Axis Communications elaborate on the benefits of specifying the video surveillance at the CAD stage

BIM models are essential to reap the benefits of digital construction projects. Axis CAD Tools make it easy to visualise and design the right video surveillance at the drawing stage. With the rapid technological developments around the world, more and more industries embrace digitisation. For example, the Internet of Things, automation, virtual and augmented reality, and machine learning take production and business processes to the next step.

However, the engineering and construction industry (E&C) - with 13 percent of global GDP the largest in the world - has been notably reluctant to adopt new and digital technology. But there is a wind of change as building projects get more and more complex. Digital technology is increasingly used to create smart buildings and smart cities. The development is snowballing and already disrupting the E&C industry. New players are introducing digital business models. 

Adopting digital technology

The use of BIM models can lower error sources by 60 percent and speed up the communication flow

Change is also driven by the public sector, which sees massive advantages of adopting digital technology, such as 4D and 5D building information modeling (BIM). BIM, defined as “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility,” can be used to manage the information during a construction project. It covers every component of a building and the process from design to operation and maintenance to end-of-life.

It improves collaboration across projects as well as efficiency, which reduces time, costs, and errors. The use of BIM models can lower error sources by 60 percent and speed up the communication flow by 50 percent. Small wonder that large organisations and governments are starting to demand the use of BIM, including Finland and the UK. The big German railway company Deutsche Bahn has introduced the use of 5D BIM solutions.

Getting the right software

5D BIM brings together design (3D), time management (4D), and budget (5D). With the addition of 6D and 7D, environmental and sustainability, and life-cycle management aspects are also included. To reap the benefits of BIM, one needs software that can handle the information about a building or structure. One renowned software is Autodesk Revit, which is used by architects, structural engineers, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineers as well as designers and contractors.

One of the benefits of Revit is the possibility of analysing and simulating systems and constructions and creating 3D visualisation models. The building blocks of these models are BIM objects, which are digital descriptions of products and materials and can cover practically everything one could imagine. And it is here that Axis enters the picture.

IP video surveillance systems

Our plugin and the BIM objects let them see how the video surveillance will work, already at the drawing stage"

The Axis camera family plugin for Revit is a goldmine for anyone who wants to add cameras or other surveillance products when planning entire IP video surveillance systems directly in a building plan. One can download it for free from the company’s official website, and start downloading cameras and other Axis BIM objects from one’s preferred BIM library.

Explaining why Axis has made these BIM objects available, Mikael Flygh, globally responsible for the Axis Architects & Engineers programme, says, “It’s about innovation and understanding our partners. The objective is to simplify and help them be more efficient. Our plugin and the BIM objects let them see how the video surveillance will work, already at the drawing stage.”

Realistic 3D BIM objects

Flygh continues, “The 3D animations let you see how the cameras fit into the general architecture. Not only will it create better safety and security solutions; you - and the end-customer - can also experience the final product, which is important.”

All Axis cameras are available as realistic 3D BIM objects. Using the selector tool embedded in the plugin, one can quickly choose a suitable camera. Downloaded to the building plan, one get valuable information about the cameras, such as focal range and resolution. One can adjust focal length, pan-tilt-zoom, and other settings. One can experience a 3D view, as seen through the camera lens.

Complete camera coverage

The improvements will continue, and Axis will add new products to the BIM libraries

It is also easy to change and get the right mounting. When the users are satisfied with the camera placement, it is easy to verify the entire solution's camera coverage. Axis plugin for AutoDesk Revit has been around for some years, but “during the last 12 months, we’ve committed to updating it, listening to and acting on customer feedback,” says Flygh. The improvements will continue, and Axis will add new products to the BIM libraries, and new features upon their release.

For example, the plan is to introduce multi-sensor cameras during the third quarter of 2020. “We will continue to invest in this because we believe in digitisation,” Flygh says. “It involves the entire value chain, reducing errors and misunderstandings, improving efficiency and communication, but above all, it’s about the end-customer experience.”

Covering various needs

Axis offers several tools that will help one during the planning and design phase. One example is a plugin for Trimble Sketchup that provides 3D CAD models that let the user find the right camera and visualise its coverage.