(+84) 944-798-298    [email protected]

BIM for Architects

VIBIM > BIM for Architects
LOD and LOI requirement
BIM for Architects, Scan to BIM

LOD and LOI and Everything You Need to Know

July 20, 20200

Are you currently working on a Scan to BIM project? Has your client asked you to produce a BIM model to ‘LOD 400’ or a specific Level of Information? If you don’t understand them thoroughly, then you may create the wrong model compared with the client’s requirements. So it’s necessary to understand the LOD and LOI requirements.

So what it really means and how do we meet all LOD and LOI requirements? Read on to find the answers or ask our BIM consultant to help you.

1. What are BIM LOD and other acronyms

In reality, there are several acronyms that sometimes can be difficult to understand or remember. LOD, LOI…what do they all mean? Before we even attempt to explain the difference between them and what they mean, we need to know what they stand for:

  • LOD: Level of Detail, demonstrates the graphical content of models
  • LOI: Level of Information, demonstrates the non-graphical content of models

As you know LOD 100, LOD 200, or LOD 300 are inputs based on geometry. LOD 400 can be achieved in the model from visual observations on the sitemap. The following examples will help you easily understand the difference between LOD and LOI.

LOD 1 – A Mass Model

The LOD 1 will be a Mass Model of the building, place, or structure. It will not contain doors or windows. This type of model is mainly the surface model.

ViBIM LOD 1

LOD 2 – Shell and Core Model

The LOD2 model will include main structural elements and the penetrations of the building such as floor panels, columns, beams, and basic structures of doors, windows.

ViBIM LOD 2

LOD 3 – Standard Survey Model

The LOD 3 model also consists of main Architectural details. The basic family can be created for doors and windows. Besides, the main objects can be modeled in the concept design. With LOD 3, the modeler also can create a simple model of the fixed furniture and accessories if required.

ViBIM LOD 3

LOD 4 – Detailed Survey Model

The LOD 4 model will contain Architectural elements and Structural details. The primary and auxiliary services can be modeled at a highly detailed level. Additional details may include baseboards, architecture, rails, and furnaces or surface.

ViBIM LOD 4

2. The benefits of accurate modeling according to LOD and LOI requirements

The level of detail is ranged from simple to complex in terms of geometry (LOD) and information (LOI).

So the 3D BIM models meeting the LOD and LOI requirements will enable you to have accurate and sufficient information on the BIM objects. This is of value to your next designing stage such as exporting drawings or extracting information from the model.

  • LOD 100 – Concept design
  • LOD 200 – Schematic design
  • LOD 300 – Detailed design
  • LOD 400 – Fabrication and assembly
  • LOD 500 – As-built model

Example 1: The wall requires LOD 1: The external walls are modeled as a block object

Example of LOD 1

Example 2: The wall requires LOD 2: The structural walls are modeled with an overall thickness.

Example of LOD 2

Example 3: The wall requires LOD 3: All walls are modeled with overall thickness.

Example of LOD 3

Example 4: The wall requires LOD 4: All walls are modeled with overall thickness and decorative details.

Example of LOD 4

The next example will help you know more about the LOD and LOI requirements of the MEP system:

  • LOD2: The modeler just needs to create the model of huge equipment as required;
  • LOD3:
    + Duct, Pipe, Cable tray will be modeled according to the fitting. For Valve, if the client requires the LOD 3, the modeler will create the model of the valve’s crank into a plane, but not include the bolts.
    + For mechanical equipment, the modeler will just need to create the model of the main structural objects, not including bolts, and small pipes. The MEP system will not include a hanger, except for being required.
  • LOD4: Create the 3D model of the MEP elements as required with a high level of detail: Duct, Pipe, Cable tray will be modeled according to the fitting. For Valve, if the client requires LOD 4, the modeler will create a detailed model of the valve’s crank and the bolts.

Example of MEP elements

3. How do we meet the LOD and LOI requirements?

For each point cloud to BIM project, we should clarify the LOD and LOI requirements from the client at the beginning stage of the project. Not just stop at the model level, you need to clearly understand the LOD and LOI requirements of each object.

In the process of modeling, the modeler might use the 3D view, the section to check LOD, and use Schedule to analyze LOI requirements. Besides, the modeler themselves should improve their knowledge and stay updated with the information on LOD and LOI.

LOD requirement

A BIM project can have various LOD and LOI requirements that are applied to each area or position. So it’s necessary for the modeler to understand them to model exactly.

In conclusion

The terms have been devised as a means to help communication within a BIM project run more smoothly. So it’s important to understand and meet the exact LOD and LOI requirements. Hopefully, you’ll have a better understanding of what this means. If you still have questions on the topic, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

At ViBIM, we specialize in the delivery of BIM services and are confident to help you bring more value to your projects.

Book a consultant
Add Rooms and Define Correctly Bound in Scan to BIM process
BIM for Architects

Add rooms in Scan to BIM process

June 4, 20200

1. What can be understood?

Adding rooms is considered as the way to add the non-geometric information to the project. This can be also understood that in each Scan to BIM project, the rooms will be clearly divided and correctly defined by bounding in the plan of the project.

2. Why is this important?

This criterion helps to add more information about the rooms on the architectural plan of the building. It enables you to distinguish the functionality of the current rooms as well.

Also, in this way, it brings several benefits for BIM model user including:

  • Identify the room quickly;
  • Know the height of each room;
  • Support your design stage and schedule in the model management;
  • Be of use to the scheduling of the height of the room.

scan to BIM services - room schedule

3. When should we do this?

Adding rooms should be applied for all where walls are closed. Normally, this is essential for the project that the high quality is paramount. However, an important note is that before the room is added, the surrounding walls must be assigned to the correct level. The wall object must be ticked to the “room bounding” to ensure that the bound is created.

scan to BIM services - Room bounding

The following example shows that the room is added throughout the plan view.

scan to BIM services - adđ room
When the room is added, you can know exactly the height of the room.

scan to BIM services - room height

4. How can rooms be added?

Before adding rooms throughout the project, the modeler should clearly determine the room level of the model. A tip for you is that you should frequently use the plan, 3D view, the image, Trueview to distinguish the rooms and the corridors to avoid mistakes.

In conclusion

Adding a room brings various benefits for the next project stages. So this is usually a required criterion in Scan to BIM projects that require high-quality. If you want to explore more about the topic, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our BIM experts are always here to help you answer any question until you get what you need.
At ViBIM, we specialize in the delivery of high-quality Scan to BIM services and are ready to help you bring more value to your projects.

Book a consultant
can to BIM process: Check Doors and Its Details Before Modeling
BIM for Architects, Scan to BIM

Check Doors and Its Details Before Modeling in Scan to BIM process

June 3, 20200

1. What can be understood?

Understanding the client’s requirement is extremely important in the Scan to BIM project. So before getting started modeling, the modeler needs to assure that they clearly understand the technical requirements of each object in the model. For example, you’ve been asked to model doors by the client, then you must identify what LOD and LOI requirement is. If the project require high details, you can need to check what type of doors it is, determine door swing directions, and its details such as 3D linework, ironmongery, etc.

In the scope of this article, we assume that the model of the door is required with the LOD 300 and LOD 400. Later, in the process of creating a 3D BIM model, the modeler might use a 3D view or the plan to verify door swing directions.

  • The following example demonstrates using the plan view to check the door swing door

scan to BIM services - swing door

  • By comparison, we can also use the 3D view to check this:

scan to BIM services - swing door 3D view

2. Why is this important?

Knowing the exact requirements of doors will help us accurately model the status of the object. Besides, this also helps you meet the client’s requirements in terms of clearly showing the types of doors in the building and the door swing directions of the different door types. From that, you create an accurate 3D BIM model that is a vital starting point for the next design process.

Let’s take a look at the following image for better understanding:

scan to BIM services - detailed door

3. When should we perform this?

As mentioned, the model of the door will vary on the LOD and LOI requirements of the project. So any Scan to BIM project, you also should clearly understand the LOD and LOI requirements before modeling because they will impact on the final deliverables.

  • The door with LOD 100 and LOD 200 will include an opening pit only, not show the door swing direction.

scan to BIM services - door with lod 2

  • The door with LOD 300 will include the door swing direction, but not show the details of ironmongery.
  • The door with LOD 400 will include both the door swing direction and the details of ironmongery.

scan to BIM services - Door with LOD 3

Based on 3D TrueView, the point cloud data, the image to check the door swing direction as accurately as possible. As a result, if the project requires LOD 300 and LOD 400, you need to verify the door swing direction. Also, the project requires LOD 400, the modeler needs to detail 3D linework, ironmongery, and etc.

scan to BIM services - LOD 4
scan to BIM services - LOD 4

In conclusion

At ViBIM, we specialize in the delivery of Scan to BIM services and are ready to help you bring more value to your projects. If you want to discover more about the topic, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our BIM experts are always here to help you answer any question until you get what you need.

Book a consultant