First a simple chart, then my thoughts, and finally the official press release.

Remember this? We fixed it! Okay Graphisoft fixed it, but we spoke and they listened.

At the end of this article there is an even better diagram than the one above, but I couldn’t resist updating my unnecessarily complex chart from last year. For those who are curious, if you already own BIMx Docs, it will automatically upgrade to BIMx Pro. I checked my iPad this morning and it’s already been updated to BIMx Pro. So that’s great. Yes I paid more the $49.99 for the app last year, but that’s okay by me.

BIMx Docs is Dead. Long live BIMx Pro.

BIMx has continuously evolved and improved since it was released as an iOS app in September 2011, and since even before that if you include the era of desktop only Virtual Building Explore-remember that? I barely do. I expect more improvements in the future, but BIMx Pro is finally ready to use on every project, without exception.

Okay there are always exceptions, like massive projects that don’t have the Layout Book in the same file as the model and which would also crash any mobile device. But I’m sure there are still numerous reasons to be able to publish just the Layout Book as a BIMx file or just the 3D model(s) without any of the Layouts (or just a few)…anyways, that’s a minor obstacle that just requires a little brainstorming. And more importantly for anyone doing residential, small scale projects, or really any project that ArchiCAD can handle in one file (which is the majority of the work done in ArchiCAD), there’s no excuse not to explore and use BIMx Pro.

BIMx Pro is now a complete solution that will only get better.

As a project documentation tool, it is now accessible to everyone, continuously throughout the life of the project. For $49.99 per project, you can send out continually updating versions of your BIMx file with all the 2D and 3D documentation. To everyone. Whenever they join the project. Client, contractor, subcontractor, facilities management… the entire AECOU spectrum can access the file (architect, engineer, contractor, owner, user) for the life of the building-and beyond.

As a marketing tool, it is now accessible as a download link from a website. Okay I haven’t tested this yet, but I see no reason why it shouldn’t work. Copy the link you typically send to someone and then add the link to your website. Now a prospective client can click on a project, see photos like usual, and download the navigable 3D model with all the documentation. You might not want to show the actual construction documents in this file, but for $49.99, you could just make a new BIMx Pro file that only has the model(s), the major drawings with no notes or dimensions, some beautiful renderings and other pertinent promo material (like a sheet listing the project team, design awards, green features, etc).

Don’t cheap out.

$49.99 for the office iPad to have access to all your models is insignificant. And it’s not $49.99 per device, not if all your office iPads share the same Apple ID account. Up to 10 devices can share the same Apple ID. So make sure all the company devices share the same account and it’s $49.99 for the entire office. If you have more than 10 iPads for you office…$100 or $200 or whatever the cost is to outfit all of them with BIMx Pro is nothing. Chump change. For Android users, it’ll be even better when BIMx Pro reaches Android devices (sadly not yet). Hopefully Android users won’t have to wait too long. There is no limit to the number of devices. As long as all the devices have the same (gmail) account, you can keep linking BIMx Pro to them. That means it’s $49.99 for the entire office. So for instance you could make a new e-mail account that is BIMx@yourcompany.com, add that to all your company Android tablets and smart phones, pay $49.99 and be all set. Remember, Android devices can have tons of gmail accounts linked to them. My crappy two year old Atrix HD has seven gmail accounts linked to it.

$49.99 per project is insignificant to have the power of BIMx Pro for every client, contractor, and collaborator. Even double that to $99.98 so that you have a project team BIMx file and a marketing file. That’s nothing. Eat the expense or charge it directly to your client. I don’t care.

Don’t be timid.

Everyone you work with has a smartphone or tablet. Every contractor has one. I’ve said this before. I’m sure every job site has more smartphones and tablets than people. They might all be personal devices, but they are there. Maybe they are sitting in a truck or job trailer, but they are there. Provide the BIMx Pro file to everyone, especially people bidding on the project. Don’t ask if they want it. Give it to them. You might not be able to recoup your measly $49.99, but so what. BIMx Pro-now that the pricing has been fixed, and the time limit for download links has been removed-is ready to transform how we communicate. It’s up to you to actually make that happen.

Don’t waffle. Do it.

Today. Buy BIMx Pro. Make a BIMx Pro file of your favorite current project. Buy the $49.99 e-mailable version. Then send links to everyone you are working with-clients, contractors, engineers, your parents, everyone. Make it a gift. Share your excitement. Let them enjoy it. Then watch what happens.

You use ArchiCAD.

This is your moment. Every year new versions come out of all the programs. All the big BIM players have their mobile apps. BIMx Pro has just thrown down the gauntlet. Pick it up and run.

Finally the Press Release:

BIM Project Sharing Becomes Easier with BIMx Update

BUDAPEST, February 24, 2015 – GRAPHISOFT^®, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) architectural software developer, has introduced a simplified and more flexible licensing scheme for its award-winning BIM presentation app, BIMx.

In response to customer feedback, the following fewer, more flexible licensing options are available in the Apple Appstore effective immediately:

BIMx — Recommended for clients, BIMx provides FREE of charge access to the 3D part of any building models in BIMx format. This license can be upgraded to a PRO license to gain access to the full scope of BIM projects published in BIMx format;

BIMx PRO — Recommended for architects, BIMx PRO provides access to the full scope of BIM projects, including both 2D and 3D content (Hyper-model). Gain access to any number of full BIMx projects on one particular device for US$49.99;

BIMx Model Sharing (in-app purchase option) — Recommended for architects, BIMx Model Sharing offers an option to grant access to individual BIMx Hyper-models (including 2D and 3D content) for an unlimited number of clients on any of their devices without a time limit for US$49.99.

“By simplifying the license options available and following naming standards in the Appstore, our users will better understand whether to choose the FREE version or the paid PRO version,” said Akos Pfemeter, Vice President, Marketing at GRAPHISOFT. “The best news is that even with paid licenses, the purchase decision boils down to the following, very simple decision: All models on 1 device OR 1 model on all devices – for the same $50,” he added.

BIMx is available in the App Store and on Google Play. Visit the BIMx product site or view this short video for further details. Sign up for our upcoming BIMx Webinar on March 10 for a live demonstration of BIMx and BIMx PRO.

About GRAPHISOFT

GRAPHISOFT® ignited the BIM revolution in 1984 with ArchiCAD®, the industry first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as its revolutionary BIMcloud®, the world’s first real-time BIM collaboration environment, EcoDesigner™, the world’s first fully BIM-integrated “GREEN” design solution and BIMx®, the world’s leading mobile app for BIM visualization. GRAPHISOFT has been a part of the Nemetschek Group since its acquisition in 2007. Visit archicad.com to see the most important milestones in ArchiCAD’s 30-year history.