OpenBuildings Designer

All disciplines  

• Start designing in 3D to explore ideas with free-form modeling 
• Design in context with referenced reality models and point clouds
• Perform in-product clash detection
• Produce life-like renderings and movies
• Apply company and project standards to models and drawings
• Exchange data in common formats, including IFC, COBie, RealDWG™, Revit Family RFA, and SketchUp SKP
• Incorporate project documents, media, web links, and other data with hypermodeling
• Easily manage data with bidirectional editing in Microsoft Excel
• Share project information using the iTwin® Platform
• Enforce production standards within a ProjectWise-managed environment
• Accelerate skillsets with access to personalized learning
• Automate coordinated drawings by controlling drafting styles and annotations
• Coordinate specification documents with construction models and drawings using the NBS Chorus plugin
• Publish component catalogs or component part libraries in Components Center and use them in projects
• Integrate real-time GIS data directly into designs, eliminating manual updates and file replacements 

Architectural 

• Accelerate design with a catalog of walls, doors, windows, and furniture 
• Manage floor definitions for reference planes and floor groups
• Define custom grid systems
• Manage spaces to ensure compliance with owner’s requirements
• Model custom design stairs and handrails
• Interactively design curtain wall configurations
• Create space layouts and space design options, then validate them
• Create openings automatically and accurately using built-in auto penetration tool 

Structural 

• Model steel, concrete, and timber structures
• Model steel trusses, bar joists, handrail, and ladder assemblies
• Reference a comprehensive library of international steel and concrete shapes
• Produce quantity reports and volume and weight analyses
• Exchange structural models and analysis using iTwin Analytical Synchronizer workflows
• Execute steel detailing for plate-based connections
• Synchronize, manage, and review structural data using digital twins or third-party apps with iTwin Analytical Synchronizer
• Exchange data with detailing applications using industry standards including CIS/2 and SDNF 

Mechanical 

• Parametrically model HVAC, piping, and plumbing systems
• Automatically model components, paths, and angles when completing HVAC and piping connections
• Size and design water, heating, cooling, and gas systems with CIBSE-compliant algorithms and 2D-to-3D visualization
• Create custom mechanical components with parametric connections that are added to the regular placement workflow
• Dynamically route single and multipipe systems with slope applied, or apply as a post process
• Create and configure air handling units using standard modules
• Size ductwork based on air flow, velocity, and friction rate
• Export mechanical component data for fabrication workflows 

Electrical 

• Streamline lighting design using smart symbol arrangement features and bidirectional exchange with Relux for lighting analysis 
• Design electrical circuits and route wiring through cable trays, baskets, and conduits connecting with lighting, power, or fire protection panels
• Automatically label components, produce drawings and schedules with user-definable labeling formats for switch designation, circuit numbers, and device IDs 

Computational Design 

• Define objects, assembly relationships, and dimensional constraints to capture design intent to explore a broad range of what-if scenarios 
• Use visual programming to create design solutions, control geometry with mathematical statements, and manage dependencies between design objects
• Create reusable geometric assemblies extending the range of geometry with embedded intelligent behaviors
• Define input controls to dynamically manipulate design components and propagate change within the design
• Play forward and incrementally reverse scripts to visualize design intent and relationship behaviors 

Energy services 

• Perform whole building energy analysis with analytical space models and conceptual mass models using EnergyPlus 
• Calculate designs and meet building regulations using industry-standard load calculations such as CIBSE Maxi Gain
• Reference a catalog of predefined standard HVAC system templates
• Calculate daylight factors using the Radiance engine
• Model surrounding buildings to simulate the effect of their shade on the design
• Generate reports and charts for building simulations, including heating and cooling loads, LEED compliance, annual energy use, equipment sizing, and carbon dioxide emissions
• Enhance thermal comfort by evaluating air and radiant temperature, air velocity, and clothing insulation using CIBSE TM52's analysis for nondomestic buildings 

Processor:

• Intel or AMD processor 1.0 GHz or greater 

Operating System:

• Windows 11 or 10 (64-bit or 21H2) Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016 (64-bit)  

Memory Minimum:

• 16 GB minimum, 32 GB recommended

Disk Space:

• 25 GB minimum, 25-42 GB depending on additional installations 

Video:

• 1024 MB of video RAM minimum 

Screen Resolution:

• 1920 x 1080 pixels minimum