Design Support Program

Abstract

To easily make the latest information of a facility arranged in a building reflected on design of the building using a computer.SOLUTION: A terminal device which executes a BIM application updates a parameter in attribute information of BIM data in response to an operation of a user on the basis of information acquired from a server. Also, the terminal device displays information showing that the parameter in the attribute information was updated, on the display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a design support program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the construction industry has been promoting the introduction of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in order to improve productivity through the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in its operations.

[0003] BIM is a method of constructing a model of the objects that make up a building, which includes attribute information such as name, dimensions, materials, component specifications, and performance in addition to shape information.

[0004] The objects correspond to architectural elements such as walls and equipment, and the shape information corresponds to CAD (Computer Aided Design) data, for example.

[0005] Technologies have been proposed to support the design of buildings using computers. Design using BIM is one example of computer-aided design of buildings.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that limits changes to the shape of a model based on the installation space and the allowable number of bowls when designing a hand washing counter using BIM. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 prevents rework in the design.

[0007] For example, Patent Document 2 describes a technology for estimating the cost required to build a product made up of a variety of components, by excluding unusable components that were allocated during the design process, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-5264 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-282137 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, with conventional technology, when designing a building using a computer, it is sometimes difficult to easily reflect the latest information about the facilities to be installed in the building in the design.

[0010] For example, with the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, if the specifications of the equipment or product change, or if the equipment or product is discontinued, it may not be possible to easily reflect that information in the data being designed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A design support program according to one aspect of the embodiment causes a computer to execute an update procedure that updates parameters included in attribute information of BIM data based on information obtained from a server in response to user operation, and a display control procedure that displays information on a display unit indicating that the parameters included in the attribute information have been updated in the update procedure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of the embodiment, in designing a building using a computer, the latest information on the equipment to be installed in the building can be easily reflected in the design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a design support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a server according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating BIM data. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of product information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen of a BIM application. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen of a BIM application. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the design support process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the BIM data and the design support program according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0015] First, the configuration of a design support system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a design support system according to an embodiment.

[0016] 1, the design support system 1 includes a server 10 and a terminal device 20. The number of servers 10 and terminal devices 20 is not limited to those shown in FIG.

[0017] The server 10 and the terminal device 20 are connected via a network N. The network N is, for example, the Internet.

[0018] The server 10 provides BIM data to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 executes a BIM application using the BIM data acquired from the server 10. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0019] A BIM application is an application for designing buildings using BIM. For example, an example of a BIM application is Revit (registered trademark) from Autodesk (registered trademark).

[0020] BIM data is data used to construct BIM parts in a BIM application. BIM data includes geometric information for displaying the 3D shape of the BIM parts and attribute information, which is a set of parameters.

[0021] A BIM part may be created for each building element that is placed in the BIM model of a building.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 20 is operated by a developer or a designer.

[0023] For example, the developer belongs to an equipment manufacturer and uses a BIM application installed on the terminal device 20 to create BIM data related to the equipment.

[0024] Furthermore, for example, a designer may belong to a design office, a construction company, or the like, and design a building using a BIM application installed on the terminal device 20. For example, the designer performs an operation to place BIM parts constructed from BIM data on a BIM model of the building.

[0025] The configuration of the server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server according to the embodiment.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the server 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0027] The communication unit 11 performs data communication with other devices via a network. For example, the communication unit 11 is a network interface card (NIC).

[0028] The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory such as a solid state drive (SSD), a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory.

[0029] The storage unit 12 stores an OS (Operating System) and various programs executed on the server 10. The storage unit 12 stores shape information 121 and attribute information 122.

[0030] The shape information 121 and the attribute information 122 are included in the BIM data. The BIM data will be explained using Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the BIM data.

[0031] In the example of Fig. 3, shape information 121 of the BIM data is information for displaying the three-dimensional shape of a toilet. For example, the shape information 121 is 3D CAD data. Also, in the example of Fig. 3, attribute information 122 of the BIM data is a set of parameters related to the toilet.

[0032] The attribute information 122 also includes the name and value of a parameter. For example, Fig. 3 shows that the value of the parameter "water supply unit" is "5.000000".

[0033] The product information 123 is information relating to a product. Here, the product is assumed to be a piece of equipment such as a toilet. The product information 123 stores an update history of attribute information accompanying changes in product specifications, etc.

[0034] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of product information. As shown in Fig. 5, product information 123 includes items such as parameters and values ​​similar to those of attribute information 122, as well as the name of the product and update date and time.

[0035] Figure 5 shows that the value of the parameter "Water Supply Horizontal Distance (default value)" for the product named "#NW1 (White)" was updated to "760.0" on "2021 / 3 / 4."

[0036] Figure 5 also shows that the value of the parameter "Water Supply Horizontal Distance (Default Value)" for the product named "#NW1 (White)" was updated to "750.0" on "2021 / 9 / 20."

[0037] Furthermore, Figure 5 shows that the value of the parameter "Water Supply Height (Default Value)" for the product named "#NW1 (White)" was updated to "160.0" on "2021 / 9 / 20."

[0038] The control unit 13 controls the entire server 10. The control unit 13 is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[0039] The control unit 13 executes a program to function as, for example, a storage unit 131 and a providing unit 132.

[0040] The storage unit 131 stores the shape information 121 and the attribute information 122 in the memory unit 12. For example, the storage unit 131 stores BIM data provided by a developer via the terminal device 20 in the memory unit 12 as the shape information 121 and the attribute information 122.

[0041] Furthermore, the storage unit 131 can update the attribute information 122 based on the update history of the parameters stored in the product information 123. In this way, the storage unit 131 realizes data linkage between the product information 123 and the attribute information 122.

[0042] The providing unit 132 provides the shape information 121 and the attribute information 122 to the terminal device 20. For example, when a request to download BIM data is made to the server 10 via a website, the providing unit 132 provides the shape information 121 and the attribute information 122 as BIM data.

[0043] The configuration of the terminal device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device according to the embodiment.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0045] The communication unit 21 performs data communication with other devices via a network. For example, the communication unit 11 is a NIC.

[0046] The input unit 22 accepts data input from a user. For example, the input unit 22 is an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the user refers to a designer.

[0047] The display unit 23 displays a screen. For example, the display unit 23 is a display device such as a display.

[0048] The storage unit 24 is a storage device such as an HDD or an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory such as an SSD, a RAM, or a flash memory.

[0049] The storage unit 24 stores an OS and various programs executed on the terminal device 20. The storage unit 24 stores shape information 241, attribute information 242, and application information 243.

[0050] The shape information 241 and the attribute information 242 are included in the BIM data provided by the server 10.

[0051] The application information 243 is information for executing a BIM application. For example, the application information 243 is a set of files for executing a BIM application on the terminal device 20.

[0052] The control unit 25 controls the entire terminal device 20. The control unit 25 is realized by, for example, a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like.

[0053] The control unit 25 functions as an acquisition unit 251, a display control unit 252, and an update unit 253. The acquisition unit 251, the display control unit 252, and the update unit 253 execute a design support program.

[0054] The design support program may be implemented as one function of a BIM application, or may be an add-in program for the BIM application.

[0055] The acquisition unit 251 acquires BIM data from the server 10. The acquisition unit 251 stores the acquired BIM data in the storage unit 24 as shape information 241 and attribute information 242.

[0056] The display control unit 252 executes a display control procedure and a determination procedure, and the update unit 253 executes an update procedure.

[0057] The display control unit 252 displays an execution screen of the BIM application on the display unit 23. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the execution screen of the BIM application. As shown in Fig. 6, the execution screen of the BIM application displayed on the display unit 23 includes a property window 231 (property screen) and a drawing area 232.

[0058] The display control unit 252 displays a projection drawing of the 3D shape of the toilet, which is a BIM part, in the drawing area 232 based on the shape information 241. In addition, the display control unit 252 displays information on each parameter of the toilet, which is a BIM part, in the property window 231 based on the attribute information 242.

[0059] The property window 231 is a window for displaying and changing attribute information 242 related to the BIM part. The drawing area 232 is an area where a projection drawing of the three-dimensional shape of the BIM part is drawn in accordance with the shape information 241.

[0060] Here, the update unit 253 updates the parameters included in the attribute information 242 of the BIM data based on the information acquired from the server 10 in response to a user operation.

[0061] For example, when the user presses an update button provided on a property screen that displays the attribute information 242, the update unit 253 updates the parameters included in the attribute information 242. The update button is pressed by, for example, clicking a mouse or tapping on a touch panel display.

[0062] Then, the display control unit 252 causes the display unit 23 to display information indicating that the parameters included in the attribute information 242 have been updated in the update procedure.

[0063] The application execution screen in Figure 6 is from September 21, 2021, and it is assumed that the update button has not been pressed at least since September 19, 2021.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 5, the parameter "water supply horizontal distance (default value)" and the parameter "water supply height (default value)" have been updated to "2021 / 9 / 21". The update unit 253 refers to the product information 123 shown in Fig. 5 and updates the parameter "water supply horizontal distance (default value)" and the parameter "water supply height (default value)" of the attribute information 242.

[0065] In this case, the update unit 253 updates the value of the parameter "water supply horizontal distance (default value)" from "760.0" to "750.0". The update unit 253 also updates the value of the parameter "water supply height (default value)" from "150.0" to "160.0".

[0066] When the update unit 253 has completed updating the parameters, the display control unit 252 transitions the execution screen of the BIM application to a screen as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the execution screen of the BIM application.

[0067] The display control unit 252 changes the display mode of the parameters that are included in the attribute information 242 and that have been updated in the update procedure on the property screen that displays the attribute information 242.

[0068] 7, the display control unit 252 applies a predetermined pattern to the rows of the updated parameter "water supply horizontal distance (default value)" and the parameter "water supply height (default value)" in the property window 231. In this way, the display control unit 252 highlights the updated parameters.

[0069] Furthermore, the display control unit 252 may change the color of the text or area in the row of the updated parameter.

[0070] Furthermore, the display control unit 252 displays the update date and time of the parameters in the property window 231. In the example of Fig. 7, the display control unit 252 displays the message "Updated 2021 / 9 / 20" in a speech bubble pointing to the rows of the parameter "Water supply horizontal distance (default value)" and the parameter "Water supply height (default value)".

[0071] The display control unit 252 may add a column showing the update date and time to the property window 231 and display the update date and time in that column. The display control unit 252 may also display the update date and time in a pop-up window, a tooltip, or the like.

[0072] Furthermore, the product information 123 may include information for identifying the version of the product (such as the version number or name). In this case, the display control unit 252 displays the information for identifying the version of the product in the same manner as the update date and time.

[0073] When the update button is pressed, the update unit 253 may update the parameters of the equipment associated with the property window 231. On the other hand, when the update button is pressed, the update unit 253 may collectively update the parameters of all the equipment arranged in the building in which the equipment associated with the property window 231 is arranged.

[0074] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the design support process. The terminal device 20 can execute the design support process using a design support program.

[0075] First, the terminal device 20 acquires BIM data from the server 10 (step S101). Next, the terminal device 20 starts up a BIM application (step S102).

[0076] Next, the terminal device 20 displays the three-dimensional shape of the toilet according to the BIM data (step S103).

[0077] Here, the terminal device 20 continues to display the three-dimensional shape and waits (step S103) until the designer presses the update button (step S104, No).

[0078] When the designer presses the update button (step S104, Yes), the terminal device 20 refers to the server 10 and updates the BIM data (step S105).

[0079] Then, the terminal device 20 highlights the updated parameters and further displays the update date and time (step S106), after which the terminal device 20 returns to step S103.

[0080] As explained above, the design support program causes the computer to execute an update procedure that updates the parameters included in the attribute information of the BIM data based on information obtained from the server in response to user operations, and a display control procedure that causes the display unit to display information indicating that the parameters included in the attribute information have been updated in the update procedure.

[0081] Updates to the attribute information of BIM data are reflected in the design via the BIM application. Therefore, according to the embodiment, in computer-aided design of a building, the latest information on the facilities to be installed in the building can be easily reflected in the design.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, BIM data can be kept up to date, so that the BIM data can be used directly for construction estimates and orders. For example, according to the embodiment, estimates based on specifications before changes and orders for discontinued products can be prevented.

[0083] The update procedure updates the parameters included in the attribute information when the user presses a specific button on the property screen that displays the attribute information, allowing updates to be performed at a timing that suits the user's preferences.

[0084] The display control procedure changes the display mode of the parameters included in the attribute information, which have been updated in the update procedure, on a property screen that displays the attribute information, thereby allowing the user to intuitively grasp the updated parameters.

[0085] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] N Network 1 Design support system 10 Servers 11, 21 Communications Department 12, 24 Storage section 13, 25 Control section 20 Terminal equipment 22 Input section 23 Display section 121, 241 Shape information 122, 242 Attribute information 123 Product information 131 Storage area 132 Provision Department 231 Properties Window 232 Drawing area 243 Application Information 251 Acquisition Department 252 Display control unit 253 Update Department

Claims

1. On the computer, an update procedure for updating parameters included in the attribute information of the BIM data based on information acquired from the server in response to a user operation; a display control step of displaying information indicating that the parameter included in the attribute information has been updated in the update step on a display unit; Execute The display control step includes: a parameter updated in the update procedure among the parameters included in the design support program, and a comment indicating that the parameter has been updated is displayed around the parameter.

2. 2. The design support program according to claim 1, wherein the update procedure updates parameters included in the attribute information when a user presses a predetermined button provided on a property screen displaying the attribute information.

3. 2. The design support program according to claim 1, wherein the display control procedure changes at least one of a text color or a background color of a parameter that is updated in the update procedure among parameters included in the attribute information on a property screen that displays the attribute information.

4. 2. The design support program according to claim 1, wherein the comment includes an update date and time of the parameter and a version of a product having the parameter.

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