Understanding the BIM Workspace

Quick answer: The user interface changes based on the current workspace, and the BIM workspace includes every tool, command, and setting needed to create and edit building elements, the same workspace covered on this hub’s general workspaces page, which requires a BIM or Ultimate license.

BIM Toolbars

The BIM toolbar holds essential tools frequently used in BIM modeling. Display it by launching TOOLBAR, the same command covered on this hub’s toolbars page, or by right-clicking a toolbar, ribbon, or panel, choosing Toolbars, and selecting BIM. The Access 3D toolbar displays by default in this workspace.

The BIM Ribbon

Groups commonly used BIM tools and other controls by functionality, customizable the same way as any other ribbon covered elsewhere in this hub.

Default Panels

On the left: Tips, BricsCAD Assist, BIM Project Browser, Structure, and Filter. On the right: Properties, Layers, Library, Details, BIM Compositions, Render materials, BIM Profiles, BIM BCF, and Cloud.

Panels Specific to the BIM Workspace

• BIM Project Browser: navigate your entire project’s content, models, sections, drawings, and schedules, in one place.
• BIM Compositions: a library of predefined compositions you drag onto solids in your BIM model. Assigning compositions is a core step for improving model accuracy, and a composition can contain either multiple materials or a single ply.
• BIM Profiles: a library of predefined profiles you drag onto linear solids.
• BIM BCF: import BCF (BIM Collaboration Format) files and connect to a BCF server. The panel’s upper section lists topics, similar in style to the Library panel; its lower section shows the currently active topic, with a larger snapshot and common metadata like comment, author, and status. Double-click a topic to activate it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license level do I need for the BIM workspace? BIM or Ultimate, the same requirement covered on this hub’s general workspaces page.

Which toolbar displays by default in the BIM workspace? The Access 3D toolbar.

What’s the difference between BIM Compositions and BIM Profiles? Compositions assign to solids generally, containing multiple materials or a single ply. Profiles assign specifically to linear solids.

How do I connect to a BCF server for issue tracking? Through the BIM BCF panel, which also lets you import BCF files and lists topics with their metadata.