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Using BIM links in FM

This article will cover BIM links in Dalux FM. We will look at how they are created, and how they can be used in asset generation.

BIM links are an advanced feature used to create BIM instances from properties in the BIM model. You can then generate assets in your Dalux FM instance from the BIM instances.

The BIM links affect the entire Dalux FM instance. When uploading new models new BIM instances will also be created from the BIM links.

BIM links in FM are only available with BIM and documentation Pro.

Table of contents

  1. Video
  2. How to create and manage BIM links
  3. How to use BIM links with assets

Video

How to create and manage BIM links

User rights

Activation and setup for BIM Links need to be done by an administrator. 

To use BIM Links, there must be at least one BIM model uploaded to the Dalux FM instance. Models can be uploaded as IFC files or imported from BIM software such as Autodesk Revit.

To create a BIM Link go to:

Settings BIM & documentation 'BIM Link'.

This opens a new window where BIM links are created, managed, and removed.

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To create a BIM link click Add. This will open a new window.

A BIM link must be named, have a classification set, and have a BIM filter. Type in a name and select a classification from the list of classifications on the Dalux FM instance.

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The next step is creating a BIM filter for the BIM link. To do so click on Edit BIM filters in 3D.

This opens a new window where buildings, with BIM models uploaded to them, will appear. Select the appropriate building from the list, either by double-clicking or clicking on Select with the building highlighted.

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The building will open in the BIM Viewer. You can search using filters or manually navigate the 3D model and locate the object you wish to create a BIM link to.

In this case, we click on a smoke detector in the BIM model and filter on the 'ObjectType' property.

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This isolates all BIM objects in the model with this property. In this case, this is good enough for our filter, but you can specify the BIM link even more by creating a filter with more parameters.

Click on 'Save' to save the filter to the BIM Link.

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Back in the BIM link window, you can click on 'OK' to save the BIM link or edit anything you might need to. After clicking on 'OK' make sure to click on 'Save' to save your work.

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Your BIM link is now created. If you need to edit or remove BIM links, you can use Edit or Remove buttons, when selecting the BIM Link from the list.

How to use BIM links with assets

BIM links are automatically added as BIM instances in the assets menu in the sidebar. These can then be used to create new assets. To do so, go to:

Assets BIM instances New BIM instances.

You will see a list view of the BIM instances. You can use the filters to narrow down the list view.

You can select one or more BIM instances and create a new asset using the BIM instances by clicking on Create asset from BIM-instance, in the toolbar.

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Read more

If you want to learn more about creating assets, you can read this article: Products and assets on Dalux FM desktop.

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