Subject already dealt with here http://www.lynkoa.com/forum/autodesk-inventor/bim-inventor-2014
See this link
BIM: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_Information_Modeling
WIKI definition
Typically, this model is displayed in dynamic modeling software using three dimensions, in order to increase productivity in the design of buildings and constructions. The process produces the Building Information Model (BIM for short), which encompasses the geometry of the building, spatial relationships, geographical information, quantities and properties of the building elements. The BIM created during the design process of the building can be used during its operation but also during its demolition (structural aspects, ecological footprint of materials, reuse, etc.).
During its design, a building goes through different stages. In a traditional process, a significant amount of information is lost between each step because in general the actors are not the same and do not use the same tools and therefore not the same data formats.
But what is even more expensive is that this information is generally entered several times by different trades : the electrician, the plumber, the network equipment manufacturer, the heating engineer, the structural design office, etc. all capture the same geometric data from the same building. It is estimated that information about a building is entered an average of seven times. These multiple seizures are a source of inconsistencies, delays in deliveries and an increase in the cost of the built structure. These inconsistencies can escalate into lawsuits. It is estimated that the annual cost of inconsistencies in the building industry in France is well over €10 billion.
With BIM, information is capitalized at every step of this process. Thus, all, or at least a good part of the results of each stage of the process, are federated in BIM (energy calculations, heating, air conditioning, aeraulic sizing, equipment location, alarms and security, maintenance, etc.).
@+ ;-)