r/bim

I've been working in BIM coordination for a while and ISO 19650 comes up constantly — in tender documents, client briefs,

and job descriptions. But whenever I see it explained online it either reads like the standard itself (dense and clause-heavy) or

it's so simplified it loses the practical meaning.

Here's what I think matters most for working BIM teams:

● The EIR and BEP are not admin formalities — they're the information management contract for your project. If

they're not agreed before work starts, you'll spend the rest of the project arguing about naming conventions.

● The CDE has actual workflow states, not just folders. WIP, Shared, Published, Archived. Using them properly is

what prevents teams from clashing against out-of-date models.

● ISO 19650 doesn't specify which software to use. It specifies what outcomes are required. You can comply using

Autodesk Construction Cloud, BIM 360, Asite, or others — as long as the workflow states are respected.

● The standard applies to the whole team, not just the BIM manager. Architects, structural engineers, MEP consultants

all have delivery responsibilities defined in the MIDP.

● Level of Information Need (replacing what was called LOD in PAS 1192) needs to be defined per milestone — not

globally across the whole project.

I've seen projects where the BEP was a 40-page document nobody read after week two, and projects where a 12-page BEP

was genuinely followed and made coordination much smoother. The difference was whether the project lead treated it as a

reference document or a filing exercise.

Curious what others have experienced — do your projects actually follow the CDE workflow states, or is it more of a

checkbox requirement in the brief?

Hiring: BIM/VDC Piping Project Lead

We're looking for a BIM/VDC Piping Project Lead to join our growing team and take ownership of the modeling, coordination, and delivery process on complex mechanical and plumbing projects.

If you're someone who enjoys solving coordination challenges, optimizing routing, leading BIM workflows, and seeing your models make it all the way through fabrication and installation, we'd love to connect.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll lead BIM/VDC efforts on one or more projects, working closely with project management, field teams, and fellow VDC professionals to deliver high-quality, fabrication-ready models and drawings.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading piping BIM/VDC workflows from project kickoff through project closeout Producing and reviewing shop drawings, installation drawings, and layout drawings Performing model coordination and clash detection Driving routing efficiencies and constructability improvements Managing project models, linked files, and BIM deliverables Quality checking work produced both internally and by outsourcing partners Coordinating with operations, project managers, and field leadership Supporting fabrication, Trimble layout, and as-built processes Mentoring and helping guide BIM team members assigned to your projects What We're Looking For Required 4 to 7 years of BIM/VDC experience within MEP construction Strong mechanical and/or plumbing systems knowledge Deep understanding of the BIM/VDC workflow Advanced proficiency with: Revit Autodesk Fabrication Navisworks Manage Bluebeam Ability to troubleshoot and solve constructability challenges Strong communication and leadership skills Detail-oriented mindset with the ability to perform in a fast-paced environment Preferred Experience leading small BIM teams (2 to 3 people) Fabrication experience Field installation or coordination background Experience collaborating directly with project operations teams What Makes This Role Different?

This isn't a position where you're simply modeling all day.

You'll have a direct impact on how projects are built. You'll work closely with field leaders, project managers, and fabrication teams to develop solutions that improve efficiency, reduce conflicts, and support successful installations.

We're looking for someone who can think beyond the software and help drive project outcomes.

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4451285526/

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some career advice.

I graduated as an architect four years ago, but I don’t have traditional AEC experience. For the past four years, I’ve been working in virtual set design and architectural visualization.

I’m considering learning BIM tools, especially Revit, and trying to transition into the AEC/BIM industry.

Do you think this is a realistic path with my background? Would you recommend starting with BIM and applying for entry-level BIM roles, or should I first try to gain some traditional architectural experience?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has made a similar transition. Thanks!

I have more than 2 years of experience in BIM modeling, sheetworks for Architecture, Structure and MEPF system coordination as well but still can't land into even a single freelancing project yet. I have been bidding from cadcrowd but I have got nothing till now. Can someone help me through this ?

I’m a trained architect, and I’ve been working on a project that combines accurate architectural planning with a real-time 3D environment.

The goal is to make early-stage architectural design more intuitive than traditional CAD/BIM workflows. You can create accurate, dimensioned floor plans while simultaneously seeing the building update in 3D.

Walls, doors, windows, and other elements are parametric, so changes in the floor plan immediately update the 3D model. The idea is to make design exploration feel more direct while still keeping real dimensions and architectural logic.

I’m curious what people working with BIM professionally think about this approach. What would you consider essential for something like this to actually be useful in an architectural workflow?

I’m starting a degree in Architectural Technology and I’d like to spend those years doing something related to the field that can also make money and build useful skills.
I’m not really looking for generic freelance work. I’d rather build something scalable, ideally digital products that I can create once and sell repeatedly.

A few ideas I’ve considered:

1. 3D architectural environments/buildings for marketplaces like Fab or CGTrader

2. Revit/BIM products or templates

3. Digital design packages for things like garden rooms or small buildings, although I’m unsure what I could legally or responsibly sell without professional certification

If you were starting from scratch in my position, what would you focus on?
I’m especially interested in something that improves my actual building-design/BIM skills rather than just making random 3D assets.

Working in BIM coordination for a while now and the LOD misunderstanding issue keeps appearing on projects — even

among experienced teams. Wanted to share a scenario and see if others have had similar experiences.

On a recent MEP coordination project, the design consultants delivered models they described as 'LOD 300 /

construction coordination ready.' When we ran the clash detection, the results were almost useless — because the

mechanical team hadn't modelled any duct supports or hangers, which are LOD 350 requirements. The structural team

hadn't modelled their connection plates either.

The consultant's position was that LOD 300 doesn't include supports. Technically correct. But nobody had

communicated that to the main contractor, who assumed the model was ready for coordination.

The actual breakdown I've been working from:

• LOD 100: Massing and approximate volume. No reliable geometry.

• LOD 200: Rough geometry and placement. Useful for layout but not coordination.

• LOD 300: Accurate size and location. Good for design documentation.

• LOD 350: Adds connections, interfaces, supports. This is when MEP clash detection becomes meaningful.

• LOD 400: Fabrication-level. Exact parts, connections, installation data.

• LOD 500: Field-verified as-built.

The issue isn't that people don't know what the definitions are — most BIM managers do. The issue is that LOD

requirements are often not written into contracts or BEPs clearly enough, and downstream teams make assumptions.

Has anyone developed a good way to communicate LOD requirements to non-BIM stakeholders — like project

managers or clients who just want to know 'is the model ready'? Would be interested in how different teams handle

this.

I’m considering taking the BuildAmbit BIM course, mainly to improve my Revit/BIM skills and make myself more job-ready.

For anyone who has actually taken the course:

a) How was the teaching?

b) Did you genuinely improve your Revit/BIM workflow?

c) Was it useful for getting a job or better opportunities?

d) was it worth the money?

Would really appreciate honest opinions — both positives and negatives.

You get a free 30-day trial and that's it! How can anyone learn Revit like that?

​

Hi everyone,...

I want to be completely honest about my situation. I am a Mechanical Engineering graduate currently in Saudi Arabia. I made a big mistake I came here directly as a fresher from my home country without any site experience and without learning core software...

.

My brother came here years ago as a fresher and settled well, so I thought I could do the same. But I was immature and didn't realize that timing, the market, and destiny are different for everyone. Now, it’s been over a year. I’m stuck, I’ve felt the struggle, and I fully own up to my mistake. I am done making excuses and ready to fix this....

I want to enter the MEP / Construction field in KSA. I realize that other mechanical fields require long certifications that take too much time, whereas learning BIM/Revit MEP seems like the most realistic entry route into the Saudi market right now.

Earlier, I paid a local tutor to learn Revit MEP, but it was a complete waste of time and money—I couldn't understand the practical workflow at all.

I really need advice from experienced engineers who actually use Revit MEP in the Gulf:....

1. **If my target is Revit MEP modeling/entry-level roles, is AutoCAD mandatory to learn first?** Or should I focus 100% on Revit MEP?...

2. **Can you recommend a genuine, top-quality online institute or trainer** that actually teaches practical, site-ready Revit MEP and MEP design?

I am 100% ready to work day and night and put in whatever effort it takes. I just need a proper, legitimate institute or mentor who teaches real-world project workflows, not just basic tool definitions.

Please guide a brother out. Any honest advice would mean a lot to me.

Thanks for your time.😊😊😊

Heavens above I come here to tell u the “after the fact” part. So I applied to a BIM Modelling position at a major big box retailer who does their construction in house. When I applied I didn’t know it was them, it was posted through an engineering firm who’s working with said company. I was told there was gonna be a technical part but I had no idea it would be IN the interview, thought it would be later so I could ask hey what’s the technical component about and then focus on brushing up on those parts.

FYI, I always sucked at revit, imma new architecture grad, and used revit in school projects and in one internship which was 2 years ago, where I hated every waking AND sleeping moment of it (no seriously, I’d have BIM nightmares). Also worth noting whenever I did use revit, I always had google sitting there answering everything and literally holding my had to the completion.

Anyways back to my story- I ended up being VERY wrong-the technical bit was IN the interview and the hiring manager just made me control THIER computer virtually and do a list of things I’ve never even heard of. It was only 15 mins allocated and a lot of the list items referred to in-house items, where in my panicked state, I couldn’t even READ properly. Heck I couldn’t even export a schedule. Made a complete fool of myself and wanted to DIE. The hiring manager was sweet as hell and kept sayn “hey you did better than most” which is utterly IMPOSSIBLE, there were 7-8 list items and I did one item by asking 5 questions and used half the allotted time- I refuse to believe all the candidates brought forth were frauds like me. The interview itself had went well and the questions and the rapport and the energy were beautiful but holy mother of Jesus this was pure humiliation.

Now in full honestly I don’t wanna work on revit and frankly would like to go my entire career without touching it- I just easy applied on LinkedIn for this role and in this job market I was like chances are slim to none I even hear back. I thought if I did get the job the repetition that the job description called for would teach it to me naturally. Most of my experience is working for QSR and retail companies- but I’ve only been on teams that work on CAD. So it was very much adjacent but if it has BIM in the title I’m prolly gonna have to use BIM. Alas I feel embarrassed AF and I’ve seen a few posts about it on Thai’s subreddit so I thought I’d post.

In Revit schedule how to calculate the difference from a area derived by calculated value parameter and a min area.

i need recommendations on archi softwares/programs best suited for complex structures

Hi everyone!

Looking for your next opportunity?
Join a strong, collaborative team where your career can truly grow.
If you—or someone you know—are ready for a change, we’d love to connect.

This role would lead and own overall development and coordination of the Plumbing and Mechanical Pipe scopes of work while working directly with Project Teams to maximize system efficiencies and ensure fabrication readiness.

Experience in HVAC Metal systems is also a plus as we do promote cross training within our team.

Please share with anyone you know might be interested.

Position is available to be Remote.

Final note is that the advertised salary is an average, I would advise to proceed with applying if this opportunity does seem interesting to you.

https://careers-enfra.icims.com/jobs/10438/bim-vdc---project-lead-senior-in-piping/job

Hello, How can I get a job sponsorship in Germany and the Netherlands as a BIM Modeler? I’m an architect by profession, and I also have knowledge and experience in structural and mechanical disciplines.

My team has been working on cracking this for a while now.

For the photogrammetry, we have different versions - COLMAP being the one we use rn, but we were also exploring Metashape and DJI Terra amongst others.

We figured how to make the full 3D map and how to plant the trajectory to 2D in coordination with the images etc but where we are getting stuck now is comparing site progress using photogrammetry and generating a progress report as per the BIM data.

We have done thorough research on our own and also tried using the full efforts of Claude and Gemini but till now, no feasible solution. We're looking to build something of our own in a short term span so the pressure is high.

Any of you facing a similar issue? Or have any suggestions regarding this?