BIM for beginners

What BIM is, what it's used for across a project, and how much geometry and information models should contain.

3 lessons · about 0.7 hours · free

BIM foundations

1. 1. What is BIM?

   BIM is a way of creating and managing information about a built asset throughout its life, using structured digital models. Learn what it means in practice — beyond the 3D pictures.

   • • Define BIM in plain language
   • • Distinguish BIM from 3D modelling
   • • Explain the benefits and limits of BIM

   14 min

2. 2. BIM uses across a project

   Clients and teams choose specific BIM uses for a project. Learn the common ones, what each needs from the model, and the ‘nD’ terms you’ll hear on site.

   • • List common BIM uses by project stage
   • • Understand what each use requires
   • • Interpret 4D, 5D and 6D sensibly

   15 min

3. 3. Level of development and information need

   How detailed should a model be? LOD and Level of Information Need describe what geometry and data are required, when, and for what purpose — so teams neither under- nor over-model.

   • • Explain LOD 100–400 in practice
   • • Separate geometry (LOG/LOD) from information (LOI)
   • • Understand Level of Information Need (ISO 7817-1)

   15 min