What to look for in a new design tool

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/pages\/5341-masterspec-for-aia-members","target","_new"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.bimsmith.com\/","target","_new"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/spot.ul.com\/","target","_new"]],["a",["href","http:\/\/www.morpholioapps.com\/","target","_new"]],["a",["href","mailto:MHeinsdorf@avitru.com"]],["em"],["a",["href","https:\/\/avitru.com\/","target","_new"]]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design resources for BIM, energy modeling, cost estimating, and sustainability abound. AIA partner Deltek offers strategies for navigating your options."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"When it comes to product selection and design tools, architects and designers have seen an explosion of options on the internet over the past several years, mostly in the form of product catalogs that purport to make it easier to research, compare, and select products, as well as integrate product-specific data into a project."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"But not all products or platforms are equal. \u201cFree\u201d resources, while attractive, often have an unseen price\u2014product data may be out of date, inaccurate, or incomplete; specification or BIM content may be loaded with extraneous or unneeded data that makes the content unusable or in need of major work; or comparison tools may not be sophisticated enough to compare one manufacturer against another."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Whether or not a resource will be useful may depend on the architect, the project, your immediate needs, and likely other factors as well. Generally, the following criteria should be considered:"]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"Where does the information come from? Is it a manufacturer-supported resource? In other words, does the manufacturer maintain and update the data or has it been scraped from the internet?"]],[[0,[],0,"If a vendor or software provider who is not the manufacturer is behind the product, what is the story behind offering the product and what will they do to maintain the integrity of the product?"]],[[0,[],0,"Is it a complete product; i.e., will it completely fill a need or does it only provide a partial solution?"]],[[0,[],0,"Does it integrate into your workflow?"]]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Avitru\u2019s team of architects that maintain and update "],[0,[0],1,"MasterSpec"],[0,[],0,"\u2014a tool developed by the American Institute of Architects\u2014keep these guidelines in mind to ensure clear, concise, and correct product data. Product catalogs or productivity applications aren\u2019t directly related to specifications, but it\u2019s still useful to know what products are available in the marketplace."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"While manufacturer websites and product representatives remain the best source for product data, just as the major software vendors remain the best source for design software, there are some design resources that provide high-quality content or applications that deliver on the promise to make the architect\u2019s life easier. Here are a few promising tools we saw at the AIA Startup Showcase and on the floor during the A\u201918 Conference on Architecture, two of which were developed by architects for architects."]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"Founded by two architects who started thinking outside of the traditional BIM content model, "],[0,[1],1,"BIMsmith"],[0,[],0," offers resources for manufacturer-specific BIM content in BIMsmith Market, but doesn\u2019t stop at just offering an online product catalog. BIMsmith Forge is a patented product that allows the creation of custom wall, floor, ceiling, and roof assemblies from generic or manufacturer-specific BIM content."]],[[0,[2],1,"UL SPOT"],[0,[],0," is an online directory for manufacturer- and product-specific sustainability content comes from a non-profit with a long history of supporting building safety and that recently expanded into sustainability. When building SPOT, UL identified a need to create a trusted platform that architects could rely on to offer up-to-date and accurate product sustainability information."]],[[0,[3],1,"Morpholio"],[0,[],0," is a suite of apps, built by an architect, that allow the use of an iPad to mimic traditional workflows, such as tracing a drawing, and then integrate it into a design. There\u2019s something to be said about being able to sketch a design or brainstorm on site or otherwise away from the BIM workstation, and the creativity that comes with. And if you are looking to sketch out an interior and integrate products, they\u2019ve got a tool for you."]]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"These tools may not be for everyone\u2014needs, workflows, timing, and other factors may determine the need and the use. What products have you found useful? Email Michael Heinsdorf, Avitru\u0027s VP of business development, at "],[0,[4],1,"MHeinsdorf@avitru.com"],[0,[],0," with your insights."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[5],0,"Avitru develops MasterSpec, the architecture industry\u2019s most trusted and comprehensive building specification system, created by AIA for its members. Learn more at "],[0,[6],1,"avitru.com"],[0,[],1,"."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[5],1,"AIA does not sponsor or endorse any enterprise, whether public or private, operated for profit. Further, no AIA officer, director, committee member, or employee, or any of its component organizations in his or her official capacity, is permitted to approve, sponsor, endorse, or do anything that may be deemed or construed to be an approval, sponsorship, or endorsement of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product."]]]]}