An introduction to NBS Create - Video

As part of the development of our new website we wanted to produce a video that introduces the NBS Create specification system in three minutes. This comes hot on the heels of the NBS BIM workflow video I blogged about in March.

This video may now be viewed below:
- theNBS.com/Create

As with the previous BIM video, again this video introduces the product through telling the story of our own building project and uses NBS colleagues within the movie.

At NBS, our technical authors work together to ensure the quality and structure of the NBS content

This content is then used by thousands of constructional professionals on thousands of projects across the UK

The structure of this content allows for innovative functionality where specifications can be developed from outline to full throughout the project timeline - functionality also connects the specification to relevant standards and manufacturers

The video moves through our new office building looking at specifications from the different disciplines

Where each member of the project team subscribes, the final documentation is consistent across all disciplines

Project teams can strengthen the NBS Create system by capturing their office knowledge within it

The specification must be coordinated with the drawings and schedules - the connectivity within a BIM environment give big efficiency benefits here

...and the video ends as it started with a focus on the NBS people - in this case the support that is provided to customers as part of their subscription

To find out more about NBS Create - please see:
- theNBS.com/Create

Thanks to chartered architects JDDK who have led the building project and are pictured in the video

Thanks also (again) to Soluis who partnered with us to produce the video.
- Soluis.com

How NBS fits into your BIM workflow - Video

As part of the launch of our new brand and our new website - we now have a dedicated place on our website explaining how NBS products and services can support you within your BIM workflow.

As part of this, we have just produced a three minute video as a short introduction.

- theNBS.com/BIMWorkflow

What I think is particularly nice about this video is that the story is told from our own building project that is currently under way. This is a genuine model of our building. The content and software examples are genuine. Some stills from the video are explained below.

At an early stage, client information requirements can be defined in the NBS BIM Toolkit

Generic objects from the National BIM Library can help generate concept designs

Specifications can be started early and then developed through the timeline using NBS Create

Relevant standards and regulations are linked to BIM objects and specifications within the Construction Information Service

Product specifications from over 650 manufacturers may be added using NBS Plus

The NBS Plug-in for Autodesk Revit synchronises the model and the specification

Information is developed through the project timeline

The connectivity between the solutions is what makes them so effective

To find out more about our BIM solutions - please see:
- theNBS.com/BIMWorkflow

Thanks to chartered architects JDDK who have led the building project

Thanks also (again) to Soluis who partnered with us to produce our third engaging BIM video (previous 1, previous 2).
- Soluis.com

Seamless linkage between NBS and The Construction Information Service

The 2010 versions of NBS Building, Lansdscape and Engineering Services all now have the facility to seamlessly link with The Construction Information Service and NBS Building Regulations.

This means that if you are a subscriber to these services then you can enter your user name and password once centrally and then immediately click through from the NBS guidance to the relevant technical information.

The screenshots below demonstrate this.

Figure 1 - Enter your username and passwords to the services in the NBS software

Figure 2 - From within the NBS guidance, click to view technical standards and approved documents

Figure 3 - Without the need to enter your user details again, you are taken to the correct document on The Construction Information Service

Figure 4 - This document can be quickly downloaded as a PDF file

Figure 5 - Again, without the need to enter your user details again, you are taken to the relevant section of the Approved Document

2010 Software now with Beta Testers

The NBS Beta Testers now have their preview version of the 2010 software. This will be with customers in March 2010. I'll blog more about each of the enhancements in detail over the coming months, but for now here are some screenshots as tasters...

1. Searching and previewing the clause content of specifications, office standards and NBS libraries:

2. The NBS Annotator, allowing clause references to be easily added to CAD models and schedules:

3. Printing and publishing improvements such as highlighting of revised clauses in the printed document:

4. The ability to add a tender summary and then work with these costs through the construction phase

5. Seamless links to The Construction Information Service - no need to enter username and password each time:

6. Interoperability so that a single project specification can be produced with prelims, building fabric, landscape and engineering work sections:

Update 13 April 2010 - This 2010 software is now being dispatched to all customers. Please note that the interopability work did not make it into this release. However all of the other features did. Interopability will be considered for a future release.