BIM Collaboration Format (BCF)
Standard communication protocol for efficient issue management and coordination on BIM projects
What is the BIM Collaboration Format?
BCF is an international openBIM standard, developed and
maintained by buildingSMART International. BCF is available in many BIM software tools.
There are two different ways to utilize BCF – via a file-based exchange or via a web service.
Examples of how the BIM Collaboration Format can be used
Use Case Example
- Scenario: During a routine review of the BIM model, a clash is detected between a structural beam and HVAC ductwork.
- BCF Action: An issue is created in the BCF system, marking the exact location of the clash. The issue is categorized under 'Clash Detection' and assigned to both the structural engineer and HVAC specialist.
- Discussion and Resolution: The assigned team members use the comment function within BCF to discuss potential solutions, attaching revised sketches and documents. Once resolved, the issue status is updated to 'Closed', and the resolution details are documented for future reference.
Model-Based Communication
- Marking Specific Locations: Users can pinpoint specific areas in a BIM model where attention is needed. This is particularly useful for highlighting discrepancies or areas requiring further discussion.
- Enhancing Discussions: BCF allows team members to attach comments directly to the marked locations. These comments can include text, images, and links, facilitating clear and context-specific discussions.
Issue Tracking and Management
- Clash Detection Reports: Automatically generate and assign issues for conflicts identified between different model elements. Each issue can be tracked through BCF tools until resolved.
- Creating To-Do Lists: BCF files can be used to create actionable items for team members, which helps in organizing tasks and ensuring that all issues are addressed systematically.
- Monitoring Status and Resolution: Track the progress of each issue with statuses such as ‘Open’, ‘In Progress’, and ‘Closed’. This helps in monitoring the lifecycle of problems and resolutions throughout the project.
- Categorizing Issues: Organize issues into categories such as 'Structural', 'HVAC', 'Electrical', etc., to streamline the review process and assign to the relevant experts.
- Assigning Responsibilities: Assign tasks to specific project members within the BCF file. This ensures accountability and clear lines of responsibility.
Why use the BCF?
Reliable coordination and communication due to clear agreements and standards
Shorter lead time thanks to improved clarity
Lower failure costs due to efficient coordination
Predictable workflows due to accessible communication
history
Better coordination, independent from a software tool
Ensured responsibilities due to transparent allocation of topics
Software supporting the BCF
The list above is randomized and buildingSMART does not favor any particular solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
BCF is made for model-based communication, meaning that apart from simple text and screenshots, one can reference objects in the model and even attach a view for easier navigation to the location in the model. In addition, BCF allows for the filtering of topics and managing statuses for better progress control.
Each BCF project consists of Markup files. Each Markup has a Topic that can relate to anything from issues in the design, clashes, design proposals, change requests, or quality assurance failures.
Yes, BCF is commonly used for documenting and managing clashes detected during BIM coordination processes, facilitating their resolution through structured communication.
Users mostly create and interact with BCF via API-based communication. This means that the software exchanges pieces of information instead of exchanging files. It is also possible to save BCF to a file and share it, but nowadays, this option is primarily for archiving purposes.
BCF can be captured (serialised) in a .bcf file, which is a file format based on the BCF XML Schema Definition. However, the BCF standard is much more than just a file format. It is a whole set of API protocols, implementers' agreements, documentation, and an overarching project governed by the buildingSMART members. When it comes to file structure, the BCF consists of Project (.bcfp) that lists Markups (.bcf) files, which can reference Visualisation (.bcfv) files. Often, the whole folder is packaged in ZIP file (.bcfzip).
Yes, one BCF markup can reference up to 1000 components. This is made to optimize the performance of working with BCF, as a large selection can usually slow down the viewer's rendering. If your IDS checking results exceed the threshold, consider more precise requirements.
The workflow explained
IDS plays a crucial role in the openBIM workflow by helping to set the requirements for exchanging information at the start of a project. Without this clarity and early set of definitions, challenges later in a project can occur as a result.
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