PORTLAND, ME, Feb 10, 2017 – Chalkline announced the availability of the first application to offer coordinated constructions specification writing directly in Autodesk Revit. VisiSpecs, the next generation of BIM integrated specifications has taken another leap forward centralizing the construction document coordination with the BIM model.
Project architects, engineers, and designers who are using Autodesk Revit to model their designs are now able to also write the coordinated construction specifications side by side with the model. As BIM elements get added to the model, the linked specifications for that element can also be included. As the linked models are added, the specifications for those linked elements can also be added and coordinated with the project specs. Integration and verification of the BIM model and specs without having to export the model first means tighter integration, simplified processes, less data management, and fewer errors and omissions. Contractors can easily link the specs and docs to their construction intent BIM model for estimating, bidding, construction administration, as-builts, and commissioning.
Chalkline is delivering the most integrated construction document solutions by leveraging the tools already being used resulting in less implementation effort and higher adoption rates. VisiWord enables users to edit directly in Microsoft Word with additional spec editing and project management functionality like the customizable project tree, spec editing tools, header/footer and TOC management, and complete publishing of all documents. As VisiSpecs integrates with client’s BIM model element and material standard naming conventions, the BIM model does not need be changed in any way. This enables immediate integration of the BIM model and specifications delivering more coordination and verification improving product quality.
“VisiSpecs’ integration, coordination, and verification of the project specifications directly in Revit is a great example of an Autodesk Development Network partner’s solutions,” said Jim Quanci, director of the Autodesk Developer Network. “VisiSpecs brings together two separate processes creating a design environment enabling our customers to produce coordinated construction documents while saving time and reducing design errors and omissions.”
VisiWord is document neutral and BIM models don’t have to change meaning clients can download the Free VisiSpecs Trial and immediately link their models and specs. Spec editing in Microsoft Word is both familiar and feature rich while the enhanced editing features and publication tools provide time and cost savings in writing project manuals. Team collaborators can simply open Word to read and comment on specs as well as other related project files and data linked in the project. As the BIM model and specs continue to be designed and written, the verification and coordination checks are done either in Revit or in VisiView for those not using Revit.
“We are proud to be delivering this major upgrade to the BIM users,” said Michael Brennan, CEO and president of Chalkline, Inc. “Listening and working closely with our clients has enabled us to focus on the right solution delivering the highest value.”
VisiSpecs upgrades the editing and publication tools for specifiers while simplifying the BIM model coordination process by not forcing any changes to the existing models. VisiSpecs can also help to highlight areas of the model needing improvement or data changes further improving the quality of product delivered. Through live model and spec coordination directly in Autodesk Revit, users are not left wondering how old the data is and what has changed since their export.
About Chalkline, Inc.
Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs, the next generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify the BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs is a hybrid cloud solution where it’s desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the Company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. VisiSpecs is built on the familiar applications already in use resulting in minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. And for those that do use the model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct, integrated access to the project specifications and documentation.
For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.