Interoperability is defined as the ability to exchange and use information. In the world of BIM it refers to seamless operation between two completely different pieces of software. In other words, if all CAD files were interoperable, they would work with any modeling software, ArchiCAD, Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, etc. Interoperability has been the desire of the BuildingSMART alliance since 1995 when they were known as the International Alliance for Interoperability. They released a standard called Industry Foundation Class (IFC). The IFC was meant to eliminate dis functionality between software vendors. It has been 15 years and improvement has been marginal. One of the problems with the IFC in today’s world is that it was developed in 1995 when web based model servers where about as science fiction as laser pistols.
Today is a different time and it calls for a different solution to solve the lack of interoperability. When you throw a central server into the mix, that solution becomes very simple. The only information that needs to be generated by the modeler is the form of the object and the material that it is made of. Think about it. It is the simplest definition of what an object is. The chair you are sitting on is nothing more than a form and a material. The same with your house, it is form and material. This eliminates a lot of the hoopla that is unnecessary in the current modeling programs.
Of course each material has unique properties and is affected differently by it surroundings. However those calculations are the job of the central server which will be covered in the next post. If the central server is capable of defining gravity, material density, etc, and it is only concerned with receiving inputs of form and material, then all modeling software becomes interoperable. Any draftsman could exchange and use information with anyone other draftsman through the central server. One man using Revit could model a foundation, another using ArchiCAD could model the walls, and a third using SketchUP could model the roof. They would all go together seamlessly because the definitions of those individual building components are so simple.
New Thoughts