~ BIM Collaboration Format
A BIM dataset is a representation of a construction. Such a dataset holds data from several involved parties. Through quality checking (like clash detection) it is possible to find errors in such a dataset. It has become clear that communicating about these errors is difficult and prone to errors. A specific object can be communicated and shared with partners through IFC, but a specific ‘issue’ is described over the phone or with screenshots. That’s why BCF has been developed.
BCF is designed to communicate about issues regarding a BIM dataset. Software suppliers Tekla and DDS are the original developers, but the standards has gone mainstream and is supported by all major software vendors. BCF is a set of agreements on how issues are to be exchanged. There are 3 parts: a picture, a camera angle and a list of objects in the BIM dataset concerning the issue(s).
Thanks to BCF, ‘issues’ can also be exchanged in a simple and non-ambiguous manner, thus reducing the risk of errors in communication between project partners.