Tool Interfaces: As a platform, a BIM application needs to be able to

present a large range of information, as geometry, properties, and as relations

between them, to other applications. Typical uses include structural,
2.5 Overview of the Major BIM Design Platforms 75
energy, lighting, costs, and other analyses during design; clash detection
and issues tracking for design coordination; purchasing and materials
tracking; and task and equipment scheduling for construction. Tool
interfaces of importance depend on the intended use of the BIM platform,
defi ned by particular patterns of workfl ow. We assess their appropriateness
in the tools and workfl ows in the chapters that address their use in
different contexts—Chapters 5, 6, and 7.
Libraries of BIM Elements: Each BIM platform has various libraries of
predefi ned objects that can be imported fo