Dave Bozell and Clark Cory Purdue University Dept. of Computer Graphics

Choosing a CAD (computer-aided design) tool to use in your company can be one of the most daunting tasks a company can undertake. There can be many issues with trying to choose software and implement that software to its fullest potential. The software choices are endless and people’s opinions are strong toward certain software packages. The time it takes for setting up a new system and having the system work seamless in a day-to-day scenario can be discouraging. Then there is also the possibility of the existing staff resisting the change. 

The purpose of this article is to help familiarize you with some of the available software in the industry and to help you and your company make an educated purchase of software that best fits your company’s needs.

The software being reviewed for this article is Vertex BD (Building Design) by Vertex Systems, Herventa, Tampere, Finland, with sister company Argos Systems, Boston, Mass. Vertex BD is not your typical “out-of-the-box” software. The majority of these CAD programs require the user to change his or her drawing practices because the user’s unique methods cannot be followed using the new system. However Vertex BD, with a vision to be builder friendly, has left its software open to customization. This puts the control in the users’ hands, allowing them to make the software as powerful as they want to do.

This gives users the ability to customize their software to “automate” tasks such as “lot specific” options, material takeoff, and integration into project management software. These items alone, if properly set up in Vertex BD, can save not only time, but also money.

Basic drawing or designing

The software designers went to great lengths to create an environment that was similar to the way architects design and contractors construct structures. There are many issues for architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) companies that are trying to choose software for in-house design. Vertex BD was designed with the AEC contractor in mind, although not individually, but as a whole. 

Parametric systems like Vertex BD are not based upon traditional design and drafting principles. The individual does not draft, but instead builds the structure inside the computer as a “Building Information Model.” Because of this, starting a project in Vertex requires the user to set up an informational project data card first before the drawing is started. This would include information such as wall heights, window and door heights, floor thickness, etc. Note that this information can be changed at any time, but setting up the proper parameters at the beginning of the project will save valuable time. 

After setting up the project parameters, you have the ability to begin the creation of your building information model. Vertex BD has a lot of different phases when working on a project, but just like a project, you need to start with the creation of the architectural plans, once this phase has been completed, you can move to the construction phase and let the computer frame the floors, walls, and the roof. 

The architectural area is designed to create walls, floors, roof systems, and the overall look of the structure. The construction area incorporates the same design tools as the architectural area, but includes more items such as generation of a bill of materials, general 2D drafting commands for text and dimensions, as well as wall panelization tools. The applications menu has optioning commands, visualization tools, sketching and grid creation tools. The drafting menu gives the user general 2D tools to complete the drawing’s information, such as local and general notes using text, dimensioning, and hatch patterns. 

The systems menu is where all the database information can be manipulated. Therefore, designing or drawing in Vertex BD is just like any other software. All it takes is a little time to figure out where things are and how to be productive with the package. With other 2D software packages, the user is just drawing lines to represent walls and windows. The user must go beyond just knowing how to draw and actually incorporate construction methods into the creation of the structure. Instead of just multiple lines that create the wall, the user is selecting specific wall types such as an exterior 2 x 6 wall with drywall on the interior and exterior sheathing and brick veneer. This way of designing/drawing buildings is completely unfamiliar to current users. The new way designers are creating a building virtually is becoming more and more appealing to contractors due to the accuracy of the drawings and the supplemental information they obtain from the software.

Once the building has been designed, users can move on to the construction phase. This phase will give them a very accurate bill of materials as well as cut lists and ordering information. Vertex BD has framing parameters built into the system as well as a stock length library of all of the standard lumber lengths that are needed. You have the ability to frame the floor system, walls, and roof systems. Once they are framed, users can generate a bill of materials. The program compares the actual lengths of lumber needed with the stock length library, allowing the user to then push out the amount and sizes of lumber he or she needs to order from the lumberyard. Instead of estimating the lumber, users can have an exact calculation to help control costs and figure out where extra material has been going on past projects.

Customization

The Vertex BD system is organized in such a way to allow individual clients to customize the user environment to meet their own specific needs. This is a unique feature that allows Vertex BD to become a very effective tool for builders to design with their own specifications. Users can customize the environment to only access the tools they use and hide the ones they do not use. It is impossible to create an application that contains all the components available to the building industry. Plus, who would want to search though all the windows available to find the one double-hung window he or she installs 90% of the time? This ability to customize Vertex BD expedites the design process, as designers do not have to search through large databases to find what they are seeking. For example, let’s say a builder only uses two kinds of exterior doors, a Peachtree 3-0 and Peachtree 2-8. There is no need to search through a database that contains every exterior door available for the industry. Even a database that contains a fraction of those available could take too much time to search through. Vertex BD can be set up in a way to allow users access only to what doors the builder users, with the ability to add additional doors as the builder adopts them. 

Another advantage of implementing a custom environment is the creation of accurate elevation views. Decorative doors, custom trim sets, columns, and railings can be set up based on what manufacturer the builder uses. Again this can allow the builder to have exact elevation views of precisely what they are providing for the homebuyer. 

A custom environment can be as general or as specific as the clients’ needs. Databases that represent accurate 3D models of the building components can be developed. For example, a builder uses three different shower options; each shower option can have an accurate model associated with it. The 3D model can be as rough or as accurate as the builder’s specifications. Once placed, it will reflect accurate rough opening dimensions, assuring design validity, and will allow for accurate material takeoff. Every single component that will eventually be used to build a home can be entered into the system. The level of detail is the builder’s choice, whether or not they want to use a model of a generic bathtub, or an accurate 3D model of the AquaGlass series 846050A.

Base plan entry

One of the most time-consuming and labor-intensive aspects about upgrading to new systems is the time required to convert all data from older systems to the new. For instance, a builder has 45 base houses whose information is spread between blueprints, loose sheets of paper, and older drawing files. Most new clients will only have the manpower to assign a few drafters to handle this task of converting the old legacy data to the new Vertex BD format. The time required to input these older plans into the Vertex BD system could be very long for an inexperienced user. With only a few inexperienced drafters, it easily could take a company years to see a return on investment. 

Because of this fact, Vertex BD has made a strategic partnership with an outsourcing firm called CG Visions, Lafayette, Ind. CG Visions employs many knowledgeable Vertex BD users who have the know-how to input these plans with great detail and accuracy in a very short time period. Using the manpower available with CG Visions’ experienced Vertex technicians can severely cut the timeline it takes to convert and allow the client to see a return on investment much sooner. 

Since many designers and builders are accustomed to designing strictly in 2D, they are very excited to see the opportunity Vertex BD gives them to create 3D models. These 3D models are actual representations of how the structure will be constructed, not just lines that represent walls. By designing in 3D, Vertex BD will allow the designer to verify the integrity of the home and discover design flaws before construction begins. Preventing these design mistakes before they are discovered in the field will prevent expensive field changes. Errors that could not be exposed in 2D plans are easily highlighted when using a 3D modeler. 

Using a 3D model to create all construction documentation is another valuable asset of using Vertex BD as the primary design tool. Using traditional means, the addition of a 2-ft. bump off the back of the house, for example, would require opening each sheet in the document set and making sure this change is reflected in each one. In many instances a shortcut is taken and a dimension value is changed, negating the accuracy of the plans. The odds for error in this process are very high, what with having so many different sheets to change, and can jeopardize the integrity of the plans. By using Vertex BD and the ability to create 3D models, the 2-ft. bump off the back of the house can be made only once and then reflected in all drawings in the document set including all elevation views. Since all elevation views are generated off of a 3D model, each view is accurate to scale again adding complete validity to the construction document set. Another asset of using the Vertex BD system is that the user has the power to setup this 2-ft. bump as an automated option, which the system can solve when creating a lot-specific plan set.

Options

Vertex BD contains a very unique tool that shows Vertex Systems’ dedication to making the document creation process faster and easier for the production homebuilder. Production homebuilders typically will have a few model homes that can each have more than 100 different options that homebuyers can choose from to make their home fit their lifestyles. Traditionally, production homebuilders would have a bid document set with all of the various options available for the home. Once the homebuyer has chosen his or her options, the designer would take a plan set and circle the items that needed to go into the home. This can be very confusing to the builders, and can lead to errors and rework.

Vertex BD has created the ability to create interactive building options that would create an individual lot-specific plan set. This plan set only contains what the homebuyer has purchased and takes out all of the extra information that doesn’t apply to the house. With this automated option process in Vertex BD, the designer has the possibility to cut the time of creating a lot-specific plan set up to 75% as well as cutting out the possibility for error in the field. The designer also has the chance to work through all of the possible combinations and intersecting combinations to ensure that the homes can be built and that they are built the way they are intended.

The setup work that is required for a house plan is more labor intensive at the beginning of the project, but this time from initial setup is more than made up when it comes to producing the lot-specific plan set. 

Materials

Traditionally, hand estimation is one of the more time-consuming processes and the least accurate steps in a homebuilder’s process. To illustrate this, take a look at a typical scenario using a standard software package to draw home plans. First the designer or architect designs the home. Then the designer or CAD person enters the plans into the computer. The estimator then receives the prints to “estimate” the materials and costs of the project and after all this is accomplished, the estimated numbers must be imputed into the project management software. If users have an option such as a three-car garage instead of a two-car garage, they need to send it back to the designer for a “lot specific” and then estimate what the cost of the option will be. With this process, it is very difficult to know how much they are making off of the option or even if it is profitable.

When using Vertex BD, which is an “intelligent” modeling package, users not only get their production home plans completely integrated with options, but since they are drawing with “intelligence” they are also able to get an accurate bill of materials. The time savings gained by integrating the tasks can open up employees to work on other tasks to increase the company’s bottom line.

Out of the box, Vertex BD has estimation capability, but as with the power of customizing the software, users are able to completely customize the material takeoff. The question a lot of users ask is, “Why doesn’t the system just give me my materials without doing the customization work?” The answer is very simple: material for each builder in each region are very different, so Vertex BD has left its software open for the user to input its own material names, codes, and pricing. This is why using Vertex BD gives an advantage over other software programs on the market. Users make the software do exactly what they want it to do.

Vertex BD also has the capability of integrating with project management software, both third-party software and to its sister company, I4 Synergy, Bedford, Mass., software, a Web-based project management program. Just like the other aspects of the software, Vertex Systems has left its Vertex BD program open to customization. This will allow users to enter in their codes for materials. This process can either be done when initial materials are set up, or if a client wishes to get Vertex BD up and running faster. Using the optioning system, one is left with the ability to return to the materials and customize it for future integration with a variety of project management software.

Summary

As with any aspect of integrating a new software system into a company, one should expect to have some ramp up time in setting up and training your staff to use the system. Looking at the capabilities of software programs on the market today, Vertex BD is one of the most versatile and powerful software programs available. The software developers at Vertex Systems are constantly striving to make the software more powerful, user-friendly, and the integration into your day-to-day business practices as easy, fast, and cost effective as possible. 

Reviews

All product information obtained in this article is based on the evaluations and interpretations of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the opinions of Constructech magazine.

About the Authors

Dave Bozell and Clark Cory are professors at Purdue University and have conducted extensive research to obtain the best modeling package to include in the Construction Graphic Communication curriculum. The review of Vertex BD came from several sources, including students evaluating each package for ease of use, robustness, and functionality. The concept of using the building information model throughout the construction process is the foundation of a student’s education at Purdue University. In addition to the research at Purdue, Bozell is a part of CG Visions, LLC, an architectural-based consulting firm in Lafayette, Ind., that performs visualization, building information modeling, and construction documentation to promote technology in the AEC industry.