AECCafe Voice Susan Smith
Susan Smith has worked as an editor and writer in the technology industry for over 16 years. As an editor she has been responsible for the launch of a number of technology trade publications, both in print and online. Currently, Susan is the Editor of GISCafe and AECCafe, as well as those sites’ … More » Trimble Field Link software releasedJune 10th, 2014 by Susan Smith
Jim McCartney, market manager, Field Solutions and Mobility, Trimble Buildings GC/CM Division spoke with AECCafe Voice regarding the most recent release of their new Trimble Field Link Software:
1) What are the new features of the release? When we launched Trimble Field Link four years ago, our objective was to set a new standard for contractors to seamlessly integrate their office and field activities. While we did accomplish this in previous releases, the new Trimble Field Link 2.20 takes us to a new level in being able to satisfy the very demanding needs of contractors interested in extending their BIM workflows to field activities. Some examples of difficulties that contractors face in trying to extend BIM activities to the field include: interaction with large and sophisticated models, limited interoperability, lack of analytics or metrics, and non-parallel processes (transformation from a 3D environment to a 2D environment). Trimble Field Link 2.20 addresses all of these challenges in the following ways:
o High performance model viewer optimized for mobile devices o Performance enhancements support model file sizes that are consistent with the requirements of contractors doing BIM to Field workflows. File sized support has been improved by up to 10 times the previouslysupported limitations o Rendering and visualization improvements of up to 5 times previous limitations o Now limits the need to partition jobs/models into smaller subsets to utilize them in the field. User are now able to retain models in their original size and work with them in one job file which simplifies work process and improves productivity.
o In addition to our industry-leading file format support, Trimble Field Link has added direct file support for Bentley i-model file format giving contractors an even wider selection of workflows and improved efficiencies.
o As a result of this new release, Trimble Field Link 2.20 now provides the user with a realistic 3D view port during the layout process. As models become more sophisticated, field crews often grapple with greater difficulty in duplicating construction intent from 2D plan views. Our new 3D perspective view gives the user a 3D representation of the layout view from the perspective of the prism, meaning that the user can now truly understand what the “finished” product should look like and make timely, educated decisions on how to proceed.
o Trimble Field Link 2.20 is now able to provide a patented analytic tool to correct for inaccuracies in floor elevations when using the Visual Layout application during layout. This patented technology will measure the intended layout position, calculate the elevation, and make the appropriate adjustments in the horizontal layout position to point a focused green laser dot at the correct location. Primarily used for indoor applications including interior framing and wall layout, this technology provides the most productive means of finding the correct location without the need to for a variety of accessories. 2) What does the 3D model support look like?
3) Will the release work in connected and disconnected mode?
4) What role does the cloud play in this product update?
Bentley i-MODELS: 1) What kind of integration is now possible between Bentley i-models and Field Link software? As noted above, utilizing the Bentley Mobile i-model Viewer has opened up new capabilities for file size and navigation in 3D models. In addition to this new capability we also now directly accept Bentley i-models into Trimble Field Link. This new integration now allows contractors who are utilizing Bentley software for their BIM or VDC workflows to more effectively move data from the office to the field and back through Bentley ProjectWise and the new Bentley Work Package Manager. Contractors have new options and a wider choice of workflows than ever before. 2) What was that connection like before this partnership? Prior to the strategic alliance between Bentley and Trimble, there was only a file conversion path to allow Bentley models to be used within the Trimble Field Link system. The new direct integration makes the process of moving data from the office to the field and back very simple and minimizes the possibility of data loss and maintains the integrity of data to a much higher level.
Tags: AEC, architects, architecture, BIM, building design, building information modeling, CAD, Cloud, construction, design, engineering, engineers, infrastructure, mobile Categories: AEC, architecture, Autodesk, building information modeling, Cloud, construction, engineering, field, field solutions, infrastructure, site planning |