Bentley OpenBuildings

OpenBuildings Designer from Bentley Systems is a multidiscipline building design application using BIM workflows to create information rich models for designing, analysing and simulating buildings and related structures, and for producing documentation.

Including simulation alongside design is the distinguishing capability. Most BIM tools model a building and hand it to separate analysis software, whereas designing and simulating high performance eco-friendly buildings in one environment means energy and performance questions can be asked while the design is still cheap to change, which is the only point at which the answers alter anything.

Reality model referencing is the other notable feature. OpenBuildings immerses the designer in a 3D modelling environment and provides site context by referencing reality models, meaning scanned or photographed existing conditions rather than a surveyed abstraction. For work on constrained or existing sites, designing against what is actually there rather than what the drawings claim avoids expensive surprises.

Packaging is straightforward. OpenBuildings Speedikon, a specialised design and documentation application for the German and European markets, is included with every OpenBuildings Designer purchase, and Building WorkSuite bundles a comprehensive set of building and site design and analysis applications that work together under a single cost effective licence. A data sheet is published. Pricing is not published on the captured page.