The BIM Christmas Tree

Christmas is a great time for reflecting on how the past year has gone and looking forward to the coming year. It’s also perfect for taking some time out and doing something a little bit different.

This year, we challenged the CADS 3D team to make a unique Christmas card which represents CADS and our intended focus for 2012.  Working together, the marketing and 3D teams decided to create a Christmas 3D animation that would communicate aspects of Christmas, retail and Business Information Modelling (BIM). And so the BIM Christmas tree was born!

The team started by creating a snowy Christmas scene, inspired by an area of Norwich City Centre where thousands of shoppers will be undoubtedly spending their hard-earned cash over the Christmas period.

When designing the 3D visuals, CADS 3D were keen to strike a good balance between the colder blue colours outside, with the warm and inviting  lighting from the shops:

Next was the Christmas tree. Not just any tree, but a BIM-ed up Christmas tree! To achieve this the tree was built up of different floors, separated by floor slabs with a complete glass façade. The red lights and star on top are added extras that would not usually be included in a BIM design!

With all of the modelling and lighting complete, the card was animated, bringing it to life.  The tree is gradually ‘built’ as it falls out of the sky. It shows the structure coming together and a design being realised:

As a company, we have been spending an increasing amount of time on a combination of BIM and 3D visualisation throughout 2011. Working with our in-house BIM specialists, www.cadnet.ltd.uk, and architects, www.3darchitects.co.uk, we plan on devoting even more of our time and energy to furthering our BIM experiencein 2012.

For now, with the Christmas tree built, and firmly rooted in the ground, let me extend my season’s greetings and bring on the new year!

Paul
CADS 3D Visualisation Team Leader