I have seen a few posts on the use of BIM360 and how it pertains to the role of a Landscape Architect.
From personal experience, I have worked on a few projects that have been architect driven, thus BIM360 tends to be the resulting presentation and management tool.
Question: Will Autodesk be focusing on incorporating Landscape Architects into a program that can be seamlessly integrated into BIM360?
With the growing trend in presenting real time updates to clients with the use of 3D models, I see an issue as it pertains to the project as an entirety. Sure, some people have created plugins and alternate programs to produce planting material, benches, paving patterns, etc, but that is conceptual and does not accurately portray what a landscape architect's design intent would be. Thus there is a gap between "real time" presentation/communication and the finished product. This in turn can lead to possible discrepancies as the design progresses.
I have noticed some other popular and competing programs (such as Sketchup) that are developing advancements in point cloud integration. These programs are more inclined to accommodate landscape architects, however the programs may prove difficult when incorporating into BIM360.
An example would be:
[C3D] Civil baseline work > [C3D] Landscape layout on top of base (xref) > [SKP] Sketchup 3D design work > [RVT] import skp to revit model > [BIM] upload to BIM360 for client.
This option seems like a lot of legwork to incorporate landscape designs into a BIM format, and this leaves a lot of incompatibility issues to arise along the process.
If Autodesk could bypass the step of including an alternate program (such as Sketchup), this may result in expedited completion of the project and thus reinforcing the need for AEC firms to utilize BIM360 in future projects.
BIM is an excellent program and Autodesk has a stellar reputation, I think there just needs to be a connection between what a landscape architect can do and how a client sees the progress/finished product.
Thank you,
-Chris
