~ Open Building Information Modeling
Apart from the term ‘BIM’, the term ‘openBIM’ can also be heard more often. Just as with BIM, different people also mean different things with openBIM.
A first formal agreed definition was registered in April 2011 by the open source BIM collective: A transparent approach that enables all stakeholders to be informed of project methodology, data and results without the need or obligation to use prescribed software. Project stakeholders are free in their choice of software. In practice this means using open BIM standards like IFC, BCF and others.
This definition focuses on the freedom to work in your own preferred way, without being forced to use particular software or data standards. Other definitions of open BIM emphasise the application (even ‘obligation’) of open standards of the BuildingSMART portfolio.
On January 31, 2012, BuildingSMART International announced a definition: OPEN BIM is a universal approach to the collaborative design, realization and operation of buildings based on open standards and workflows. OPEN BIM is an initiative of buildingSMART International (bSI) and several leading software vendors using the open buildingSMART Data Model.
Since May 2011, BuildingSMART international has been the owner of the terms ‘openBIM’ and ‘home of openBIM’, which are also used in their logo. A well-known openBIM logo is also widely used and is owned by Graphisoft (a.o. Graphisoft’s software developer). BuildingSMART has been actively using this logo for some time now, but recently calls on members not to use this logo anymore.
In short: there is no formal definition of ‘openBIM’ and the term is subject to marketing strategies and interpretations. In general people use the term ‘openBIM’ when they mean there should be no lock-in of any kind in a project.