General Comparison between “4D”
Software
Comparison between “4D” Software
4D BIM is the next generation of project management, including project planning and scheduling, data analytics, and management. 4D literally adds vision. It integrates detailed spatial data from the BIM model.
The ability to visualize your project and analyze dynamic spatial data on your computer before you break ground creates a practice field for the delivery team that is highly engaging and efficient.
Attribute
Score out of 5
Comments Navisworks Synchro
Professional
Navigator ITwo Vico Control
Ease of
learning 2.5 3.5 2.5 3 2
· Synchro appeared a lot easier to pick up and has a relatively simple user interface, also programme input is more advanced because it allows the user to input more complex programmes which include discrete functions such as “start as late as possible”, delays, float etc – it also allows the user to compute the critical path.
· In all packages, it is simple to link elements from a 3d model to an activity/moment in time.
· Interoperability between Revit and Navisworks is really good, as both are Autodesk products. All the data from the BIM model is available in Navisworks and ready to be utilized for sophisticated purpose. Further, the ‘switchback’ and synchronization options offered work very well with the tested workflow.
Extent of 4D features ( scheduling , project Analysis, conflict detection and what if scenarios) 3.5 4.5 2.5 2.5 3
· Synchro –software focuses on 4D programming and is very effective and can be done easily and intuitively as a planner for both simple and complex project operations, Costs/material/equipment/and location resources can also be associated with activities and reported accordingly. · Navisworks , Navigator and
Itwo does not allow the user to enter new tasks or complex discrete functions for
programmes, although this is not necessary for producing presentation animations as the programme can often be “fudged” as required to show the idea of the project but not support management
functions. Navisworks is fine for marketing ideas.
· Vico 4D system that uses line of balance method which is a special unique methodology that has no industrial following or foundation of support from academia or industry.
· It should be noted that both Navisworks and Synchro has additional functionality aside from animation that could find value in large building projects such as 3D clash detection, Synchro alone has 4D clash detection, real-time mark-ups, rendering, and the ability to cut a cross-section in the model at any point in time.
Animation time
2.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 · Synchro is a lot easier to
produce a simple animation and is less labour intensive. · Navisworks can produce more
elegant animations, but it requires much more labour and is not intuitive.
· Vico, Navigator and Itwo animation is a bit frustrating and unnecessarily iterative given the objective.
Animation Quality 4 3.5 2.5 2.5 3 Import And Export ( File format, File Size, Snapshots and videos) 4 4 4 4 3.5
· All software packages can export animations in a variety of AVI movie file formats and compression methods. “Still” images can be output from any view at any time.
· Synchro has many reporting functions for project planning and scheduling that are missing in the rest.
· Navisworks, Navigator, itwo and Vico has strong design review functions while Synchro is for project scheduling and project management functions using 4D features. Exchange with p6 and Auto linking 3 4.5 2.5 3 2.5
· Navisworks does not integrate with full round trip data exchange with p6.
· Synchro integrates with full round trip data exchange with p6
· Vico, Navigator and Itwo does not integrate with full round trip data exchange with p6.
Clash Detection rules 4 2 4 4 2 Multiple users 1 5 1 1 4 5D & QTO capabilities 3 3 1 5 4
Software
BIM Key Feature
Navisworks
· Point/Line Based Clashing
· Track status of clashes as they are found and · resolved
· Export Reports · XML import/export · 4D Simulation
· Schedule linking from other project management · software
· Set up planned and actual times to visualize · deviations from the project schedule
· Export 4D simulations into a prerecorded .AVI · animation
· Create project presentations · Rendering capability
Synchro
· "What if" scenario with side by side comparative Analysis. · Resource management
· Multiple baselines capability to compare actual · performance against planned
· Progress tracking · Rescheduling options
· Critical path planning and analysis
· Synchronization with MS Project and Primavera · Ability to update the model
· Mark Up and Annotate · E-mail tools
· Earn value analysis reports · Resource and task usage reports · Line of balance view
Navigator
· Design Review and manipulation · Photorealistic visualization · Schedule simulation · Clash detection · Export Reports
· Interoperability: IFC, DGN, DWG, DXF, SKP, · PDF, IGES, STEP, etc
· History tracking · Database repository
Itwo
· 5D End-to-End Platform
· Combine Models from Multiple Sources · 2D Takeoff Integration
· Schedule Integration Process. · Finance Integration
· Create Organization Cost Code Standards · Reconcile with Finance in Real-Time · Utilize Finance Connectors
· Mobile Field Data Collection
· Collaborate with Project Stakeholders
Vico
· Ability to input schedule in Gantt or linear format · Location breakdown structure
· Ability to create quantity based schedules to see · bill of quantities
· Resource histogram · Control chart color coding
· Schedule forecast according to real progress inputs · Link multiple projects
· Monte Carlo Risk analysis simulation · Prerequisites check capability (For the
procurement)
· Cost and cash flow capability · Look ahead reporting capability
Conclusion
1-Daynamic Analysis :
3.Performance Analysis :
As result I believe that :
1- Synchro is the most powerfull tool in the market for the 4D simulation and schedul analysis but with good rendering output , visual clash detection only and fair EVA capabilities.
2- Navisworks is Powerfull in Quantity take-of and clash detection with good 4D capabilites and good rendering output.
3- Vico is not recommended since it depends on flow line techniques.
4- Navigator is Powerfull in Quantity take-of and clash detection with poor 4D simulation capabilites and poor rendering output .
5- ITwo is very powerfull in 5D simulation and quantity take of with low 4D simulation capabilities and good clash detection reports.
