By now, you’ve heard more than you could have imagined about the possibilities of BIM for structural engineering. You might even be convinced of the benefits: intelligent models, auto-generating floor plans and sections, and better collaboration with stakeholders. But how do you actually get started?

There are several enhancements of longstanding AutoCAD capabilities in the 2014 release. Features such as support for 3D printing and the command line were streamlined and significantly enhanced in AutoCAD 2014, so that they were easier to use and integrated seamlessly into users’ workflow.

We all know that solving problems on our own isn't always practical. Sometimes you need help, or just somebody else to talk it over with. And you’ve probably also experienced the phenomenon that the best way to learn something yourself is to teach it to someone else. Put those two ideas together, and you’ve got a Revit user group. In-house discussions can be a great way to pool your team’s collective knowledge and expand your understanding through teaching.

I think it was 1998, and the drawing office I was working in at the time was buzzing with anticipation.

Creating better designs is only part of the promise of BIM technology. Many small and medium-size organizations are using 3D design to collaborate with general contractors and construction managers to automate production of their designs and prefabricate building components such as mechanical equipment and curved glass curtain wall systems.

The promise of field-accurate site conditions inside a 3D building information model is becoming a reality on construction sites and in early design discussions, thanks to better software import capabilities and newer, less-expensive field scanning technologies.

When we last discussed Revit, it was to show how its processes can allow prefabrication of building components, particularly MEP equipment.

A new version of Revit brought new tools and features to users when it launched earlier this year, most of which are specifically focused on helping you create better designs that can be sent right to construction or prefabrication. Here’s a roundup of what’s new in Revit 2015.

Today’s architects and engineers can now analyze building performance early in the design stage thanks to 3D building performance simulation and finite element analysis.