Objective Networks
Collaboratory
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Component Objects as an Advanced Content
Form for Virtual Internet2
By Fred Abler, Cal Poly SLO
What is the ‘Virtual Building’ Model?
‘Virtual Building’ Model is a revolutionary concept
Does not digitally
recreate a 2D or paper
based design & drafting
process
Chris Chin –Design Architect : ZGF (used w/
permission)
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
The Virtual Building Model (VBM)
VBM proposes that a 3D ‘virtual’ model is made
Chris Chin –Design Architect
ZGF (used w/ permission)
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
VBM = ‘Virtual’ 3D Component Objects
A Virtual Model contains many component objects
doors
windows
walls
tables
lights
rooms
hvac
Chris Chin –Design Architect
ZGF (used w/ permission)
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Makeup of a ‘Virtual’ 3D Object
Geometry
Points, lines, vertices,
dimensions, appearance,
surfaces, etc.
Attributes
Mfg. model name, Url
product #, qty, cost,
aluminum clad exterior,
tempered glass, low-E glass
Behaviors
Self –Trimming, Double hung,
natural ventilation, day lighting,
view portal
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
What is a Component Object ?
A virtually embodied autonomous agent
unlike other software agents or bots,
it has embodiment
A situated agent
its behavior is context dependent
A portable robot
it can be teleported (i.e. soft-bots)
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Component Objects = Dynamic Ensembles
VBM = 100’s or 1000’s of ‘Virtual’ Objects
(i.e. soft-bots)
Component Objects work together opportunistically as a
dynamic ensemble
The dynamic ensemble provides a VBM that can
generate Information On Demand !
Dynamic Virtual Building Models change the nature of
professional practice
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Information On Demand !
2D Projections are just another document type
drawings are a view
of the 3D model from
a specific angle at a
specified time
drawings are byproducts of design
not the end product
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Information On Demand !
Easy and cost efficient simulation at any stage
3D Design and Visualization (rendering, animation,
public review, etc.)
Thermal, Day lighting Analysis, and Energy Audits
LBNL Simulation Research Group – DOE-2
Construction Management (4D materials delivery)
Stanford CIFE - ‘logic bust’ at Disney Concert Hall
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Integrated Information
Complex rules, behaviors & relations between
objects communicated programmatically
Automated Code Compliance applications
Solibri “Design Spell Checker’
Faster & more accurate cost estimation
Timberline CAD Integrator
Real Estate & Facilities Management (FM)
Model for full Lifecycle Facility Management
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
VBM = Parametric Change Engine
3D Model Core = Parametric Change Engine
(all model information is updated automatically)
VBM = True Building Model
(virtual model can be single
point of reference & change)
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Evolution of the VBM
The Virtual Building Model is not a new concept
Early ME CAD packages pioneered the concept (1970’s)
First Wave ‘Design Systems’ (mid 1980’s) failed because :
- CAD workstations were $50K plus
- Plotter technology was inadequate, slow, & costly
- AEC Industry is large vertical market (500B$+)
- Little economy of scale
- most buildings are unique
- cannot tie virtual models directly to mfg’.
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Commercializing the VBM
Second Wave ‘3D Modelers’ (mid 1990’s) also failed :
- Industry is highly federated
- Many small players in local markets (70% of firms < 10 people)
- Virtual Teaming and fractured workflow typical
- Virtual objects were not ‘smart’ enough
- Primitive 3D interfaces
Third Wave ‘Building Information Modelers’ (2000) :
- Those using BIMs, do so in 2D work modes
- Most firms have not made leap to modeling entirely in 3D
- Serious lack of interoperability for 3D building objects
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
The Dimensional Disconnect
3D models for visualization
2D drawings for CDs
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
The Network Disconnect
“Interoperability” for
component objects does
not exist
Urgent need for a common
information language
High bandwidth has less
utility if all information must be
interpreted by humans
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
“Interoperability”
Coordinated efforts to improve interoperability of design
and engineering tools ongoing since late 1980’s
As OO paradigm evolved & 3D tools for design became
available, need to define natural & built environment in
a common, agreed format emerged
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
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STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data) –ISO
IAI ( International Alliance for Interoperability)
CSI ( Construction Specifications Institute )
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
IAI “Interoperability”
AutoDesk founded the IAI in 1995 with 100% support
of CAD vendors and AEC community
IAI proposed Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) as
a common information language
IFCs provide a neutral interface for exchanging virtual
component objects between proprietary CAD systems
However, the promise of object standards has not been
realized due to a number of problems
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Hitting the ‘Semantic’ Wall
What is a Wall?
To Architect:
Wall = spatial boundary
To Engineer:
To HVAC:
To Estimator:
To FM:
Wall = structural member
Wall = thermal barrier
Wall = $/lineal foot
Wall = division of functions
Semantic specification is
hard, lengthy, & expensive
IFC progress has been slow ( IFC v2.0 2002 )
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
IFC-based “Interoperability”
The IFC Object Model has become huge and complex
- It’s difficult to extract information for a particular application
- All other software applications IFC compliant
IFC standards are focused on ‘software engineering’
levels of interoperability (i.e. not usability)
To achieve compatibility w/ a
“reasonable” amount of work,
software engineers must use
middleware
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
‘Virtual’ Interoperability
There are currently multiple standards for describing
component objects (IFCs, AECxml, BLISxml, ISO, NCS, GDL, DXF, etc.)
Standards efforts are
ongoing and evolving
Competing standards
hurt industry already
burned by poor 2D
interoperability
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Current State-of-the-Art
Industry is on threshold of adopting the concept of
interoperability
Industry is slowly putting component models into use
Current users can be described as “early adopters”
Majority of industry (90%) has not yet reacted
Potential for concrete cost savings is visible, but the
future is uncertain
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
XML : the emerging standard
A few large CAD Vendors have threatened to leave the IAI
Major CAD & Software vendors now prefer XML solutions
XML is human readable
XML is extensible
XML is application neutral
XML is flexible
XML exploits e-commerce frameworks
XML is becoming a lingua franca
XML has greater REACH !
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
XML : the emerging standard
Crucial features of communication
systems are:
Volume: how much can it transmit ?
Transaction Latency : how long to do it ?
Isochronicity : perceptual window ?
Price : how much does it cost ?
Reach : where can service be provided?
Andrew Odlyzko The Many Paradoxes of Broadband 2003
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Disruptive Networks
‘Reach’ is the most compelling feature of interconnecting networks (i.e., world wide web)
Network ‘Reach’ overcomes the friction of distance
IFCs predated the commodity Internet which disrupted
the definition of component objects
Disruption is a good thing !
How will high-capacity
networks disrupt the VBM?
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Networks in Construction & FM
Finnish National Technology Agency (1992)
Finland makes IT in Construction national research priority
VERA Research Program (1997-2002)
Information Networking in Construction Process 42mEuros
VTT Technology Foresight
(2002 -2012)
“The FM/AEC industry is not in a position to solve problems
such as high-speed data transfer or data security”
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Info-structure vs. Infrastructure
High-capacity networks are incorrectly seen as
an “infrastructure” issue
AEC industry taking ‘hands off’ approach
However, a critical relationship exists
between: B ~ object-form ~ delivery
Industry unaware of disruption or potential of NGIs
High Capacity Networks will
significantly impact delivery of VBM, both +/© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband as Enabling technology
Broadband = Performance
Near real-time access to very large and complex VBMs &
Virtual Worlds w/ many thousands of virtual objects
- Unlimited information density – drill down
- Isochronicity - no perceptible lag in manipulating virtual models
- Plural Projections - 2D, 3D & 4D are not a problem
- XML – Metadata ‘Bloat’ has negligible negative impact
- Extranets, ‘Project Portals’, and AEC web services become a reality
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband as Enabling technology
Broadband = Collaboration
incremental and proactive standards; virtual teams, streamline fractured
workflow; begin to change industry culture
Broadband = Acceleration
Broadband connectivity is likely
to quickly re-engineer industry
empower individuals
empower vendors
empower larger corporations
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband as Disruptive technology
Rather than port information file-wise between CAD
systems, broadband allows us to ‘port the users’…
“ Broadband Interoperability
is as simple as giving your
engineer permission to
‘open a port’ on your model”
Broadband will dramatically enable 3D modeling,
Design, & Collaboration via Shared Project Databases
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband obviates Interoperability
http://www.shared-database.I2
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Shared Databases : A Case Study
Walgreen Drugstore:
World’s largest commercial user of satellite networks
4000+ pharmacies connected by VSAT network
One centralized database
Supports e-commerce
10,000 stores by 2010
Current valuation ($32 Billion)
James Collins
From Good to Great 2001
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband Rx
“ Among the many paradoxes of Broadband is that
although there is a remarkable degree of unanimity that
broadband is great and highly desirable, we don’t really
know what it’s good for, and in general are not willing to
pay much for it. “
Andrew Odlyzko
The Many Paradoxes
of Broadband 2003
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband Rx
“Bandwidth is a nearly perfect substitution for switching”
B = Switching
Claude Shannon
A Mathematical Theory of
Communication 1948
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband Rx
To commercialize broadband, we need to synergistically
transform low value resources (i.e. fungible commodities)
into something extremely valuable…
Switching ( transistors are ubiquitous)
+ Bandwidth ( not quite as cheap, but plentiful )
= ????
(something very precious)
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband Rx
“Bandwidth is a perfect substitution for Truth Maintenance”
B = Truth Maintenance
Truth Maintenance in AI
- non-monotonic logics
- uncertainty reasoning
Cognitive Dissonance Theory 1957
Fred Abler
A Utility Theory of
Communication 2003
image by Peter Wall
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
‘Truth Maintenance’ Technologies
Bandwidth = Truth Maintenance
The Truth is extremely time and context
sensitive IF B = Truth, THEN value is not very high
The Truth has a shelf-life
e.g., Thanksgiving at Wal*Mart
IF B = Truth Maintenance, THEN value is extreme!
The Truth is a singularity
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
‘Truth Maintenance’ Technologies
“A knowledge-based economy is materializing where the
competitive edge of many firms has shifted from static
price competition towards dynamic improvement,
favoring those who can create knowledge faster than
their competitors.”
Peter Maksell
Social Capital & Regional Development 1999
Danish Research Unit for
Industrial Dynamics
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
‘Truth Maintenance’ Technologies
Virtual Building Model
+ Broadband
(local) parametric change engine
(global) truth maintenance
= Truth Maintenance System (TMS)
Synergistic Truth Maintenance technologies are likely to
dramatically re-engineer the AEC Industry…
- cost avoidance and new efficiency
- new application class: ‘Truth Maintenance Systems’
- new value adding ‘web services’
- new knowledge industries
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Mirror Worlds
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Virtual Worlds
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
World Making
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband Truth & Consequences
Broad-shared databases “localize” interoperability
making the issue transparent to end users
Software engineers & cumbersome ‘middleware
solutions’ are not needed to play (small AEC firms can play)
Where programmatic access is required, we can
provide “facades” for web services
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Project Database ASPs
AEC/Virtual
Worlddatabases
project webs
scaling
of shared
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Broadband Truth & Consequences
Likely broadband consequences suggest that new
research, development, and collaboration are needed…
New Model Server technologies are needed
New Compound, 3D, and 4D Document types are needed
Sharing versioned building models and component objects
New 3D methods of organizing work are required
From 2D layers to 3D worksets (i.e. fixed, temporary, or even ‘smart’
collections of virtual objects)
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Truth Maintenance & Consequences
Research on Multi-User Collaboration and workflow:
From subject matter experts to knowledge engineering and publishing
From craft
guilds and ateliers to flexible systems engineering
From master architect to collaborative design, including vendors
Object-based Truth Technologies are needed:
Virtually Embodied Autonomous Agents
Ontologies and Intelligent Discovery Services
‘Smart locking’ for Virtual Objects
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Truth Maintenance & Consequences
New modes of Human-Computer Interaction needed
Existing 3D interfaces are primitive
Broadband is also disrupting HCI
Many truths can only be expressed virtually
Collaborative 3D Design Processes are needed
Use of component objects in upstream processes (Design
and planning)
Component and model-driven design
3D Component Object libraries for world-making
Representing Space-Time for 4D Simulation
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Truth Maintenance & Consequences
Cultural changes in the professions are needed :
Foster a willingness to collaborate
Provide broadband access i.e., Lambda-Grants ™
Provide IT know how
Begin with the future of the profession
(Students and a critical focus on education)
Need to exploit new forms of ‘virtual’ culture that
broadband interconnectivity enables
Collaboratories
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Objective Networks Collaboratory
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Mission: collaboratively investigate, research, & develop:
3D component object libraries for world-making
Broadband Project Databases & ASPs
Broadband component and model server technologies
Open and value-adding service networks
‘Truth Maintenance’ technologies and Systems
Mirror worlds and Virtual worlds
Educational awareness & development of 3D design
and other world-making skills
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Objective Networks
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Collaboratory
Research & Network Affiliates
Fred Abler –
Cal Poly, SLO, CA
Madis Pihlak – Penn State University, SC, PA
Walt Bremer – Cal Poly, SLO CA
Marilyn Farmer – Cuesta College, SLO, CA
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003
Objective Networks Collaboratory
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Corporate Research Affiliate : @Last Software, Boulder, Colorado
© 2003 Fred Abler, Oct 14, 2003