Objective Networks Collaboratory sm Component Objects as an

What is the ‘Virtual Building’ Model? ‘Virtual Building’ Model is a revolutionary concept Does not digitally recreate a 2 D or paper based design & drafting process Chris Chin –Design Architect : ZGF (used w/ permission) © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

The Virtual Building Model (VBM) VBM proposes that a 3 D ‘virtual’ model is

VBM = ‘Virtual’ 3 D Component Objects A Virtual Model contains many component objects Chris Chin –Design Architect ZGF (used w/ permission) doors windows walls tables lights rooms hvac © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Makeup of a ‘Virtual’ 3 D Object Geometry Points, lines, vertices, dimensions, appearance, surfaces, etc. Attributes glass, low-E glass Mfg. model name, Url product #, qty, cost, aluminum clad exterior, tempered Behaviors hung, lighting, Self –Trimming, Double natural ventilation, day view portal © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

What is a Component Object ? A virtually embodied autonomous agent unlike other software agents or bots, it has embodiment A situated agent its behavior is context dependent A portable robot it can be teleported (i. e. soft-bots) © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Component Objects = Dynamic Ensembles VBM = 100’s or 1000’s of ‘Virtual’ Objects (i. e. soft-bots) Component Objects work together opportunistically as a dynamic ensemble The dynamic ensemble provides a VBM that can generate Information On Demand ! Dynamic Virtual Building Models change the nature of professional practice © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Information On Demand ! 2 D Projections are just another document type view model from specific angle at a specified time of design end product drawings are a of the 3 D a drawings are byproducts not the © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Information On Demand ! Easy and cost efficient simulation at any stage animation, 3 D Design and Visualization (rendering, public review, etc. ) Thermal, Day lighting Analysis, and Energy Audits LBNL Simulation Research Group – DOE-2 Construction Management (4 D materials delivery) © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003 Stanford CIFE - ‘logic bust’ at Disney

Integrated Information Complex rules, behaviors & relations between objects communicated programmatically Automated Code Compliance applications Solibri “Design Spell Checker’ Faster & more accurate cost estimation Timberline CAD Integrator Real Estate & Facilities Management (FM) Model for full Lifecycle Facility Management © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

VBM = Parametric Change Engine 3 D Model Core = Parametric Change Engine (all model information is updated automatically) VBM = True Building Model (virtual model can be single point of reference & change) © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Evolution of the VBM The Virtual Building Model is not a new concept Early ME CAD packages pioneered the concept (1970’s) First Wave ‘Design Systems’ (mid 1980’s) failed because : - CAD workstations were $50 K plus - Plotter technology was inadequate, slow, & costly - AEC Industry is large vertical market (500 B$+) - Little economy of scale - most buildings are unique - cannot tie virtual © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, to mfg’. models directly 2003

Commercializing the VBM Second Wave ‘ 3 D Modelers’ (mid 1990’s) also failed : people) - Industry is highly federated - Many small players in local markets (70% of firms < 10 - Virtual Teaming and fractured workflow typical - Virtual objects were not ‘smart’ enough - Primitive 3 D interfaces Third Wave ‘Building Information Modelers’ (2000) : 3 D - Those using BIMs, do so in 2 D work modes - Most firms have not made leap to modeling entirely in © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

The Dimensional Disconnect 3 D models for visualization drawings for CDs 2 D ©

The Network Disconnect “Interoperability” for component objects does not exist common language information must be interpreted by humans Urgent need for a information High bandwidth has less utility if all © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

“Interoperability” Coordinated efforts to improve interoperability of design and engineering tools ongoing since late 1980’s As OO paradigm evolved & 3 D tools for design became available, need to define natural & built environment in a common, agreed format emerged l l l STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data) –ISO IAI ( International Alliance for Interoperability) CSI ( Construction Specifications Institute ) © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

IAI “Interoperability” Auto. Desk founded the IAI in 1995 with 100% support of CAD vendors and AEC community IAI proposed Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) as a common information language IFCs provide a neutral interface for exchanging virtual component objects between proprietary CAD systems However, the promise of object standards has not been realized due to a number of © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Hitting the ‘Semantic’ Wall What is a Wall? To Architect: Wall = spatial boundary To Engineer: Wall = structural member To HVAC: Wall = thermal barrier To Estimator: Wall = $/lineal foot To FM: Wall = division of functions is expensive Semantic specification hard, lengthy, & IFC progress has been slow ( IFC v 2. 0 2002 ) © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

IFC-based “Interoperability” The IFC Object Model has become huge and complex - It’s difficult to extract information for a particular application - All other software applications IFC compliant IFC standards are focused on ‘software engineering’ levels of interoperability (i. e. not usability) To achieve compatibility w/ a “reasonable” amount of work, software engineers must use © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

‘Virtual’ Interoperability There are currently multiple standards for describing component objects (IFCs, AECxml, BLISxml, ISO, NCS, GDL, DXF, etc. ) are evolving standards industry already burned by poor 2 D interoperability Standards efforts ongoing and Competing hurt © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Current State-of-the-Art Industry is on threshold of adopting the concept of interoperability Industry is slowly putting component models into use Current users can be described as “early adopters” Majority of industry (90%) has not yet reacted Potential for concrete cost savings is visible, but the future is uncertain © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

XML : the emerging standard A few large CAD Vendors have threatened to leave the IAI Major CAD & Software vendors now prefer XML solutions XML is human readable XML is extensible XML is application neutral XML is flexible XML exploits e-commerce frameworks XML is becoming a lingua franca XML has greater REACH ! © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

XML : the emerging standard Crucial features of communication systems are: Volume: how much can it transmit ? Transaction Latency : how long to do it ? Isochronicity : perceptual window ? Price : how much does it cost ? Reach : where can service be provided? Andrew Odlyzko The Many Paradoxes of Broadband 2003 © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Disruptive Networks ‘Reach’ is the most compelling feature of inter - connecting networks (i. e. , world wide web) Network ‘Reach’ overcomes the friction of distance IFCs predated the commodity Internet which disrupted the definition of component objects Disruption is a good thing ! How will high-capacity networks disrupt the VBM? © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Networks in Construction & FM Agency (1992) Finnish National Technology Finland makes IT in Construction national research priority VERA Research Program (1997 -2002) Information Networking in Construction Process 42 m. Euros 2012) problems VTT Technology Foresight (2002 - “The FM/AEC industry is not in a position to solve © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Info-structure vs. Infrastructure High-capacity networks are incorrectly seen as an “infrastructure” issue AEC industry taking ‘hands off’ approach However, a critical relationship exists between: B ~ object-form ~ delivery Industry unaware of disruption or potential of NGIs High Capacity Networks will significantly impact delivery of VBM, both +/© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Broadband as Enabling technology Broadband = Performance Near real-time access to very large and complex VBMs & Virtual Worlds w/ many thousands of virtual objects - Unlimited information density – drill down - Isochronicity - no perceptible lag in manipulating virtual models - Plural Projections - 2 D, 3 D & 4 D are not a problem - XML – Metadata ‘Bloat’ has negligible negative impact © 2003 Fred web 14, 2003 - Extranets, ‘Project Portals’, and AECAbler, Octservices become a reality

Broadband as Enabling technology Broadband = Collaboration incremental and proactive standards; virtual teams, streamline fractured workflow; begin to change industry culture Acceleration industry Broadband = Broadband connectivity is likely to quickly re-engineer empower individuals empower vendors © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003 empower larger corporations

Broadband as Disruptive technology Rather than port information file-wise between CAD systems, broadband allows us to ‘port the users’… “ Broadband Interoperability is as simple as giving your engineer permission to ‘open a port’ on your model” Broadband will dramatically enable 3 D modeling, Design, & Collaboration via Shared Project Databases © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Broadband obviates Interoperability http: //www. shared-database. I 2 © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14,

Shared Databases : A Case Study Walgreen Drugstore: World’s largest commercial user of satellite networks 4000+ pharmacies connected by VSAT network One centralized database Supports e-commerce 10, 000 stores by 2010 Current valuation ($32 Billion) James Collins From Good to Great 2001 © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Broadband Rx “ Among the many paradoxes of Broadband is that although there is a remarkable degree of unanimity that broadband is great and highly desirable, we don’t really know what it’s good for, and in general are not willing to pay much for it. “ Andrew Odlyzko The Many Paradoxes of Broadband 2003 © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Broadband Rx “Bandwidth is a nearly perfect substitution for switching” B = Switching 1948

Broadband Rx To commercialize broadband, we need to synergistically transform low value resources (i. e. fungible commodities) into something extremely valuable… plentiful ) Switching ( transistors are ubiquitous) + Bandwidth ( not quite as cheap, but = ? ? (something very precious) © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Broadband Rx “Bandwidth is a perfect substitution for Truth Maintenance” B = Truth Maintenance 1957 2003 image by Peter Wall Truth Maintenance in AI - non-monotonic logics - uncertainty reasoning Cognitive Dissonance Theory Fred Abler A Utility Theory of Communication © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

‘Truth Maintenance’ Technologies Bandwidth = Truth Maintenance The Truth is extremely time and context sensitive IF B = Truth, THEN value is not very high The Truth has a shelflife e. g. , Thanksgiving at Wal*Mart IF B = Truth Maintenance, THEN value is extreme! The Truth is a singularity © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

‘Truth Maintenance’ Technologies “A knowledge-based economy is materializing where the competitive edge of many firms has shifted from static price competition towards dynamic improvement, favoring those who can create knowledge faster than their competitors. ” Development 1999 Peter Maksell Social Capital & Regional Danish Research Unit for © Dynamics Industrial 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

‘Truth Maintenance’ Technologies engine Virtual Building Model + Broadband (local) parametric change (global) truth maintenance = Truth Maintenance System (TMS) Synergistic Truth Maintenance technologies are likely to dramatically re-engineer the AEC Industry… - cost avoidance and new efficiency - new application class: ‘Truth Maintenance Systems’ - new value adding ‘web services’ - new knowledge industries© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Mirror Worlds © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Virtual Worlds © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

World Making © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Broadband Truth & Consequences Broad-shared databases “localize” interoperability making the issue transparent to end users Software engineers & cumbersome ‘middleware solutions’ are not needed to play (small AEC firms can play) Where programmatic access is required, we can provide “facades” for web services © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Project Database ASPs databases AEC/Virtual World scaling of shared project webs © 2003 Fred

Broadband Truth & Consequences Likely broadband consequences suggest that new research, development, and collaboration are needed… New Model Server technologies are needed New Compound, 3 D, and 4 D Document types are needed Sharing versioned building models and component objects New 3 D methods of organizing work are required From 2 D ‘smart’ layers to 3 D worksets (i. e. fixed, temporary, or even © collections of virtual objects) 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Truth Maintenance & Consequences Research on Multi-User Collaboration and workflow: subject matter experts to knowledge engineering and publishing From craft guilds and ateliers to flexible systems engineering From master architect to collaborative design, including vendors From Object-based Truth Technologies are needed: Virtually Embodied Autonomous Agents Ontologies and Intelligent Discovery © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003 Services

Truth Maintenance & Consequences New modes of Human-Computer Interaction needed Existing 3 D interfaces are primitive Broadband is also disrupting HCI Many truths can only be expressed virtually Collaborative 3 D Design Processes are needed (Design Use of component objects in upstream processes and planning) Component and model-driven design 3 D Component Object libraries for world-making Representing Space-Time for 4 D © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Truth Maintenance & Consequences Cultural changes in the professions are needed : Foster a willingness to collaborate Provide broadband access i. e. , Lambda-Grants ™ Provide IT know how Begin with the future of the profession (Students and a critical focus on education) Need to exploit new forms of ‘virtual’ culture that broadband interconnectivity enables Collaboratories © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Objective Networks Collaboratory sm Mission: collaboratively investigate, research, & develop: 3 D component object libraries for world-making Broadband Project Databases & ASPs Broadband component and model server technologies Open and value-adding service networks ‘Truth Maintenance’ technologies and Systems Mirror worlds and Virtual worlds Educational awareness & development of 3 D design and other world-making skills © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003

Objective Networks sm Collaboratory Research & Network Affiliates Fred Abler – Cal Poly, SLO, CA Madis Pihlak – Penn State University, SC, PA Walt Bremer – Cal Poly, SLO CA Marilyn Farmer – Cuesta College, SLO, CA © 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003