BIM-GIS Integration through Open Tools

Abstract: The implementation of effective workflows based on a fully open BIM-GIS integration is still an unsolved topic. This is due to the lack of freely available BIM authoring tools, as well as to still unfixed interoperability issues. This paper proposes a new methodology to integrate BIM and GIS without using commercial tools and proprietary formats. This workflow is enabled by the use of the add-on “BlenderBIM” for “Blender”, which allows to manage IFC models by updating non-geometric information through “.csv” files. Moreover, “.csv” files are assumed as main information exchange vehicle between BIM and GIS. The method is validated through a case study.