5D BIM software

5D BIM software | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

How frequently do you end up having to deal with the same measurement rules and items in your Quantity Take Offs? Wouldn’t it be great if a software could process them automatically and do all the work for you?

Discover the first automatic Quantity Take Off from BIM models with Artificial Intelligence

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5D in BIM | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

PriMus IFC is the 5D BIM software for automatic and visual Quantity Take off tasks using BIM models saved in the IFC format

Video 5D BIM construction cost estimating | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Discover the new revolutionary technology that can automatically identify the entity types in your 3D BIM model and guide you in creating the necessary measurement rules, in order to:

  • obtain the automatic quantity take off of all the BIM entities used in the project
  • rely on a continuously updated quantity take off even when the model needs to be updated with changes
  • have a visual control of the entities that are accounted for directly on the 3D model
  • create quantity take off templates and apply them to other BIM model projects too

Use it for free

Try the 5D BIM software PriMus IFC
together with free technical support for a month

What is 5D BIM?

5D BIM is the fifth dimension of BIM.

The geometric model is usually in 2D or 3D, but by adding further information we can also obtain additional views that relate to the BIM model:

  • 4D BIM with the addition of information regarding the duration of works (time);
  • 5D BIM with the addition of material cost information and construction site building tasks.

In addition to 2D and 3D geometrical dimensions, construction phase timing and realization costs also become immediately available.

5D BIM is, therefore, a specific view that exposes project estimate and cost analysis data referring to the BIM model.

BIM Authoring software (Revit®, ArchiCAD®, ALLPLAN®, VectorWorks®, Edificius, etc.) all create a 3D BIM model with a proprietary file format (DWG, RVT, EDF, etc.). With the open and standard IFC format, it is possible to add information relating to the bill of quantities directly to the 2D/3D model produced by any IFC-Certified software.

The main difference between the traditional approach and 5D BIM modeling is the speed with which the cost of the project can be updated and changed. All you need to do is associate the project costs to the 3D dimensions of the model and, with each variation of the project, the relating cost estimate or BoQ is continuously updated.

What are the benefits of 5D BIM modeling?

Creating the 5D BIM model by associating costs to the geometric dimensions of the 3D BIM model can turn out to be a great advantage because:

  • determining project costs is faster: with 5D BIM it's much easier and faster to detect changes in costs whenever design changes are necessary. In fact, thanks to the dynamic cost estimate updating with each project variation, it's also possible to evaluate cost variations in real time and propose budget changes, even before starting the construction phase;
  • cost control is faster and more precise: 5D BIM easily shows the costs of each element directly on the 3D model. The information extracted from the BIM model identifies and quantifies elements in a very precise manner;
  • the acquisition of material quantities from the BIM model is direct: with 5D BIM, the detection of material quantities and work processes takes place on the basis of the information provided by the model, avoiding errors and inconsistencies between the cost estimate documents and the digital model;
  • save costs and time: greater control and speed of information on costs during the design and execution phase strongly minimize errors and work resources. The integration of the 5D model with time dimension (BIM 4D) allows you to simultaneously optimize project and execution costs with activity timing aspects;

To get all the advantages of the 5D BIM methodology, use PriMus IFC as your 5D BIM software.

Find out how to create your Quantity Take Off document directly from a BIM model in the IFC format in just a few simple steps!

  • Open BIM model | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

    Open the BIM model and select work items the from the reference price list

  • Select at least two entities from the BIM model | Primus IFC | ACCA software

    Select at least two entities from the BIM model and PriMus IFC finds all similar entities in the model

  • Define measurement rule | Primus IFC | ACCA software

    Define the measurement rule (apply predefined templates or create new ones)

  • Automatically get quantity takeoff | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

    Automatically get the quantity take off for all the entities of the project

  • Update of dynamic quantity takeoff | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

    Get the dynamic update of the quantity take off for any necessary modification of the IFC model

  • Project IFC | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

    Get the automatic quantity take off for any other IFC project according to predefined rules

Choose the job item from the reference price list and drag it to the quantity takeoff | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Choose the job item from the reference price list and drag it to the quantity takeoff

With PriMus IFC you can import and view BIM models in IFC format generated with any BIM authoring software. The software allows you to examine the model in all its features and properties; to start the quantity takeoff operations with the following procedure:

  • open one or more price lists, also containing rate analyzed job items, available on your PC or online databases based on the .dcf format
  • identify work types
  • drag the item into the quantity take off with a simple drag & drop.
 

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Try the 5D BIM software PriMus IFC
together with free technical support for a month

Selecting at least two BIM model entities PriMus IFC automatically identifies all other similar entities too | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Selecting at least two BIM model entities, PriMus IFC automatically identifies all other similar entities too...

To associate the identified work sections or job types with the entities to be accounted for, PriMus IFC offers three advanced methods of automatic and customized selection::

  • you can select - with simple entity clicks on the BIM model - at least two entities and the software automatically identify all similar entities
  • you can define additional and specific customized conditions, which cause the software to identify and highlight the relating items
  • to finish, you can manually identify each individual entity to be associated with the job type, and therefore proceed to a proper accounting process.
 

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Try the 5D BIM software PriMus IFC
together with free technical support for a month

Define the measurement rule | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Define the measurement rule (applying predefined templates or creating new ones)

Once you have identified the entity type, create the measurement rule containing the descriptive and metric information that the BIM software will apply to compose the quantity take off.

These the necessary instructions on the basis of which PriMus IFC will automatically perform the quantity take off.

But that’s not all! The measurement rules action (entity + work section or job type + measurements) created for a single project can be saved as model or as template (set of multiple models) and reused in any other similar project.

 

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Automatically get quantity take off for project entities | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Automatically get the quantity take off for all project entities

Once the measurement rule has been defined, or a previously saved model or template has been chosen from your archive, PriMus IFC automatically applies it to other similar conditions too, quickly returning a detailed quantity takeoff for the entire project.

Visually check the correspondence between quantity take off and the 3D BIM model entities.

Once the General Data has been defined, you can print the quantity take off, export it in Word, Excel or in the DCF format of PriMus. You can also save the project on the usBIM.platform cloud to share it and collaborate with your work team.

 

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5D BIM software free download

Get a dynamically updated version of the quantity take at each revision of the IFC model | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Get a dynamically updated version of the quantity take at each revision of the IFC model

If the quantity surveyed project has undergone modifications and revisions or is subject to further development, just import the updated IFC file.

PriMus IFC automatically calculates all the entities that respond to the measurement rules (entity + job type + measurements) previously defined with the effect of obtaining an automatic update of the quantity take off to the new design condition.

Also, in this case the visual control on the 3D model, allows you to verify any added entities too.

 

Use it for free

Try the 5D BIM cost estimating software PriMus IFC
together with free technical support for a month

Create quantity take off models and apply them on any other project | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Create quantity take off models and apply them on any other project

Another great advantage that PriMus IFC offers is the opportunity to reuse previously created measurement templates provided with the software.

After having "delevoped" an automatic quantity take off, the software allows you to save it as a measurement model and reuse it on other projects instead of starting from scratch, and without necessarily choosing reference Price Lists.

Select one or more models from your archive, apply them to the project and automatically generate the quantity takeoff for the entities corresponding to the model selection criteria; by choosing a template, you get the quantity take off including multiple work sections or job types.

 

Use it for free

Try the 5D modeling software PriMus IFC
together with free technical support for a month

IFC viewer | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

IFC viewer

With PriMus IFC you have a built-in IFC BIM Viewer to open and view IFC files of 3D virtual models from any BIM authoring software such as Edificius, Revit®, ArchiCAD®, Allplan®, Tekla®, VectorWorks®, etc. You can also:

  • load multiple IFC files in a single view, to simultaneously view all the design aspects in an integrated manner: architectural, structural, MEP designs, etc.
  • navigate the 3D virtual model in a simple way thanks to the standard Zoom, Rotation and Pan functions.
  • view the 3D model with different colours by type of element and define the transparency of the objects to also view the internal portions of a 3D model
  • explode and decompose the BIM model by plane, both along the vertical axis and along the horizontal axis
  • explore all IFC properties, including setting custom filters and selection groups
  • view all the properties and information assigned to each element of the virtual 3D model such as volumes, areas, surfaces, distances, weights, etc.
Recognition classification of the project | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Recognition classification of the project

PriMus IFC allows you to identify, within the IFC file, the classifications composition with which the project was formely made (UniClass 2015, OmniClass, MasterFormat, etc.). In this way all the information is cataloged and managed, and therefore is easily available.
A classification is a set of information (cataloged and managed) aimed at identifying specific activities and work processes; this information, shared among all the operators in the sector of competence, allows to uniquely identify a specific entity.
With PriMus IFC, and the function of recognizing and displaying the classifications associated with the entities of the IFC project, it becomes even easier to identify the entities to be accounted for in the quantity takeoff.

WBS Work Break down Structure | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Structured breakdown of the quantity takeoff (WBS - Work Break down Structure)

During the definition of the measurement rules, PriMus IFC allows you to define WBS structures with an unlimited number of levels.

Once the project structure has been "broken down" to the desired level, you can assign individual voices or blocks of measurement entries to the WBS structure.

Export quantity takeoff in standard formats | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Export of the quantity takeoff in standard formats

PriMus IFC saves the quantity take off in the PriMus standard DCF format and exports to the Word DOCX file format and Excel XLSX file format. In this way, you can share the quantity take off with whoever you want, without any sort of compatibility problems. You can also save the BIM model with the quantity take off integrated in the DIFC format.

Integration with PriMus | PriMus IFC | ACCA software

Integration with PriMus

The integration of PriMus IFC with PriMus allows to integrate and complete the metric quantity take off or with information not present in the BIM Model.

You can immediately export the quantity take off in PriMus and work all the advanced functions of the software, make further integrations, print elaborates.

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FAQ

If I don't find a useful price list among those available, but I have my own price list in a different format that isn't compatible with PriMus, is there a way to convert it?

PriMus offers you a free conversion service for price books and price lists.

If your database is in the Excel format, you can import it directly into PriMus. Alternatively, the conversion tool, PW-CONV, already provides you with various procedures for converting price list or price book databases (for which you must detain the license for use) into a format which is compatible with PriMus.

If the conversion procedure isn't available yet, you can always request a conversion using our dedicated service available in the program's Home section. Our team will then evaluate the feasibility of the conversion process.

I normally deal with only one aspect covered by the PriMus solution. Can I choose to use only one software solutions instead of the whole suite?

The PriMus suite is composed of single stand-alone software solutions designed to meet every kind of specific need:

  • PriMus, for construction cost estimates, bills of quantities and works estimates;
  • PriMus KRONO, for construction project management, time scheduling and planning;
  • PriMus TAKEOFF, for preparing Cost Estimates and Bill of Quantities from CAD and PDF files;
  • PriMus IFC, for construction cost estimates from BIM Models.

The PriMus suite comparison chart:

  PriMus PriMus IFC PriMus PLUS PriMus FULL
COST ESTIMATE, BOQS AND QUOTES
BoQ and work estimate        
Bids and proposals        
Analysis of construction site needs        
Accounting        
Importing and exporting to standard formats (XLS, DOC, ...)        
Import of databases, price lists and price books        
QUANTITY TAKE OFFS FROM IFC FILES
Open IFC standard formats of BIM or 3D CAD models        
View and navigate 3D BIM or CAD models directly in the integrated viewer        
Assignment of Price List items to BIM or 3D CAD objects        
Automatic measurements with artificial intelligence from 3D BIM or CAD model        
Constantly updated cost estimate when editing the 3D BIM or CAD model        
Data export in Word™, Excel™ formats        
QUANTITY TAKE OFF FROM CAD DRAWINGS OR RASTER FILES
Opening of standard DXF/DWG CAD DRAWING FILES        
Raster (PDF, BMP, JPG, etc.) management        
Associate Price list items to graphical entities        
Quantity Takeoff from CAD files        
Quantity Takeoff from PDF files        
Take off from image files        
Dynamic BoQ updating when editing drawing models        
Connection with your CAD or your CAD environment in PriMus TAKEOFF        
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULING
Integration with other Project time Schedules or construction cost estimates        
Works financial plan analysis and control        
Works resources analysis integrated with the construction cost estimate        
Work resources analysis integrated within the BoQ document        
Job resources requirements analysis        
Activity scheduling, resources analysis between the design and construction phases        
Data export in Excel and PDF        
GANTT, charts and reports printout management        

Is there a database of price books and price lists ready for use in PriMus?

Yes, PriMus gives you free access to an International Database of online price books and price lists with numerous items, materials and prices for building and plant engineering works.