| Q&A |
 Reinhart
Viane
Domos, D-Studio
10/06/04 |
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| Q1 |
Short
presentation of D-studio and activities. |
| A1 |
D-studio,
a Belgian software company, is involved in the development
of ICT solutions that allow the company clients to facilitate
the management of complex design processes such as urban development
and infrastructure planning. The company software and services
offered to all construction partners and building managers
are now focused on the life-cycle management of building processes. |
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| Q2 |
What
is 4D Suite? |
| A2 |
4D
SUITE software, developed by D-studio, visualizes a building
project and links the 3D representation with the project schedule.
This tool offers full interactivity at every stage of the
project. Any adjustments to the schedule can be made in such
a way that various building scenarios can be analyzed, checked,
and then shared with all parties involved in the building
project.
4D SUITE software simulates the entire building project in
space and time, starting before the first stone is laid and
finishing with the completion of the works.
The 4D SUITE software contains 2 software packages, the 4D
Builder, the application in which planning data and graphical
data are linked and exported. And the 4d Viewer, the visualisation,
presentation and analyse application with extended reporting
abilities.
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| Q3 |
What
are the bennefits of 3D visualisation in the field of scheduling
and workflow managment ? |
| A3 |
With
the 4D SUITE software the planning process can be closely monitored
by every partner resulting in less misunderstandings, fewer
mistakes, smaller time losses and lower costs.
The simulation of the building project in time makes it possible
to predict the consequences of every action and makes it possible
to take decisions on time. So the combination of the 3D representation
of the project and the planning data provide a unique, at times
even decisive, perspective on the building project.
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| Q4 |
What
type of 3D data can Builder 4D import? |
| A4 |
The
4D Builder is designed in a flexible way, making it possible
to connect almost every existing 3D CAD program. At this moment
the 4D Builder is developed to work with Autocad, DesignCad
and Star. Formats who can be imported in these applications
can be used in the 4D Builder (eg. 3ds, etc.) In the near future
the 4D Builder will be able to connect with other graphical
datasource applications. |
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| Q5 |
Who
can use 4D Suite in managing project? |
| A5 |
The
4D Builder is mainly used by the Project-planner (occasionally
in combination with the construction-management team)
At the other hand the 4D Viewer can be used by every other partner
involved in the project process to analyse and verify the project.
The Project-planner can use the 4D Viewer to explain the project-planning
and to adjust this planning on meetings when another Project
Partner signals a possible problem or delay.
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| Q6 |
Is
it easy to integrate 4D Suite in a teamwork? Does it require
training session? |
| A6 |
While
the 4D Builder application requires good knowledge of project-planning
(and project planning application like MS Project) and basic
knowledge of 3D drawing (and knowledge of the CAD application
in which the 3D is designed), the 4D Viewer is more intuitive:
Navigation through space and time is easy, flexible and results
in an immediate and clear view on the Project. Planning-changes
can be made and immediately analysed.
Off course we can provide training sessions on both of our applications,
so you benefit fully of all functionalities of both applications.
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| Q7 |
What
kind of feedback have you recieved from teams working with Builder
4D? |
| A7 |
All
users are very ethousiastic about the possibilities. The main
issue is getting familiarized with the concepts and possibilities,
as the ideas behind are new. It takes some time. But once this
step taken, it is very encouraging to see team members and outsiders
understand better and participate much more in the decision
process.
Project planners themselves gain far more insight in their proper
schedules.
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| Q8 |
Is
it possible to create a virtual collaboratif space with 4D Builder? |
| A8 |
The
IT architecture (VRML, MySQL, open datasources, … ) permits
the development of a collaborative design and planning environment.
It is however not yet available. |
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| Q9 |
Is
4D Builder a web service? Can it be integrated with other applications
via XML/database? |
| A9 |
4D
Builder is not a webservice. It can be integrated with other
applications since all data is stored in a mysql database. Business
logic however is not exposed yet, but will be exposed in release
4 of 4d builder. |
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