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OpenBuildings Designer

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OpenBuildings Designer

Building Design and Energy Analysis Software

Design Safe, Sustainable, and Distinctive Buildings

OpenBuildings is a multidiscipline building design software that enables BIM workflows to provide information-rich models for the design, analysis, simulation, and documentation of buildings. It incorporates computational design and energy services for building performance evaluation. OpenBuildings immerses you in a 3D modeling environment and provides site context by referencing reality models. With OpenBuildings Designer, you can optimize designs, meet tight deadlines, and avoid errors. OpenBuildings comes in three versions, so you can choose which is most suitable for you.

*Prices vary per region. For more options, see licensing and subscriptions section.

  • OpenBuildings Designer
  • OpenBuildings redefine collaboration screen

    What is OpenBuildings Designer?

    Bentley’s all-in-one BIM software

    Develop and design buildings or facilities of any size or complexity using comprehensive architectural tools, plus a space planning catalog for ticket kiosks, gate turnstiles, passenger information displays, etc. Model steel, concrete, or timber structures from walls, foundations, columns, etc., and produce plans, framing layouts, sections, and elevations. Integrate with detailing applications, including Bentley’s ProStructures.

    Design MEP Systems with OpenBuildings Designer

    Design complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, including lighting, power, fire detection, fully parametric air-handling, piping, and plumbing systems.

    Generate Building Documentation and Reports

    Link specifications, engineering calculations, and equipment documentation to your intelligent building model and produce high-quality, reliable, and up-to-date drawings that accurately represent your design.

    Visualize Building Designs with BIM software

    Generate 3D images of models, animations with life-like detail, and high-end photo-realistic renderings, which can aid in the further refinement of potential designs.

    Analyze Building System Performance

    Inform early design decisions by simulating and evaluating real-world building system performances, including conceptual energy analysis to explore peak loads, annual energy calculations, energy consumptions, carbon emissions, and fuel costs.

    Data Sheet

  • OpenBuildings Station Designer
  • OpenBuildings MEP systems screen

    What is OpenBuildings Station Designer?

    Specialized Software for Rail and Transit Stations

    Get everything that is included in OpenBuildings Designer, plus specialized capabilities for rail and transit stations. With OpenBuildings Station Designer, you can take on projects from high-speed and commuter to metro and light rail stations. This software even allows for analysis of pedestrian travel paths.

    • Functional space definitions and a catalog of design components are specifically geared to railway station design.
    • GenerativeComponents templates for complex geometry are ideal for designing tunnels and platforms.
    • Create simulation scenarios by defining spaces, activities, passenger characteristics, and operational information such as train timetables to simulate and analyze foot traffic.
     
OpenBuildings redefine collaboration screen

What is OpenBuildings Designer?

Bentley’s all-in-one BIM software

Develop and design buildings or facilities of any size or complexity using comprehensive architectural tools, plus a space planning catalog for ticket kiosks, gate turnstiles, passenger information displays, etc. Model steel, concrete, or timber structures from walls, foundations, columns, etc., and produce plans, framing layouts, sections, and elevations. Integrate with detailing applications, including Bentley’s ProStructures.

Design MEP Systems with OpenBuildings Designer

Design complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, including lighting, power, fire detection, fully parametric air-handling, piping, and plumbing systems.

Generate Building Documentation and Reports

Link specifications, engineering calculations, and equipment documentation to your intelligent building model and produce high-quality, reliable, and up-to-date drawings that accurately represent your design.

Visualize Building Designs with BIM software

Generate 3D images of models, animations with life-like detail, and high-end photo-realistic renderings, which can aid in the further refinement of potential designs.

Analyze Building System Performance

Inform early design decisions by simulating and evaluating real-world building system performances, including conceptual energy analysis to explore peak loads, annual energy calculations, energy consumptions, carbon emissions, and fuel costs.

Data Sheet

OpenBuildings MEP systems screen

What is OpenBuildings Station Designer?

Specialized Software for Rail and Transit Stations

Get everything that is included in OpenBuildings Designer, plus specialized capabilities for rail and transit stations. With OpenBuildings Station Designer, you can take on projects from high-speed and commuter to metro and light rail stations. This software even allows for analysis of pedestrian travel paths.

  • Functional space definitions and a catalog of design components are specifically geared to railway station design.
  • GenerativeComponents templates for complex geometry are ideal for designing tunnels and platforms.
  • Create simulation scenarios by defining spaces, activities, passenger characteristics, and operational information such as train timetables to simulate and analyze foot traffic.
 

User Quote

“As architects, we spend a disproportionate amount of time trying to represent our solutions rather than designing them. Computational design [using OpenBuildings] has allowed our team to focus on resolving problems and finding better design solutions.”

— Sarah Yap, Computational Design Expert, Johnson Pilton Walker

FEATURED USER STORIES

OpenBuildings Software Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

OpenBuildings Designer is multidiscipline Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that streamlines the work among architects and electrical, mechanical, and structural engineers.

AECOsim, Bentley AECOSim, or AECOsim Building Designer are former names of OpenBuildings Designer. OpenBuildings Designer, Bentley’s all-in-one BIM modeling software, streamlines the work among architects and electrical, mechanical, and structural engineers.

The price of OpenBuildings Designer and OpenBuildings Station Designer varies per region. While there are various types of licensing available, a common choice is the 12-month practitioner license offered through Bentley’s eStore. When you purchase through the eStore, you get a Virtuoso Subscription. This means you get the software and “Keys” (tokens) to redeem for customizable training, mentoring, and consulting services.

Processor
Intel® or AMD® processor 1.0 GHz or greater

Memory
16 GB minimum, 32 GB recommended

Hard Disk
24 GB free disk space

Video
512 MB of video RAM or higher is recommended

Screen Resolution
1024 x 768 or higher

For the most up-to-date system requirements, visit Bentley Communities.

Licensing and Subscription options

Choose What is Right for You

One-year license with training

Virtuoso Subscription – A popular choice for small and medium-sized businesses

Get access to software that comes with training – fast! Bentley’s eStore, Virtuosity, offers a convenient way to lease a 12-month license of Bentley software for a low, upfront cost. Every online purchase through Virtuosity comes as a Virtuoso Subscription that includes training and auto-renewals.

With no contract required, it’s easy to get started quickly.

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One-time purchase with support

Perpetual License with SELECT

A perpetual license of Bentley software is a one-time purchase, with a yearly maintenance subscription, called SELECT. This includes 24/7/365 technical support, learning resources, and the ability to exchange licenses for other software once a year. With SELECT, you will benefit from:

  • License pooling, so you can access your software from multiple computers.
  • Access additional Bentley software with Term Licenses, which allow you to pay for what you use without the upfront cost of purchasing a perpetual license.

Annual renewal quotes are delivered directly to your inbox, and our experienced Renewal Representatives are available to answer your questions and guide you through any changes you’d like to make.

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Enterprise Organizations

We’ve got your back

For larger organizations with in-depth requirements, we offer plans to provide global pricing and access to our comprehensive portfolio of solutions and success plan services. Contact us about how to get access to software, global best practices, implementation services, training, and technical support to help your organization realize its full potential while addressing your unique needs.

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OpenBuildings - One Solution that Combines CAD and BIM

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