The development is to its widely used FloorMaster package, which currently enables architects and engineers to design in compliance with Eurocodes.
The new FloorMaster option will enable the software to export to IFC format files, allowing a 3D BIM model of the fully engineered James Jones structure to be picked up by anyone using Revit, Tekla, ArchiCAD or any of the other third-party BIM packages.
"As these IFC files are fully-fledged BIM models, they can contain, in addition to the geometry, costs, weights and even carbon footprint information from the company’s life cycle assessment process," said software and IT manager Mike Coats.
A library of James Jones products, including these values, will be made available.
James Jones is also developing a full 3D design environment in partnership with Robert Gordon University.
This new package will be capable of framing out and designing all the walls, floors and roofs in a single structure, which could then be inserted directly into the client’s BIM model.
"BIM is both a challenge and an important opportunity for James Jones, as the government has set a timeline for supporting BIM on all their projects by 2016," said Mr Coats.
"This may seem ambitious to some in the industry, but a number of our existing clients are moving to a BIM design process now, and we are moving quickly to support them."
