Comparative Analysis of Two BIM Model Transfer Processes in Cave Automatic Virtual Environments

The construction industry is currently undergoing a digital transition characterized by an increasing adoption of digital approaches and tools to enhance business processes. Among these approaches are Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR). Several research works have demonstrated that the use of BIM models in virtual reality environments can be particularly useful in leveraging the simple and intuitive interaction mechanisms offered by these environments. This can especially support meetings and enable individuals less familiar with BIM software to interact with the models. However, while several research works have been dedicated to this subject, it is still challenging for practitioners to select the best processes for effectively integrating BIM models into VR environments. One reason for this state of affairs is the lack of practical and neutral comparisons that could help them understand the different approaches, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. This is even more true when it comes to immersive virtual reality environments like CAVE systems, which are highly practical for in-person meetings but have much less documentation on BIM integration. The goal of the work presented in this article is to compare two transfer processes based on different tools. Both processes are detailed, including the tools and transfer formats. Then, a comparative analysis is conducted based on a university building project. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of each process are discussed, providing practitioners with objective elements to aid in decision-making.