The BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) is a structured file format suited to
issue tracking
An issue tracking system (also ITS, trouble ticket system, support ticket, request management or incident ticket system) is a computer software package that manages and maintains lists of issues. Issue tracking systems are generally used in collab ...
with a
building information model. The BCF is designed primarily for defining views of a building model and associated information on collisions and errors connected with specific objects in the view. The BCF allows users of different BIM software, and/or different disciplines to collaborate on issues with the project. The use of the BCF to coordinate changes to a BIM is an important aspect of
OpenBIM
Building information modeling (BIM) is an approach involving the generation and management of digital representations of the physical and functional characteristics of buildings or other physical assets and facilities. BIM is supported by vario ...
.
The format was developed by
Tekla
Tekla is a software product family that consists of programs for analysis and design, detailing and project communication. Tekla software is produced by Trimble, the publicly listed US-based technology company.
History
, Tekla Corporation ...
and Solibri and later adopted as a standard by
buildingSMART
buildingSMART, formerly the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI), is an international organisation which aims to improve the exchange of information between software applications used in the construction industry. It has developed Ind ...
. Most major
BIM
Building information modeling (BIM) is an approach involving the generation and management of digital representations of the physical and functional characteristics of buildings or other physical assets and facilities. BIM is supported by vario ...
modelling software platforms support some integration with BCF, typically through plug-ins provided by the BCF server vendor.
Although the BCF was originally conceived as a file base there are now many implementations using the cloud-based collaborative workflow described in the BCF API, including Open Source implementation as part of the Open Source BIM collective.
Research work has been done in
Denmark
Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
looking into using the BCF for a broader range of information management and exchange in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector.
Supporting software
There are two main categories of support for the BCF: authoring software and coordination software. Authoring software can generate and share BCF issues. Coordination software is most powerful at coordinating issues and presenting a user interface for the management and tracking of issues. Coordination software is typically a web-based service which allows for real-time coordination across multiple authoring software platforms and geographies. Most BIM software has a mix of these functions.
The BCF is supported natively by authoring software such as
Vectorworks
Vectorworks, Inc. is a U.S.-based software development company that focuses on CAD and BIM software for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), landscape, and entertainment industries. Vectorworks is owned by the Nemetschek Grou ...
,
ArchiCAD,
Tekla Structures
Tekla Structures is a building information modeling software able to model structures that incorporate different kinds of building materials, including steel, concrete, timber and glass. Tekla allows structural drafters and engineers to design a b ...
, Quadri,
DDS CAD, BIMcollab Zoom, BIMsight, Solibri,
Navisworks, and Simplebim. Standalone BCF plugins include BCF Manager, and BCFier. Coordination software as cloud services offering BCF based issue tracking include BIMcollab, Newforma Konekt, Vrex, Catenda's Bimsync, Bricks app, ACCA software's usBIM.platform,
ACCA software , usBIM Cloud Integrated System
/ref> and OpenProject
OpenProject is project management software for cloud and on-premises based companies with a focus on transparency and data sovereignty. OpenProject is open source software, released under the GNU (General Public License) Version 3 (GPLv3). OpenP ...
.
See also
*Industry Foundation Classes
The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) is a CAD data exchange data schema intended for description of architectural, building and construction industry data (ABCII). The IFC file format is based on ISO 10303-21 standard and definitions of ABCII are ...
*aecXML {{lowercase, title=aecXML
aecXML (architecture, engineering and construction extensible markup language) is a specific XML markup language which uses Industry Foundation Classes to create a vendor-neutral means to access data generated by building i ...
*BuildingSMART
buildingSMART, formerly the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI), is an international organisation which aims to improve the exchange of information between software applications used in the construction industry. It has developed Ind ...
* Open-source 3D file formats
References
External links
buildingSMART standards library
{{Building information modeling
Building information modeling
Data modeling
Building engineering