CU1811

SOFTWAREreview
iModel 2.0 PLatform Architecture - the basis of iModelHub
iModel navigation using Visual Studio Code
client and the user on web-pages. It is
an interpreted programming language
with object-oriented capabilities.
Drawing on its flexibility and ease of
use, the iModel.js library is a
comprehensive collection of JavaScript
packages that use the common, open
and popular standards for modern
cloud and web development. It is
written in TypeScript, and leverages a
range of technologies including SQLite,
Node.js, NPM, WebGL, Electron,
Docker, Kubernetes, and of course
HTML5 and CSS. The same codebase
is equally adept at producing cloud
services, web, mobile, and desktop
applications. The source code is
hosted on GitHub and is distributed
under the MIT license.
That pretty much enables it to cover
all elements of any form of augmented,
virtual or digital reality you care to
mention. Using iModel.js you can
create web-based experiences with the
whole gamut of 'nD' views - 2D, 3D, 4D
- assembling them from BIM files and
other engineering models and
synchronising them with additional
information, created directly with
iModel.js - digital reality data, sensor
data and information from any other
type of information source or analytics.
The information is always kept up to
date using the most recent updates
from project members, synchronised
by iModelHub. This includes model
changes and revisions, allowing
authorised iModelHub users to
visualise and analyse model changes
between points in time, or between
versions.
It's here that the value of the 'digital
twin' is exemplified. Not only does
iModel.js provide an accessible digital
model of a complex project, which can
be used to further design and analyse
structures, evaluate model changes
and plan further infrastructure
development, but it allows it to be
achieved in a flexible and
comprehensive information-rich
environment. When combined with
another of Bentley's announcements -
the Siemens, Bentley and Microsoft
Partnership alluded to above - it
provides access to Siemens' data
acquisition capabilities and Microsoft's
Office 365 document management and
financial solutions. In this way Project
Management solutions can be
envisaged.
The value of being able to integrate
project information in such an
accessible way was explained by
Johan Palm, the program manager for
Digital Project Delivery at Hatch, who
said, "iModel.js gives Hatch the ability
to implement a stakeholder
engagement technology that extends
the iModelHub visionary technology.
We can expose complex project
information to a level that is accessible,
consumable, and extendable via the
cloud and in context to the 3D model.
Most importantly we can do so in a
manner that embraces change as the
project progresses."
Emphasising the importance of the
technology within Hatch's visions for
the future, he added "iModel.js aligns
with Hatch's internal development
strategies as it is built on modern,
highly portable web technology. Bentley
is a key software technology partner on
Hatch projects globally where our main
objective is to provide a positive impact
to our client's assets and operations."
Keith Bentley, Bentley Systems'
founder and CTO, spoke about the
importance of the digital twin
development and iModel
enhancements at the Year in
Infrastructure Conference, saying "We
firmly believe that iModel.js, and of
course the foundation upon which it is
built, is the most open, productive,
intuitive, and powerful development
environment for capital projects and
infrastructure assets, ever. We're
excited to work with user organisations,
strategic partners, and third-party
developers to build an open ecosystem
around iModels to tap the vast potential
of infrastructure digital twins.
"With iModel.js, the well-refined
techniques of mainstream cloud and
web development can leverage the
physical and virtual reality in digital
twins with near-zero impedance. By
open-sourcing the libraries we use to
create our iTwin cloud services, we
expect to foster a substantial and
vibrant ecosystem of innovation."
www.bentley.com
November/December 2018 15