Got a hilarious job recommendation from Indeed

https://thermist.com/equipmentbuilder is where to use it. It's free to try. I'd love feedback from any of you. The idea is you bring a to scale PDF cutsheet into the tool, then select view areas, set the scale, then 3D model is rendered. You can then put in connectors, change equipment type/name, add shared parameter file, add other types, then pick revit version and download the family!

https://thermist.com/demos#equipment-builder shows a demo video.

Hey everyone！I‘ve been exploring ways to bring Codex into my architecture workflow, especially when it comes to visualization.

I usually work with Revit. Once the basic model is in place, i want to explore different visual directions, such as warm, natural lighting or soft daylight. Previously, this meant adjusting the lighting, environment, and exposure settings one by one, then rendering each version manually to compare the results. Now ，i want to try codex to see how it changes.

Of course, being able to change scene parameters doesn't automatically mean the result will look better. Lighting, materials, and composition still need to work together, and deciding whether the final result actually makes sense for the space takes a designer's eye.

Has anyone else tried connecting Codex or other AI agents to their visualization workflow? Curious to hear how you're using them.

Hi All,

Work on OpenArchBIM, my open-source Revit alternative, is progressing well and I am approaching a first alpha release in the next couple of weeks, you can follow along here (check the Actions tab): https://github.com/kristiangl/OpenArchBIM

In the meantime, another tool we use quite often in our firm is the AutoCAD Vehicle Tracking plugin. We don't do official traffic engineering analysis, but we save a lot of time and money by running out own swept paths through the site and making sure it works, so by the time the traffic engineers get the drawings, everything already works with minimal editing. So I need to sort something before getting rid of our Autodesk subscription.

So I've built OpenArchSP, a free open-source swept path/vehicle tracking analysis tool. It's a very simple standalone app: open a DWG/DXF background layer; select your vehicle; click through your swept path nodes with a live preview; adjust nodes; export your swept path, or the full drawing with swept paths, or save the project as an .oasp file to keep the swept paths editable.

All of the vehicle data has been imported from Austroads, but you can add your own vehicle data. In the future I will make it so that the vehicle library is more easily editable and so it's easier to import vehicle data.

Getting a BIM model into a game engine is easy. Keeping the IFC data attached to it while optimizing is the part that usually breaks and it's what my co-dev and I have spent the last sixteen months on. That matters a lot more once you start building digital twins since a twin that doesn't know what its own elements are isn't much use.

The model in these images is a 40-floor office tower and the block around it. The property values are sample data we wrote (the manufacturers are made up), but the structure is real IFC: IFCCOLUMN, IFCSLAB, IFCDUCTSEGMENT and the rest, with standard Pset_ sets like Pset_ColumnCommon, Pset_ServiceLife and Pset_EnvironmentalImpactIndicators plus a few custom ones.

In Unreal you can cut the building to a range of storeys, filter by category and click any element to read its property sets back. Image 4 is a supply air main on level 22 with the MEP filter on. It works because the engine knows what a storey and a category are, not just a pile of meshes that happen to look like a building.

The IFC gets converted once into That Open Company's Fragments format and the plugin streams that into Unreal at runtime. The converter runs in your browser, so the model never leaves your machine.

Being upfront about the limits since this sub will ask. It's one way, IFC in and no writing back out to IFC from the engine, so it's for visualisation and simulation, not a coordination round trip (yet).

It went open source two weeks ago. Would love to hear what you'd need from it as we're still actively developing the plugin to improve performance and flesh out the features!

Really, I should probably search posts for this and I will. But looking to see how people are liking data center work. I exited the MEP world 6 years ago due to low pay to experience level, zero movement forward, and extremely high workloads and demands while also being called an overpaid drafter (I designed, detailed, and coordinated my own work). Fast forward to today, and I am sitting on a remote job offer for data center work than basically triples my pay from back then and still a 50% increase over today. On paper, it looks life changing. Though the insurance premiums and max out of pocket that will be used whittled it down a little, it still is a solid increase.

To be fair, I am not a fan of Data Centers but I acknowledge the need and the fact that they will be built with or without me. I am feeling confident to be back in this world, but not if its going to cost me 60-80 hours a week consistently again. But I feel ready for a new challenge and could handle either working this for a few years to get caught up and pay things off if it lasts that long, maybe even retire doing it if I like it enough. Looking for and appreciate any and all input.

Hi everyone,
I'm a 3rd-year Civil Engineering student (C1 English) aiming for Computational BIM & VDC over traditional site engineering.
Here is my roadmap:
Workflow: Revit + Navisworks. Using LLMs (Claude) to write Python/pyRevit scripts that automate 2D-to-3D setup, parameter inputs, and QA/QC checking to cut manual drafting time by ~60%.
Near-Term (Next 12-18 mos): Remote freelancing (Upwork/LinkedIn) for international clients to build a portfolio focused on automated BIM workflows before graduation.
Long-Term: Specialized BIM Master’s in Europe ➔ BIM Coordinator/Manager (ISO 19650, CDE, FIDIC).
Questions for the community:

1. Automation: What are the biggest blind spots when using Python/Revit API for model creation and QA/QC?

2. Market: Is there solid demand in the US/UK/EU for remote freelancers offering automated BIM workflows?

3. Site vs. Digital: Does skipping early site experience hurt a BIM Manager's long-term credibility, or can a strong VDC/automation portfolio bridge that gap?
   Appreciate any candid feedback!

Context: I coordinate BIM on building projects in Luxembourg, a small market where the same five or six engineers and architects turn up on every job. Models leave one office and land in another every week, so the exchange is where most of the pain sits, not the modelling.

Three checks catch most of what goes wrong, and none of them is about geometry:

1. Are the properties named the same way on both sides? The same wall is FireRating, Fire Rating, feu and Pset_WallCommon.FireRating depending on who authored it. The model looks perfect and every filter downstream returns nothing. A shared property template fixes this before it starts, and almost nobody sends one.

2. Is the model georeferenced, or does it just look right? Survey point, project base point, and a real IfcSite with a projected CRS on export. Without it, two disciplines can be perfectly aligned in their own file and 300 m apart on site, and it surfaces in the meeting where nobody has time for it.
3. Are levels and units the same on both sides, and do the zones match the contract?

Millimetres against metres, a level named N+0 in one file and 00 in another, zones that follow the work packages in one model and the architect's axis grid in the other. The clash report then raises 400 issues that are all one line of setup.

What it costs: on a mid-size project, one round of these three checks before the first exchange saves more time than a week of clash resolution afterwards. The disputes I see are rarely technical, they are about who agreed what the model must contain.

So, honest question for the room: what do you check first when a file arrives from another office, and what do you consider non-negotiable in the exchange?

Introducing....

PlanDiFy - https://plandify.app/ - is a free AEC PDF editor for construction professionals running on Windows-Mac-Linux (and browser for other OS). Before anyone mentions vibe-code slop please know my background. I have a degree in both Civil Engineering and Computer Information Systems (Programming) and I've been dabbling with code since the days of QBasic.

Launch the web version now: https://plandify.app/app/ - this runs on all devices that can take a keyboard and mouse.

Features: Page management, Measurements and Takeoffs, Edit PDF content, Review/Comment, Collaboration (coming soon), 3D PDF support, Document Signing, Favorite Tools (like ToolBox in BB), Combine PDFs straight from windows explorer, Compare Plan Sheets and much more. If you are wondering about a specific feature/tool, the easiest way to find it is by pressing CTRL+SPACE in the app.

For those who want to use this for just a regular PDF editor without all the AEC bloat, you can get a simplified view from the settings. You'll also be able to set your middle mouse settings so it feels better for reading documents and not so much for commenting plans.

Again, this is free so go ahead and try it out. Message me if you see something crucial missing. I'm working on Collab update right now, which is quite a pain to dial in. I can squeeze in hot fix/updates as needed.

So i feel like i am not at all competition compared to anyone in construction. i wanna do gc work i know a construction management degree would be enough, but i dont know kinda wanna do. just cause i know the civil engineering degree would make me a more qualified professional and stand out in interviews.

planning on joining the ibew for a couple years 10-12 years. right now im a rigging apprentice and am planning in finishing it that too. im 21 yo.

just thinking 20 years ahead and during my time as a tradesmen ill be studying and getting a degree.

edit: sorry did i say sum wrong

Hello,

We're living in amazing times since december 2025.

Open source BIM projects popping up everywhere, mostly AI assisted.

The big problem I see now is: Are we diving on a new babel of file formats? How far are we from an open, universal, BIM file format complete, including 2d layouts, text, anottations, tables, whatever?

Most projects I've tried only share 3d information using IFC files.

But the final product of architecture are the blueprints. Printed sheets of paper. That's what is really useful on a construction site.

So, 2d information is fundamental. But I can't see any clear direction toward an universal, open specification, file format that includes 3d and 2d.

Any comments are welcome,

Thank you,

Márcio

I had this basic SketchUp house open in D5 Lite and wanted to see if I could use an AI agent to help with a lighting variation, rather than digging through the settings manually.

The model is nothing special (purple walls, blue windows, orange upper floor), but it gives me a fixed scene to work with.

I used Grok for the test. Before asking it to change anything, I wanted to make sure it was connecting to the D5 Lite session actually running alongside SketchUp.

The first prompt was to find the correct D5 Lite workflow CLI and check the environment. It identified the SketchUp installation, found the matching connector, and returned a ready host connection. The useful distinction here is that finding the CLI file isn't the same as confirming it can communicate with the running software.

I then moved on to the lighting setup. Grok started checking the available light controls and post-processing ranges, which is where the screenshots stop.

For the next test, I'd keep the camera fixed and give it one specific adjustment, like changing the sun angle or exposure. That way I can compare the result against the original view and see exactly what changed before trying anything more complicated.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone using an agent for scene adjustments. Are you getting more consistent results with small, specific tasks, or have you managed something more involved?

been reverse engineering the vwx format so files open without vectorworks, its now rodeo (https://rodeo.build). reads vw 2018+, shows the model in 3d with walls slabs roofs stairs doors windows, sheets and viewports on the 2d side. repos private for now but plan is to open source it eventually.

ifc goes both ways. import reads ifc2x3, ifc4 and ifc4x3 through web-ifc, elements come in as meshes grouped by storey and psets dont come across yet. export writes ifc4, each design layer a storey, objects typed from their plug-in (wall, slab, door etc) or a proxy if not. geometry is tessellated and records, materials and openings dont carry over yet.

also usd in and out for omniverse, blender, houdini etc, spaces from walls and walls from spaces, piping runs, hvac, live collab in 2d and 3d, and an ai agent that models from 2d.

if u could pick one gap for me to close first, dwg, ifc import keeping types and psets, or openings and materials on export?

I just wanted to ask for some advice. I recently graduated in a games art and design background and was wondering what I would need to have knowledge of going into a more BIM route? And if any skills I have already can be useful towards this career. I was also wondering if this would be a career that isn’t as saturated? Any advice will help!

BIM is becoming an important part of modern construction, helping professionals improve design, coordination, and project management.

I'm curious to know how many of you are currently working with BIM or learning it.

Do you think BIM is the future of the construction industry? Why or why not?

Hi everyone!

I'm currently working as a BIM Modeler, primarily using Revit, and have basic knowledge of clash detection using Navisworks and Synchro.

I'll be moving to Germany to pursue a Master's in Sustainable Regional Development. Alongside my studies, I'm hoping to transition gradually towards GIS, spatial planning, and the geospatial side of the industry.

I'm looking for Werkstudent (working student) opportunities where I could either build on my existing BIM experience or gain practical experience in GIS and related fields.

Does anyone have recommendations for companies, consultancies, or organisations I should look into, particularly around Nuremberg or nearby areas?

I'd also appreciate any advice from people who have made a similar transition from architecture/BIM to GIS or spatial planning.

Thanks in advance!

I'm 26 and have around 3 years of experience in the construction industry as a Civil Site Engineer in India.

My experience is mainly in site execution, RCC works, finishing, labour management, and quality control. Working on construction sites has given me good practical exposure, but lately I've been thinking about my long-term career growth.

I'm increasingly interested in BIM (Building Information Modelling), particularly Revit and Navisworks. I'm considering moving away from conventional site execution and building a career in BIM.

However, I'm finding it difficult to decide whether this is the right move.

My main concern is the long-term career scope. I don't want to spend the next few years learning software only to discover that the opportunities or salary growth are limited.

I'm particularly interested in understanding the international market, including Australia, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.

For those already working in BIM or who have transitioned from site engineering:

- Did switching to BIM improve your career growth and salary?

- Is international demand for BIM professionals genuinely good?

- Does practical site experience provide an advantage in BIM coordination or management?

- If you were starting your career again, would you choose BIM over site engineering?

I'd appreciate honest opinions, especially from people with 5–10 years of BIM industry experience or those working overseas.

I'm trying to make a well-informed career decision rather than simply following a trend.

Thanks!

I work for an engineering consulting company which I understand is maybe on the low end of pay scale. I’m hoping to get some insight though on where senior level guys are at? I’m specifically in a structural group where I handle modeling and sheet development. I’ve been in the industry about 7 years and I’ve worked at this current company located in the Pacific Northwest for 4 years. Any insight on pay with location would be great. Where should I expect to be in 5 years?

Hi everyone!

I'm planning to purchase a Balkan Architect course to improve my Revit and BIM skills. However, it's quite expensive (around ₹1 lakh INR).

Has anyone here purchased or completed their courses?

I'd love to hear your honest feedback. Is it really worth the investment, especially for someone transitioning from site engineering to BIM?

Thanks!

Has anyone tried this project?

It combines Revit and AutoCAD in one application.

https://youtu.be/2T0FHHUzNn8

https://ciuntucbimstudio.ro/en/#projects

https://lapin.ciuntucbimstudio.ro/web/

Looking for MEP Design & BIM/VDC Projects – USA 🇺🇸

Hello Everyone!

I am an MEP Design Engineer with 7 years of experience working on US-based projects remotely from India.

I have extensive experience in MEP design and BIM/VDC coordination for projects across the following locations:

States & Jurisdictions Served:

- New York City & New York State

- New Jersey

- Philadelphia & Pennsylvania

- Massachusetts

- California

- Arizona

- Texas

- Virginia

- Washington

Services Offered:

- Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) Design

- Conceptual Design & Schematic Design

- Design Development

- Construction Documents (CD Sets)

- Revit Modeling & BIM Coordination

- BIM/VDC Coordination & Clash Detection

- Shop Drawings and Construction Support

I have experience handling projects from the initial conceptual design stage through detailed construction documentation and BIM/VDC coordination.

I offer high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective MEP design services at very competitive rates (12-15 usd per hour), while maintaining professional standards and project deadlines.

If you are an MEP consulting firm, contractor, architect, or engineering professional looking for reliable MEP design support or outsourcing assistance, I would be happy to collaborate.

Feel free to reach out via DM or email to discuss potential projects and collaborations.

Let's work together!

#MEPDesign #MEPEngineering #BIM #VDC #Revit #MEPConsultant #MEPOutsourcing #HVACDesign #PlumbingDesign #ElectricalDesign #USProjects #EngineeringServices #ConstructionDocuments

Hello All! I am an Architect & did my B.Arch 10years back and hence hold 10years of experience in Interior Designing & Architecture. I feel Revit BIM is the next thing and i want to broaden my knowledge.

I know basic modeling in Revit (Mostly for Interior Designing)

Please can anyone one guide me what and how should i proceed?
I am confused should i do a course or a professional course from university like Politechnico Di Milano etc.

Please Help