Open BIM Water Equipment

Update history

May 9, 2023

New method for connecting applications to the BIMserver.center platform

The mode of communication between Open BIM applications and the BIMserver.center collaborative work platform has changed. In previous versions, the applications used the "BIMserver.center Sync" tool to upload and download the files of the contributions associated with the project from the platform. This tool was downloaded from the BIMserver.center platform or installed together with the installation of the platform applications if users so desired.

From version 2024.a onwards, applications are now able to work directly with BIMserver.center without an intermediary. That is, without the need for the "BIMserver.center Sync" tool.

This modification will improve the performance and efficiency of Open BIM applications significantly. By removing this dependency, the applications have more autonomy and the waiting times for communication between BIMserver.center Sync and the program have been considerably reduced. The process of downloading contributions has also been optimised, as users no longer need to obtain the entire content of a project from BIMserver.center in order to work, but only the contributions to be read.

The way of authenticating a BIMserver.center user in the applications has also been modified. Now, this process is carried out within the BIMserver.center web platform. To do this, the application with which the user is working will run the user's default browser when the "Login" button is pressed. When the credentials are entered, or after opening the browser if the user is already connected to the platform, an authorisation page will be displayed. This page details the resources the application is requesting access to and two buttons for granting or denying this access.

The authorisation must be carried out for each application. Once access has been granted, it is saved for the next time the program is run and there is no need to perform this process again for that application.

As well as performance improvements, changes have been made to the user interface of the Open BIM applications regarding the connection to BIMserver.center.

  • The "Connect to BIMserver.center" window now includes a "Configuration" button. Clicking it launches a menu from which you can edit the "File directory stored in local cache". This is the path where the files that make up the contributions will be downloaded when working with them from the applications. In previous versions, this location could be selected from the BIMserver.center Sync tool.
  • The appearance of the "Project selection" window has been modified.
  • In the "Select project" list, the "View only my projects" option has been added to show only the projects where the connected BIMserver.center user is the owner. Icons have also been included for the "Type of project" column in order to make it easier to identify them. The detailed data of a project now shows the image of each contribution, the description and the tags.
  • The "Review new contributions" and "Review updated contributions" options have been added to the "Create new project" window.
  • The list for selecting contributions ("Import BIM models") now includes the images of the contributions and the tags. The name of the contribution will be displayed in blue to indicate that the owner is the logged-in user.
  • When sharing a contribution or selecting contributions during the process of linking to a BIMserver.center project, a progress window will appear during the upload or download process.

To work in BIMserver.center with versions of Open BIM applications prior to 2024.a, users must continue to use the BIMserver.center Sync tool. This is still available for download from the platform and was included in the installation packages of the CYPE Open BIM applications prior to 2024.a.

Open in new window

November 7, 2022

Graphical editing of the reference system of the model

Since version 2022.a, the applications integrated within the Open BIM workflow via the BIMserver.center platform include a tool for managing project reference systems. This option is available from the configuration window that appears when linking or updating a BIMserver.center project via the "Geographic location and reference system" option. As of version 2023.d, the applications now allow users to run a graphical environment where they can visually define a reference system for their model. To do this, the "Geographic location and reference system" window now contains the "Visual editing of the local reference system of the model" option.

From the "Visual editing of the local reference system of the model" window, the origin and orientation of the reference system of the model can be indicated in the workspace with the "Define the reference system of the partial model" tool. Both the axes of the reference system of the model, which we have just entered and the axes of the reference system of the site can be viewed in the workspace. The latter appears with a "Site" tag.

To make it easier to define the reference system, the 3D models corresponding to the BIMserver.center project contributions selected during the linking process are displayed. The management of the visibility and object snaps of these models is carried out from the "Elements read" menu in the left sidebar of the window. The "Views" menu can also be found in the same options bar, from which different types of 2D and 3D views of the model can be generated. These tools can already be found in several CYPE applications. For more information on how they work, please refer to the User’s Manual for the 3D work environment tools available in CYPE applications.

Apart from 3D models, 2D drawings or plans can also be imported from CAD files (".dxf", ".dwg", ".dwf") or images (".jpeg", ".jpg", ".bmp", ".png", ".wmf", ".emf", ".pcx"). These files and object snaps are managed through the "DXF-DWG Template" and "Template object snaps" options accordingly.

Once the editing is complete, the coordinates and orientation of the reference system of the model with respect to the reference system of the site are moved to the corresponding fields in the "Geographic location and reference system" window.

Open in new window

October 26, 2022

Font size

The "Font size" option has been added to the general configuration menu of the applications. This tool allows users to increase or decrease the basic size of the font used in the user interface of the programs. Thanks to this implementation, the accessibility of the applications has been improved while also ensuring the correct visibility of the content on devices with different screen resolutions.

To enter a "Basic size" the "Set custom font size" option must be checked. The size users can enter is the application's basic font size. Any other font sizes that may exist in the program's interface will be automatically modified proportionally according to the change in the basic size.

It is important to note that, as this is a common parameter, its modification will affect all installed CYPE tools.

Open in new window

July 6, 2022

New options bar for entering elements on the workspace

Since version 2020.f, applications with a 3D working environment include a floating toolbar to make it easier to enter or edit model components on the workspace. The options displayed in this toolbar depend on the active view and the element(s) being entered or edited.

This component is now anchored below the application toolbar. This makes better use of the available space in the user interface.

Open in new window

July 5, 2022

"Export BIM model" option in the connection between applications

As of version 2023.b, Open BIM applications that have a direct link to other tools include the "Export BIM model" option. This option, which is active by default, allows users to decide whether to export the job information produced from the source application before opening the target application.

The possibility to skip the export process saves a significant amount of time when continuing the workflow in several different programs without making changes to the source application. However, it is important to note that if this option is deactivated and changes have been made, they will not be shared in the BIMserver.center project.

Open in new window

July 13, 2021

Connection with Open BIM analysis applications

Two new buttons have been added to the BIMserver.center group in the toolbar. These allow users to directly connect to the necessary tools for carrying out the analysis of the installations involving sanitary equipment entered in the BIM model, as well as the relevant code checks.

  • CYPEPLUMBING Water Systems. Potable water supply installations.
  • CYPEPLUMBING Sanitary Systems. Wastewater and rainwater evacuation installations.
Open in new window

May 31, 2021

General improvements

Version 2021.g of CYPE’s programs is a closing version of the 2021 version.

As well as the new features and improvements expressly indicated in each version of CYPE software, process optimisation involving internal updates for all our programs is normally included. In each revision, all programs are systematically checked and changes are made to improve their performance, therefore, we recommend that our users (in this case those of v.2021) always update their version to the latest one, regardless of the country for which they are using CYPE software or the language in which it is installed.

Open in new window

May 23, 2019

New requirements and warnings

New requirements and warnings have been included in the 2019.h version, which communicate between applications included in the Open BIM workflow.

  • Requirements
    • Between “Open BIM Water Equipment” and “CYPELEC Electrical Mechanisms”
      Power outlets must be introduced near household appliances. More information.
  • Warnings
    • Between “CYPEDOC CTE HS 3” and “IFC Builder”
      In homes, kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms and lounges must have exterior carpentry.
Open in new window

February 18, 2019

New elements: Sinks, dishwasher and washing machine

The 2019.f version of Open BIM Water Equipment allows users to introduce new types of elements:

  • Sinks
  • Dishwasher
  • Washing machine

Open BIM Water Equipment exports the new elements to the BIM model as it does with the rest of the elements that are available from previous versions. This way, programs that analyse and design wastewater evacuation installations (such as CYPEPLUMBING Sanitary Systems) or analyse and design drinking water supply installations (such as CYPEPLUMBING Water Systems) can read them and carry out their checks without having to introduce them again.

Open in new window
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram

©CYPE Ingenieros - Av. de Loring, 4 - 03003 ALICANTE. Spain