any inconsistencies on the highlighted components;editing the isolated highlighted components;transferring parameter values between components in the same category, to ensure consistency across similar components; and providing a confirmation control to the user to either finalise and apply all changes across the building design or to cancel any changes to the building design;to provide a real time visualisation to the user of changes made to the building design.

2. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps are accessed via an dashboard interface.

3. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the editable parameters are parameters related to at least one of: element names, element types, reference levels, element attributes.

4. The computer implemented method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the parameter selection and filtration step is repeated to further refine the selected components that are displayed.

5. The computer implemented method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the components of the mechanical system comprise one or more of: Air Handling Units (AHUs), Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes, Fan Coil Units (FCUs), ductwork, and supply / return diffusers and grilles.

6. The computer implemented method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the components of the electrical system comprise one or more of: lighting fixtures, power outlets, distribution boards or panel boards, transformers, and conduits and cable trays.

7. The computer implemented method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the components of the plumbing system comprise one or more of: sanitary fixtures, domestic hot water heaters, plumbing pipes, valves..

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