The document compares the benefits and constraints of Building Information Modeling (BIM), CAD measurement, and manual measurement across various stages of a construction project including: 1) The preparation/briefing stage where BIM allows for greater client involvement but has high costs, CAD provides accurate measurements but also has high costs, and manual measurement is cheapest. 2) The design stage where BIM improves client understanding through virtual models but requires industry buy-in, CAD speeds irregular measurements but 2D sketches still require manual work, and manual measurement has accuracy issues. 3) The pre-construction stage where BIM saves time and improves accuracy but has training/software costs, CAD ensures accuracy and data management but only

1. LIU WEI QIAN
SHERLYN ANG
LU SIAU VAY
ERVINNA ENDELLA
YEO DOR EEN
PART A
• COST X
• CUBIT
• GLODON
• GLOBAL ESTIMATING
PART B
COMPARE BENEFITS AND CONSTRAINTS OF
- BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM)
- CAD MEASUREMENT
- MANUAL MEASUREMENT

2. COST-X
• Was first released in July 2004 by Exactal
• Take off quantities from 2D drawings
• Generate automatic quantities from 3D BIM models
• Prepare estimates, bills of quantities, tenders and
reports easily
• Reduce take off time by up to 80%

3. FUNCTIONS
2D Takeoff
• Measure from scanned, PDF or
CAD drawings and 3D models/BIM
software
• “sticky cursor” attaches to the lines
in the drawing, making
measurement a simple case of
“point and click”
• All measurements are clearly
highlighted so one can always see
what’s been measured where
• The values can be optionally
displayed in a text box when the
cursor is held over a dimension

4. 2D Vectors files
Polyline single click area measurement Single click multiple Block count
2D Rasters files

5. AUTO-REVISIONING
•Unique revision mode compares drawings and highlights the
changes to identify revisions and update quantities
•All changes are scheduled in a Revision Log
• The comparison of dimensions is done for all area, length and
count dimensions
•Workbooks will automatically updated quantities to the new
workbook revision from the new drawing either 2D drawings or
3D BIM models

6. WORKBOOKS
•Powerful and flexible spreadsheet-based templates to create accurate
cost plans, estimates, bills and tenders
•All live linked to the drawings, so users can always see what’s been
measured where
•Workbook content (item descriptions, etc) can be drawn from a number of
sources
•Data can also be copied and pasted from Excel or Word
•Standard model description libraries may be imported into Cost-X and
accessed via a Phraseologies tab to drag and drop text into workbooks

7. SUBCONTRACTOR COMPARISON
• Generates a workbook which allows subcontractor quotation details to be
entered and compared in a structured manner
• Use features such as fixed columns for lowest-priced & preferred
subcontractors, automatic formulas, subcontractor selection, empty price flags
& various comparison reports
• It consists of two main parts, a Subcontractor Comparison workbook and
Subcontractor comparison report templates
• When the comparison exercise is complete and a tender price has been
determined, a Tender Schedule priced using all the selected subcontract
prices may be generated

8. 3D/ BIM TAKEOFF
• Supports BIM by using digital design data to accurately
estimate quantities and costs
• Cost-X has full 3D graphics capability and has the ability to
extract object properties and generate automatic quantities
from 3D BIM
• It is able to read parametric design models such as those
from Autodesk Revit (via a DWFx export) and open-format IFC
files
• Depending on the properties of the drawing, a shortcut
Smartkey (L key) will automatically takeoff areas, including the
surface area of complex curved 3D shapes in a single click

9. LIMITATIONS
The detection of windows
• The detection of windows is being illustrated all the way from the
bottom of the ground
• Couldn’t show the exact location of the window itself
• Thus, the pricing rate of fixing the windows is hard to make by
contractor QS as it is hard to know where’s the windows should be
located

10. The detection of reinforcement bars
• The rebar in beam can be measured by measuring the drawing
sectional view
• Cost-X couldn’t detect the main reinforcement bars of column
• This also applied when measurement of BRC is being carried out,
Cost-X couldn’t show the bents of BRC
• Therefore, users need to take the length until the end of the edge
on every side
• May cause the BRC to be over-measured

11. CUBIT
• It was released by Buildsoft
• Faster, more user friendly
• Has a heap of new functions that’s easier when pricing and
measuring
• Cubit delivers an unique and natural solution for estimating
building and construction projects

12. FUNCTIONS
Natural Estimating
• Estimating and takeoff; one seamless process
• Specialised estimating system with flexible functionality that allows
one to estimate the way he wants
• Application that seamlessly integrates takeoff with estimating for an
all-in-one solution
• It’s all laid out in one view
• Up to three times faster than other software packages.

13. 3D Takeoff
• Minimise errors and second-guessing
• Pinpoint accurate takeoff with a view from any angle
• See elements of your takeoff from any angle in 3D, and use this as a
cross-referencing tool to make sure you don’t miss taking off any items, or
to check all your openings
• Perform quantity takeoffs from PDF, CAD (DWG, DXF), BIM (DWFx), and
image files

14. Price Lists
• Create and update your estimates more efficiently
• Use template price lists and jobs as the source for new estimates
• Collect pricing information and save them as template price lists to control
how your company prices jobs, ensuring accuracy and maximising
profitability
• Go even further by creating template jobs that collate all your common trades
and items, making it easier to start your next estimate, time and time again

15. Job Analysis
• Have greater control, insights and analysis
• Group similar information together to increase visibility over jobs
• Code estimate in a way that allows users to sort data into different formats
• For example, if your client asked you the volume of concrete on a particular
level of a multistorey apartment block, this information can be achieved by
coding the estimate by material
• Allows user to split the job across different stages and budgets, and export
more detailed estimates into other workflows

16. Automatic Plan Revisions
• Save countless hours estimating
• Revisions to plans are overlaid on an existing plan one have already
taken off
• Allows user to edit plans as part of the revision process
• Within the viewport, can clearly see where’s the differences occur
• All changes will instantly update your estimate.

17. Reporting
• Customisable reports at the click of a button
• Have the power to build various professional reports for users or their
clients
• Ability to generate and print a range of professional reports including
trade, markup, rate and takeoff
• All reports can be exported in a range of common formats.

18. LIMITATIONS
• The Job Merge/ Multi-user Functionality
• Doesn’t have the job merge function which allow multiple papers for
working on different parts of an estimate. Thus, it’s time consuming.
• Find feature
• It does not have a find feature. Users are required to navigate for
endless items by themselves.
• Job Update Functionality
• Cubit doesn’t have the job update function so user are needed to
amend any price or value that they wish to manually across multiple
estimate.
• Job status and Freezing feature
• Unlike Cubit 6, Cubit does not have the freezing feature where users
can have direct control of their estimate. With the feature, they can
select the status to reflect the stage of an estimate and freeze rates or
quantities that are finalized.

19. GLODON
• was found in Beijing in the year of 1998.
• offers the most valuable information products and
professional services of the construction project
field to promote the development of information
in the construction industry.
• owns independent intellectual property rights on
its main products and technologies, and
establishes an effective research and development
management system.
• few main products which are widely used include
Glodon Takeoff for Rebar, Glodon Takeoff for
Mechanical and Electrical, Glodon Takeoff for
Architecture and Structure, Glodon Tender Series

20. 1)Glodon Takeoff for Rebar (TRB)
• a suite of quantity calculation software based on the
Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, which
is embedded with groundbreaking 3-dimensional
measurement and calculation rules.
2) Glodon Takeoff for Mechanical and Electrical (TME)
• calculate all devices in a drawing with one click, identify
pipes, wires, cables and ducts automatically.
3) Glodon Takeoff for Architecture and Structure (TAS)
• embedded with Commonwealth of England calculation
rules, enabling users to quickly build a 3D time-cost
model.
4) Glodon Tender Series for Bill of Quantities (TBQ)
• identifies paper BQ and link summary pages with BQ
item pages automatically to prepare e-tender efficiently.
5) MagiCAD
• offers localisation for different country-specific
standards and enables MEP design using over 1,000,000

21. FUNCTIONS
• Professional management tool
providing accurate information for decision
making
• Project management and BM 5D
visually control schedule contract and cost with
multi-coordination.
• Perfect data interface, accurate model data
supports international standard model format IFC,
and is also developed for Chinese format GFC.
• Quick Modelling & BIM-Based Quantity Takeoff
enables the editing of BIM models and supports
the direct import of IFC, DWG and PDF drawings to
build 3D model effectively.
• High market share of Takeoff products
can integrate with its nation-wide takeoff
software, which is the core source of BIM
application data.

22. LIMITATIONS
• Costly
• acquire all its products
• maintenance fee
• operation updating fee

23. GLOBAL ESTIMATING

24. BENEFITS TO QS CONSULTANT FIRMS &
DEVELOPERS
Speed up BQ production process
Speed up estimating process
Speed up measurement process
Speed up job analysis process
Speed up tender comparison process
Proper record of standard descriptions & cost
data
Easily checking measurement and rates
Easily revise BQ quantities & rates
Save time, cost and energy
Easy to use and learn

25. BENEFITS TO CONTRACTORS & SUB
CONTRACTORS
Speed up tendering process
Speed up estimating process
Speed up BQ preparation process for the lump sum
projects
Speed up job analysis process after awarded the
projects
Speed up measurement process
Speed up tender comparison process
Easily checking measurement and rates
Proper record of cost data & standard descriptions
Easily revise tender sum

26. LIMITATIONS
Permanently deleted
Typing errors
Virus Attack
High Utility Bills

28. LEVEL 1: JOB SUMMARY

29. LEVEL 2: ELEMENT/TRADE
BREAKUP

30. LEVEL 3: CALCULATION SHEET

31. LEVEL 4: RATE BREAKUP SHEET

32. RECOMMENDATIONS
Features
Cost-
X
Cubit
Glodo
n
Global
Estimating
3D Takeoff / / / /
5D BIM for scheduling /
Editing of BIM models / / /
3D Model Visualisation / / / /
Subcontractor
Comparison
Programme
/ /
Bill of
Quantities/Workbook
/ / /

33. RECOMMENDATION - GLODON
• Uses 5D that involves cost management
• 5D BIM generate cost estimation from the components
of the information model, it includes capital cost,
running cost and renewal cost of the information model.
• Taking-off can be done automatically and thus updating
the quantities in the Bills of Quantities automatically if
changes are made.
• Glodon supports number formats of drawings IFC, DWG
and PDF. Even drawings that are being hand drawn and
scan to the computer are usable for performing taking-
off using Glodon provided that the drawings are to scale
• 3D model visualisation are ordinary Glodon’s 3D model
visualisation has function that attach images of finishes

34. COMPARE BENEFITS AND
CONSTRAINTS OF BUILDING
INFORMATION MODELING (BIM),
CAD MEASUREMENT AND MANUAL
MEASUREMENT IN:-
I. Preparation / Briefing Stage
• Client works closely with the consultant teams in
order to determine the purpose and objective of
the proposed construction.
• In this stage, a list of solutions, alternatives,
feasibility and costs estimates of the project is
constructed.
• It is also during this stage where the consultants
will advise the client on which procurement
method he should adopt.

35. BENEFITS
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• Clients are more involved in all parts of the project due to
the fact that the model will give them quick and vast
information.
• Clients develop a clear understanding whether the building
of a given size, quality level, and desired program
requirements can be built within given time and cost
budget.
CAD Measurement
• Due to the accurate scaled drawings, quantity surveyors can
derive an accurate measurement.
• The sharp visualization of the project gives clients a better
understanding of how the outcome of the project may look
like.
Manual Measurement
• Definitely a cheaper option since every quantity surveyors
are trained to do the measurement manually.

36. CONSTRAINTS
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• Training costs and the learning curve are too high.
• Implementing new technologies such as BIM technologies is costly
in terms of training and changing work processes and workflows.
• The market is not ready and it is still in the innovator phase.
CAD Measurement
• Just like BIM, cost of CAD software is high and any additional
updates needed will also cost extra.
• CAD software does not have a backup system which means it does
not auto save any projects.
Manual Measurement
• For certain projects, only experienced quantity surveyors can
derive certain cost and estimations due to their past experiences
which fresh graduates are not capable of doing.

37. II. DESIGN STAGE
• Design stage of a project is divided into 3; concept
design, developed design and technical design (RIBA
Plan of Work 2013).
• Project team will develop the design concept, outline
specifications, outline a planning strategy, prepare cost
plan, identify possible procurement options and
consider feasibility and construction logistics of a
project during the Concept Design.
• Whereas, in the developed design stage, revision to the
design is applied along with the planning of structural
and services designs. This stage will usually need the
inputs from sub-contractors or specialist contractors.
• Technical design stage refers to the project activities
that happens after the developed design stage is
completed, but before a contract is tendered or

38. BENEFITS
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• Instead of trying to translate a pile of 2D drawing plans, clients
now have access to a huge measure of data which can be arranged
to address their issues.
• This incorporates virtual walkthroughs, nitty-gritty equipment lists
and exact cost estimates because clients will then offer thoughts
on the design, tweaks will be made, and the model is ready to
enter into the next phase.
CAD Measurement
• Measuring of irregular shapes are faster.
• Quantity Surveying firms can take up more projects due to the
proficiency of the software thus generating more profit to the firm.
Manual Measurement
• Definitely a cheaper option since every quantity surveyors are
trained to do the measurement manually.

39. CONSTRAINTS
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• Everyone must be on board to make BIM effort worthwhile.
• It is not worth it to implement BIM when the project is already
financed and the design is complete.
CAD Measurement
• When there is any changes in the drawing, when measuring using CAD
software, the measurement needs to be done from the start. Unlike
the BIM software where the ‘workbook’ updates automatically as the
measurement changed
• Normally during the ‘Design stage’, architects will come out with the
sketches. However, the mishap of CAD software is that, the sketches
cannot be measured. Thus, manual measurement is still needed in this
case.
Manual Measurement
• Since quantity surveyors are normal human being, the accuracy of cost
data needs to be allowed of roughly +/- 10% and sometimes there
might be some errors here and there.

40. III. PRE-CONSTRUCTION STAGE
• Involves preliminary planning and engineering.
• Outlines several elements like project scope,
schedule and cost.
• Every detailed information are laid out and
required for statutory approvals
• With these documents and information, it will
proceed to the tendering stage

41. BENEFITS
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Time saving
• Accuracy
• Better visualisation of building model- 3D, 4D or
5D
CAD
• Accuracy in scale
• Data managing
Manual Measurement
• Economical

42. CONSTRAINT
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Training and software cost
• Legal responsibilities
CAD Measurement
• Only allows measurement
Manual Measurement
• Time consuming
• Human errors

43. IV. CONSTRUCTION STAGE
• Construction begins.
• All the information regarding the
project is handover to the contractor,
including further information.

44. BENEFITS
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Reduces risk of reworks
• Reduces wastage on materials
CAD Measurement
• Provide clear drawings
Manual Measurement
• Economical

45. CONSTRAINT
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Disruptive
• Decision Making
CAD Measurement
• Non-parametric
• Insufficient information
Manual Measurement
• Reduces accuracy of data
• Restriction on visualisation

46. V. POST CONSTRUCTION
• At the post-construction stage, the building
performance is being maintained and
administered throughout it is being used.
Before the commencing of the occupation
period, the building user is being assist.

47. BENEFITS
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Better facility management
• Better emergency management
CAD Measurement
• Data management
Manual Measurement
• Economical

48. CONSTRAINT
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Additional cost to comply for Facility
Management
CAD Measurement
• Unable to measure sustainability of the
building
Manual Measurement
• Unable to measurement sustainability of the
building