A Perspective on BIM360’s Model Coordination Module

Hooshiar Ahmadpanah, Information Manager at calfordseaden, works with a variety of tools and platforms that facilitate Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes. One tool he utilises at calfordseaden is Autodesk’s BIM360, particularly its Model Coordination module. In a recent LinkedIn post, Hooshiar explored the advantages and disadvantages of BIM360’s Model Coordination, which sparked a healthy conversation among fellow professionals in the BIM community. In this article, Hooshiar provides an overview of the module, additional thoughts on some of the tool’s strengths and limitations, whilst also sharing opinions on the future of BIM360’s Model Coordination module.

Overview of BIM360’s Model Coordination

BIM360’s Model Coordination module is a component in the BIM toolkit. Its primary focus is on enhancing collaboration across project teams by offering a shared space for the coordination of 3D models. One of the primary features of the module is clash detection, a process that helps identify conflicting elements in various project models before construction begins. Clash detection ensures that potential issues are discovered and addressed during the design phase, preventing potential issues later in the project cycle.

At calfordseaden, we use the Model Coordination module extensively in two of our projects. It’s integrated into our workflow for every stage of clash detection, from running tests on models to generating detailed reports and presenting our findings in coordination meetings. The tool is integral to our daily operations and is widely recognised within the BIM community as a leading platform for clash detection.

The Pros of BIM360’s Model Coordination

BIM360’s Model Coordination module offers benefits including:

• User-Friendly Interface – One of the biggest advantages of this module is its interface. It simplifies viewing and navigating through models compared to other tools, like Navisworks, making it more accessible to users with varying experience. This is useful during meetings when we need to review and discuss clashes quickly and efficiently.
• Automatic Notifications – The automatic notification system within BIM360 enhances collaboration by ensuring that team members are immediately alerted when an issue is assigned to them. This streamlines communication and reduces delays in resolving clashes.

The Cons of BIM360’s Model Coordination

However, despite its advantages, the BIM360 Model Coordination module presents certain limitations, such as:

• Disappearance of Clashes After Issue Assignment – One of the most frustrating aspects of BIM360 is that once a clash is assigned as an issue, it disappears from the clash matrix. This means you cannot review or verify the clash unless you reopen the issue, which essentially undoes the previous work and as a result, causes unnecessary delays.
• Limited Grouping and Viewpoint Capabilities – Another limitation is the module’s lack of flexibility when it comes to grouping and viewing clashes. Unlike in Navisworks, there is no option to create new groups based on specific requirements. Instead, users must create separate views for each group or set. This not only complicates navigation but also slows down the module when working on larger projects.

The Future of BIM360

In my recent LinkedIn post, I expressed my belief that while BIM360 has significant potential, it still requires several improvements to reach its full potential as a clash detection tool. I have contacted Autodesk regarding the challenges we have faced, and they have acknowledged these issues, assuring us that they are working on solutions. However, until those solutions materialise, I find it necessary to use Navisworks concurrently with BIM360, which is time-consuming as it requires constant switching between platforms.

I believe that by adding features to allow edits on group names and titles, the ability to define ‘sets’, and the option to access issued clashes at any time without reopening the issue, BIM360 could become an excellent platform for clash detection. In the meantime, the current limitations have led some professionals to recommend alternative software like Revizto or Solibri, which offers a more refined set of features for model coordination. Should these issues persist, there may be little justification for continuing to use BIM360 for clash detection in the long term.

For now, I believe that the most effective approach is to use another software, such as Navisworks, to open the views created in BIM360, and then creating the sets, running tests, grouping clashes, and raising and managing issues. After doing so, the identified clashes can be visible within BIM360. Additionally, we can use the federated model in BIM360. While this approach is not ideal, it ensures that we can continue to deliver high-quality results despite current limitations.

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