According to World Bank statistics, well over 50 percent of the world’s population lives in cities. This figure may rise to 70 percent by 2070. All these people will need a place to live, so the construction industry has to keep up with rising demand.
While technology in the construction industry has remained behind time, Civil Information Modeling (CIM) for Autodesk Civil 3D® has the potential to transform the field. This article introduces Civil Information Modeling or CIM by defining what it is, discussing its functionalities, and highlighting how it can improve your construction business.
What Is CIM?
To better understand what CIM is and how it works, we must look at it in light of its predecessor, BIM, which stands for Building Information Modeling. BIM focuses on individual buildings, while CIM extends the approach to an entire city. Its application includes urban planning, infrastructure, transport networks, and energy systems.
However, it has applications in single-building projects as a more advanced tool for generating and linking surfaces, creating corridor models, pie networks, grading, automated labeling, etc. It also helps simulate specific operations through 3D modeling to tell a story of how everything happens and when.
How Can It Help a Business
Improved Efficiency and Planning
CIM software helps you create a digital twin of your projects even before you break ground. It helps users get a pretty accurate picture of what to expect at every project step. Having a preview of the projects before actualizing them improves the efficacy of the planning process, meaning the projects rarely go over budget or the estimated timelines.
With traditional tools, planning is largely based on trial and error, requiring frequent updates and revision due to planning error setbacks. This repetitive process can be frustrating for all parties involved.
Generating Accurate Cost Estimates
CIM models are more than a virtual representation of the end product; they provide precise measurements and materials needed, eliminating the need for error-ridden manual estimates applied in traditional cost estimation.
Besides providing precise measurements, it relies on available data to estimate the cost of all materials used in the projects with minimal errors. Cost estimations are critical in a project because they determine whether you profit or lose.
Better Client Communication
The 3D models created with CIM software such as Civil 3D® make client communication bliss. Even before you break ground, clients can take a virtual walk into their space, which can help reduce misunderstandings and change orders when it is too late.
It also helps set expectations such as timelines, and a client can get an idea of the progress of a project through 3D simulations even when they may not be available to view the progress on location.
Every client is a source of new business, and this kind of transparency and perceived transparency can be a great marketing tool. Your clients may not understand every aspect of the CIM software such as Civil 3D®, but at least they will appreciate its effectiveness, and that is the part they will use to market you to family, friends, and business associates.
Final Words
It can take quite some time and money to learn how to use the CIM software—you may even need to take a course in it. However, if the success of a business depends on it, the investment will be worth it in the long run.
