BIM Plugin Handedness Tracking for Flipped Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
AUTODESK REVIT and similar BIM software fail to accurately track and correct the directional properties of components like doors and ducts during mirroring operations, leading to incorrect installations and frustrations in the building process.
Innovation Solution
A plugin that interacts with the CAD software to track and maintain a 'swing parameter' for assemblies, determining the correct handedness and orientation by analyzing parameters such as mirrored, facing flipped, and hand flipped states, and replacing assemblies as necessary to ensure correct directionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If REVIT tracks mirroring, hand flip, and facing flip features for components, then the graphical user interface can display flipped components correctly, but the software fails to track left swing, right swing, flow direction, hot/cold, and other important directional properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking system into two distinct parts: the base REVIT system tracks basic flip features (mirroring, hand flip, facing flip), while the plugin adds specialized swing parameter tracking for directional properties. This segmentation allows each system to focus on its strength without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The plugin acts as an intermediary between the user and the REVIT software, bridging the gap by adding swing parameter tracking capabilities that REVIT lacks. The plugin receives flip feature data from REVIT and supplements it with proper swing parameter determination and tracking.
2Ease of operation
If a plan is flipped in REVIT, then doors and windows can appear correct on the graphical user interface, but the part family remains the same causing incorrect orders and frustrations during the building process
Solution Approach 1:
The plugin implements a feedback mechanism where it continuously monitors flip features in REVIT and uses this information to determine the correct swing parameter. This feedback loop ensures that the swing parameter remains synchronized with the actual visual state of components, preventing ordering errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the swing parameter based on the combination of flip features detected in REVIT. When mirroring, hand flip, or facing flip occurs, the plugin calculates the appropriate swing parameter adjustment to maintain accuracy between the visual display and the part specifications.
3Device complexity
If REVIT does not track swing parameter, then the software maintains simplicity in its flip tracking system, but assemblies may be incorrectly configured after flips occurring within the BIM software
Solution Approach 1:
The plugin serves as an intermediary that adds swing parameter tracking without requiring changes to the core REVIT system. It receives data from REVIT's flip tracking and supplements it with swing parameter calculation, maintaining simplicity in REVIT while achieving precision in assembly configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The plugin performs self-service by automatically detecting flip features and calculating the appropriate swing parameter adjustments without requiring manual intervention. It autonomously maintains the swing parameter in sync with the visual state of assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples can include a system for flipping components in REVIT or other BIM software. A plugin can receive an indication that a flip has occurred in a plan displayed on a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The plan can include an assembly that has a handedness, such as a door or window. The plugin can determine what the handedness should be based on assembly parameters indicating mirroring, facing, and hand flipped. Because some assemblies cannot correctly mirror without adjusting handedness, the plugin can determine the appropriate handedness and replace the assembly with a different assembly when the handedness is incorrect after flipping. The new assembly can display in the GUI at the correct location.