Yesterday I sat through the BIM for Civil Engineers Webinar in regards to OpenRoads Designer and at the end the presenter mentioned that OpenRoads Designer is able to have Topcon and Trimble support with the software, as well as the ability to import and export IFC models. I've been working on an implementation plan for our company for some time now and from my knowledge of Version 3, I haven't been able to find any specific functionality within that version that accommodates IFC, on interoperability of TopCON and Trimble beyond specific survey functions. To say the least I'm quite confused on what the software that is publically available actually can do vs. wishlist items, and also disappointed that some functionality that helped interoperability that we used ICM for instance is no longer being supported. So if what was presented in the webinar is factually correct, would it be possible to either post that information on the learn server to demo the processes, or provide a webinar, or update the help that explains these processes better?
But to a bigger point, I'm finding his miss mash of conflicting information really isn't helping our company personally advance much in so much as moving to this platform, but also not having clear and consistent information available on what the product currently can performed makes it actually worse. The current online README for the files I feel is not current with the available software, which further adds to the confusion.
So from a discussion point, can there be some consideration to placing a sticky topic on this forum that at least provides the minimum functionality that's currently available in the public builds, as well as a roadmap with anticipated schedule of updates to the products available ?
IFC Import/Export process into Bentley packages seems to be getting worse. For example. In ABD SS6 you could import a solid and measure the volume. But now when you import into ABD connect or ORD update 2, you can no longer measure the volume. Even if we add the volume as an attribute it can be read in Solibri but not in Bentley. To make matters worse, publishing Imodels just creates even more issues if your organisation wants to go via the Bentley Navigator route instead of Autodesk Navisworks. Bentley have sold the dream of "connect" but in reality it does not work. The BIM moment around the glove is growing rapidly and a common use of IFC is vital when dealing with other software packages.. But Bentley seem to be closing the BIM loop which is ignorant because we will find other solutions instead of continuing our enterprise agreements...