BIM: Add The Ability To Select A Base For A Wall/beam/column Object From The Taskbar.
Introduction
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a powerful tool for architects, engineers, and construction professionals to create, manage, and analyze building data. In this article, we will discuss a proposed enhancement to the BIM workflow, specifically related to the creation of wall, beam, and column objects. The goal is to improve the efficiency and user experience of these tasks by allowing users to select a base for these objects directly from the taskbar.
Problem Description
Currently, when creating a wall object in BIM, users have two primary options:
- Create a base and then click on the wall tool.
- Click on the wall tool and set the wall by moving the cursor to define the first and second points.
While these methods are functional, they can be cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when working with complex designs. The proposed enhancement aims to simplify this process by enabling users to select a base for the wall object directly from the taskbar, before defining the first and second points.
Benefits of Base Selection from Taskbar
The ability to select a base for wall, beam, and column objects from the taskbar offers several benefits:
- Improved Efficiency: By allowing users to select a base directly from the taskbar, the creation process becomes faster and more streamlined.
- Enhanced User Experience: The proposed enhancement reduces the number of steps required to create these objects, making the overall workflow more intuitive and user-friendly.
- Increased Accuracy: By selecting a base from the taskbar, users can ensure that the object is correctly aligned and positioned, reducing the likelihood of errors and rework.
Approximate Concept in Video
A video demonstrating the proposed enhancement can be found at the following link:
https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/43b2a525-6cea-45b1-ab88-bc20b2aae8d4
System Information
The following system information is relevant to this issue:
- OS: Manjaro Linux (KDE/plasma/xcb)
- Architecture: x86_64
- Version: 1.1.0dev.41416 (Git) AppImage
- Build Date: 2025/04/25 15:50:11
- Build Type: Release
- Branch: main
- Hash: b2a9f0f7d2cbaf633ecd42f137c3e17871a0fb68
- Python: 3.11.12
- Qt: 6.7.3
- Coin: 4.0.3
- Vtk: 9.3.1
- Boost: 1_86
- Eigen3: 3.4.0
- PySide: Shiboken
- Xerces-C: 3.2.5
- IfcOpenShell: 0.8.2
- OCC: 7.8.1
- Locale: Russian/Russia (ru_RU)
- Stylesheet/Theme/QtStyle: OpenLight.qss/OpenLight/
- Logical DPI/Physical DPI/Pixel Ratio: 96/92.6073/1
- Installed Mods: addFC, OpenTheme 2024.9.1, PitchedRoof, Test, sheetmetal 0.7.22, Road 2025.2.22, Reinforcement
Subproject Affected
The proposed enhancement affects the BIM subproject.
Code of Conduct
I agree to follow this project's Code of Conduct.
Conclusion
Introduction
In our previous article, we discussed a proposed enhancement to the BIM workflow, specifically related to the creation of wall, beam, and column objects. The goal is to improve the efficiency and user experience of these tasks by allowing users to select a base for these objects directly from the taskbar. In this article, we will address some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this proposed enhancement.
Q: What is the current process for creating wall, beam, and column objects in BIM?
A: Currently, users have two primary options for creating these objects:
- Create a base and then click on the wall tool.
- Click on the wall tool and set the wall by moving the cursor to define the first and second points.
Q: How does the proposed enhancement improve the current process?
A: The proposed enhancement allows users to select a base for wall, beam, and column objects directly from the taskbar, before defining the first and second points. This simplifies the creation process, making it faster and more intuitive.
Q: What are the benefits of selecting a base from the taskbar?
A: The benefits of selecting a base from the taskbar include:
- Improved Efficiency: By allowing users to select a base directly from the taskbar, the creation process becomes faster and more streamlined.
- Enhanced User Experience: The proposed enhancement reduces the number of steps required to create these objects, making the overall workflow more intuitive and user-friendly.
- Increased Accuracy: By selecting a base from the taskbar, users can ensure that the object is correctly aligned and positioned, reducing the likelihood of errors and rework.
Q: How does the proposed enhancement affect the user interface?
A: The proposed enhancement does not significantly alter the user interface. The taskbar will still display the settings for the wall, beam, and column objects, and users can select a base from the taskbar before defining the first and second points.
Q: Will the proposed enhancement affect the performance of BIM?
A: The proposed enhancement is designed to improve the user experience and efficiency of BIM, without compromising its performance. The enhancement will not introduce any significant performance issues or slow down the application.
Q: Can the proposed enhancement be customized or configured?
A: Yes, the proposed enhancement can be customized or configured to meet the specific needs of users. The enhancement can be tailored to accommodate different workflows, user preferences, and project requirements.
Q: What is the estimated timeline for implementing the proposed enhancement?
A: The estimated timeline for implementing the proposed enhancement is dependent on various factors, including the complexity of the enhancement, the availability of resources, and the priority of the project. However, we anticipate that the enhancement will be implemented within the next few releases of BIM.
Q: How can users provide feedback on the proposed enhancement?
A: Users can provide feedback on the proposed enhancement by submitting comments, suggestions, or bug reports through the BIM issue tracker or by contacting the development team directly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the proposed enhancement to the BIM workflow, allowing users to select a base for wall, beam, and column objects directly from the taskbar, offers several benefits, including improved efficiency, enhanced user experience, and increased accuracy. By addressing some frequently asked questions related to this proposed enhancement, we hope to provide users with a better understanding of the benefits and implications of this feature.