Tools and software

Our tools in the BIM process

Sixteen tools, from capturing the existing to delivery: what they are for, what they receive, what they produce.

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The BIM process at VeraSketch

Five phases, a model that grows richer

BIM is not a piece of software but a chain: each tool receives the data from the previous step and passes it to the next, around a single digital model. Choose a phase to see the tools involved.

1Capturing the existing4 tool(s)
2Modelling4 tool(s)
3Analysis and sizing6 tool(s)
4Coordination and quantities1 tool(s)
5Fabrication and delivery1 tool(s)

Summary table

Tool	1. Capturing the existing	2. Modelling	3. Analysis and sizing	4. Coordination and quantities	5. Fabrication and delivery
ReCap	●	○
Scene	●
Agisoft Metashape	●
3D scanner	●
AutoCAD Plant 3D		●			○
Advance Steel		●			○
Inventor		●	○		○
Revit		●		○	○
Robot Structural Analysis		○	●
IDEA StatiCa			●
Nastran In-CAD			●
CAESAR II			●
PV Elite			●
Caneco		○	●
Navisworks				●
3D printer					●

● main phase ○ also used in this phase

Phase 1

Capturing the existing

Laser survey and photogrammetry: the existing is digitised to start from a faithful base.

ReCap

Scan processing

Phase 1 · Capturing the existingAlso: Modelling

Autodesk ReCap: imports, indexes and organises point clouds to make them usable in modelling software.

Its place in the BIM process: Bridge between capture and modelling: the indexed cloud (RCP/RCS) is referenced directly in Revit, AutoCAD or Navisworks to model "on top of" reality.
Input data: Point clouds from Scene, Metashape or other sources.
Output deliverables: ReCap projects (RCP/RCS), cropped regions of interest, lightened clouds.
Formats and exchanges: RCP, RCS, E57, LAS; links to Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks.

Used for:Scan to BIM Facilities

Scene

Scan registration

Phase 1 · Capturing the existing

Terrestrial laser scan processing software (FARO): station registration, colourisation, cleaning and quality control of the point cloud.

Its place in the BIM process: Turns individual scans into a single, georeferenced, usable point cloud, before indexing and modelling.
Input data: Raw scans from the scanner, targets or registration points.
Output deliverables: Assembled, cleaned and colourised point cloud, registration report.
Formats and exchanges: Export to E57, RCP, ReCap-compatible formats.

Used for:Scan to BIM

Agisoft Metashape

Photogrammetry

Phase 1 · Capturing the existing

Agisoft Metashape: photogrammetry software that reconstructs point clouds, 3D meshes, orthophotos and digital models from photographs.

Its place in the BIM process: Complements the laser scanner for large areas, roofs, hard-to-reach zones or drone surveys, at a lower mobilisation cost.
Input data: Series of photographs (ground or drone) with overlap.
Output deliverables: Dense cloud, textured mesh, orthophoto, DTM.
Formats and exchanges: LAS, E57, OBJ, FBX, GeoTIFF; import into ReCap.

Used for:Scan to BIM

3D scanner

On-site 3D survey

Phase 1 · Capturing the existing

Terrestrial laser scanner that measures, contactlessly, several hundred thousand points per second and renders the existing as an accurate point cloud.

Its place in the BIM process: Entry point of the BIM process on existing assets: it provides the real (not theoretical) geometry on which all studies rely, which reduces rework and unpleasant surprises on site.
Input data: Industrial zone, unit in operation, building or structure to be surveyed.
Output deliverables: Raw scans (multiple positions), associated colour photographs.
Formats and exchanges: Manufacturer proprietary formats, exportable to E57 / RCP.

Used for:Scan to BIM Facilities Steel

Phase 2

Modelling

Building the intelligent 3D model: piping, steel frame, building, mechanical parts.

AutoCAD Plant 3D

Piping and layout

Phase 2 · ModellingAlso: Fabrication and delivery

AutoCAD Plant 3D: 3D design of industrial units from piping catalogues and specifications, with a library of equipment and supports.

Its place in the BIM process: Core of process modelling: the 3D piping model automatically feeds isometrics, material take-offs (MTO) and layout drawings, and serves as the basis for the flexibility analysis.
Input data: P&IDs, reference drawings, point cloud of the existing, piping specifications.
Output deliverables: 3D model of the facility, isometrics, MTO, layout and detail drawings.
Formats and exchanges: DWG, PCF (exchange to CAESAR II), Navisworks and ReCap links.

Used for:Facilities Electrical

Advance Steel

Steel frames

Phase 2 · ModellingAlso: Fabrication and delivery

Advance Steel: 3D modelling of steel frames with parametric connections, standard sections and generation of fabrication drawings.

Its place in the BIM process: Links the study and the workshop: the structural model is the basis for execution drawings, bills of materials and numerical control files.
Input data: Structural assumptions, calculation results, survey of the existing.
Output deliverables: Frame model, general arrangement and fabrication drawings, bills of materials, NC files.
Formats and exchanges: DWG, DSTV / NC, IFC; link with Robot Structural Analysis.

Used for:Steel Facilities

Inventor

Mechanical design

Phase 2 · ModellingAlso: Analysis and sizingAlso: Fabrication and delivery

Autodesk Inventor: parametric 3D mechanical design of parts and assemblies, with drawings and bills of materials.

Its place in the BIM process: Used to design mechanical assemblies (skids, supports, tooling, parts to be printed) and to validate them before fabrication; its integrated Nastran version extends the study with calculation.
Input data: Specifications, space constraints, dimensional surveys.
Output deliverables: Part and assembly models, detail drawings, bills of materials, STL files for printing.
Formats and exchanges: STEP, IGES, DWG, STL; links with Nastran In-CAD.

Used for:Steel 3D printing Facilities

Revit

Building BIM model

Phase 2 · ModellingAlso: Coordination and quantitiesAlso: Fabrication and delivery

Autodesk Revit: parametric BIM modelling platform (architecture, structure, MEP) where each object carries its properties and quantities.

Its place in the BIM process: Core of the digital model: a single model produces drawings, sections, schedules and quantities, and stays consistent with each change. It receives the point cloud to model the existing.
Input data: Point cloud, existing drawings, brief, calculation results.
Output deliverables: BIM model, drawings and sections, quantity tables, exports for coordination and calculation.
Formats and exchanges: RVT, IFC, DWG, NWC; links with Robot, Navisworks, ReCap.

Used for:Architecture BIM 5D Scan to BIM Concrete

Phase 3

Analysis and sizing

Verification by calculation: structures, connections, piping, vessels, electrical networks.

Robot Structural Analysis

Concrete and steel

Phase 3 · Analysis and sizingAlso: Modelling

Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis: finite element structural analysis, with reinforced concrete and steel design according to the applicable codes.

Its place in the BIM process: Validates the performance of the structure: the analytical model from the BIM model is loaded and calculated, then the selected sections are sent back to Revit or Advance Steel.
Input data: Structural model, loads, combinations, applicable codes.
Output deliverables: Calculation notes, reinforcement, section checks, optimised sections.
Formats and exchanges: Two-way exchange with Revit and Advance Steel, results export.

Used for:Concrete Steel

IDEA StatiCa

Steel connections

Phase 3 · Analysis and sizing

IDEA StatiCa: detailed finite element verification of steel connections and concrete details, with reading of stresses and deformations.

Its place in the BIM process: Used after the global analysis to justify the nodes: bolts, welds, base plates, stiffeners, where forces concentrate.
Input data: End forces from the global analysis, connection geometry.
Output deliverables: Connection verification report, utilisation ratios, principle drawing.
Formats and exchanges: BIM links with Robot, Revit and Advance Steel.

Used for:Steel

Nastran In-CAD

Finite elements

Phase 3 · Analysis and sizing

Nastran In-CAD: finite element solver integrated into Inventor for static, modal and buckling analysis of parts and assemblies.

Its place in the BIM process: Allows a part or mechanical equipment to be justified directly in the design environment, before fabrication or printing.
Input data: Inventor model, materials, boundary conditions, loads.
Output deliverables: Stresses, displacements, natural frequencies, safety factors.
Formats and exchanges: Integrated into Inventor; results exportable to a report.

Used for:Steel 3D printing

CAESAR II

Piping flexibility

Phase 3 · Analysis and sizing

CAESAR II: flexibility and stress analysis of piping under expansion, weight, pressure, wind and earthquake, according to industrial piping codes.

Its place in the BIM process: Validates the routing and supports of the piping model: it checks stresses in the lines and loads on equipment nozzles, then the routing is adjusted in the 3D model.
Input data: Routing from the piping model, service conditions, material specifications.
Output deliverables: Stress report, loads at supports and nozzles, support recommendations.
Formats and exchanges: Import of the routing via neutral file (PCF) from Plant 3D.

Used for:Facilities

PV Elite

Pressure vessels

Phase 3 · Analysis and sizing

PV Elite: sizing and verification of pressure vessels (tanks, drums, exchangers, columns) with their nozzles, supports and lifting cases.

Its place in the BIM process: Guarantees the mechanical compliance of the equipment in the model: thicknesses, openings, external loads, before their integration into the layout.
Input data: Process data, design conditions, vessel geometry.
Output deliverables: Calculation note, selected thicknesses, check of nozzles and supports.
Formats and exchanges: Calculation reports; geometries taken into the 3D model.

Used for:Facilities

Caneco

LV electrical calculations

Phase 3 · Analysis and sizingAlso: Modelling

Caneco BT: low voltage electrical installation calculation — power balances, cable cross-sections, voltage drops, protection and selectivity.

Its place in the BIM process: Sizes the electrical network that will then be laid out on the drawings (cable trays, switchboards) and documented by single-line diagrams.
Input data: Load list, distribution diagram, earthing system, cable lengths.
Output deliverables: Calculation notes, single-line diagrams, cable and protection lists.
Formats and exchanges: Spreadsheet and drawing exports; results reused in AutoCAD.

Used for:Electrical

Phase 4

Coordination and quantities

Model aggregation, clash detection, 4D simulation and 5D quantity take-offs.

Navisworks

Coordination and clashes

Phase 4 · Coordination and quantities

Autodesk Navisworks: aggregation of models from different software into a single scene, with clash detection, 4D simulation and project reviews.

Its place in the BIM process: Ensures that the disciplines (structure, piping, electrical, architecture) coexist without interference before reaching the site; the schedule is linked to simulate the construction phases.
Input data: Revit, Plant 3D and Advance Steel models, point clouds, schedule.
Output deliverables: Clash reports, coordination views, 4D simulation, quantities.
Formats and exchanges: NWD / NWC, native import of many formats, IFC.

Used for:BIM 5D Architecture Facilities

Phase 5

Fabrication and delivery

Execution drawings, printed prototypes, as-built file (DOE).

3D printer

Rapid prototyping

Phase 5 · Fabrication and delivery

3D printer: additive manufacturing of prototypes, models, jigs and small-series parts from digital models.

Its place in the BIM process: Materialises the model: shape, assembly and ergonomics are validated on a real part before committing to final fabrication, or custom tooling is produced.
Input data: STL / 3MF files from Inventor or a scan model.
Output deliverables: Prototypes, models, jigs, small series.
Formats and exchanges: STL, 3MF.

Used for:3D printing

Which tool for your project?

We choose the toolchain suited to your need: survey, model, calculation or prototype.

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