Inserting objects from BIMobject

A variety of architectural content and furniture with predefined Building Information Modeling (BIM) data attached is available from BIMobject Corporation, a content clearinghouse for architects, landscape architects, and other design professionals. The BIMobject tool allows you to browse and download objects from manufacturer product catalogs, obtain and update product information, and attach extended property set data. Content from BIMobject fits seamlessly into a BIM workflow, allowing you to create BIM-compliant models without the overhead of maintaining and updating valid attached data.

BIMobjects are downloaded as red symbols that contain a black symbol (with the object’s editable geometry) and the data attached to the object. Place the red symbol in the drawing, but edit the black symbol to change the object’s appearance and geometry. The BIMobject is saved in the location specified in BIMobject settings. Edit symbol definitions as described in Editing symbol definitions or Object editing mode.

For access to the BIMobject functionality within the Vectorworks program, first obtain log-in credentials from the BIMobject website. When you begin to use BIMobject functionality, a web browser opens to allow you to log in.

When opening a file with BIMobjects from a version prior to Vectorworks 2018, the Update BIMObjects dialog box opens. Select what to do with older versions of the BIMobjects.

Parameter	Description
Update BIMObject Red Symbol definitions	Updates all red symbol definitions by placing previous 2D/3D primitive geometry into a nested black symbol
Update placed BIMObject instances to the new Red Symbol definitions	If red symbol definitions are updated, also updates all instances of the BIMobject. If there are customized versions of the object in the file, all customization will be lost.
Skip the update for now; ask me later	Leaves older versions of BIMobjects in this file in the original condition for now
Never update the BIMObjects	Leaves older versions of BIMobjects in this file in the original condition permanently

Mode	Description
Browse/Download	Displays products from manufacturers and downloads content to the file and/or to a specified folder; inserts the downloaded object
Get Info	Displays the manufacturer product data of the selected BIMobject
Update selected	Updates all BIMobjects with the latest manufacturer product data
BIMail	Opens the BIMail dialog box; this interface provides a way for content manufacturers to communicate with designers regarding product updates, changes to specifications, and discontinued products.
User settings	Opens the BIMobject User Settings dialog box, to set the default location for downloaded content