BWB Episode 33 - Rob “OG Civil 3D” Gadbaw
Hey BWB Fans,
We had fun with this episode. We've known Rob for years and this episode was like talking to an old friend. Even though we've run in the same circles for the past 5-7 years we learned new things about Rob. For instance, Rob was the defacto Civil 3D expert in Australia and New Zealand. In fact when he moved back to the states Autodesk would send him around the world to train. He even helped develop the original Civil 3D template (but dont blame him, he had his own ideas about how it should work).
Prior to leaving his adopted Kiwi roots he found success with Team Blue22. After moving back to the US he found even more success. Apart from traveling the world over training all the future Civil CAD Managers of today (or perhaps their predecessors) he found success with a development company called CGS. Eventually Rob started his own development company, KobiLabs.
If you aren't familiar with KobiLabs you must check them out. They develop low cost plugins for AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Revit. We all know software never does 100% of what we want it to do but with KobiLabs plugins the Autodesk software gets pretty close. Their development style and the fact that their tools are all customer driven makes them best in class. They were also recently featured in the AUGIWorld magazine.
In addition, to the great things Rob is developing with KobiLabs he is also pushing the envelope with a Navisworks plugin called iConstruct. This powerful tool is every VDC Managers dream. Automating clash, communicating and resolving issues, integration with other leading coordination tools, AWP, the ability to breakdown large models for lightweight viewing, and my personal favorite - the export functionality. Having the ability to create smart IFCs, smart DWGs, or smart BCFs is game changing.
Here's why:
IFCs have quickly become the industry favorite for sharing geometry between applications. One reason is the interoperability of the file format with most programs like Tekla and Revit. However, it is primarily because IFCs are a static file. They are the output and ideally are not supposed to be editable. Think of it as a 3D pdf of a model. Designers, Engineers, and GCs share this format with the idea that the trades can aggregate the data into their files (DWG, Revit, or otherwise) and reference them for further designs, coordination, or installation.
Being able to export DWGs out of Navisworks is meaningful to me for one reason, layout!. Placing points in Navisworks is a great workflow for GCs and trades as they may not have the actual design files to layout from. However they usually have access to a static file such as a Navisworks format or IFCs. Suppose they do have the design files but they came from Tekla, Revit, and/or CAD and need to be aggregated. Well this is great because placing points in Navisworks with Autodesk Point Layout is a breeze. That said you are limited in what you can do from there. You can either export the point file with no background model or push it up to BIM 360 Layout. Most field crews still prefer dwgs and point files in their traditional data collector. With the DWG export and even the IFC export we can export the model to send with the points for spatial reference.
For those that are unfamiliar with BCF (BIM Collaboration Format) all I can say is you must be like me, an American. I say this because they haven't become mainstream yet here in the states but are the norm in BIM forward countries. Essentially it's a format for communicating views, issues, and surrounding data. I was introduced to it in a conversation with the great Fanny Angeles from SXD Group years ago. All I could do was nod my head and Google it later (she is a real BIM fanatic).
All of these file formats have useful applications coming from Navisworks as it is the great aggregator. If you dont know what I'm talking about go back and check out Brewing With BIM Episode 14.
As you can see, Rob is a busy and very successful guy. He is not only the OG Civil 3D Guru but he heads an amazing 3rd party Autodesk plugin company, and he is the face of iConstruct here in the US. He can certainly teach us all a thing or two about BIM.
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