Building

Civil

Water

Architecture & Planning

Maritime & Offshore

Environmental

Energy

This article was written in collaboration with Peter Konijnenbelt (Arcadis), Johan Tuls (BAM), Kelvin Roovers (BESIX), Tjeerd Hermsen (Sweco), Nynke ter Heide (Vidabo) and Kevin van Giessen (VIKTOR). We have something in common: we create software tools that have a big impact in our organisations and are used by many people. However, none of us have a background in software engineering. We are trained engineers in our different disciplines. We believe you can do this too. You just need to choose the right tools and follow a good method. Here we share our experience. 

## The start of a series
This is the part of a series of articles about [engineering and Python](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/19/digital-transformation-parametric-design-python). Each time we will go deeper into engineering content and talk about solving specific problems. 

### In this article we will talk about:

- The digital transformation and why engineers are programming
- The four components of professional engineering tool: Automation, integration, optimisation, and distribution… and why you should consider all of them when creating your tools.
- Why we recommend using Python for making your own tools and our experience with other languages or software.
- Creating digital building blocks and their impact on the future of engineering
- How to make your code accessible for everyone, even to people that cannot code!
- Why and how engineers are using VIKTOR to create software tools that are accelerating the digital transformation of their companies. 
- Tips & tricks you can apply to your own projects

## The digital transformation
Digitization is growing exponentially thanks to the increasing accessibility to user-friendly software development tools. Gartner defines this movement as the Democratization of Technology. This means providing people with easy access to technical expertise without extensive (and expensive) training. This is often referred to as “citizen access”.

This changes the way software is developed. In construction and engineering companies, for example, there is a transformation. Software is no longer something for the IT department. Engineers are empowered to make their own software applications. Management sees the value of such powerful tools and creating them has become a company policy. Like this example from BAM, to design subway crossing under roads or railways. 

![VIKTOR application for designing subways under roads and railways (BAM)](/uploads/VIKTOR_application_for_designing_subways_under_roads_and_railways_BAM_a72f04e442.png)

## Why are engineers programming?
In engineering, every project is unique, at least that is what most engineers will say. This means you cannot copy one design directly to another project; however, the design techniques will be applied in the same way in each project. For example, a bridge must always comply with same design code, and its beams, foundation and paving are calculated in the same way. In addition, finding the optimal solution requires many calculations. A time-consuming process when done manually and, perhaps worst of all, no fun at all.

Automating these types of repetitive processes can help to quickly find the best solution and make engineering work more fun. This is why most engineers start programming. After all, we did not study engineering to spend our days updating models and copying/pasting results into reports. We want to engineer awesome things.

> “If you don’t learn to automate the repetitive part of your work, someone else will do it for you. You must learn this to stay relevant.” - Kevin van Giessen, VIKTOR

## The four components of a professional engineering tool
I notice that each professional engineering tool created to solve a specific problem, for instance designing a bridge, has four distinguishable components: integrate, automate, optimise, and distribute.

![The four components of a professional engineering tool](/uploads/the_four_components_of_a_professional_engineering_tool_5c1e9e54bf.png)

### Automation
By automation I mean that the program can perform a task automatically, such as generating a report or copying data from one place to another. 

### Integration
Integration is the automatic combining of different sources of information, which could be models, databases, Excel sheets or external software packages. 

### Optimisation
Optimisation is when the software tool calculates different designs or scenarios and helps you find the best solution. 

### Distribution
Distribution makes the software tools available to other. It transforms the tools you use into something anyone can use. As some of us have learned the hard way, processes, software packages and programming languages that seems perfectly suitable for one part become the bottleneck for the other. Distribution is the most underestimated part. For some reason, people often think this is something we can solve later, and that integration and optimisation are much more complex. This is not true; I have seen so many great projects end up in the drawer because they did not think of distribution and usability beforehand. That is why it is important that you consider all components and from the start choose the right tools.

## Which programming language should I use?
Having the computer help you solve engineering problems is not a new concept. Many engineers have their own Excel or Mathcad sheets and VBA or Matlab codes. But there are some drawbacks to those programs, such as the difficulty to do version control, the lack of a user-friendly interface and codes that are hard to understand if you have not written them. Fortunately, a new language is rising in the engineering world that is overcoming these problems, namely Python.

> “Python is very scalable. Each piece of code can be used countless times as it just needs an input and it will create an output. In this way you could solve a large problem by connecting smaller pieces of code; it is like having digital building blocks”. - Johan Tuls, BAM

### Excel, Matchcad, and Python
Peter Konijnenbelt: “Until now we at Arcadis made Excel and Mathcad sheets available with the reason to ensure that all engineers had the same working method to do calculations. But with the introduction of Python we went up to a whole new level: now we calculate a cloud of possible outcomes to find the best one. It also allows us to make a user interface for the tools, where results are presented visually for everyone to use.” This way of working gives more opportunities to find optimal solutions.

Tjeerd Hermsen likes Python because you can command other software and automate tasks, he explains ”we extract cone penetration test (CPT) data stored in Excels sheets and automatically make D-Foundations (geotechnical software) model from it”

## Digital Building Blocks
I observed that the common approach to building scalable software and cooperating with other specialists is to think in digital building blocks that can be interconnected. This make the process versatile and scalable. Some of the benefits of using the building block approach are:

- You can quickly build code by utilizing someone else’s work.
- It enables people to share knowledge in the form of code.
- It makes it easier to replace parts of your code.
- It makes growing the code manageable, as each block has a specific function.

“I like it when you can use the work of others. With fewer people you can make more applications if you have a collection of digital building blocks that you can connect” says Johan Tuls. That is also a good reason why people are using Python, explains Van Giessen: “Python is based on digital building blocks, and there are many available for free, such as libraries for numerical calculus or data science”.

### Creating new building blocks
Companies are also investing in making their own blocks. “Large software products try to provide a total solution; however, they are not always flexible enough to work efficiently. That is why we are transferring the expertise we have into our own software tools, that add to the existing software and which we can make available to further valorise knowledge”, tells Kelvin Roovers.

> “Parametric design will cover a much larger part of the work. In the future you will have modular systems with an application for each part of the construction. The engineer will create, connect,  and validate these apps instead of doing the calculations” - Nynke ter Heide, Vidabo

According to Johan Tuls, software development will have a big impact on construction companies. “Construction companies grow linearly, but programming will make it exponential. Companies will accumulate digital building blocks over time, which will be an important asset of the company. With these blocks you can make better applications faster and faster. This will lead to a new business model that has yet to be developed”.

## How to make your code accessible for everyone
I have observed that many talented people create models and analysis tools that have a big impact in their organization. As the adoption of their tools grow in the organisation, they fall victim to their own success. These tools are often too complex to be used by other people, and the creator does not have enough time to process all the requests from the organisation, which therefore becomes the bottleneck. Worse, what happens with that knowledge if they leave the organisation?

### Controlled distribution
What you want is to distribute the code in a controlled manner. This, however, can be quite challenging when choosing the wrong tools. “Excel does not have a version control. You can download the sheets from the company’s server, but how do you make sure everyone is using the latest version and that upgraded sheets are compatible for each application?”, says Nynke ter Heide. Kelvin Roovers shares a similar experience: “you don’t want to share code in Excel sheets. Everyone starts making their own modifications and it is impossible to keep track of the changes. It is better to keep you code externally, for example using Python”. “There are good solutions for code distribution among programmers when using Python, like GitLab”, says Kevin van Giessen.

### User interface required
The reality is that most people who can benefit from using these codes lack the programming skills necessary to understand them. Part of the solution is “a good user interface with visualisations of results. This makes the application accessible to everyone”, says Johan Tuls. It is useful to have a web-based application because version control is guaranteed, explains Kelvin Roovers. “When improving an application, all you have to do is put it online to make sure everyone works with the latest version right away.”

Web-based applications also have tremendous benefits for the end-users. “This allows different users to access a central point from anywhere, at any time, so they work with the same design or version of the information and make decisions together”, explains Kevin van Giessen. He adds, “It makes distribution of your code also very controlled; the administrator can give users permission to access different parts of it and remove it if desired”.

![Distribution of interface code](/uploads/distribution_of_interface_code_4839e53a6c.png)

Personally, I think technical people can be very critical about their work and think that it is not ready to be used by others; that there is still too much to improve. This is probably true. However, the solution is not to improve the code by yourself, but to make it available to others with a good user interface. You want people to use your software and give you feedback. This is the best way to truly understand what needs to be improved so that people can use it. It could be anything from technical features to greater managerial awareness. The shorter the feedback loop, the more organically your software grows in the organization, and the more likely people will use it.

## Why are engineers using VIKTOR?

### Toolbox
Kevin van Giessen explains: “VIKTOR is an application development platform to build professional web-based applications with Python. It’s easy to use; it’s like having a digital building block toolbox to create your own engineering applications. You can integrate with other engineering software, make user interfaces, create 3D models, use map views, perform optimisations and visualize results. This gives engineers the opportunity to become a professional software developer: the engineer developer. Kevin continues, “By enabling the engineer to build user-friendly software applications, knowledge is turned into an asset that can be distributed within and outside the organisation.”

> “Distribution is one of the biggest advantages of VIKTOR applications: you put it online and everyone can use it.” - Kelvin Roovers, BESIX

### Sharable application
Nynke ter Heide adds “Having Python code is different from an application that you can share with your colleagues”. She continues: “Making a Python script is nice for a proof of concept, but with the VIKTOR platform your code shifts to another level. It’s a way to create applications that everyone can use.”

### Unity
Tjeerd Hermsen: “Colleagues started sharing Python scripts while not all using the same version of the required packages, which made the scripts unusable. A lot of time is wasted trying to find and fix such problems. “The solution was to create a VIKTOR application. He explains:” The VIKTOR application ensures that all users are working with the same version of the external Python package. In addition, the Excel files that are used as input for the calculation are used, centralised in the database and they do not have to go back and forth between colleagues.

> “It’s amazing that we are able to develop an application within 1 day, which ensures that everybody  uses the same analyses and models. This saves time and reduces the chance of errors.” - Tjeerd Hermsen, Sweco

### User-friendly
Kelvin Roovers comments: “What I like is that you can program complex applications with a user-friendly interface and easily present results through different visualisations”. “VIKTOR is also interesting for simple applications. There are many Excel files in a company that can be easily converted into a professional application with version control, user management system and visualizations. It is more user-friendly than a multi-sheet Excel file, and you can perform different calculations to find the best solution, ”says Nynke ter Heide. “As a freelancer, I like to be at the beginning of developments. I regularly see that my customers are enthusiastic about my proof of concepts, but that it is challenging to put them into production in the organization. VIKTOR can help meet this challenge and turn concepts into applications, ” she adds.

### Web-based and automated
Johan Tuls notes that he wanted to “create and host a web-based application; In the perception of management, however, this differs from the main field of work of the engineer and the company. A partnership with VIKTOR has reduced or overcome this risk ”. Peter Konijnenbelt says: “The management and engineers are very positive about VIKTOR and the results we have achieved in a short period of time”. He adds: “Their team has helped us a lot, you notice that they are much more involved with automation and have a different mindset. They help set up a better [parametric model](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software) and visualize the results so that we can compare different solutions." 

![VIKTOR application for designing subways under roads and railways (BAM)](/uploads/VIKTOR_application_for_designing_subways_under_roads_and_railways_BAM_2_79badeffb2.png)
*VIKTOR application for designing subways under roads and railways (BAM)*

## Want to know more?
This is the first of a series of articles about engineering and Python. The next articles will be published soon. We will talk about how you can make [parametric design tools](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software) using Python and common engineering software like Grasshopper, Dynamo, SCIA, RFEM and IDEA. To write these articles we interviewed engineers that make these kinds of tools on a daily base. Real pros!

Maybe you wonder why we are writing this. At VIKTOR we are on a mission to unleash the world’s real engineering potential. We are developing a platform where engineers can build their own web-based applications using Python. We work closely together with engineering, construction and manufacturing companies and help them boost their digital transformation. We would love to hear your feedback on our ideas, try out the platform, and help us create the perfect tools for you.

Creation of diverse professional software tools

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This is the first of a series of articles about engineering and Python, written as part of our mission to unleash the world's real enigineering potential!

How are engineers creating professional software tools?

## Get the white paper

**INDEX**

1. Construction companies and digital transformation
2. Technology trends for a different approach
3. Technology trends in the construction industry
4. A new technology trend for the construction industry
5. Low code for the construction industry
6. The VIKTOR platform
7. What does it cost?
8. How to start
9. What's next?

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What are the current trends in digital transformation and how do they affect the engineering and construction industry? 

This white paper is for every engineer, manager, director, or anyone else that wants to learn more about (new) technology trends that help boost digital transformation in engineering and construction, such as BIM, parametric or generative design, and low-code and no-code. 

Discover how web applications can help you find the best solution fast, get the best insights, capture knowledge into assets, and make work more joyful! 






Learn about trends in digital transformation and how they affect the engineering and construction industry.

Download the White Paper and get INSPIRED

This white paper is for every engineer, manager, director, or anyone else that wants to learn more about (new) technology trends that help boost digital transformation in engineering and construction, such as BIM, parametric or generative design, and low-code and no-code. 

Digital Transformation: Engineering and Construction Industry

)In this article I will also share the thoughts of a handful experts, who were willing to be interviewed by Lisa de Kluijver and me and contributed with their experience. 

A special thanks to:

- Lieke Melsen – Assistant Professor Computation Hydrology at Wageningen University
- Thijs Damsma – Data Engineer at Van Oord
- Jacco Hoekstra – Professor CNS/ATM (Communication, Surveillance, Navigation / Air Traffic Management), and former Dean of the faculty of Aerospace Engineering, at Technical University Delft
- Johan Tuls – Structural Engineer at BAM Infraconsult
- Philip Vollet – Senior Data Engineer at KPMG and [Machine Learning](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/40/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning-engineering-construction) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) Specialist
- Maaike van Putten – IT trainer and developer at Bright Boost

This is part of a series of articles about engineering and Python. Each time we will go deeper into engineering content and talk about solving specific problems. Other articles on this subject are:

- [How are engineerings creating professional software tools?](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/18/digital-transformation-python-BIM-data-analysis--artificial-intelligence)
- [Parametric design in the cloud with Grasshopper](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/13/parametric-design-python-grasshopper-excel)
- [Automating RFEM model generation with Python in a web application](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/9/web-application-automation-python-RFEM)
- [How to make an IDEA StatiCa Concrete model with Python](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/8/web-application-python-IDEA-StatiCa-Concrete)
- [Combine the power of Dynamo and Python in the cloud for easy sharing and accessibility](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/32/parametric-design-web-application-python-dynamo-real-estate)
- [How to integrate a PLAXIS model into a cloud-based parametric engineering tool with a few lines of Python code](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/34/integration-plaxis-python-parametricdesign) 
- [Automated Pile Driveability analysis with GRLWEAP and Python](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/22/parametric-design-python-GRLWEAP-pile-driveability)
- [Using Python to create parametric SCIA models in the cloud](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/10/parametric-design-python-SCIA)
- [An application with custom Python scripts to save time and reduce errors](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/27/web-application-python-D-foundations-Excel)

## Boosting your digital transformation

### The frustration of the iteration
Eight years ago, I graduated from Aerospace Engineering at the University of Technology Delft. During my study I used all kinds of parametric design models, advanced analysis, and optimization techniques. When I started working as a Structural Engineer, I was disappointed: there was never time, budget, and willingness to create professional software tools that could make a big difference in the long term.

Frustrated by the large amount of boring and repetitive tasks of a typical engineering project, I went on making software tools myself, using project hours. This was a little risk-taking and it felt a bit clandestine. I was supposed to just update the models and reports, but it seemed that no one cared as long I was meeting the deadlines. I never regret this decision, as those tools enabled me to react more quickly to the many design changes in a project every time.

### My Python toolbox

It took me a while before I discovered the best programming language to do this. At university, I learned to use Matlab; however, not every engineering company I worked for could afford those expensive licenses. Frustrated by the limitation of my Excel sheets I decided to give it a boost by learning Visual Basic (VBA). What a bad choice. I wish that someone had told me: use Python!

With time, I had a small library with codes. It was like having a box with digital building blocks that I could connect and combine to solve a specific problem, making it easier and quicker to make those programs each time. The advantages of having a software library were obvious, but the question remaind: Why were the companies for whom I was working not building their own libraries?

### Going beyond the project system

It took me some time to understand. Many companies work project-based, and that was exactly the problem. Everything needs to be done between the scope, budget, and limitations of a project. This project-based model does not stimulate creating software as a company, that can later be used in several other projects as well. Due the lack of good software, design changes need to be done individually by each discipline, models are updated manually, and there is a lot of (slow) communication. Therefore, each change has a significant impact on the progress. I call this the sawtooth effect (see figure).

![Graph of the sawtooth effect](/uploads/The_sawtooth_effect_92f0e4b302.png)

### Building digital assets

Starting to build custom software tools as a company requires a change in mentality. It is investing upfront and benefiting later, which may seem risky. Making a proper software tool from scratch is risky as well and can require a huge effort at the beginning of the project. However, when done properly, progress can go exponentially and calculating and reporting a design change can become a matter of minutes (see figure).

At the beginning, progress is hard to track, which makes people nervous. I think this is a big reason why many companies are not taking the first step to creating custom software for their projects. The solution is therefore investing in digital building blocks. Once you have a few of those in your possesion,  you can reutilize and connect them to quickly make software applications and benefit immediately. It is clear: Digital building blocks are assets for the company, that everyone can use, and provide a long-term benefit.

> "Construction companies grow linearly, but programming their own building blocks makes it exponential. Programming building blocks is like building up capital. Each time you can make more, better, quicker and cheaper software applications, allowing you to make a big step forward." - Johan Tuls, BAM


## Some background info about Python

Python was created by Guido van Rossum and first released in the beginning of the nineties. The aim was to help programmers write clear, logical code for both small and large-scale projects. That is exactly the reason Python has grown as big as it is now.

> "Python is the future because it is a lingua franca. It transcends all platforms and domains. You can 
use it for infinitely different software applications. This makes Python unique." - Jacco Hoekstra, Technical University Delft

![Graph_Popularity of Programming Language.svg](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Graph_Popularity_of_Programming_Language_af37efc9c6.svg)


To sum it up, these are the most important reasons for why Python has become so popular:

- **It is free and easy to learn!** Out of all programming languages it is probably the one that resembles English most, meaning you can go from thought to code very fast and intuitive.
- **It is not only about the language.** It is also an amazing open and accessible world of knowledge and available resources.
- **You can do anything with Python**, from simple maths to scientific calculations on a supercomputer, including Data Science, Machine Learning, creating web-based applications, and much more.
- **It is very scalable** and suitable for working together with other people, even from different disciplines. 

With Python, you can start small and slowly build up a digital empire. Do you not believe me? Google, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and Netflix; they all use Python as well! Just Google it ;).

## Digital Building Blocks
I noticed that the common approach to build scalable software and cooperate with other specialists is literally thinking in digital building blocks that can be connected to each other. This make the process versatile and scalable. 

Some benefits of using this building block approach are:

- You can build code fast by utilizing someone else's work! No starting from scratch.
- It enables people to share knowledge in the form of code!
- It makes it easier to replace parts of your code!
- It makes growing the code more controllable, as each block has a specific function!

This approach started in the software development community, with object-oriented programming and packages you could use to make your own software tools. Nowadays, it is becoming more popular in Engineering, Data Science, Architecture, and the Scientific Community as well.

Anything you can connect and command can be seen as a building block. It could be from a simple script, from one of the many free Python packages, or from FEM software.

## Objects: The building blocks of Python

Python is object-oriented. This allows you to break down your software into small problems (we call them objects) that you an then solve seperately, one object at a time. It is like building something large out of smaller components. This is a good match since it is very similar to how I, as an engineer, look at physical objects that have to be designed, built and maintained.

### Object creation

To create an object, you need to define a class. A class is a template for creating objects on which you are able to define its' behaviour and properties. A class can be used to make as many objects as you need. The great thing is that you can use properties of different objects for other calculations or for creating a ‘larger’ object as well. For example, you can create many beam objects, and then use their mass and stiffness properties to calculate the deflection in the bridge object.

### Free information flow

Information between objects can flow very freely. This is totally different from scripts typically made when using Visual Basic, Matlab or FEM packages. Here, the code runs top-down, meaning that changing something in the code will affect everything beneath it. This is like playing Jenga. The more complex it gets, the greater the chances become that it will collapse. With Python however, this problem does not exist.

In general, you can see objects as digital building blocks for making a larger software program. Allowing different specialists to build, maintain and improve their objects, and share it with the rest of the world to make something even more awesome!

## Free building blocks
The Python Package Index (PyPI) has 243,692 packages you can use for free! Most are not self-standing software, but building blocks for creating larger software tools. There are packages for visualizations, Machine Learning, Data Science, numerical calculus, and much more. Their quality is very high, so use them well and build your code fast! 

For example: 
- Numpy can be used to do all kind of matrix operations. Its functionalities are comparable to MATLAB. 
- Pandas helps you manipulate and analyse large sets of data without having to learn a specialized data-processing language. 
- PyTorch enables you to use machine learning without being a specialist. 

Which ones do you use the most?

> "There is a democratization of knowledge. It has become easier to use people’s tools and get insight into other disciplines thanks to the many available software packages." - Thijs Damsma, Van Oord

## External software is just another block

Quite often I hear that engineers are facing the limits of the standard software packages they use and this is leading to cause a change in mentality. Nowadays, standard software packages are not considered to be the total solution anymore. These software packages are just part of a greater process and engineers are now searching for connectivity.

These days, a large number of external software packages can also be commanded with Python. This is very powerful, as it enables you to use them like any other digital building block in your code. For example, you can combine a cost model made in Excel with a structural calculation to find the cheapest solution that satisfies the structural requirements. This can also be done with other tools, such as Grasshopper, Dynamo, SCIA, Plaxis, Diana, Excel, ANSYS and Deltares D-Series.

![External software packages that can be commanded with Python](/uploads/External_software_packages_that_can_be_commanded_with_Python_f270df6020.png)

## What’s next?

### Knowledge distribution
As an engineering community we still have a great challenge: the distribution of knowledge. What do you think is the best way of distributing digital building blocks and making knowledge available to others? I would like to hear your opinion about this topic, so don't hesitate to contact me!

Personally, I think there are two groups: the programmer, who can read, understand, and use a code; and the end-user who cannot program, but is going to use the tool. 

For the first group, good distribution channels are still missing. As a result, many of these specialists are programming the same theories or creating programs for solving the same problems over and over again.

> "We lose enormous amounts of time by programming the same models. If there was a central place where these models where available, we could invest that time in going forward."  - Lieke Melsen, Wageningen University

### Marketplaces for software applications

I believe soon there will be marketplaces where specialist can offer the software applications they made, so they can be used as digital building blocks for solving larger or more specific problems. There should be a financial compensation, such that companies and freelancers see this as an investment, and the creation of specific engineering tools is stimulated. If you are interested in this marketplace, let me know as well!

### Additional challenges

For the second group, the ones that cannot read or write code, another solution must be found. I am a strong believer in user interfaces and online software applications. 

> “A big benefit of web-based applications is that the different disciplines have access to a common environment and always can make decisions based on the latest version of the information.” - Philip Vollet, KPMG

## Want to know more?

This is the first of a series of articles about engineering and Python. We will talk about how you can make professional engineering applications that everyone can use, as well as on how you can make [parametric design tools](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction) using Python and common engineering software like Grasshopper, Dynamo, SCIA, RFEM and IDEA. To write these articles we interviewed engineers that make these kinds of tools on a daily base. Real pros!

**Stay tuned! Follow us on LinkedIn, so you don't miss anything.**

Maybe you wonder why we are writing this. VIKTOR is on a mission to unleash the world’s real engineering potential. We are developing a platform where engineers can build their own web-based applications using Python. We work closely together with engineering, construction and manufacturing companies and help them boost their digital transformation. We would love to hear your feedback on our ideas, try out the platform, and help us create the perfect tools that enables you to:

AUTOMATE THE BORING. ENGINEER THE AWESOME!

If you are interested in [developing your own parametric design tools](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software), make sure to [check out our solutions page](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software).


Accelerate your digital transformation using Python

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Did you know that engineers can use their programming skills to boost the digital transformation of their companies by making digital building blocks for custom applications, such as parametric design tools, using Python?

1. What is parametric design, and how is it evolving
2. Collaborative parametric design: working together for better results
3. How to make tools available to others
4. Active collaboration on parametric design tools
5. Parametric design in a billion-euro project
6. What collaborative parametric design means for you



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Parametric design is a design approach that uses flexible models that can be adjusted and solved quickly. The goal is to see the effect of specific choices on your design by just changing the input variables. 

The benefits are:

- **Flexibility:** Parametric design allows you to react quickly to changes at a low cost. Always generate the best solution for your project no matter the time pressure.

- **Better decisions:** Automatically calculate thousands of different solutions, get deep insight, and mitigate risks. Make better decisions and provide more added value to clients.

- **Digital Assets:** Create models and data that are reusable in new projects. Improve them over time, building up digital capital

This white paper is for engineers, architects, project leaders, and innovation and business managers. You will learn how collaborative parametric design in the cloud helps organizations get better results with real study cases such as a billion-euro infrastructure project.
 
Additionally, we talk about how you can transform Python, Dynamo and Grasshopper scripts into user-friendly web apps and significantly impact your organization performance. 

Learn how collaborative parametric design models allow you to work together for better solutions.

Download the white paper and get INSPIRED

This white paper is for engineers, project leaders, and innovation and business managers that want to learn more about what collaborative parametric design can mean for them. Discover more about this new way of working in which stakeholders collaborate to find the best solution for a project.

The Future of Parametric Design is COLLABORATION

![Picture2.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Picture2_bf7a656ead.png)

In the world of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has been a go-to technology for decades. While it was a significant breakthrough in its time, it has its limitations, and many industries now find it inefficient and lacking in collaboration. This has led to the rise of Building Information Modeling (BIM), which has brought many benefits to the table. Real-life projects such as hospitals, schools, and high-rise buildings have implemented BIM and have seen significant improvements in their project lifecycle across all AEC disciplines. In fact, industry leaders have also recognized the potential of BIM and have embraced it as a way to enhance their performance.

To give an example regarding the influence of BIM: Shanghai Tower – the tallest building in China - is one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, standing at a height of 632 meters and 128-stories. The tower's design and construction were made possible using BIM technology. The project team used BIM to model the tower's complex geometry, enabling them to identify and resolve design conflicts before construction began. This resulted in significant cost savings and helped the team to complete the tower on time. In addition, BIM was used throughout the construction process to manage materials and logistics, monitor progress, and ensure that the tower was built to the highest quality standards. BIM also enabled the project team to track the performance of the building's systems and optimize energy efficiency.

Industry leaders in Shanghai Tower project: Gensler (Architecture), Thornton Tomasetti (Structural engineering), Cosentini Associates (Mechanical engineering) And Shanghai Construction Group (Contractors) used BIM to streamline their workflows, reduce errors and rework, and ultimately deliver projects that are more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective. Additionally, the tower has achieved LEED Platinum certification for its sustainable design and operations.
Shanghai Tower is just one example of how BIM can help architects, engineers, and contractors to collaborate more effectively and achieve better project outcomes. By leveraging the power of BIM, industry leaders like the Shanghai Tower project team are able to avoid critical AEC workflow problems.  

If you are an engineer, you have probably read and heard about it a million times before: Building Information Modeling (BIM). But what exactly is BIM?  And how can it be used successfully within your organization? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know; from how BIM can be used successfully within the AEC industry, to the latest trends (including BIM 3.0), challenges surrounding this popular design method, and how to overcome these. 



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Get a detailed understanding of how VIKTOR envisions efficiently pioneering today & next-gen BIM cloud-based Automation! 

BIM innovations in AEC: Building Information Modeling, 3D modeling, Digital twin, and more!

![ezgif.com-resize (1).gif](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/ezgif_com_resize_1_6c091d790e.gif)



In simple terms, BIM is a cutting-edge system to communicate information regarding AEC (architecture, engineering and construction).
In traditional AEC design systems, graphical, usually 2D, drawings are used to communicate AEC information to eventually produce printable drawings and specifications of what to be constructed.  A well-known example of this is CAD (Computer-Aided Design) tools, such as AutoCAD (Autodesk) or MicroStation (Bentley Systems). This means that non-graphical information cannot be included in a design and thus must be confined by the experience and intuition of engineers and architects. 

It is safe to say CAD was already a fancy upgrade from the manual labour of drawing designs. However, with the digital evolution of 2D and 3D modeling, the graphical capabilities of communicating information have continued to upgrade beyond just computer-aided design. This is where BIM comes into the picture. 
BIM aims to evolve AEC's traditional systems that are incapable of storing non-graphical information that cause too much room for data discrepancies and losses. How? By combining 3D modeling capabilities with an efficient manifestation and usage of non-graphical information into one holistic system. For example:
In traditional systems, a thick line equals a wall. With BIM, however, a thick line conveys a spatial representation and its metadata, resulting in a wall with specific dimensions, a bill of quantities, supplier information, expected maintenance dates, and more. 

A brief history of BIM: 
The notion of BIM has been around since the 1970s. In essence, BIM is a methodology (approach) for dealing efficiently with data around a model. Under the BIM flag there is a multitude of diverse tools - such as plugins, software packages, applications, and programs - developed by various companies with differing characteristics and qualities, all serving the BIM methodology in their unique ways.  It is quite essential to distinguish between different BIM methodologies and tools, like: Autodesk Revit (architecture), Tekla structures (structure engineering), Openroads (civil engineering)  and more!


What is Building Information Modeling (BIM)?

AEC is a highly sophisticated field with lots of disciplines involved, such as: architecture, structural engineering, HVAC engineering, building management, and many more. Besides, there is room for human error, communication gaps, and poor collaboration among project teams.  Additionally, lack of standardization and quality control measures in design and construction processes have been always part of the AEC nature. Therefore, there is a high frequency of inaccuracy and mistakes. Mistakes can have serious consequences in terms of cost overruns, delays, safety hazards, and quality issues. Usually, it costs an arm and leg to fix the mistakes. Besides the financial burden, it may take ages! 

For example, although the Sydney Opera House is one of the best-known iconic buildings, known globally as a symbol of Australia, its design crucially lacked efficient coordination between participating parties. In 1957, it was planned to be fully constructed within 4 years, using AUS $7 million. However, ultimately it was opened in 1973, consuming 16 years, with a total cost of AUS $102 million.

![operaaa.jpg](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/operaaa_8ca4c6dc77.jpg)



BIM aims to reduce error by having a centralized model where all different disciplines come to work together and stay up to date regarding each other's data and processes. Accordingly, any clash between different disciplines could be detected as early as possible in the design phase and much before the execution phases. 
For instance, BIM outplaces 2D drawings of a building with a unified 3D model for all disciplines. Having the geometries / spatial data that belong to architectural, civil and HVAC simultaneously. Therefore, a clash between a beam and a ventilation duct can already be detected early in the design process. Consequently, necessary procedures to avoid this conflict in real life are considered. 

The majority of the AEC pioneers found a huge improvement in switching from CAD to BIM. Gradually, the receptivity of BIM adoption exposed BIM platforms to constant improvement and focus on developing new capabilities for the industry, creating what we can describe as BIM trends! 


BIM for Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC)

Relatively speaking, BIM itself is a fresh concept in the lifespan of AEC. However, over the last years, some trends within BIM have also started their rise. In this article, we have picked the 4 to elaborate on:   


##  1. Parametric design  


![ghdynmao2.gif](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/ghdynmao2_48a57f1a11.gif)


Whereas it is both a new born as well as a constantly evolving system, BIM gets constantly exposed to the evolving technology usage in the AEC industry. An efficient design technique that is remarkably manifesting itself thanks to technology nowadays is: [Parametric design](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction).   

BIM can project the principles of the parametric design onto the whole design and construction process. Information models developed by BIM enable different involved disciplines (architects, civil engineers, etc ) to take part in the process. Therefore, it is imaginable to consider that involved discipline inputs as parameters shaping the final construction.  BIM easily utilizes tweaking these parameters to reach the best design output (based on your preferences, for example, regarding costs, material usage, and more). The holistic approach keeps it obvious to what extent parameters can be tweaked without causing failures in the parameters from other disciplines. 

The most famous parametric design platforms in the AEC are Grasshopper for Rhinoceros and Dynamo for Revit. Due to the strong capabilities of both platforms, they are an asset to your BIM workflow. Both are node-based programming languages that are easy to grasp by engineers and architects without any programming experience.    

By linking parameters to the design process, designers can create a design system that is inherently more intelligent and efficient. Parametric design allows designers to explore a wide range of design options and iterate quickly, making it a powerful tool for innovation and creativity in the design process. 
For example, Shanghai Tower utilized parametric design extensively throughout its construction. The tower's unique design, with its twisted form and tapering profile, presented significant challenges in terms of structural engineering and construction. To address these challenges, the project team used advanced parametric modeling software to create a digital twin of the tower, which allowed for the testing of various design options and the optimization of structural systems, facade engineering, and glass joints. The team also used parametric design tools to generate detailed shop drawings and fabrication models.




##  2. BIM dimensions

The essence of BIM is adding and efficiently handling more information to the model. Therefore, there is a huge need to find a way of efficiently sorting information. So it is accessible to engineers and decision-makers. As a result, BIM dimensions were introduced to give a better understanding of the model. Each BIM dimension is oriented for a specific theme. While different firms can comprehend the dimensions differently- not internationally verified definitions-, it is agreed upon 7 BIM dimensions: 

![Group 14 (1).png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_14_1_6aa212a450.png)

**BIM 3D**: Manifestation of the geometrical model with its geographical context.

**BIM 4D:** Adding a timeline to the 3D BIM model, leading to allowing for better project scheduling, sequencing, and visualization of construction processes.

**BIM 5D:** Integrating financial data, leading to better cost estimation and budget analysis for the BIM model. This helps project teams to make informed decisions and operate budgets effectively. 

**BIM 6D:** Sustainability and energy efficiency date. 

**BIM 7D:** Building management and maintenance.

While the first three dimensions are concerned with the 3D geometry, the 4th and the 5th are more focused on scheduling and cost management. The new edition of the 6th and 7th dimension bring value to the material life cycle and [building management](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/9/digital-twin-python-bridge). 
Building materials suppliers such as window providers, for example, can provide a BIM model of their product with all the specifications and expected maintenance, data costs, and options. Therefore, it's much easier for contractors to understand the value of the product and its implementation. Additionally, owners now can have an interactive geometry- BIM model where they can have an overview of the building management of an as-built model.

The notion of dimensions gives a vivid impression of BIM structure. However, the question remains whether BIM dimensions are causing high clarity and efficient practicality.  This raises the concern of interested bodies to assess the practicality of the implementation of BIM dimensions in the AEC. 

Adrian August Wildenauer researched the understanding of BIM dimensions by professional firms in his research paper *“CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING DEFINITIONS OF BIM DIMENSIONS ON THE EXAMPLE OF SWITZERLAND”*. He states: 



![Group 32.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_32_8e38ccdc2f.png)



It’s worth mentioning that the notion of BIM dimensions brings value to the process. However, due to the complexity of the AEC, the industry barely implements the 5th dimension, BIM level 2.  Furthermore, each AEC firm is highly subjected to having a distinctive understanding of the dimensions.



## 3. Revolution of plugins

![Group 21.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_21_2de827855b.png)


Although BIM is meant to be one holistic approach to rule them all, it faced an essential problem due to the diversity of platforms involved. In simple terms, every involved discipline uses a set of software, and each software internally has a set of plugins that bring additional value to said software. This is not an issue, until it’s decided to digitally merge data from different non-natively compatible software. For example: Architects tend to use Dynamo as a plugin for Autodesk Revit, which can be used to model complex geometries. On the other hand, structural engineers may want to use Karamba3D, a plugin for Rhino-Grasshopper, to execute some structural analysis. Sadly, data from Karamba3D is not natively compatible with Dynamo workflow. Which motivates VIKTOR to offer a solution.



## 4. Possible synergies?  

![Group 22.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_22_9cfd927338.png)


It can be said that each BIM dimension has its own interested AEC discipline. Each professional entity has its own parameters that contribute to the model with various software used to interact with their inputs.  However, to achieve more efficient management of all those who are involved, there was an emphasis on a new mentality of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). The Integrated Project Delivery approach aims to optimize project goals, minimize waste and maximize efficiency in all stages of the project. This is done by integrating people, systems and business models into the process



Trends in BIM

In 2021,  there was no widely accepted definition of BIM level 3. However, some experts in the industry have started to use the term BIM level 3.0 to refer to the integration of BIM with other emerging technologies, such as sensors, drones, augmented reality, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
This would represent a significant shift from the current state of BIM, which primarily focuses on design, construction, and the higher BIM dimensions. BIM 3.0 would expand the scope of BIM to include the utilization of new technology in the operation and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure, as well as the use of real-time data and analytics to optimize building performance and reduce costs.
It's important to note that BIM 3.0 is not an official industry standard or version of BIM, but rather a conceptual framework that is still being defined and refined by experts in the field.

## New BIM, new BIM challenges

### Interoperability 

![Group 11.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_11_071e79da17.png)

The modern landscape of BIM depends on multiple software working together as a workflow, even inside one discipline. Different software are being used for different analyses. Each software is developed by distinctive developers, a model can be integrated into different pieces of software for various analyses or reasons. Subsequently, data loss is very expected. Data loss can easily lead to absolutely wrong calculations. which can be very harmful to scheduling and budgeting. Therefore there is a huge need to make sure then the integration between different platforms has highly efficient interoperability. Accordingly, the question is: how to make sure all these platforms can speak to each other with 0%  data lost?
It's worth noting that interoperability issues can arise due to a variety of factors, including software version, format settings, and project complexity, so it's important to test the interoperability of different software combinations before committing to a project.  To partially achieve interoperability, a neutral file format called IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) was developed to easily migrate data between different software. 


### BIM washing

![BIM washing.gif](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/BIM_washing_865ffc7fb3.gif)

 Although BIM is gaining huge popularity, New systems need time to be fully utilized inside the AEC workflow. It takes time for professionals to fully grasp the techniques and build the skillsets needed to switch to a BIM workflow. Combining this with the highly competitive environment of the AEC, it's notable that some firms get marketed as BIM competent while their services actually still need to be improved to meet the industry standards. As Bilal Succar - Director of ChangeAgents AEC, Founder of the BIMe Initiative, Head Editor of the BIM Dictionary - describes it: “A BIM-Competent Organization is the one that has consistently delivers (not can deliver) a set of high-quality BIM products and services”
Although, at first, Bilal wrote this blog back in 2011, it’s still relevant in the BIM communities till this day.

In short, to deliver BIM-competent services, professionals need efficient skills + minimum data loss. It’s logical to enable BIM-skilled professionals to build the tools themselves. Therefore, it's important to equip them with a toolset at their disposal to shape the data flow between different platforms. Hence, **VIKTOR is the solution to your challenges!**
While teaching all employees how to use specific tools can be mentally, financially and time consuming, there might be a better and easy-to-apply solution. Simply, having the cloud-based parametric BIM model running behind a super-friendly user interface that everyone can use intuitively.  How?  By having one Python-skilled individual, it is possible to build an app that utilizes the data flow into a parametric model. Hence, the rest of the team will enjoy playing with the parameters to reach the required goal. Additionally, all involved parties can see what happens in a centralized parametric model so there is no conflict happening by adjusting the model locally on the computer and then sending it to the other party.





So, what is next? BIM level 3?

*Remember, it's not about the length of the article - it's how you use it!*

So, to recap, BIM is a holistic approach to dealing with the AEC information. It depends on various software tools that face problems of data loss when used by different disciplines. BIM has the high aim to enhance the AEC and create a better-built environment. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to have an efficient mechanism between its various parts. 
With VIKTOR, you can facilitate this interoperable BIM workflow yourself. Here's how:

-  	Cloud-based parametric design with wider parameters.
-  	Various software integrations, let different software speak to each other.
-  	Digital Twins: Building maintenance and management (BIM 7D).
-  	Automation of boring tasks.
-  	Intuitive UIs.
- 	Apps gallery.


Solve your BIM challenge with VIKTOR!

With VIKTOR, different stakeholders can take part in the BIM process simultaneously. Your parametric model can be hosted in VIKTOR platform, where a multidisciplinary user can parametrically adjust the model. Access is guaranteed to everyone without the burden of sharing a local file between different devices. While users can access the app, monitoring logic is restricted to developers.  For this reason, the logic is kept safe from unwanted tweaks systematically. 

*Could VIKTOR go one step further?*

Yes of course! With the reliance on Python, VIKTOR can utilize various inputs from a diversity of software as parameters into one parametric model on the VIKTOR platform.

![useless2.gif](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/useless2_a7f1b8d43b.gif)



Cloud-based parametric design

VIKTOR enables all users to thoroughly exploit the whole BIM ecosystem. Therefore, enlarge the previous ideology (of parametric design) to the whole BIM ecosystem. Meaning, building interoperability and utilizing different platforms to exchange data fluently on the VIKTOR platform.

Data interoperability is a fundamental potential of BIM. The way VIKTOR enables this is by letting software developed by different firms have a common medium of data translation, as well as minimizing data loss. And here comes the rule of Python. For example: VIKTOR has the ability to integrate data with various platforms individually, therefore it has the ability to channel the data in between them.  VIKTOR integrates with all software that allow for external integration. Let’s have one example of the feasibility of two different software ecosystems speaking to each other through VIKTOR!

**Architectural form finding process = VIKTOR + Dynamo (Autodesk)**

VIKTOR is compatible with Autodesk [Dynamo sandbox](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/14/python-dynamo-civil3D-MXroad). The use of VIKTOR with Dynamo in access to Autodesk workflow. It’s mainly used by architects for enabling geometrical manipulations. 


**Structural analysis and design = VIKTOR + RFEM (Dlubal)**

VIKTOR is used by [RFEM ](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/19/web-application-automation-RFEM-python)structural engineers users to provide structural analysis and design alternatives. For example, it's used for calculating fender systems to be performed automatically so that multiple iterations can be done easily. This collaboration is a connection in the Dlubal Software workflow.



Interoperability = VIKTOR + RFEM (Dlubal)  + Dynamo (Autodesk)

![Group 23.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_23_398610e61b.png)

 
As VIKTOR is having strong integration with both workflows. It is achievable to utilize both software capabilities into one VIKTOR app. Using a VIKTOR app to bridge different platforms was interesting for leading digital engineering professionals. Mark van den Brink,  a Digital Lead at WSP formulated the use of VIKTOR in BIM workflow as: 


![Group 25 (1).png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_25_1_88efd02b7a.png)


Various software integrations: let different software speak to each other

![Group 12.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_12_455a7faf18.png)


Having a digital twin from an existing building can be very helpful for building maintenance and management. Building digital twin refers to the creation of a virtual replica of a physical building, which can be used for simulation, analysis, and optimization. It involves capturing and integrating data from various sources such as sensors, BIM models, and IoT devices, to create a digital representation of the building and its operations. Building a digital twin has the potential to improve building performance, reduce energy consumption, and enhance occupant comfort and safety. It also enables building owners and operators to make data-driven decisions and predict and prevent potential issues before they occur. Efficient management of an existing building has various benefits, such as: by having an automatic detection of defections (usually reported by sensors) it's easier to lower maintenance costs by precisely pointing out the type of failure, the number of affected elements, defection degree and the life span of each element.  Therefore, costs exclude any unnecessities. VIKTOR offers a way of replacing periodical maintenance visits by offering a  platform hosting the information of sensors and automatic failure detection. VIKTOR is used in Automated measurements to anticipate dilation of the [Binnenhavenbrug](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/9/digital-twin-python-bridge) 



Digital Twins: Building maintenance and management (BIM 7D)

In VIKTOR  we believe that engineers are meant for awesome tasks only.  All repetitive and boring tasks should be automated by emerging technology. VIKTOR  has been used by engineers in automating reporting and calculation of [crane foundations](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/43/how-vinci-yearly-saves-300-days-calculating-crane-foundation-designs) designs and automating the generative design process to[ optimal architectural plan for residential towers](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/37/parametric-design-residential-towers-Cloud). 

In a recent interview with the structure design team in Arcadis Netherlands, about their “Building Structural Design Tool”, VIKTOR automation is valued in allowing engineers to promptly explore more design solutions in addition to having an evaluation of each alternative. Therefore, engineers have the luxury of taking well-informed decisions, without the struggle of doing the math for each alternative.  As described by Michael van Telgen,  senior Design Automation specialist and Product Owner.

![Group 26.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_26_0df9265076.png)

 Another point was made by Igor Pecanac, Junior design Engineer at Arcadis:

![Group 27.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_27_7e8792e86b.png)


Automation of boring tasks

![Group 29.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_29_17402e4b3e.png)


At VIKTOR, our goal is to provide engineers with the best possible user experience, allowing them to devote available time and energy to logic development. That's why we've created a user-friendly and pleasing user interface that comes packed with all the features you need to streamline your workflow. With VIKTOR, you can expect an efficient and seamless experience that allows you to easily navigate 3D models and seamlessly switch to metadata and non-graphical information using our vector tabs. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, VIKTOR is handy to assist you to achieve your engineering goals. In an interview with Jeffrey van Tol ( BIM Manager at Mobilis) about assisting engineers with VIKTOR:

![Group 30.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_30_3a5d06bbad.png)


A user interface is also a strong addition to the users as it affords extensive and critical information to be used by decision-makers!  As Igor Pecanac, Junior design Engineer at Arcadis describes it

> **“… So if I want to have less embodied carbon. Then I now know what to focus on. I will probably have the most impact if I change something in my concrete floors. It's also this kind of information that you can give to the structural engineer which can give him the tools to make informed decisions for his next design. Just try to give him as much information as possible while also keeping it user-friendly. You do not want to have 50 pages of information, because nobody is going to read that. You need to keep it concise, but at the same time as much information as possible.”**



Intuitive UIs

In today's fast-paced and constantly evolving world, keeping up with the latest knowledge and trends in your field is essential for personal and professional growth. However, it's not always easy to find the time and resources to stay up-to-date. That's where the power of knowledge sharing and leveraging free resources comes in. By tapping into [VIKTOR's apps gallery](https://www.viktor.ai/apps-gallery/category/all/1), you can view apps developed by fellow engineers. The source code behind these apps is also available, so you can start where others ended and avoid reinventing the wheel!

![ezgif.com-gif-maker (1).gif](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/ezgif_com_gif_maker_1_5bd3b061de.gif)


Apps gallery

In conclusion, BIM technology is transforming the way professionals approach construction projects, and the benefits of using BIM software are clear: Efficient collaboration, less waste and costs and better building management. However, to truly unlock the power of BIM, professionals have a huge need to streamline their interoperability and improve collaboration within one team as well as collaboration between teams in different disciplines.

That's where VIKTOR comes in, with the vision to efficiently pioneer today & next-gen BIM cloud-based Automation!  VIKTOR achieves this by the intuitive and user-friendly interface, VIKTOR makes it easy to work with BIM apps and access all the information provided by various software to make informed decisions. And with features like automated clash detection and real-time collaboration, VIKTOR is a game-changer for architecture, engineering and construction teams looking to stay ahead of the curve. So, if you're ready to upgrade your BIM skillset, give VIKTOR a try, and remember to: Automate the boring. Engineer the awesome!
![Group 31.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_31_22e5013532.png)



Conclusion

How BIM innovations are transforming AEC

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is notorious for its fragmented workflows, with multiple stakeholders often using incompatible software tools to create and manage building data. This results in costly inefficiencies and errors, as data must be manually translated or re-entered between different systems.  To address this problem, Building Information Modelling (BIM) was developed as a holistically well-coordinated workflow for AEC.

The International Foundation Classes (IFC) was developed as a tactic for achieving BIM goals. IFC is an open, neutral file format for sharing digital building information between different software applications. It was developed by buildingSMART, an industry alliance of architects, engineers, contractors, and software vendors. The development of IFC was a collaborative effort, with input from multiple stakeholders in the AEC industry. The resulting standard enables interoperability between different software tools, making it easier for project teams to collaborate and share information. In this way, IFC helps to improve the efficiency and quality of building projects, while reducing costs and errors.

Professionals need to review IFC files in a viewer before linking or even opening them in another BIM modeling software (such as Revit).  IFC viewers are used for visualization and navigation of Building Information Models (BIM) that are saved in the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format. IFC is an open standard for sharing and exchanging data between different BIM software applications, but not all software applications can read and interpret IFC files in the same way. Therefore, IFC viewers provide a way to view IFC models in a consistent and standardized way, regardless of the software application used to create the model. IFC viewers allow users to explore the model geometry, review the properties and attributes of objects, and analyze the model's data. They are commonly used in design review, clash detection, and collaboration workflows in the AEC industry.

Here is how it works:

<iframe width="100%" height="600" style="box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px #E0E0E0; border: none;" src="https://demo.viktor.ai/embed/ifc-viewer"></iframe>
</br>

[Click here to try the application yourself](https://demo.viktor.ai/public/ifc-viewer)

During a recent hackathon, our colleague Yannick Macken (Application Developer), developed an [IFC viewer app](https://demo.viktor.ai/public/ifc-viewer) in 4 hours using Python and the VIKTOR platform. With the app, you can import, view, separate, and download the elements of IFC files. The app utilizes the IfcOpenShell (open-source Python library) to enable users to view and interact with IFC files, making collaborating and sharing information between different software platforms easier. Using the VIKTOR toolbox, a filter function has been added that isolates selected IFC elements to get clearer navigation in complex models, in addition to having the ability to download selected elements.

![ifc filter.gif](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/ifc_filter_39fc865b37.gif)

The [VIKTOR IFC viewer](https://demo.viktor.ai/public/ifc-viewer) is a demo to embody the potential of using web-based applications for a more collaborative BIM workflow. The app is hosted on our platform and can be accessed by different users simultaneously. With VIKTOR and Python, you can add attributes, and properties and build more custom features to customize the app and reach your goal. The possibilities are endless!  

Keeping up to date with the latest news regarding BIM, IFC, and AEC can be a little bit demanding. Luckily, there is a valuable resource that helped us to build our content. If you're interested in learning more about digital technology in AEC, we highly recommend checking out Lejla Secerbegovic’s channel, [BIM me up!](https://www.youtube.com/@BIMmeup/featured)  Lejla provides informative and insightful videos on these topics that are both educational and entertaining.





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Enhancing BIM collaboration with VIKTOR's IFC Viewer web-app. You can effortlessly view and share BIM data with VIKTOR!

Viktor IFC Viewer app, IFC, BIM, Model, Data, Software, Collaboration, Construction, Building, Information, Design, Architecture, 3D, Revit, AutoCAD, COBie, Clash Detection, Visualization, OpenBIM, Digital, Engineering, Standards

Streamlining BIM Workflows: IFC Viewer Saves Time and Money

As technology advances, each emergent technology shapes the ideologies of design strategies in the AEC. It is a fact that the rise of steel shaped the built environments of Manhattan with skyscrapers, marking the beginning of the international style. The innovative side of engineering always involved utilizing new technologies in the process of engineering. With the rise of algorithms and digital innovation a design language of parametric design gained promising momentum for benefiting the AEC. In this article, we are going to discuss a powerful tool of parametric design: Dynamo. How to use it? How to develop cloud-based apps with Dynamo and VIKTOR! 

# Parametric design:

![Group 34.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_34_e25947dbf0.png)

Let’s start with the general notion of parametric design.
Parametric design is an approach to design where the shape, dimensions, and other properties of a product or structure are determined by a set of parameters or rules. These parameters can be adjusted or modified, allowing designers to quickly generate and explore a wide range of variations and alternatives. Parametric design is commonly used in architecture, engineering, and product design. By using parametric modelling software, designers can create complex and highly customized designs that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional methods. More information regarding Parametric design can be found in our elaborate [article](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction)!  
It is noted that a powerful parametric modelling platform in the AEC industry is Dynamo!

# Dynamo:

![paracircle5.gif](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/paracircle5_521836fb1a.gif)


Dynamo is a parametric design tool developed by Autodesk. It can be used to generate complex [BIM](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/100/how-BIM-innovations-transform-AEC) geometries. In addition to modelling, Dynamo has a solid ability to automate repetitive tasks, run analyses like structure, environmental calculations etc.  Since it is a very powerful tool in the AEC, it is under constant development and integration with new plugins and APIs. As Autodesk’s Matt Jezyk describes: 

> “Ian Keough [Father of Dynamo] created it to smooth out building design workflows while he was at Buro Happold in NYC, because he was constantly working between Rhino and Revit transferring data. The basic thesis was we should be able to teach Revit to do computational design in the same way that Grasshopper can drive Rhino.”

# How to use Dynamo?


Dynamo started as a plugin for Revit, and this integration is still the main focus. However, it’s getting integrated with different Autodesk tools like: Civil 3D, FormIt and more to come. Additionally, Dynamo Sandbox is a stand-alone version that runs independently.  Progressively, Dynamo is expanding its added value to be implemented with various software in AEC, allowing for innovative workflows like [Data-driven decision-making](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/37/revit-data-driven-decision-making-app)! 


# So, Why Dynamo cloud-based VIKTOR apps? 


The answer is straightforward: Cloud-based accessibility!
To unlock more capabilities of parametric design, it is interesting to think about democratizing logic. Put simply, having the parametric logic saved on the cloud and giving authorized professional access to perform the computations. Furthermore, an intuitive UI hides the complexity of the logic! 
It is a win-win situation: more professionals can take part in the design process. Meanwhile, the logic is maintained against any unintended modifications. 

# How to Integrate VIKTOR and Dynamo?

Yes, it is time to start the technical discussion, let’s begin with a diagram:

![image correct two.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/image_correct_two_837f238be8.png)

 
VIKTOR allows for complete integration with Dynamo thanks to the VIKTOR worker. This worker computes the Dynamo model using the command-line interface included within Dynamo Sandbox. The geometry of the model is generated and converted to a mesh, which is rendered and visualized in VIKTOR.

## What is a worker? 

A worker is a program that connects VIKTOR with third-party software to execute tasks and retrieve results through the platform. The worker communicates with the VIKTOR cloud via an encrypted connection, eliminating the need to open public ports on the network. For the Dynamo integration, the generic worker must be installed.

# Build your own Dynamo app with our guided tutorial:

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Are you curious to build your own VIKTOR and Dynamo app? With our GitHub Dynamo tutorial, you can get a concrete understanding of how it works.  The tutorial contains a detailed step-by-step demonstration of how to build a parametric 3D geometry app yourself. This tutorial will guide you through the process of using Dynamo and VIKTOR to create a 3D model of a basic house, complete with customizable parameters such as the number of houses, width, depth, number of floors, and heights for floors and roofs. Besides the geometry results, the app will provide numerical values of total floor area, total costs, Dutch Environmental Indicator (MKI) and CO2 emissions of each generated result!

[Start now!](https://github.com/viktor-platform/sample-dynamo/tree/Tuturial_read_me)

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Adding cloud-based solutions to Dynamo is empowering professionals to streamline their workflows, reduce costs, and improve overall project outcomes.

BIM Automation Made Easy with Dynamo and VIKTOR

In the AEC industry, the conceptual design phase is the first step in the design process, where architects and engineers work to develop initial design ideas for a building project. During this phase, the design team evaluates various design options and makes key decisions that will shape the overall direction of the project. By incorporating cost and sustainability and other considerations into the conceptual design phase, the design team can optimize the design for these factors at an early stage, before significant resources have been invested in developing the design further.

Early-stage design optimization can also help to reduce the likelihood of costly changes or redesigns later on in the project. By identifying potential issues or challenges early on, the design team can make adjustments to the design that will improve its performance and reduce the risk of problems arising during construction or operation. This article will discuss some practical implementations of Early-stage design optimization.

## Look before you leap

The notion of Early-stage design optimization in the AEC is very much like the Design For Manufacturing (DFM) principle in engineering! Where both concepts investigate how a project is developed as an essential point of shaping the final product.  By applying DFM in the early design stages, different stakeholders in the project improve quality while optimizing criteria like cost sustainability and delivery time.  

![P1 Topologic art.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/P1_Topologic_art_dfb65c3948.png)

Generally speaking, AEC workflows follows these phases. Each phase has its own criteria to meet: 

1.	Conceptual Design: This is the initial stage of the project where architects and engineers work on developing the design concept and layout of the project.

2.	Schematic Design: During this phase, the design team develops the project further by creating preliminary drawings and plans that show the basic layout and scope of the project.

3.	Design Development: This phase involves the detailed development of the project, including the selection of materials, systems, and equipment, and the development of detailed drawings and specifications.

4.	Construction Documentation: This phase involves the preparation of detailed construction drawings and specifications that will be used to build the project.

5.	Construction: During this phase, the project is built according to the plans and specifications developed in the previous phases.

6.	Post-Construction: This phase involves the final inspection, testing, and commissioning of the project, as well as any necessary post-construction activities such as maintenance and repair.

In the fast-paced AEC industry, a frequent issue is moving forward to a new phase without satisfying the requirements of the previous phase, with the assumption that it can be addressed later. However, making modifications to meet the previous criteria in a later phase requires significant effort and usually even might be unfeasible. One effective solution to avoid this issue is to incorporate analysis during the conceptual design phase to optimize the design. By doing so, if the design does not meet the criteria, even a small adjustment in the conceptual phase can lead to a significant solution, preventing the need for costly modifications in later phases.

So, what analysis can help AEC professionals to stay on track? How could these analyses prevent problems? 

## AEC conceptual design phases analyses

It’s common during the conceptual design phase for AEC professionals to do some analyses. Mainly to get a better overview and be able to make informed decisions. For example: 

- Cost estimating: This involves predicting the cost of a building based on its design, materials, and construction methods. It helps architects and builders to stay within budget and identify areas where cost savings can be made.

Traditionally, cost estimation was the most dominant analysis as it had a straightforward impact on the stakeholders. However, due to the rising challenges of the environmental impacts of AEC, other useful analyses can be:

- Energy modelling: This involves simulating how a building will consume energy over time, taking into account factors such as orientation, materials, HVAC systems, and lighting. It helps architects and engineers to optimize building performance and reduce energy consumption.

- Daylighting analysis: This involves simulating the amount and quality of natural light that will enter a building, taking into account factors such as orientation, shading, and window placement. It helps architects to create spaces that are well-lit and comfortable for occupants.

- Thermal comfort analysis: This involves simulating the temperature and airflow within a building, taking into account factors such as orientation, insulation, and HVAC systems. It helps architects to create spaces that are comfortable and healthy for occupants.

It is noteworthy that if any of the analyses performed during the conceptual design phase highlight the need to meet certain standards, it is more practical to address them at this stage. For instance, it would be more reasonable to adjust the number of floors to reduce costs and fit the available budget, rather than keeping the same floors and substituting all fixtures and finishes (walls, doors, windows, floors …etc) with cheaper alternatives in a later phase.

The same principle goes with environmental and energy analyses: 

It is more efficient to adjust the orientation of a residential tower to increase the amount of exposure to natural light (measured in LUX) instead of opting for larger windows or facade openings after the building's structural skeleton has been completed.

These two examples demonstrate the need of having strong analysis that provides decision-makers with the right information at the right time. Therefore, software developers aimed to address this need, especially in tandem with [innovative BIM technology](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/100/how-BIM-innovations-transform-AEC).  While it is easy to find powerful cost estimation software, it is trickier in the environmental and energy analyses counterpart. Mainly, because of different file formats, data transitions between various software, as well as the large file sizes of detailed geometrical files. Luckily, there was a solution that also depends on ‘’early-stage design optimization’’ mindset on a technical level. How?

## BIM LOD, a key to optimization

![P2 Topologic Art.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/P2_Topologic_Art_1d68447ce6.png) *Image courtesy of theengineeringcommunity.org*


BIM LOD stands for Building Information Modelling Level of Detail or Development. It is a measure of the level of detail and accuracy of information within a BIM model at different stages of a construction project. The higher the LOD, the more detailed and accurate the information in the model is expected to be. Correspondingly, the file size is. 

There are typically five LOD levels ranging from LOD 100 (conceptual design, smallest file size) to LOD 500 (as built- and facility management, largest file size). The use of LOD helps ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the expected level of detail and accuracy of the BIM model at different stages of the project.

In the early stages of a project, during the conceptual design phases, the LOD is typically low because there is limited detail available. As the design progresses, the LOD increases, and more information and detail are added to the model. The level of analysis also tends to increase as the LOD increases. For example, in the conceptual design phase, a daylighting analysis may only be a rough estimate, while in later design phases with a higher LOD, a more detailed and accurate analysis can be performed. So, the LOD and the level of analysis tend to be correlated, with a higher LOD allowing for more detailed and accurate analysis. While LOD increase gives more accurate results, it is usually assuring the results of the first analyses calculated with lower LOD.  Although this solution emphasizes the importance of low LOD analyses, professionals seek seamless data transitions between various software.

## Topologic by Wassim Jabi

Prof. Wassim Jabi is an architect, researcher, and educator. He is currently a Chair in Computational Methods in Architecture at Cardiff University. Known for his work in the field of computational design and BIM. He has published extensively on the topic. He has also been involved in several international conferences and workshops related to BIM and digital design. In his work, Jabi emphasizes the importance of manipulating and analysing BIM data with low LOD. As he frames it: 

![Jabi 1.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Jabi_1_f396911ca5.png)

Jabi and his team aim to address the gap between academia and industry in the AEC. That is why they developed a software called “Topologic”, written in C++, with a Python binding on top that makes Topologic compatible with various BIM software and plugins. Topologic provides different geometrical manipulations and analysis for conceptual architectural masses (BIM LOD 100) that can be super useful for Early-stage design optimization. Such as: Space syntax Analysis, Structural analysis and Building Energy Analysis. Topologic has an innovative approach of utilizing non-manifold geometry in the early stages of BIM to maintain the same geometries even though modifications had taken place!

## Topologic web-apps for quick deployment

Topologic has a Python binding that makes it easier to integrate useful Python packages for AEC software. Therefore, it is compatible with Grasshopper, Dynamo, various AI and ML packages. Additionally, a strong synergy is possible with VIKTOR which can be helpful due to offering web-based accessibility.

Jabi created 2 Topologic and VIKTOR apps that can be accessed through our [apps gallery](https://www.viktor.ai/apps-gallery/category/all/tag/all/1).

### 1. Centrality Analysis App 

![1681552270122.gif](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/1681552270122_f51b56dc5e.gif)

A centrality analysis can be useful to get an immediate indication of the most integrated and connected zones in the facility. This analysis can be useful for architects in decision-making. For example:  creating an intuitively accessible building core (vertical circulation zone, which houses the primary vertical transport, such as elevators, stairs, and sometimes mechanical systems, electrical and plumbing systems). It can also help in determining the placement of private areas away from the most central spaces to minimize noise for occupants.

*This Centrality Analysis demo app provides a quick 3D representation of centrality analysis in a building consisting of a platform and two towers.* 

### 2. Shadow Calculator app

To achieve visual comfort inside a facility as well as energy saving, it is essential to have good natural light rates (measured in LUX) inside the facility.  Natural daylighting analysis depends on some factors, including shadow calculations of the location, urban context, and timespan. Usually, architects run these analyses on different proposals to reach compliance with building codes. Moreover, Electrical Engineers (Lighting Designers) use this info to optimize the dependence on artificial lighting systems in shaded areas to balance light levels and energy usage.

*The Shadow Calculator demo app enables users to select the timespan, context, and upload conceptual mass. Then execute the analysis.*

![Topologic gif 2.gif](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Topologic_gif_2_a940a8c00a.gif)

## More apps, more possibilities, more optimizations

Thanks to the Topologic Python binding it can integrate with various analysis software and plugins such as: Ladybug Tools and Green Building XML (gbXML). Ladybug Tools is a collection of free computer applications that support environmental design and education, like solar radiation analysis, microclimate analysis, thermal comfort analysis, daylight analysis, and wind analysis for buildings and urban environments. Meanwhile, (gbXML) was created to simplify the process of transferring building data from Building Information Models (BIMs) to engineering analysis tools, promoting interoperability between BIM and building performance simulation. 

While these analyses are quite useful to have in BIM LOD 100, they might be challenging as well as time-consuming to build.  AEC professionals need a quick interface to run the analyses, as the ultimate goal is early-stage design optimization.  With VIKTOR included in the game, it is possible to avoid building the logic each time. Instead, it is feasible to have Topologic, gbXML open schema and Ladybug Tools scripts running behind the parametric app and ready to be deployed onto customized geometrical or numerical inputs. 

Why stop there? Topologic has proven examples of successfully delivering multi-objective optimizations process. It’s possible to create apps that aim for more optimized BIM workflows!

## Conclusion

In conclusion, technology continues to revolutionize the AEC industry, transforming the way architects, engineers, and contractors approach building design and construction. AEC early-stage optimization has become a critical component in achieving better outcomes in building performance and occupant comfort. 

The AEC workflow has been enhanced with various design phases analyses, such as cost estimating, energy modelling, and thermal comfort analysis. Low BIM LOD has also facilitated better coordination, collaboration, and communication among project stakeholders. 

Tools like Topologic are specifically tailored to make huge use of the early BIM phases. Combining this strong value with cloud-based VIKTOR apps, intuitive UIs, and various software logics can enable AEC professionals to streamline and significantly speed up Early-stage design optimization. These innovative solutions have the potential to unlock new opportunities and possibilities in the AEC industry, paving the way for a more sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective built environment.

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Professor of the University of Cardiff designs game-changing VIKTOR applications featuring Topologic for Early-Stage Design Optimizations in AEC.

Unlocking Early-Stage Design Optimizations with Topologic and BIM

## The use of Dynamo
Structural designers make extensive use of BIM and CAD software, such as Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD, while road designers use Autodesk Civil3D and Bentley MX Road. Skilled designers automate their workflows in these packages with Dynamo. By creating Dynamo scripts, manual actions can be automated in those structural design software.

Dura Vermeer’s engineers and technical modellers are highly acquainted with those software packages and use Dynamo intensively in their design process. Their experience, expertise, and the concept of visual programming enable them to quickly develop models with Dynamo. However, some needs are yet to be covered: the exchange of data and versioning of that data is challenging.

## Why VIKTOR?

Also, although Dynamo is a very handy tool, it has a learning curve: often only a specialist knows how it works, making other disciplines dependent on the time and resources of these specialized individuals. That’s where VIKTOR comes into play. VIKTOR is a web application development platform for engineers and has a large variety of digital building blocks (digital LEGO) such as integrations with structural design software. VIKTOR’s web applications provide a central database with version control on the data and offers an intuitive user interface where other disciplines can easily use encapsulated expert knowledge. This is also known as: Democratization of Knowledge.

But how do you leverage Dura Vermeer’s existing expertise in Dynamo and VIKTOR’s distribution and data control, one would ask? By building an integration between the two. VIKTOR and Dura Vermeer collaborated and developed a Dynamo-VIKTOR node package: nodes where data can be fetched and pushed from Dynamo to VIKTOR.

## Single Source of Truth
Often the exchange of parameters between the different disciplines takes place via mail or quick hand-drawn sketches, which is not foolproof and can become increasingly risky when many versions and alterations are made. By developing a VIKTOR web application that automatically integrates with different design software, manual output exchanges are no longer necessary. Of course, active communication between the different professionals is still required, but less normative.

### Creating Dynamo scripts
The Dynamo-VIKTOR node package consists of several nodes (in Dynamo terms, a node is a visual representation of methods/functions with only input and output). When properly placed, the nodes can perform a task such as establishing a connection between Dynamo and VIKTOR. The following figure shows a representation that makes it possible to acquire the input parameters of an entity from VIKTOR to Dynamo. Other configurations of these nodes can create alternative tasks, such as getting results, getting files and even pushing data to VIKTOR.

![The Dynamo-VIKTOR node package](/uploads/Dynamo_VIKTOR_node_package_3359b129c6.png)

By connecting these strings of nodes to other Dynamo nodes, actions and even designs can be automated using the design software. These series of nodes is called a Dynamo script. Once the script is executed, multiple tasks that can be used in Revit will be performed. Since Dynamo is not only supported in Revit, scripts can also be developed for AutoCAD, Civil3D, Inventor, etc.

### Using the Dynamo-VIKTOR node package
The video shows the same Dynamo-VIKTOR node package used in both Revit and Civil 3D. The video shows how the cross-section is manipulated using the parameters given in VIKTOR. No external exchange file is necessary resulting in a live connection between all disciplines (in this case the structural engineer, road designer and structural modeller) which is basically practicing the single source of truth principle.

[See here how it's done!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBBTTD-0HWk)

## Connecting both software and knowledge
The collaboration between VIKTOR and Dura Vermeer has created a difference in which all software is deployed independently. Not only are software packages connected, but also the knowledge of the professionals. Both parties ended up speaking the same digital language, even though their knowledge backgrounds are so different.

In only one sprint (a two-week development period) the live connection between VIKTOR and structural design software was explored and finally established. Further development will most likely yield many more functionalities and applications, as all kind of design software can tap into this single source of truth.

![Dynamo-VIKTOR node package 2.png](/uploads/Dynamo_VIKTOR_node_package_2_d2c946aacc.png)


## A reusable package for future automation efforts
The Dynamo-VIKTOR node package is a very general utility to exchange data between VIKTOR and Dynamo. It is generalised: it can be linked to any VIKTOR app for which credentials are available and any Dynamo script. That is why this is a digital building block that Dura Vermeer can reuse in their future automation efforts. In the long term, VIKTOR can continue to provide digital building blocks with which Dura Vermeer can realize their vision to become the best digital contractor in the Netherlands.

If you are interested or have are any questions or remarks about this development do not hesitate to contact us at: pmadlener@viktor.ai.


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Design and construction of objects requires many disciplines, all with different software programmaes, to come together. By integrating software, such as Dynamo, with VIKTOR, data can be exchanged and automatically generated.

Facilitating design and construction through integration with Dynamo

## Building an application 

During my study and career, I moved from Excel to visual programming tools like Grasshopper and eventually ended up working with Python. Currently, I'm involved in a project where all of these aspects come together. We are making an application to automatically create complex truss structure geometries and perform structural analysis. I am responsible for the Python part, which mostly provides the user interface. Our partner-colleagues from FrameFlux, who have the domain knowledge, work with Grasshopper to design the truss structures and perform the structural analysis. Seeing them work with Grasshopper and talking about it passionately, I got excited to get my hands dirty and play around with it myself. I decided to build an application to parametrically design a facade. In other words, something with a lot of visual feedback, but not too complex. 

![Visual programming in VIKTOR](/uploads/visual_programming_in_VIKTOR_dcc238316b.png)

*An application that allows parametric facade design, built on the VIKTOR platform*

## Visual programming as introduction to coding

As a default, most engineers turn to Excel. However, once you become better at Excel and try to apply more and more complex logic you will find yourself limited. On the other hand, the leap towards coding may feel too great to take. For beginners, coding can be overwhelming. All of the weird words, abbreviations, tons of special characters and, last but not least, all of the colors can give you a feeling of anxiety.

To be able to smoothen the transition of knowing nothing, to knowing something visual programming tools are often used. Like Scratch, probably the most famous example, which introduces the concepts of coding to children (see image below). Or Osmo, which takes this principle to the physical realm.

![Visual programming in Scratch](/uploads/Visual_programming_in_Scratch_50c3d41715.png)

*Visual programming with Scratch*

For me too, visual programming helped a lot. At my previous job I stumbled into it while I was trying to create a Virtual Reality experience in Autodesk 3DS Max, known as Stingray at the time. Despite my experience with Matlab during college, some basic coding principles finally clicked when I worked with the flow nodes of 3DS Max. With some basic building blocks I was able to create complex structures to manipulate the 3D objects on my screen. Pretty awesome! 

![An example of complex structures in Stingray Editor](/uploads/Complex_structures_in_Stingray_editor_07208645d2.jpg)

*Visual programming with building blocks in Autodesk 3DS Max (Stingray)*

## Visual programming as a professional tool

As I learned with 3DS Max, visual programming is far more than an introduction to coding. It truly empowers people to build complex logic, which is unachievable within Excel. I went to explore the possibilities of Autodesk Dynamo and got in touchwith engineers using the tool to automate their calculations or repetitive work: From automating their drawing-sheet outputs to filling data gaps in their models to [parametrically designing](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction) a tunnel. In almost all cases the engineers were lone-wolfs who were the only ones profiting from their own scripts. Turning these valuable tools into company-wide assets is even more difficult than turning an Excel-sheet into one, since only a small amount of people know how to operate these scripts.

Another limitation is found within the provided building blocks. With the default building blocks you are limited in what you can build. This hurdle is overcome by allowing users to build custom blocks with code. For what I was trying to achieve at the time, the default blocks were insufficient and because of that it didn’t take long before I was learning how to code. Initially, my goal was to build these custom blocks, but eventually I moved away from visual programming all together.

## Building web applications with Python

With some new skills and confidence acquired through visual programming, I was ready to take the leap towards coding. Enjoying the freedom and flexibility that coding provides, I started to work on web applications from scratch. The goal was to build applications aimed at automating the boring work of my colleagues. To be honest, it never really took off. There was so much to figure out: The logic of the application, front-end, hosting, database management, and what not. It was a relief to discover VIKTOR, which takes away all of the hassle and lets you focus on the logic of your app with its Python binding (I was so charmed about it that it even made me change jobs…).

What I didn’t know back then, but realized during the project I’m working on now, is that this logic does not even need to be written in Python, but could be build with tools like Grasshopper for instance. I think this is really cool! This means that you don’t need to know or learn how to write scary code, but you could build or contribute to a web-application with a user-friendy interface like Grasshopper. This empowers a lot of people (non-coders) to build custom web-applications themselves.

## My facade generator as web application

After some “extensive” searching (hit 4 on YouTube with search terms ‘grasshopper tutorial façade’), I found this tutorial from Parametric House.  They show and explain how to build the script for this from scratch.

![tutorial parametric house building script from scratch](/uploads/tutorial_parametric_house_building_script_from_scratch_6598e0c923.png)

*Tutorial on how to build a script from scratch*

I have to say, I had a lot of fun building it myself. It’s very intuitively to drag the output from one block to the input of another. Also, the flow of your logic is easy to follow. That is if you manage to keep your script small. Because, as my script began to grow, I was reminded of one of the down sides of visual programming: With all the lines and blocks on your screen, it may become difficult to keep a nice clear structure.  

### Integrating Grasshopper with VIKTOR

Once I had the logic of my Grasshopper script in place and after I played around with it a little (it’s very satisfying to move your sliders and see the geometry change), it was time to integrate it with my VIKTOR application. Connecting the Grasshopper script to my application was simply done by uploading it.  

![integrated grasshopper script with VIKTOR application](/uploads/integrated_grasshopper_script_with_VIKTOR_application_b143b3d8ea.png)

*An integrated Grasshopper script with a web-based application on the VIKTOR platform*

### Little coding required

Although you could create most of your logic in Grasshopper, there is no going around it: You will need some Python code to set up your VIKTOR application. However, I kept it really simple and only set up the input fields to resemble the parameters that are required for the Grasshopper script and a little bit of code to visualize the output from Grasshopper.  

As I mentioned before, I know code can be overwhelming for those who are unfamiliar with it. But don’t be scared, and take a look at the picture below. You can see with just how little code my input fields are created, only using Python. If you really can’t handle it though, feel free to scroll down to the end result.

![Python code as setup for VIKTOR application](/uploads/Python_code_as_setup_for_VIKTOR_application_5498dd6e64.png)

*Python code as setup for a VIKTOR application*

### Visualizing the input

My application collects the input from the user and sends it to the uploaded Grasshopper file. The Grasshopper script is triggered and executes its' logic, returning coordinates from triangles extracted from the generated facade. These triangles are easily visualized in my application. 

![Visualization of Python code](/uploads/Visualization_of_Python_code_94c7cf0afc.png)

*Visualization of Python code*

Et voila! All of a sudden my Grasshopper script turned into a professional web application, available to the world! Check out the result here:

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## Grashopper and VIKTOR: A powerful combination

Grasshopper is a great tool for creating complex logic in a quick and visual manner, ideal for those who are not quite ready for coding yet. Grasshopper easily integrates with your VIKTOR web application, empowering Grasshopper users to contribute to applications or even take over most of the coding. Deploying the Grasshopper script is easily done by pushing it to our worker [in the cloud](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software).  

In other words, VIKTOR and Grasshopper is a powerful combination of visual programming and code, empowering a whole new group of people to contribute to [online web application development](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software).









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Some projects require different programming tools, from Excel to Grasshopper and Python, to come together. With the VIKTOR web application, these tools can easily be integrated with each other. 

Parametric design in the Cloud with Grasshopper

## Dike design tool Wilma: a new, digital way of designing

The Wilma dike design tool on the VIKTOR platform is a renewed design environment for the geotechnical consultant developed by the Graaf Reinaldalliantie on the Gorinchem-Waardenburg dike reinforcement project.

The innovation consists of the combination of the cleverness and insights of the designer and the infinite computing power of the computer via the VIKTOR platform. In the Wilma tool, the design software (D-series and Plaxis) for the various design mechanisms is integrally linked and the data is centrally managed in accordance with the BIM philosophy. Changes in starting points or information can therefore be made transparent very quickly, so that the design can be adapted quickly. The flexibility that this provides in the design process has already proven itself within the dike improvement project.

## A challenging project

The Graaf Reinaldalliantie was established to strengthen the river dike between Gorinchem and Waardenburg. The alliance consists of the Water Board Rivierland and the contractor consortium ‘Waalensemble’ consisting of Heijmans, GMB and de Vries & van de Wiel. Royal HaskoningDHV is associated with the alliance as an advisory party. This dike improvement project is approximately 23 kilometers long and is particularly complex in terms of tasks related to reinforcement. Not least because of the highly heterogeneous soil structure, which was created in the past on the north side of the Waal by the many old river channels and fillings, the diversity of soil layers and the filling in at the site of old dike breaches. The dike body itself also varies in structure due to the construction of the dike over the centuries and the reinforcements and relocations of the past decades. In order for this dike section to meet current safety standards, several improvement measures are needed that, together with the built environment, the soil conditions and the transition to undrained modeling, make it a very challenging project.

## Taking initiative
In the tendering phase of the Gorinchem-Waardenburg (GoWa) dike reinforcement project, Waalensemble took the initiative to perform the design calculations in a smarter, more efficient way. This is based on the positive experiences from previous Heijmans projects (Wilhelminakanaal, Wintrack) where repetitive design issues in particular were efficiently automated. In these examples, design software (D-Series, SCIA, Excel) is linked by means of assumptions and existing equations, resulting in an automated process. This principle has been adopted by the Gorinchem-Waardenburg dike improvement project, further elaborated and further professionalised through the availability of the VIKTOR platform, among other things. The Viktor platform makes it possible to link design software in a much easier way and with extra functionality than was previously possible in the aforementioned Heijmans projects. During the project, the functionality of the dike design tool was expanded in various versions with settlement and failure mechanisms such as macro stability, piping and overtopping, which can be calculated simultaneously per cross section, for both embankments and dike relocations. An example of a schematic of a profile is shown in the picture below.

![An example of a cross section schematized by Wilma with a crown displacement and inward embankment in a D-GeoStability calculation.](/uploads/Cross_section_schematized_by_Wilma_8ed53a86da.png)

*An example of a cross section schematized by Wilma with a crown displacement and inward embankment in a D-GeoStability calculation.*

### The first development
The first development motif arises from the request to support the designer in achieving a higher quality of the stability calculations. The application of the undrained CSSM model requires a schematisation with boundary tensions and a course of the effective tension due to changed water levels and previous loads. Within the functionality of the then available D-GeoStability version 18, this required a far-reaching division of the soil layers with additional stress calculations by the designer. The first version of Wilma has been developed to achieve an accurate calculation of the stresses and to develop an efficient method to include these results in the D-GeoStability model.

### The second development
After a successful application of the first version, the second development started almost immediately. The functionality has been extended to centrally manage the input and output of the various design software. This is in line with the BIM method for quality assurance and version management. In a design analysis, the geotechnical properties per soil layer and the derived parameters that are determined by means of a calculation method, always originate from Wilma and are independent of other design calculations. The old and the new process diagram, where the design tool is central, is shown here:

![Traditional vs Parametric vs Generative designwilma design process (1).svg](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Traditional_vs_Parametric_vs_Generative_designwilma_design_process_1_dcdd3d64a0.svg)


*Traditional design process versus new design process with Wilma.*

From this central position, Wilma compiles the input files and sends them to the existing design software, such as the D-series or Plaxis. The results from the design software are then collected and presented via the tool. By automating the data flow in the design process, the effort for the designer has shifted from drawing up calculation files to supervising the quality assurance of the calculations and assessing the results.

[![CTA_start_using_PD](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/solutions_page_banner_4_f474c9c318.svg)](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction)


## A new design methodology
The greatest gains, however, come from a different design method. The traditional design method is based on the manual input of cross sections by a consultant, which forces planning to make choices about how many cross sections can be calculated. In a complex project such as this dike improvement, this quickly means that major simplifications are needed to realise a design within time and money. One calculation that is normative for hundreds of meters of dike is common. As a result, the design is over-dimensioned, which in principle is not wrong from a safety point of view, but does lead to strict and heavy measures that affect the environment and are therefore not always desirable from stakeholders.

### An automated way
A new automated way of calculating means that it will be possible to calculate a very large number of cross sections, instead of one standard profile. In theory, a transverse profile can be calculated with possible variants for each dike stretch where a different situation arises. This is shown schematically in figure 3, where each block represents a new situation.

![The schematic choice for a standard profile (red) or several representative profiles (yellow)](/uploads/the_schematic_choice_for_a_standard_profile_red_or_several_representative_profiles_yellow_1acc3b2033.png)

*The schematic choice for a standard profile (red) or several representative profiles (yellow)*

The ability to design a large number of profiles provides the following benefits:

1. The consultant needs considerably less time to calculate cross sections, which means more time for interpreting and analysing results and translating them into the design. This leads to great efficiency.
2. There is the possibility to perform sensitivity analyses in a simple manner with all kinds of starting points, so that a better insight is obtained which parameter influences the calculation result. This makes it possible to conduct targeted additional research quickly.
3. The calculations were adapted and carried out very quickly. While changes in the traditional design process can have major consequences for the interfaces of the design, this is no longer a problem due to all the connections built up in Wilma. Adjustments to the design or starting points can now be directly calculated for the entire route.

### Qualitatively better design
All this results in a qualitatively better design, whereby freedom is created in choosing a design solution based on the calculation results. It is therefore no longer necessary to funnel the output data in advance to compose a benchmark profile, because making the assessment is more extensive than designing an additional profile. In addition, the thinking for weighing up the various possible normative aspects is retained in the result of an additional design profile. The figure below shows this as an example through sketches and illustrations, in which the dike sections are the product of a normative cross section and the white line represents a possible design profile that, as is to be expected, more closely follows the soil structure found. Because the design profile of the white line has actually been calculated, it is possible to choose a more average design profile that fits better in the landscape. The robustness of the design is known at that time.

![The division into dike sections with a schematic representation of the design assignment.png](/uploads/The_division_into_dike_sections_with_a_schematic_representation_of_the_design_assignment_7ac20fa4a5.png)

*The division into dike sections with a schematic representation of the design assignment*

### Inclusion of additional soil research
An additional positive effect is that carrying out additional soil research now pays off because it can be processed more easily in the built-up subsurface model. With the traditional design method, additional soil investigation is often intended as a risk mitigation to verify the subsurface model. This advantage remains, however, with the design method with Wilma, the additional research is immediately included in the calculations and the design is adjusted.

## Quality assurance

### Processing results
Quality assurance of the design calculations is not formally included in Wilma. The role of the tool is to compile and start the calculations and to process the results. These design calculations are always performed with the original (and therefore validated) design software. For example, a stability calculation is performed in D-GeoStability, after which the files are also available, in such a way that it looks like a colleague has supplied the calculations. Each calculation is delivered separately from the tool and manually checked by the designer. This workflow of the calculation files also makes it possible to deliver and view the design without having Wilma.

### Centralized storage
The quality assurance of the design calculations has deliberately been left with the designer. However, the design tool makes it easier for the designer to perform the checks. Firstly, because the process of illustrating through schematics, calculating and checking is almost continuous because the lead time for a design calculation is next to nothing. In addition, Wilma can compile overviews of the required control points. All basic principles and relationships important for the design can be checked because the results are stored centrally and are available to everyone.

An example of a simple check is a graphical representation of the stresses in the soil layers or the assignment of the rise height to soil layers. Such a control screen is shown in figure 5. The calculated values ​​are presented for each black-marked point in the design profile. The applied calculation values ​​can be checked at a glance because the assumptions and equations have been consistently and unambiguously applied by Wilma on the basis of the predefined protocol. There are no quality differences due to the preparation of cross sections by several consultants.

![Customer_case_calculations_with_cloud_computing_5](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/A_control_screen_in_Wilma_for_the_determination_of_the_boundary_voltages_7a07277148.png)

*A control screen in Wilma for the determination of the boundary voltages.*

### Background testing
In order to properly verify Wilma’s work processes, various tests have been built into the Viktor platform during the development of the tool. This checks in the background whether the routines carried out by Wilma always run in accordance with the geotechnical specification. These tests roughly consist of three categories:

1. Rules of thumb; the obvious design rules are checked. Because Wilma applies standard rules, contradictions can arise, as a result of which the schematization steps are correct in accordance with the “design rules”, but the schematization as a whole is geotechnically incorrect. An example of such a test is the descending height to the hinterland.
2. Realistic modeling with fully elaborated schematics of calculations and links. When going through these tests, the routines must always give the same results.
3. Edge cases with exceptional cases to test the routines of the schematisation. During these tests, unrealistic situations are presented from a geotechnical and hydraulic engineering point of view. This ensures that the routines and rules of thumb are robust and that new exceptions are noticed.

By continuously testing with both realistic modeling that is expected within the project, and with edge cases, the behavior of the tool becomes predictable, so that the quality control focuses on exceptions. These exceptions in turn complement the design routines. The systematic elaboration of these exceptions in a design rule results in a more substantiated design methodology and the percentage of exceptional cases is further reduced. This continuous development of the design tool with the insertion of exceptional cases has resulted in the design capacity increasing quadratically. This increase is based on the difference between the number of design profiles per consultant in the exploration phase and the plan elaboration phase.


## The next step
The tool is currently being further developed for more geotechnical functionalities and applications throughout the design process. The possible future expansion of the functionality of the tool can be sought in expanding the tool in the field of computing in the cloud, but also in adding IoT data from sensor technology in dikes. Both seem far away for now, but will sooner or later enrich the world of the civil industry.



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See how parametric design is used in a web application to help with the reinforcement of the GoWa dyke in the Netherlands. Read more on VIKTOR.ai.

Parametric design calculation tool for dike improvement

A parametric design calculation tool for dike improvement

It is impossible to conceive any large project without hundreds of different models in CAD software such as Autodesk. The "manual" work of today consists of many mouse clicks behind a desk. Most skilled modelers have improved their workflow by automating parts of their work, reducing the number of clicks and saving time on large projects. 

## The advantages and disadvantages of Dynamo 

One of the most beloved tools by modelers to automate their work is Dynamo, a visual programming tool. By no longer requiring programming experience, it makes automation more accessible and allows modelers to quickly automate repetitive tasks. The engineers at Arcadis are clearly aware of the many advantages this provides, as many of them use Dynamo a lot in their work. 

However, Dynamo also has some disadvantages. Since it is very easy to start with Dynamo, it is also very easy to make complex models resemble big knots that can be very difficult for someone else to untie. 

Much like a very complex Excel sheet made by somebody else, these complicated models are very difficult to share among co-workers. So, everybody tends to make their own program, as this is usually faster than understanding how to use somebody else's.  

## Use it, without breaking it 

This is where VIKTOR comes in. VIKTOR is a web application development platform with a Python framework. Amongst others, it has an integration with Dynamo. VIKTOR enables easy sharing of Dynamo [parametric design models](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software) with your colleagues. It provides an easy-to-use user interface that asks for input and shows the results. This allows you to use a model you don’t know, without being afraid to break it. You don't need to learn another new tool, or program, and you can use models from your colleagues easily. Obviously, this can save enormous amounts of time. Furthermore, this can prevent mistakes from happening as you can polish one model rather than having ten different versions made by ten different colleagues floating around. Indeed, as soon as you finish it, the app is instantly available online. Additionally, providing access to colleagues is easy and fast. 

## Finished by lunchtime 

Arcadis has proven the development speed by converting some of their Dynamo models to VIKTOR-based interfaces. A day was setup where some of their engineers met with people from VIKTOR to move some of their most used projects to the VIKTOR platform. The expectation was that it would be a lot of work and they set aside an entire day for it, but in reality, they were finished by lunchtime. 

The main advantage for Arcadis is that the skills of their engineers are now easily transferable. There is no steep learning curve and no need for inhouse web-development. All they needed was their existing Dynamo knowledge and 10 to 20 lines of Python code that are mostly reusable. 


## From spaghetti to just three sliders 

In a single morning they managed to create two web apps from their Dynamo projects. Both are shown here. The first generates a design for a Highrise building based on three parameters. The second generates a model of a Dome with four parameters. 

 ![inspriational 1.jpg](/uploads/inspriational_1_356d1c6f86.jpg)

*A design of a Highrise building based on three parametesr*

![Slide1.PNG](/uploads/Slide1_8f4b1ecab4.PNG)

*A model of a dome based on four parameters*

As you can see, the Dynamo code is not very intuitive. In the presented ‘spaghetti’ it is not easy to understand what is happening and what you need to do. To someone that is not ‘in the know’, it will take time and explanations to be able to use it. Confusion and mistakes are likely. 

Below, we have the VIKTOR web-app. This is the same Dynamo code, just with a wrapper around it. In this case, it is very easy to understand what is happening. There are three parameters. Based on those, a design for a building is generated and visualized within the same screen. Almost no explanation is needed to be able use this, even someone that never used Dynamo could figure it out alone in a few minutes. This allows tools and knowledge to easily be shared within teams and within a company. No need for everyone to build their own version and to reinvent the wheel. One model is enough. 

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/563612861?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="LinkedIn_Tower"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/513789510" width="640" height="564" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>

**Automate the boring. Engineer the awesome!**



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Find out how you can use Python to share Dynamo models with colleagues & facilitate collaboration on VIKTOR.ai.

How to share Dynamo models in the Cloud with Python

Dynamo and Python in the Cloud for easy sharing and accessibility

## Data-driven decision-making with Revit 

Revit is a software package for BIM (Building Information Modelling) that can be used to build 3D design and construction models, much alike Tekla. Revit is an excellent tool for those in need of software for collaborative and multidisciplinary design processes. It provides access to intelligent and model-based processes to plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure and is therefore a popular tool for companies in the Engineering and Construction industry. Especially for people from different disciplines, like Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, Revit is a great tool to facilitate working together in a collaborative design environment. 

Besides using Revit to generate and optimize design models, you may also want to use it for other purposes, such as getting better insights, enhancing decision making, and managing your projects. But how? Unfortunately, Revit’s database is hard to access, and therefore you will need other tools to acquire this information. The solution is building your own application with VIKTOR that you can use to automate and optimize design and provide simplified interactive insights from source applications such as BIM360, Relatics, Primavera, Excel, and Revit. This way you are not only able to use your source application’s software for automated and optimized designs, but also have access to a dashboard where you can view, analyse, compare, and check all project data. 

![appdashboarding.png](/uploads/appdashboarding_b78867e415.png)

*Dashboarding with interactive graphs, charts, and tabels in a VIKTOR application* 

## Great potential, little accessibility 

Especially compared to other software packages, Revit software is more data-intensive and can be used to build more sustainable designs. Where AutoCAD is most used for the creation of 2D drawings, Revit can also be used for modelling, cost schedule generation, collaboration, and change management.  

### Specialists required 

Although software programs like Revit are very handy design tools, they do have a learning curve: Often only a specialist knows how it works. This makes other disciplines depend on both time and resources of these specialized individuals. Additionally, when working with design software, models are normally built manually. For example, when you design a house, you draw the roof, the walls, etc. one-by-one by hand. This could really slow down a project if something needs to change or if mistakes are made, because in that case everything needs to be redesigned manually (by the specialist) as well. On top of that, Revit does not provide its’ users with an option to extract, view, and analyse data from its’ database, which causes a lot of valuable insights to become lost. 

### Black box 

Even though Revit is a very data-intensive software program, the contents of its’ database remain a mystery to users. It is clear that when it comes to design features, Revit is already a popular tool for many companies. However, many software programs like Revit are also black boxes and in order to access the information that is hidden inside, a tool is needed to extract, visualize, verify, compare, and analyse data from a source application. Only then, the full potential of a software program is unlocked, and data can be used to optimize not only the design process, but other processes as well. 

## Great potential, lots of accessibility! 

Luckily, there is a solution to both problems. By building a web-based application for any part of your workflow on the VIKTOR platform, you can integrate with every source application you want. Because VIKTOR is a platform made for engineers, it has a large variety of digital buildings blocks (like LEGO’s), such as integrations with structural design software like Revit and Civil 3D. VIKTOR web apps provide a central database, where data is provided with version control, and an intuitive user-friendly interface where other disciplines can easily use encapsulated expert knowledge. Additionally, the interface provides you with a customizable dashboard where you can visualize interactive results to clearly interpret, analyse, and compare data. You can also quickly and easily generate and optimize designs based on a few input [parameters]https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction). This way, you can become the specialist yourself and also use data from your source application to create more value on projects!

![Iconsicions.png](/uploads/Iconsicions_577d386566.png)

*Turn your knowledge into asset!* 

### Become the specialist 

If you build an application on the VIKTOR platform that integrates with a software program, you can create a customized interface that you can use to control your source application. That means, if you integrate with Revit, you can work with Revit software without actually having to open Revit or have it installed on your device at all.  

Because applications on the VITKOR platform are based on [parametric design methods](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software), you don’t have to (hire a specialist) to calculate your designs manually any longer. Based on only a few input parameters and a set of additional requirements, you can use your application to generate the most optimal design for you within moments of time, that can easily be collaborated on or shared with others. 

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/574320490?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="DV_Dynamo-VIKTOR_nodes_ViktorUBak_v3 (online-video-cuttercom)"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script> 

*The creation of a design model through an integration with Revit, Civil3D, and Dynamo on the VIKTOR platform* 

### Unlock full potential 

If you integrate a source application with your custom application on the VIKTOR platform, you immediately gain access to the source application’s database. Using [Machine Learning](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/40/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning-engineering-construction) algorithms, your application analyses data from all previous projects you have been working on. Based on that experience, the application automatically builds analytical models on demand. Since the applications learns from previous input, the more data and iterations (from different disciplines) you feed the application, the more specific these outcome predictions will become.   

![appgrowth.png](/uploads/appgrowth_bd9a589fc0.png)

*Improve your learning-curve!* 

Using this information, data can be visualized and used to communicate things clearly and effectively. You can customize your dashboard and visualize the desired data in the form of interactive graphs, plots, and infographics. For example, to: 

- Test whether objects meet the required standards 
- Apply [Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning techniques](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/40/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning-engineering-construction) to analyse and transform data 
- Use knowledge you gained from one project and apply it to another project (optimize and predict processes) 
- Make complex data more accessible, usable, and understandable 
- Compare results 
- Get valuable insights 
- Enhance decision-making 
- Anticipate errors 

Additionally, you can integrate with multiple source applications, connecting tools and data from several projects. Especially once you start expanding your database this way, you can really start applying your knowledge and improve your learning-curve! 

![App previewintegration.png](/uploads/App_previewintegration_af3d49db4b.png)

*Integrate with as many software programs as you want to expand your database!* 

The first step to data visualization is the extraction of data. A powerful tool that is especially created as a plug-in on Revit, which allows for the extraction of data to different platforms (Excel, Access, Microsoft SQL, MySQL, and SQLite) and data serialization formats (Json, XML, HTML, etc.) using the standard nodes or packages, is Dynamo. Read more about how Revit’s structural design software can be used, specifically through this [Dynamo plug-in, on the VIKTOR platform](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/12/web-application-python-Dynamo-civil3d). 

See how you can [build your own parametric design application](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software) now!

 


small_appRevit - VIKTOR (1).png

thumbnail_appRevit - VIKTOR (1).png

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Software programs are used to automate and optimize object design, but what about data-driven decision-making? With VIKTOR you can easily build your own apps to automate and optimize design and extract, visualize, and analyse data for valuable insights! 

Data-driven decision-making with Revit

## Pros and cons of Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a strong tool when it comes to 3D modelling and quickly developing scripts to manipulate geometries. Grasshopper seamlessly integrates with Rhino, which makes it possible to visualize changes in 3D models immediately, and is famous when it comes to architecture and BIM. Over the past years, different plug-ins have made it possible to integrate Grasshopper software with other software as well. 

However, sharing Grasshopper scripts internally is difficult, and externally impossible without revealing any of your source code. Additionally, managing and processing large amounts of data or performing numerical calculations and matrix operations for the optimization of designs can be difficult as well. 

## A Grasshopper web app 

That is why VIKTOR enables the development of web applications that you can use to link Grasshopper models to an interface and share these with internal and external users without requiring any downloads or knowledge about Grasshopper.

In this article, we give an example of such an application. You can find the open-source Python code in our [GitHub repository](https://github.com/viktor-platform).

## Using the functionality 

You can use the code out-of-the-box with VIKTOR.

When using the web app with VIKTOR, you should:

1. Make sure you have Rhino installed at ``C:\Program Files\Rhino 7\System\Rhino.exe``
2. Install a generic worker found on https://docs.viktor.ai/docs/worker. Make sure you select ``generic``.
3. Replace the config.yaml file in your worker folder with the file found at ``app/grasshopper/data/config.yaml``.
4. Copy the file found at ``app/grasshopper/data/run_grasshopper.bat`` in the same worker folder.

Below, you see a snippet of the Python code that shows how little lines of code are needed to run Grasshopper analysis and retrieve files. 

```python
# Run the analysis on grasshopper
generic_analysis = GenericAnalysis(files=files, executable_key="run_grasshopper,output_filenames=["output.txt", "output.obj", "output.mtl"])
generic_analysis.execute(timeout=300)

# Retrieve all files from the analysis
grass_hopper_data_bytes = generic_analysis.get_output_file("output.txt")
object_file = generic_analysis.get_output_file("output.obj")
material_file = generic_analysis.get_output_file("output.mtl")
```

In the video, you can see how a football stadium is [parametrically created](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction) through an integration with Grasshopper. On the left side of the application are all input parameters and a download button, in the middle you can see a 3D view of the mesh, and on the right side you can find all calculated information.

<div style="padding:48.75% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/706022495?h=9bdfe52a5e&autoplay=1&loop=1&autopause=0&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Sample app parametric football stadium with Grasshopper"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>


## Parametric football stadium in 3 steps

Complete the following three steps to parametrically design a football stadium with Grasshopper using the sample application. 

1. **Define input parameters**, such as the shape, pitch width, offset from pitch, depth factor, asymmetrie along length and width, and height. 
2. **Create a 3D model**. Based on the input parameters, the field width, field length, and number of seats are calculated. 
3. **Download the 3D model**. Unfold 'downloads' to download a .glb (Graphic Language Bytes) file of the design. 

![Parametrically design football stadium grasshopper](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Blog_sample_app_parametric_stadium_grasshopper_98ab0e1008.png)





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Discover how you can make your Grasshopper scripts more accessible with this open-source web app. Read more on VIKTOR.ai.

Parametric design of football stadium with Grasshopper

Parametric football stadium with Grasshopper

Manual facility management and maintenance have been a time-consuming and error-prone process in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry for decades. The traditional approach relies heavily on physical inspections, which can lead to missed defects, inaccurate measurements, and inefficient maintenance practices. However, the advent of digital twins has revolutionized the way to manage and maintain buildings. By having a digital replica that continually declares the conditions of the physical entity, AEC professionals can benefit from a range of advantages. Like: real-time data monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved efficiency. 

This article explores the potential benefits of digital twins in facility management and maintenance, and how they can be leveraged to optimize AEC workflows with a real-life example!

## Facility maintenance

Maintenance is a crucial aspect of ensuring that facilities remain functional, safe, and comfortable for the occupants. The goal of maintenance is to preserve the value of the facility, extend the lifespan, and reduce the likelihood of costly repairs or replacements. Maintenance can be classified into two main types: preventive and corrective. Preventive maintenance involves planned inspections and repairs to prevent breakdowns and failures, while corrective maintenance involves fixing problems as they occur. To carry out maintenance effectively, Facility owners and managers need to develop a comprehensive maintenance plan that includes regular inspections, routine maintenance tasks, and a system for recording and addressing any issues that arise. However, it is easy to miss a failure, wrongly spot problems or have a sudden failure straight after the inspection!

## Challenges in facility maintenance

Although manual maintenance has been used in the majority of built environments, a radical shift is happening thanks to Building Information Modelling (BIM). Creating a need for a newer, more innovative and optimized system! Especially, to avoid:

- Inefficiency. Maintenance should be as efficient as possible. Inspection depending on manual processes for maintenance, including paper-based checklists and schedules easily leads to errors and inefficiencies. In addition, lacking a complete and accurate record of facility systems, equipment, and materials, makes it difficult to plan and execute maintenance activities. 

- Cost & time consumption. Without an accurate record of facility systems and equipment, repairs can be expensive and time-consuming, requiring additional time to diagnose and resolve the issue.

- Safety Concerns Maintenance personnel in buildings may not have access to accurate and up-to-date information, which can pose safety risks as they might be exposed to undetected critical failure.

## Digital Twins, an innovative solution

![Picture2 DT and Viktor.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Picture2_DT_and_Viktor_785376580a.png)

In early 2000, there was a new envision of having a digital representation of an existing physical model. The digital replica can give an accurate representation of the physical entity. This conception was articulated as “Digital Twin” by Michael Grieves at a Society of Manufacturing Engineers conference in Troy, Michigan. In essence, the vision is that having a digital representation of a materialistic entity can help in serving as the effectively identical digital replica of it for practical purposes, such as simulation, integration, testing, monitoring, and maintenance. 

In the context of the AEC  industry, a digital twin is a virtual representation of the physical facility that contains all of the information about the building, including its design, construction, operation, and maintenance data. Digital Twins can help owners and operators optimize the performance of their facilities, promptly sense failures, improve energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance the occupant experience. They can also be used for predictive maintenance, safety, and security analysis. These innovative implementations of Digital Twins form a practical manifestation of BIM higher dimensions of sustainability and management.

With the development of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and artificial intelligence, the use of Digital Twins is expected to become more prevalent in the coming years on a facility scale. In addition, expanding to an urban scale. City Digital Twins are being developed of cities around the world, including Shanghai, New York, Singapore and Helsinki.

It's widely considered that sensors are the basic translation between the physical entity and the digital twin as they provide the digital one with the updated status of the real entity.  Automatically harvesting these data leads to much better failure detection and a full history record of the element! 

## The digital twin of the Binnenhaven Bridge in Rotterdam

An example of how such sensors are used to harvest data and detect failure on a facility, is the case of [The Binnenhaven bridge in Rotterdam](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/9/digital-twin-python-bridge). 

In the summer, metal swells significantly on hot days, making it impossible for the bridge to open or close. To avoid this, the bridge is cooled down using river water. The municipality of Rotterdam has developed a sensor-based early warning system that monitors the bridge and enables proactive cooling, avoiding potential logistic problems for Rotterdam. 

The bridge is equipped with 52 sensors that provide real-time data on temperature distribution with measurements taken every 15 minutes. The information is readily available as a web-based application on the VIKTOR platform, and the sensors are strategically placed on various parts of the bridge, including the deck, sides, primary and secondary stiffeners.  After the data is captured, it is used to run temperature modelling and expulsion simulation to predict the expected dilatation gap based on a weather forecast!

Finally, the measurements bring a structural solution within reach. Even during the hottest days, the bridge remained working perfectly thanks to the 52 warmth sensors. Based on the measurements, at the end of June, the bridge deck was shortened a bit. This measure appeared to be successful and made cooling the bridge unnecessary, and traffic disruptions no longer occur.

## Digital Twins and VIKTOR

![Picture1 DT and Viktor.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Picture1_DT_and_Viktor_861a4daab3.png)

VIKTOR can easily offer a web-based app to monitor all the data gathered from the sensors. Additionally, it is easy to access all historical records of the sensed elements, effortlessly identifying overused ones. Overused elements in buildings, such as HVAC systems, elevators, plumbing and doors will inevitably require maintenance and replacement, especially as they approach the end of their lifespan. Digital twins can help foresee potential issues before they become critical, allowing for timely and cost-effective maintenance.

Moreover, a countermeasures plan can be efficiently automated throughout the VIKTOR platform. Just with a few clicks! Potentially defective elements are predicted, human repair is planned, and suppliers are contacted to deliver replacements at time. All is done before the issue gets critical!

## Conclusion

Fundamentally, building information modelling (BIM) aims to optimize the building process. By utilizing digital twins: building owners and managers can monitor and manage their buildings' maintenance more efficiently, making it easier to identify issues and carry out repairs before they become major problems. Interestingly, BIM digital twins are accessible by the suppliers as well as the data related to new supplements to be installed such as: how long will it take to be manufactured, shipped, installed and at what cost? In short, BIM can help in contextualizing the data harvested from the digital twin. This approach leads to a significantly more efficient way of coordinating and executing a maintenance plan.

In conclusion, digital twins are revolutionizing the way in maintaining buildings. By creating a digital replica of a building, owners and operators can optimize performance, reduce costs, and minimize downtime. VIKTOR is at the forefront of this emerging technology, providing cutting-edge solutions for receiving and managing data from digital twins. With the ability to execute prepared plans with high coordination!

medium_Viktor DIgital Twins Resized.png

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Viktor DIgital Twins Resized.png

With the abundance of technological advancements in AEC, embracing innovation is crucial to stay ahead of industry trends. Digital twin technology has been a significant cost-saving and management improvement for facilities. VIKTOR's advanced algorithms make managing digital twins more efficient than ever before.

The Future of AEC: How VIKTOR's Digital Twins are Changing the Game

## What is VIKTOR?

VIKTOR is a cloud-based platform that enables users to automate engineering workflows, integrate processes, and optimize design techniques, like parametric and computational design, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. With VIKTOR, engineers and other domain experts can use Python to create their own applications to:

- Automate repetitive engineering tasks to free up time for engineers to focus on more complex problems.
- Integrate processes to improve collaboration between different stakeholders
- Optimize designs to create better solutions and make better and more informed decisions

## VIKTOR for Building & Construction

In the buildings and construction industry, VIKTOR is used to streamline and optimize structural engineering processes, particularly in the areas of [parametric design](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction), [BIM](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/100/how-BIM-innovations-transform-AEC), and [optimization algorithms](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/37/revit-data-driven-decision-making-app). 

### Parametric design 

With parametric design, engineers can create models that are automatically adjusted based on changes to specific parameters, such as height or width.  
 
### Building Information Modeling
 
BIM allows for the creation of digital models that capture information about a building's construction, operations, and maintenance, enabling teams to collaborate more effectively throughout the project lifecycle.  
 
### Optimization algorithms  

Algorithms can be used to automate repetitive tasks, such as optimizing building energy use or calculating the optimal placement of building components.  
 
### Data interoperability 

VIKTOR allows for data interoperability through the integration of multiple external software programs into one accessible and user-friendly interface that can be used by anyone to leverage the powers of parametric design, BIM, or optimization algorithms. This makes it possible for engineers and other domain experts to, amongst others, generate better designs in less time, be more flexible to change without any errors or delays, collaborate with stakeholders, and make better (design) decisions.  

## Case examples 

Real-world applications of VIKTOR in the buildings sector include projects with companies like Arcadis, J.P. van Eesteren, and W/E adviseurs.  
 
### Arcadis: Next gen structural design engineering tools 

Arcadis uses VIKTOR to automate and optimize structural engineering, particularly in the area of parametric design. With VIKTOR, Arcadis can quickly generate and analyze thousands of design options, allowing them to identify the most efficient and cost-effective solution for their clients. For example, Arcadis used VIKTOR to design a stadium roof that could withstand heavy snow loads while still being lightweight and cost-effective.
 
Read the full case [here](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/45/arcadis-automates-and-optimizes-structural-engineering). 

<div style="padding:78.78% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/818358326?h=91e992e7ad&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Arcadis - Building Structural Design tool"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

*The Building Structural Design tool by Arcadis*

</br>

### J.P. van Eesteren: Generating the optimal residential tower 

J.P. van Eesteren uses VIKTOR for the parametric design of residential towers. With VIKTOR, they can quickly generate and analyze many design options, allowing them to identify the most efficient and cost-effective solution for their clients. For example, they used VIKTOR to design the facade of a residential tower, allowing them to optimize the facade for both aesthetics and energy performance. 

Read the full case [here](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/37/parametric-design-residential-towers-Cloud).

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/670120716?h=7298f72eb4&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="J.P. van Eesteren - LinkedIn demo (1 min 25 sec)"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

*The High Rise Building Configurator*

</br>

### W/E adviseurs: Selecting optimal energy packages for housing stock
  
W/E adviseurs use VIKTOR to optimize energy packages for housing stock. With VIKTOR, W/E adviseurs can quickly analyze and optimize the energy performance of existing buildings, allowing them to identify the most effective energy-saving measures for their clients. For example, W/E adviseurs used VIKTOR to analyze and optimize the energy performance of an apartment complex, allowing them to reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. 

Read the full case [here](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/44/optimal-energy-packages-for-housing-stock). 

## More cases

VIKTOR is also used to support projects in the buildings sector in other ways, such as with VINCI, Voorbij Funderingstechniek, and Arcadis.  
 
### VINCI: yearly 300 engineering days saved on crane foundation calculations 

VINCI used VIKTOR to create a tool that automates the calculation of crane foundation designs, resulting in substantial time savings. By utilizing VIKTOR, VINCI was able to reduce the time required for these calculations by 300 days annually, improving efficiency in their projects. 

Read the full article [here](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/43/how-vinci-yearly-saves-300-days-calculating-crane-foundation-designs).

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/805460142?h=35f0fa1693&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="VINCI - Crane foundation app"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

*The Crane Foundation Design Calculation Tool*

</br> 

### Voorbij Funderingstechniek: Optimal pile foundation designs save tons of CO2 

Voorbij utilized VIKTOR to develop a tool for optimizing foundation designs, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions. This tool enabled Voorbij to automate the process of designing foundations, resulting in more sustainable solutions and significant reductions in CO2 emissions. 

Read the full article [here](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/34/foundations-design-optimization-saves-tons-of-CO2).

![Infographic LinkedIn Voorbij enviromental benefits (1).png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Infographic_Linked_In_Voorbij_enviromental_benefits_1_867f0bf577.png)

*Infographic results Pile Foundation Application (after one project)*

</br>

### Arcadis: Automating and optimizing construction pit design 

Arcadis uses VIKTOR to accelerate its digital transformation in the area of underwater concrete. With their construction pit tool, they can rapidly generate and analyze numerous design options, resulting in more efficient and cost-effective solutions for their clients.  

Read the full article [here](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/41/arcadis-accelerates-digital-transformation-with-viktor). 

![App4.jpg](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/App4_61703132b4.jpg)

*Presentation of the optimization results via a parallel coordinates plot*

![App5.jpg](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/App5_b83d2e2694.jpg)

*Alternative representation of the optimization results via a contour plot*

## Software integrations 

VIKTOR integrates with specific software used in the buildings sector, such as IDEA StatiCa, D-Foundations, SCIA, Revit, and Dynamo. Integrating these software programs with the VIKTOR interface allows engineers to use all capabilities of a (or multiple) software programs from any location, together with anyone they want, at any time, and in one central place, without needing to open the interface at all.  

### IDEA StatiCa Concrete 

VIKTOR can be used to automatically generate IDEA StatiCa Concrete models with minimal Python code to perform all kinds of analyses, leading to better and cheaper solutions. 

![Visualization of a reinforced cross-section in VIKTOR (top) and IDEA (bottom](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Visualization_of_a_reinforced_cross_section_in_VIKTOR_top_and_IDEA_bottom_77d13c37f5.png)

*Reinforced cross-section from IDEA StatiCa in VIKTOR*

</br>

### D-Foundations (Deltares)

Integrating VIKTOR with D-Foundations enables you to automate the processing of pile foundations and run more analyses in a shorter time. 

![VIKTOR interface for automation in D-foundations](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/VIKTOR_interface_for_automation_in_D_foundations_526f7e67c9.png)

*D-Foundation analayis in a VIKTOR app*

</br>

### SCIA Engineer 

Through the SCIA API, engineers can automatically (re)calculate structural models within a VIKTOR app. Additionally, building blocks from the VIKTOR code library can be used to build (parametric) models that can be exported to XML and read in SCIA.  

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/694319977?h=9b83f627ec&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Pile foundations with D-Foundations and SCIA"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

*Visualization of SCIA result processing in a VIKTOR app*

</br>

### Revit & Dynamo

VIKTOR can also be used to automate Python scripts in Revit, improve data-driven decision-making with simplified interactive insights, and easily create accessible and sharable Dynamo scripts that can also be used for parametric design.  

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/513789510?h=cef1da5778&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Arcadis Dynamo Dome Design"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

*Dynamo dome in a VIKTOR app*

<br>

## Try it yourself! 

VIKTOR also provides several publicly available applications that could be useful for the buildings sector. These include [shadow calculator](https://cloud.viktor.ai/public/shadow-calculator), which calculates the shadow cast by a building on a specific location and time, [centrality analysis](https://cloud.viktor.ai/public/centrality-analysis), which analyzes the importance of nodes in a network, [beam analysis](https://demo.viktor.ai/public/beam-structural-analysis), which analyzes the structural integrity of beams, [warehouse configurator](https://demo.viktor.ai/public/warehouse-configurator), which optimizes warehouse layouts, and [seismic analysis](https://students-uni-fic-pe.viktor.ai/public/viktor-opensees), which simulates seismic activity on buildings. These applications can be accessed and used through our [Apps Gallery](https://www.viktor.ai/apps-gallery/category/all/tag/all/1). 

![structural engineering apps public.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/structural_engineering_apps_public_fe4e76adbe.png)

*Some applications from the Apps Gallery*

</br> 

## Start for free or book a demo! 

Can't find what you're looking for in the Apps Gallery? You can explore all the possibilities of the VIKTOR platform, build, and deploy your own apps using our [Free Version](https://www.viktor.ai/start-building-apps). If you prefer talking directly with our experts instead, you can also [Book a Demo](https://www.viktor.ai/book-a-demo) and we will schedule an introduction meeting with you as soon as possible.  


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Interoperability, AI, Parametric Design, Machine Leaning and optimization algorithms: Automating & Optimizing Structural Engineering processes

Streamlining Structural Engineering: VIKTOR for Building and Construction

## Redefining BIM through AI  
**By Brendan Hasty (ZURU)** 

Brendan Hasty, structural systems lead at ZURU, shares insights into the tools a company can use to optimize its engineering workflows, showing how ZURU is using BIM to transform digital engineering.  

### Digital engineering is crucial for innovation: adapt or die 

In the AEC industry, embracing digital engineering is essential for adapting to innovation and improving efficiency and safety in projects. 
Despite this, many companies start projects using basic tools like Excel, leading to challenges such as managing different file versions and experiencing data loss down the line. Choosing more advanced tools, such as platforms that facilitate application development (e.g., VIKTOR), can prove to be a strategic decision, to have more control and programming power within the company, minimizing errors and enhancing team efficiency. 

Brendan's emphasis on innovating engineering processes aligns with other challenges faced by engineers, particularly in the context of the current state of BIM. The complexity of BIM is a barrier to accessibility, affecting its proper and efficient application in the industry. The lack of interconnected models i a key challenge, calling for a transformative approach. 

### Linking workflows for more efficiency 

To establish a comprehensive digital engineering workflow within a company, it is more effective to integrate tools seamlessly within the BIM software, adopting an end-to-end approach covering the entire process from digital modeling to analysis and design (starting with digital modeling, importing it into the analysis software, transitioning to the design space, and finally returning to BIM). 

For instance, having their workflows linked helped ZURU adapt to last-minute changes in project requirements. This integration not only saved significant time but also enabled them to rectify what could have potentially taken weeks' worth of work in just a couple of hours. 

Incorporating Artificial Intelligence into engineering designs also contributes to making workflows more efficient. Harnessing AI capabilities, such as neural networks, can help to optimize decision-making and achieve highly efficient structure. Moreover, the availability of plugins further helps the integration of AI tools into design processes.  

You can go back to [min 03:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJHD4glNhhM&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=6&t=205s) to hear about more reasons to introduce AI tools into workflows.  

 ### Importance of BIM links in AEC 

In the construction sector, BIM models are employed by professionals. However, certain areas have not transitioned to digital space and continue to rely heavily on manual work and paper documentation. 

The segmentation of models and the practice of different departments working independently without integrating their workflows creates challenges. For example, consider the consequences of this lack of integration during the construction phase, where BIM may be used for construction planning, but later processes often revert to conventional paper-based methods. Connecting models can prevent errors, as inconsistencies arise when various professionals work from separate models within the same digital environment. 

### AI-generated BIM architecture 

ZURU strives to create links between architecture and engineering workflows, facilitating a dynamic exchange of information, and remaining in control when multiple parties are involved. Setting up effective design workflows at the project's outset takes time and control, but it pays dividends in sharing information effectively and finding discrepancies within various software platforms early on.  

ZURU's current goal is therefore to develop user-friendly BIM software that integrates with machine learning features. Looking forward, their vision is to achieve end-to-end automation, potentially making AI-generated BIM architecture a reality. ZURU's journey encompasses complete integration from design to production, using machine learning and AI to elevate BIM to new heights. This innovative process empowers clients to customize designs, receive cost estimates, progress through production, and create their dream homes in a snap! 

If you want to know how ZURU is making it possible, go to [min 12:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJHD4glNhhM&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=6&t=756s) and check the visual demonstration! 

<iframe width="560" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dJHD4glNhhM?si=oepCNe-_Mt6F_J4a" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## The easiest path to learning Python in the AEC industry  
**By Kris Wojslaw (programminginAEC.com)** 

While learning to code with Python, Kris realized that learning without real-world context is essentially useless. For this reason, he started his own programming course: programminginAEC.com, in which he proposes a practical, purpose-driven approach to learning Python in the AEC industry, sharing a key lesson for a more effective learning journey. 

### 6-step process to learn Python in the AEC Industry 

Kris’ alternative path is a comprehensive 6–step process for AEC professionals to incorporate Python programming in their projects and enhance computational capabilities, automation, and tool development. 

#### Computational thinking 

Everything starts with understanding computational thinking – breaking down complex problems, recognizing patterns, abstraction, and algorithm design. Engineers already do computational thinking in their daily work. For example, when calculating the structural integrity of a building, engineers conduct a global analysis. However, they intelligently split this comprehensive calculation into distinct components, such as foundation calculations, columns, slabs, etc. This parallels the computational thinking process of breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts. Moreover, engineers recognize and leverage patterns from previous projects. If they have a foundation calculation from a past project with a similar load combination, they apply that knowledge to the current project. This reflects the computational thinking step of pattern recognition, where established solutions are found and reused. 

#### Visual Programming 

In the visual programming step, architects and engineers start crafting algorithms using graphical elements rather than traditional code. It's a practical approach to automate tasks—like creating 3D objects—initially investing a bit more time for long-term efficiency gains. Starting with small, frequent tasks, engineers connect these visual algorithms to existing tools (e.g. Grasshopper or Dynamo) before considering a transition to Python for more advanced scripting, overcoming limitations of visual contexts. It is a progressive journey from graphical automation to coding flexibility. 

#### Text-Based Visual Programming 

Text-based visual programming is the step that engineers take when they need to go beyond the limitations of visual contexts like Grasshopper or Dynamo and start to write their code. Kris explains how engineers can flex their Python muscles within familiar environments, showing simple Python scripts at [min 13:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcHsi36p1R8&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=3&t=786s).

#### Text-Based II 

Taking the leap beyond familiar territories, engineers can explore tools like Jupyter for creating visuals and moving outside environments with a platform like VIKTOR. With VIKTOR, for instance, you can use existing libraries and codes to create custom engineering apps and share them with colleagues in your company or with clients. You can go to [min 14:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcHsi36p1R8&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=3&t=842s) to find out more about the possibilities unlocked for engineers during this step. 

#### Text-Based IDEs 

Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) mark the transition to text-based programming and a move towards advanced programming capabilities. Here you can access APIs of software such as Revit or Rhino. 

With IDEs, engineers can create more complex code, and with APIs, they gain the power to manipulate and extend the features of existing programs (Revit, Rhino, etc.). 

#### Advanced Programming 

Finally in this step, engineers are empowered to create their own tools, customized for their specific projects and needs, rather than waiting for software updates! 

[Watch Kris’ full presentation to change the way you work with coding!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcHsi36p1R8&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=3) 

<iframe width="560" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LcHsi36p1R8?si=iBJqSb9H0mkF2lce" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> 

## BIM link workflows with IDEA StatiCa 
**By Kris Riemens (IDEA StatiCa)**

Kris Riemens, Product Engineer at IDEA StatiCa, presents BIM link capabilities with IDEA StatiCa for steel connection design and shows how these can be used to optimize your structural engineering workflow.  

### Faster tools for better design 

In the industry there is an issue where structural defects often stem from poorly designed joints or details, resulting in financial and material wastage. One specific problem happens with steel connections. Even though only 30% of these connections are complex, they eat up a massive 70% of the time spent designing them. This means we need faster tools to design better. 

### Connecting global analysis and detailed design 

Kris talks about this problem and the need to connect global analysis tools FEA (Finite Element Analysis) with detailed connection design tools. Some companies use global FEA tools like Etabs or SCIA Engineer for overall analysis. However, these tools often lack the details needed for tricky connection designs. On the other hand, detailed design tools like Tekla or Revit are well-suited for connections but struggle with structural calculations. This gap between global FEA analysis and detailed connection design needs to be filled. 

### Boasting BIM links with external packages 

IDEA StatiCa addresses this gap by integrating BIM links with external FEA models. When using an external FEA model, the BIM link facilitates the importation of key structural elements' geometry and internal forces derived from the global analysis. This way, engineers can easily add the design details for connections, enabling swift and exact connection calculations.  

For projects started in CAD models where connections are pre-designed with bolts, welds, and stiffening plates, the BIM link empowers engineers to import the complete design into IDEA StatiCa. Although the load stand needs incorporation, the next steps involve a straightforward process of calculation and code checking for the connection. 

IDEA StatiCa boasts BIM links with various external FEA and CAD packages such as Etabs, Tekla, and Revit among others, with an expanding list of supported software. This collaborative integration ensures a seamless and efficient workflow, allowing engineers to enjoy the benefits of advanced FEA analysis linked with IDEA StatiCa's connection design capabilities. 

[Check the full presentation of Kris at UCODE 2023 to see practical examples of BIM link with external FEA and with CAD!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87-ClIYX-eU&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=5) 

<iframe width="560" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/87-ClIYX-eU?si=F9hCgx79JXshtLlG" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> 

## Integrating Topologic with VIKTOR for energy analysis workflows 

**By Wassim Jabi (Cardiff University)** 

Wassim Jabi, professor of Computational Methods in Architecture at Cardiff University, explores the integration of Topologic with VIKTOR for energy analysis workflows. Drawing on his unique perspective as an expert with a non-software engineering background, Wassim delves into the genesis of Topologic, giving valuable insights for those navigating similar paths in software development. 

### Helping designers and architects at the pre-BIM stage 

Topologic is a software library developed by Wassim Jabi and his Cardiff University's A-Team. It responds to the promises and challenges of BIM and sets itself apart as a versatile library that offers integration with various platforms, including VIKTOR, IFC, Blender, Rhino, and EnergyPlus and incorporates graph machine learning. 

What makes Topologic stand out from other 3D modeling environments, is that it is a representation of objects with multiple manifolds featuring interior subdivisions. In practical terms, its non-manifold structure allows intricate subdivisions. 

The challenges that Topologic aims to address stem from common issues encountered in dealing with BIM data. Data is often incomplete, lacks structure, and is sometimes unconnected or ad hoc, meaning it may not adhere to standards. This inconsistency poses a significant challenge, making it difficult to rely on BIM data consistently. Additionally, BIM was envisioned to be more than just "building" information modeling; it was meant to encompass broader information modeling, and how information is structured and communicated. However, the absence of standardized schemas and information structures often requires users to add plugins or translators, leading to difficulties, errors, and potential data loss.  

Topologic does not limit itself to building information but wants to redefine and enhance BIM with three key elements: geometry, topology, and information. The goal is to provide architects and designers with added value at the pre-BIM stage, to streamline the BIM process, and to deliver more meaningful insights from models before they become entangled in complexity. 

If you want to hear more about Topologic and how it addresses challenges at pre-BIM, you can go at [min 03:03.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRWG1BSwbVw&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=5&t=183s) 

### Simplicity and accuracy for effective analysis 

According to Wassim, it is all about "Complexity last, not first", which helps understand Topologic's proposal.   
A surplus of detailed information, especially in complex tasks, can in fact be counterproductive, obstructing rather than facilitating analysis. 
The idea behind Topologic is to strip away unnecessary details and focus on geometric simplicity with topological accuracy to have more conductive and effective models to run analysis. 

At [min 05:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRWG1BSwbVw&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=5&t=324s) you can hear about Topologic's simplicity proposal. 

### Topologic in a 20-million-euro project 

In collaboration with IPROconsult, Wassim employs Topologic for conceptual model extraction, analysis, and automatic conversion to BIM. This streamlined approach allows extensive iteration and thorough analysis before delving into complex BIM models. The methodology consists of creating a simple yet detailed conceptual model, finding an equilibrium between reduced geometric complexity and enhanced topology and semantic information.  

These models undergo thorough analyses, such as energy and spatial assessments, ensuring high quality, efficiency, sustainability, and value. Once satisfied with the analysis iterations, the model undergoes an automated transformation into a fully detailed BIM model. This automated transition significantly reduces manual efforts, as proven successfully in IPROconsult's €20-million student housing project for optimizing building shape and categorizing student apartments. 

Wassim discussed this, and another case study, in more detail from [min 08:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRWG1BSwbVw&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=5&t=512s) of his presentation. 

## Topologic for easy energy analysis 

EnergyViz is an app developed with VIKTOR, using Topologic for energy analysis. Establishing a dedicated server at Cardiff University, Wassim installed Topologic as server software, transforming it into a versatile platform.  

Users can upload .OBJ files of building envelopes or use pre-existing downloadable building models. The app slices the model into floors, applies glazing based on user-defined ratios, and performs comprehensive analyses for cooling, heating, and comfort. It delivers both visualizations and downloadable files, enabling easy access to multiple analyses without the need for repetitive simulations. Once you send the input the process to perform the energy analysis only takes a few minutes, before coming back with a color-coded 3D model that you can rotate.  

This proof-of-concept application takes the complexity out of energy analysis and presents a powerful and user-friendly approach to make energy analyses more accessible and visually intuitive. 

[Watch the full presentation of Wassim at UCODE to discover everything you can do with Topologic and see practical examples!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRWG1BSwbVw&list=PLSx8-ZCZDELbSWkZwdX4Kb7LbjDjzcen7&index=6) 

<iframe width="560" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LRWG1BSwbVw?si=Z9g7qgKpIV4OBRAC" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> 

 

 

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4.png

- What is Building Information Modeling (BIM)? 
- BIM for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC)
- Trends in BIM
- So, what's next? BIM level 3?
- Solve your BIM challenge with VIKTOR!
- Conclusion


A4 - White Paper COVER.jpg

In the world of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has been a go-to technology for decades. While it was a significant breakthrough in its time, it has its limitations, and many industries now find it inefficient and lacking in collaboration. This has led to the rise of Building Information Modeling (BIM), which has brought many benefits to the table. Real-life projects such as hospitals, schools, and high-rise buildings have implemented BIM and have seen significant improvements in their project lifecycle across all AEC disciplines. In fact, industry leaders have also recognized the potential of BIM and have embraced it as a way to enhance their performance.

In this White Paper, we will explain VIKTOR's vision in BIM: Efficiently pioneering today's & next-gen BIM cloud-based Automation! We will provide information on the meaning, benefits, challenges, and future of BIM!

Efficiently pioneering today's & next-gen BIM cloud-based Automation! We will provide information on the meaning, benefits, challenges, and future of BIM!

How BIM innovations are transforming the AEC industry

How to use BIM in workflows according to Brendan Hasty (ZURU), Kris Wojslaw (programminginAEC.com), Kris Riemens (IDEA StatiCa), and Wassim Jabi (Cardiff University).  

BIM in AEC for simple, effective and collaborative workflows 

## A troubling relationship with 3D models 

As a structural engineer, I have always had a challenging relationship with 3D models. I either received overly detailed models that required simplification for analysis or had to start from scratch based on 2D drawings. Either way, setting everything up and continuously modifying and analyzing the design to meet the requirements was time-consuming. 

I always wondered if there was a better way. I tried setting up the models parametrically and succeeded to a certain extent. However, as the model became more complex and I started adding operations like extrude, bore, fillet, and pattern to the geometry tree, I could never achieve a truly stable model. Somehow, I would always end up breaking the model after changing some parameters. 

As an engineer and a Python enthusiast, I decided to look for an open-source solution that is easy to use and accessible to anyone familiar with the basic concepts of 3D modeling and Python: CAD as code. 

## The benefits of CAD as code

If you think about it, all 3D modeling software has some kind of geometry engine under the hood (a CAD kernel), which you can access through the user interface. CAD as code generates 3D models by speaking directly to this CAD kernel using code. This is great because now you can build your 3D models based on logic and engineering principles.  

For example, you can define some plate thickness based on a stress formula. Also, because everything is written in code, your models are intrinsically parametric so you can easily modify the model by simply changing a value. On top of that, you get the same benefits of coding in general like version control using Git, quick sharing and re-utilizing of code, and the possibility of using other libraries, like [build123d](https://pypi.org/project/build123d/) and our preferred choice, [CadQuery](https://pypi.org/project/cadquery/).  

## What is CadQuery and how does it work? 

CadQuery is an intuitive, easy-to-use Python library for building parametric 3D CAD models. It works similarly to most 3D modeling software: you select a plane, extrude a geometry, create holes, and so on (as explained in the [documentation](https://cadquery.readthedocs.io)). However, instead of clicking, you achieve this by writing code, as shown in the image below. 

![CodeCAD.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Code_CAD_5fb833db3d.png)

</br>

```python
(length, height, bearing_diam, thickness, padding) = (30.0, 40.0, 22.0, 10.0, 8.0) 

result = ( 
    cq.Workplane("XY") 
    .box(length, height, thickness) 
    .faces(">Z") 
    .workplane() 
    .hole(bearing_diam) 
    .faces(">Z") 
    .workplane() 
    .rect(length - padding, height - padding, forConstruction=True) 
    .vertices() 
    .cboreHole(2.4, 4.4, 2.1) 
) 
```

</br>

CadQuery is very powerful and has all the basic functionalities of standard 3D modeling. Because it's based on Python, it enables you to do all kinds of calculations and add logic. You can also use other Python libraries, making this incredibly powerful and suitable for automation. For example, this wind structure is made using CadQuery and [SplineCloud](https://splinecloud.com/) to define the shape of the airfoil. 


![airfoil shape code cad.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/airfoil_shape_code_cad_869658de66.png)

</br>

## Using CadQuery models for FEM, CDF, CAM and BIM 

You can export your CadQuery 3D CAD models in multiple formats, such as DXF, STL, glTF and many more. This enables you to import them in different packages so you can do Finite Element Analysis (FEM), Fluid Dynamics (CFD), import them into BIM packages like Revit, or use them for manufacturing with CNC machines or 3D printers. You can also use models you already have and combine them, for example, to create a new assembly. 

Of course, you don’t need to import the models manually into your preferred analysis software. If your software has a Python API, you can create the models, send them for analysis, retrieve the results and do the checks you need. 

![block with mesh code cad.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/block_with_mesh_code_cad_05ad83f46a.png)

</br>

CadQuery is a great library for people who know Python, but what if you want to share your parametric 3D model with people who don’t? 

Using VIKTOR, you can make a user-friendly app for your parametric 3D models and all the logic connected with them, and integrate them with 3rd party software for FEM, CFD, BIM and more. This way, anyone can use your logic through a user-friendly interface. This also gives you a lot of control over how the model is designed as, for example, you can define maximum and minimum limits for user input.  

Additionally, you protect your code and your intellectual property, as users interact with the application without accessing the underlying code.  

To get started making CadQuery is a simple pip install. If you want to start making VIKTOR apps with CadQuery, you only need to add it to your requirements. Converting a CadQuery script into a VIKTOR app might be one of the easiest conversions. Don't have a VIKTOR account yet? Sign up [here](https://www.viktor.ai/start-building-apps).  

Now, you can start by copying your code into a GeometryView. Here, you add some lines for the export and voila, your design is visible in the app: 

```python
@GeometryView("Geometry", duration_guess=1, x_axis_to_right=True) 
    def get_geometry_view(self, params, **kwargs): 
        """ 
        Renders the 3D model. First it (re-)generates the assembly. Then, 
        exports the gltf data to a temporary file, which is passed to
        GeometryResult and displayed as a GeometryView. 
        """ 
        assy = cq.Assembly() 
        body = ( 
            cq.Workplane("XY") 
            .box(30.0, 40.0, 10.0) 
            .faces(">Z")
            .workplane() 
            .hole(22.0) 
            .faces(">Z") 
            .workplane() 
            .rect(40.0 – 8.0, 40.0 – 8.0, forConstruction=True) 
            .vertices() 
            .cboreHole(2.4, 4.4, 2.1) 
            .edges("|Z") 
            .fillet(2.0) 
        ) 

         assy.add(body, color=cq.Color(1, 0.27, 0.0), name="body") 
        glb = File()  # temporary file to store 3D model as gltf data 
        cq.occ_impl.exporters.assembly.exportGLTF(assy, glb.source, True) 
        return GeometryResult(geometry=glb) 
```

Then we make some NumberFields for our parameters in the parametrization: 

```python
class Parametrization(ViktorParametrization): 
    length = NumberField("Length", default=30, suffix="mm") 
    height = NumberField("Height", default=40, suffix="mm") 
    bearing_diam = NumberField("Bearing diameter", default=22, suffix="mm") 
    thickness = NumberField("Thickness", default=10, suffix="mm") 
    padding = NumberField("Padding", default=8, suffix="mm") 
    fillet = NumberField("Fillet", default=2, num_decimals=1, step=0.5, suffix="mm") 
```

And finally, we need to connect these parameters to the view. Due to the nature of CadQuery, this conversion can be done in minutes!  

```python
@GeometryView("Geometry", duration_guess=1, x_axis_to_right=True) 
    def get_geometry_view(self, params, **kwargs): 
        """ 
        Renders the 3D model. First it (re-)generates the assembly. Then, 
        exports the gltf data to a temporary file, which is passed to 
        GeometryResult and displayed as a GeometryView. 
        """ 
        # obtain parametrization fields 
        (length, height, bearing_diam, thickness, padding) = ( 
            params.length, 
            params.height, 
            params.bearing_diam, 
            params.thickness, 
            params.padding, 
        ) 

         assy = cq.Assembly() 

         body = ( 
            cq.Workplane("XY") 
            .box(length, height, thickness) 
            .faces(">Z") 
            .workplane() 
            .hole(bearing_diam) 
            .faces(">Z") 
            .workplane() 
            .rect(length - padding, height - padding, forConstruction=True) 
            .vertices() 
            .cboreHole(2.4, 4.4, 2.1) 
            .edges("|Z") 
            .fillet(params.fillet) 
        ) 
 
        assy.add(body, color=cq.Color(1, 0.27, 0.0), name="body") 
        glb = File()  # temporary file to store 3D model as gltf data 
        cq.occ_impl.exporters.assembly.exportGLTF(assy, glb.source, True) 
        return GeometryResult(geometry=glb) 
```

If you look at the result in your environment, you will see that you have an app that looks very similar to the CAD viewer from CadQuery, only there is no Python code, and it can be shared with a link now! 

![CAD viewer CadQuery VIKTOR.png](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/CAD_viewer_Cad_Query_VIKTOR_2699a7a4c3.png)

</br>

For your convenience, find the whole code here: 

```python
from viktor import ViktorController 
from viktor.core import File 
from viktor.parametrization import NumberField, ViktorParametrization 
from viktor.views import GeometryResult, GeometryView 

# OpenCascade library 
import cadquery as cq 

class Parametrization(ViktorParametrization): 
    length = NumberField("Length", default=30, suffix="mm") 
    height = NumberField("Height", default=40, suffix="mm") 
    bearing_diam = NumberField("Bearing diameter", default=22, suffix="mm") 
    thickness = NumberField("Thickness", default=10, suffix="mm") 
    padding = NumberField("Padding", default=8, suffix="mm") 
    fillet = NumberField("Fillet", default=2, num_decimals=1, step=0.5, suffix="mm") 

class Controller(ViktorController): 
    label = "pillow block" 
    parametrization = Parametrization 

    @GeometryView("Geometry", duration_guess=1, x_axis_to_right=True) 
    def get_geometry_view(self, params, **kwargs): 
        """ 
        Renders the 3D model. First it (re-)generates the assembly. Then, 
        exports the gltf data to a temporary file, which is passed to 
        GeometryResult and displayed as a GeometryView. 
        """ 
        # obtain parametrization fields 
        (length, height, bearing_diam, thickness, padding) = ( 
            params.length, 
            params.height, 
            params.bearing_diam, 
            params.thickness, 
            params.padding, 
        ) 

        assy = cq.Assembly() 

        body = ( 
            cq.Workplane("XY") 
            .box(length, height, thickness) 
            .faces(">Z") 
            .workplane() 
            .hole(bearing_diam) 
            .faces(">Z") 
            .workplane() 
            .rect(length - padding, height - padding, forConstruction=True) 
            .vertices() 
            .cboreHole(2.4, 4.4, 2.1) 
            .edges("|Z") 
            .fillet(params.fillet) 
        ) 

        assy.add(body, color=cq.Color(1, 0.27, 0.0), name="body") 
        glb = File()  # temporary file to store 3D model as gltf data 
        cq.occ_impl.exporters.assembly.exportGLTF(assy, glb.source, True) 
        return GeometryResult(geometry=glb) 
```

## Conclusion 

Embracing Python and CadQuery can significantly enhance your efficiency as a CAD engineer. Transitioning to a programmatic approach allows you to create robust, parametric models driven by engineering and the power of Python with CadQuery. That said, keep in mind that with CadQuery, you have to define every part of your model right from the start, which can be a bit tricky and time-consuming, especially for more complex designs. It might feel like a lot of work at first, but once you've got the basics down, the payoff is well worth it. 

Exporting models into various formats and integrating them with other engineering software streamlines workflows, from FEM and CFD to CNC manufacturing. This approach can help you overcome the limitations of traditional CAD systems, making your designs more reliable and adaptable. It also opens the doors to creating custom CAD applications with VIKTOR, meaning the possibilities with CAD have become endless!  










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thumbnail_CadQuery - Make complex 3D models with Python.png

CadQuery - Make complex 3D models with Python.png

Discover how Python and CadQuery can revolutionize your 3D modeling workflow by allowing you to create flexible, parametric designs that are easy to modify and integrate with various engineering tools. 

How to Make Complex 3D Models with Python 

## What is geometry interaction 

Geometry interaction refers to the actions a user can perform with geometric entities such as points, curves, surfaces and solids. Some common forms of geometry interactions are selection, transformation and inspection. Whether a user wants to manipulate a 3D model in CAD or set up a simulation for FEA, being able to interact with a geometry directly impacts the user’s experience and the quality of the output.  

In VIKTOR, geometry interaction starts with geometry selection. The ability to select elements in the view is the starting point for all other actions, which is why you can now leverage the GeometrySelectField in VIKTOR apps.  

## Examples of geometry interaction in VIKTOR apps 

You may associate geometry interaction with large, intricate software but it is also critical for your applications, and it is now easier than ever to implement this into your VIKTOR application’s GeometryView or IFCView.  

Next, you will find some examples of how you can apply and leverage the GeometrySelectField in VIKTOR and create apps with an enhanced user experience.  

### Selecting a node to add loads 

For the first example we have an app that utilizes OpenSeesPy and allows a user to select the nodes on which to impose the loads for the OpenSees analysis.  

</br>

<iframe height="600px" frameborder="0" src="https://demo.viktor.ai/embed/structural-analysis-using-opensees" style="
    transform: translate(-50%);
    width: 90vw;
    max-width: 1028px;
    margin-left: 50%;
    box-shadow: 0px 0 2px 0 #888;
    "></iframe>

</br>

As you can see the app lets you add multiple loads and displays it as an arrow to the view. Now imagine you did not have the ability to select a node but had to enter the node Id manually. In this example it is very easy to see how geometry interaction has greatly improved the user’s experience.  

### Adding elements to a geometry 

In another example, you can use geometry selection to add simple balconies to a model.  

</br>

<iframe height="600px" frameborder="0" src="https://demo.viktor.ai/embed/building-with-geometry-select" style="
    transform: translate(-50%);
    width: 90vw;
    max-width: 1028px;
    margin-left: 50%;
    box-shadow: 0px 0 2px 0 #888;
    "></iframe>


</br>

Instead of selecting a single node as was done in the previous example; by selecting two nodes you can define a length for the balcony. Just like the previous example we have combined geometry selection with a dynamic array to allow for a user to make multiple (sets of) selections.  

### Showcase hidden information 

In both previous examples we have seen how geometry selection is a fantastic tool to use for design and simulation. But what if we were only interested in the underlying information that may be hidden from the user?  

Think of all the information that is stored in an IFC file. The geometric parameters are only a small part of it so what if we want to be able to see the rest of the information related to an element?  

In the IFC viewer we can nicely see that the IFC view lets you click on any of the elements and the element’s properties will pop up in the window. Just like in a GeometryView, you can leverage the geometrySelectionField here, which can again serve as the basis for all other geometry interactions.  

</br>

<iframe height="600px" frameborder="0" src="https://demo.viktor.ai/embed/ifc-viewer" style="
    transform: translate(-50%);
    width: 90vw;
    max-width: 1028px;
    margin-left: 50%;
    box-shadow: 0px 0 2px 0 #888;
    "></iframe>

</br>

## How to implement Geometry Interaction in your VIKTOR apps 

To start implementing geometry interactions in your applications. There are two variations you must consider of the geometry selection input options. VIKTOR offers both the GeometrySelectField and GeometryMultiSelectField. Once added to your parametrization, you can select a geometric object in the view. The geometric object that you choose is returned in the parameters (params) as a list of identifiers (string format). Let's make an example together.  

For this example, you can start by creating an empty app template, installing and starting it.  

We will start by importing viktor as vkt. This will let you use all the viktor components in your apps.  

```python
import viktor as vkt 
```

The next step is to add our **GeometrySelectField** and **GeometryMultiSelectField** to the parametrization.  

```python
class Parametrization(vkt.Parametrization): 

    selected_geometry = vkt.GeometrySelectField("Select a geometry") 

    selected_geometries = vkt.GeometryMultiSelectField("Select geometries") 
```
To use the parameters, let's add a Geometry and data view to the app. You will display the output of the calculation for which you use the geometry selection in the data view.  

Let's also add a simple geometry consisting of 3 square beams:  

```python
   @vkt.GeometryAndDataView('Geometry', x_axis_to_right=True) 

    def get_geometry_and_data_view(self, params, **kwargs): 

        cubes = { 

            'cube1': vkt.SquareBeam(1, 1, 5, identifier="cube1"), 

            'cube2': vkt.SquareBeam(1, 4, 1, identifier="cube2"), 

            'cube3': vkt.SquareBeam(3, 1, 1, identifier="cube3") 

        } 
```

That’s your geometry done. As you may have noticed, you have added unique identifiers for each beam. This is important to be able to differentiate between them at the next stop.  

Next, you want to implement a volume calculation based on the selected geometry. For the **GeometrySelectField**, you can easily use the **.inner_volume** method to calculate the volume of a single beam.  

```python
# Calculate data 

        if selected_geometry := params.selected_geometry: 

            volume = cubes[selected_geometry].inner_volume 

            data_1 = vkt.DataItem('Volume of GeometrySelectField', volume, suffix="m3") 

        else: 

            data_1 = vkt.DataItem('No geometry selected in GeometrySelectField', '') 
```

For the **GeometryMultiSelectField**, you will need to loop over the ‘cubes’ dictionary. This dictionary will contain the identifier of each of the selected geometries:  

```python
if selected_geometries := params.selected_geometries: 

   volume = sum(cubes[selected_geometry].inner_volume for selected_geometry in selected_geometries) 

   data_2 = vkt.DataItem('Volume of GeometryMultiSelectField', volume, suffix="m3") 

else: 

   data_2 = vkt.DataItem('No geometries selected in GeometryMultiSelectField', '') 
```

Finally, you can return the result in your **GeometryAndDataResult**:  

```python
return vkt.GeometryAndDataResult(geometry=cubes.values(), data=vkt.DataGroup(data_1, data_2)) 
```

And this is a simple implementation of how you can implement geometry interaction in your applications! 

## Conclusion 

Geometry interaction is a key part of any application that wants to perform actions on a geometry. Whether it is the set-up of a simulation or an informative pop-up, selection is the basis of all interactions. With the latest additions to VIKTOR’s input fields, you can now easily improve the user experience of your applications that use geometries.  




large_Geometry Interaction.png

medium_Geometry Interaction.png

small_Geometry Interaction.png

thumbnail_Geometry Interaction.png

Geometry Interaction.png

Learn how to implement geometry interaction in your VIKTOR apps to streamline design workflows and improve user experience. Discover examples of geometry selection for simulations, model adjustments, and data retrieval.

Enhance Designs and Simulations with Geometry Interaction in VIKTOR

## Pushing and pulling data with VIKTOR’s Grasshopper worker 

A great way of automating your Grasshopper scripts is by integrating them into your applications. There's just one downside to this: you cut out the Grasshopper user from the workflow. Overall, this is not an issue in mature design phases where the script was set. However, this is different for cases in which a Grasshopper script is still subject to change. Or whenever the model used in a VIKTOR application needs to be updated through a change in Grasshopper. No worries, because we created a solution to this: Grasshopper nodes, which you can use to let users on both sides of the flow push, pull and run analysis on data.  

Keep reading for some examples, including the download files to use in your own apps!

## Pull information from a VIKTOR app into Grasshopper 

Thanks to the VIKTOR API, we can now, using a Grasshopper node, retrieve information from a VIKTOR application in Grasshopper. This information can be anything. In the example video below, you can see that we are retrieving the bridge deck geometry from the VIKTOR application and are able to use it in Rhino and Grasshopper for further analysis or design. When we update and save the bridge deck, we can simply recompute it, and the latest geometry is loaded.  

Download the Grasshopper file used for this example [here](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees/raw/refs/heads/main/grasshopper-files/grasshopper_viktor_get_data.gh). 

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1019705358?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Pull data from VIKTOR into Grasshopper"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

</br>

## Push data from Grasshopper to VIKTOR for visualization 

Similarly to pulling data from a VIKTOR app into Grasshopper, we can just as simply push Grasshopper data back into an app.  

In this example, we are pushing data for dashboarding. Dashboarding is one of the weak features of Grasshopper. Therefore, we want to push the data to VIKTOR to dashboard it there instead. In VIKTOR, we can use the power of Python and Plotly to make a custom and interactive dashboard of the latest model.  

In this example, we parametrically design a roof structure and push the data to VIKTOR. The VIKTOR application then calculates lengths, volumes and the expected carbon footprint of the structure!  

Download the Grasshopper file used for this example [here](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees/raw/refs/heads/main/grasshopper-files/grasshopper_viktor_push_data.gh).

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1019705441?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="grasshopper-beam-dashboard"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

</br>

## Run complex analyses on Grasshopper data 

In some cases, the designer may require information that is stored in VIKTOR. In this case, you can use `VIKTOR compute` to run an analysis and use the VIKTOR application as the calculator for your Grasshopper script.  

In this next example, we have a simple application that uses a VIKTOR app to calculate the cost and carbon footprint of the beam. Using this app, you can make more complex calculations in Grasshopper than before! Additionally, it introduces many options for optimization in Grasshopper. 

Download the Grasshopper file used for this example [here](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees/raw/refs/heads/main/grasshopper-files/grasshopper_viktor_compute.gh).

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1019705425?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="grasshopper-viktor-compute"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

</br>

## Push geometry from Grasshopper into VIKTOR and perform analyses 

Although this fourth example may seem similar to the second example, pushing data and pushing geometry are done slightly differently. In this example, we are showing that the user of the VIKTOR application (in this case a structural engineer) can perform an analysis using OpenSeesPy – a finite element package designed for structural engineering.  

In this application, the user creates the model using the grid in Grasshopper and pushes it to the VIKTOR application. In the VIKTOR application, the load case is added to the geometry and OpenSees creates a beautiful visual of the displacements. Updating the model takes just a few seconds! 

Download the Grasshopper file used for this example [here](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees/raw/refs/heads/main/grasshopper-files/grasshopper_viktor_push_geometry.gh). 

You can also find the full application [here](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees). 

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1019705380?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="grasshopper-viktor-push-geometry"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

</br>

## What's coming next?  

These examples pave the way for many more features. As more examples and use cases are realized, we work towards creating even more seamless, collaborative tools for Grasshopper users and other domain experts.  Want to try Grasshopper and VIKTOR yourself? Join our community and [start building your own custom web apps](https://www.viktor.ai/start-building-apps) today! 

**Download links:**
- [grasshopper_viktor_get_data.gh](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees/raw/refs/heads/main/grasshopper-files/grasshopper_viktor_get_data.gh)
- [grasshopper_viktor_push_data.gh](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees/raw/refs/heads/main/grasshopper-files/grasshopper_viktor_push_data.gh)
- [grasshopper_viktor_compute.gh](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees/raw/refs/heads/main/grasshopper-files/grasshopper_viktor_compute.gh)
- [grasshopper_viktor_push_geometry.gh](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees/raw/refs/heads/main/grasshopper-files/grasshopper_viktor_push_geometry.gh)
- [Grasshopper to OpenSees template](https://github.com/viktor-platform/grasshopper-to-opensees)



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Grasshopper.png

Learn how integrating VIKTOR into Grasshopper nodes eliminates data loss, enhances collaboration, and streamlines complex workflows for engineers, architects, and parametric designers. Discover the benefits of seamless data flow and workflow efficiency.

Connecting Grasshopper & VIKTOR apps  

## What did we introduce and why? 

Well-versed programmers who have used VIKTOR before will know the WebView supports the functionality to render a standalone HTML page in a VIKTOR app. Any HTML page could be rendered, and that meant a lot more complex visualizations were possible. For example, a Python package such as pyVista could be used to render a mesh. The WebView has now been extended to allow for much more user interaction in the view, creating a much more intuitive user experience and a wider range of use cases.  

#### Need some inspiration? 

To give you a starting point, here are some examples to inspire you but also display the versatility the WebView now has. We have made all these apps available in a [GitHub repository](https://github.com/viktor-platform/WebView-examples) for you, so feel free to try out these apps yourself! 

#### Draw on a canvas  

One of the disadvantages of using Python for engineering is that geometry is defined in points and edges. A square, for example, has 4 points and 4 edges that are connected in a specific way. From a list of points and edges, it would take a few seconds to imagine what this would look like. If you have more points and edges, this becomes even more difficult, which is why engineering software often has 2D and 3D representations of the model. 

For this example, imagine you are looking for space between buildings. you could outline the exisiting buildings and look if there is adequate space for another project. If the space is too small, the exclamation mark warns the user! 


grid-example.gif

#### Selection of a point in the plot 

Another great feature is that you can now make your plots talk to your parametrization. You can select a design point from a plot that you would like to explore and use it as input for the next step. In this example, you can clearly see how this improves the user’s experience. In the GIF below, you can see how Plotly is used in the WebView and lets the user fill the values in the Parametrization by clicking a point from the plot.  

The WebView has now been extended to allow for much more user interaction in the view, creating a much more intuitive user experience and a wider range of use cases.  

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