2D Drawings Research Articles

Development of an innovative method of teaching and learning tooth anatomy: application of shading technique in 3D drawing molar occlusal surfaces

Understanding the morphology of teeth is crucial in restorative dentistry in terms of restoring teeth’ anatomy, aesthetics, and function. Objectives: (1) this study describes an innovative method of teaching and learning tooth anatomy that applied shading techniques to 3D drawing the molar occlusal surfaces; (2) the study aims to survey learners’ opinions about the method’s effectiveness. Materials and methods: This study was conducted on 118 third-year dental students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, from March to May 2022. The 3D occlusal surface drawing was developed and applied in teaching, and feedback was received from students. All statistical analysis was analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: Instructions for 3D drawing were detailed and explained step-by-step, from forming to shading the occlusal surfaces. Subsequently, 57.3% - 90.9% of students self-assessed their proficiency in comprehending the characteristics of the occlusal anatomy. 73.3% - 95.8% of students agreed on the utility. 73.1% of students agreed to be willing to apply the 3D drawing method in learning other subjects. Conclusion: Instructions for 3D drawing were built step-by-step, from forming to shading the occlusal surfaces. After completing the course, a high percentage of students agreed on the advantages of this method. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the 3D drawing method in clinical practice Key words: tooth morphology, shading technique, occlusal surface.

CreatureShop: Interactive 3D Character Modeling and Texturing From a Single Color Drawing.

Creating 3D shapes from 2D drawings is an important problem with applications in content creation for computer animation and virtual reality. We introduce a new sketch-based system, CreatureShop, that enables amateurs to create high-quality textured 3D character models from 2D drawings with ease and efficiency. CreatureShop takes an input bitmap drawing of a character (such as an animal or other creature), depicted from an arbitrary descriptive pose and viewpoint, and creates a 3D shape with plausible geometric details and textures from a small number of user annotations on the 2D drawing. Our key contributions are a novel oblique view modeling method, a set of systematic approaches for producing plausible textures on the invisible or occluded parts of the 3D character (as viewed from the direction of the input drawing), and a user-friendly interactive system. We validate our system and methods by creating numerous 3D characters from various drawings, and compare our results with related works to show the advantages of our method. We perform a user study to evaluate the usability of our system, which demonstrates that our system is a practical and efficient approach to create fully-textured 3D character models for novice users.

Learning Space Transformation

This research aims to develop an interior design plan for the computer laboratory at SMKN 1 North Luwu. The research methodology employed in this study is research and development (R&D). The research process consists of several steps, including analyzing potential issues and challenges, accomplished through an extensive review of existing literature and on-site field studies. Data is collected through methods, including observations, interviews, and documentation. The content of the design development encompasses several crucial aspects. First, it involves the creation of a design concept for the laboratory, which is then translated into detailed 2D working drawings and 3D perspective drawings. These design proposals are rigorously assessed and validated by experts and practitioners. The outcomes of this research effort include a comprehensive interior design plan tailored specifically for the computer laboratory at SMKN 1 North Luwu. This design plan is presented through detailed 2D drawings and 3D modeling using V-ray SketchUp 2020. The validation process of the design resulted in a score of 141 with a percentage of 97.9%, indicating that the product design is highly suitable as an exemplary model for managing the computer laboratory at SMKN 1 North Luwu, with a classification of "excellent."

Abstract A149: Characterization of HER3 targeted radioligand therapy using molecular imaging

Abstract Background: Radioligand therapy (RLT) is an emerging treatment modality that has shown potential to improve survival in cancer patients that often have limited or non-effective therapeutic options. We previously demonstrated that anti-HER3 antibody radioconjugate (HER3 ARC) has antitumor efficacy against HER3 expressing tumor xenograft models. One important step in the early development of RLT is to understand the targeting properties and the distribution of the RLT in vivo. Non-invasive molecular imaging such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) offer unique opportunities to understand drug behavior in vivo, permitting real time drug targeting and distribution analysis. In this study, we assessed the targeting properties and distribution of our HER3 ARC in HER3 expressing preclinical xenograft tumor models using both SPECT and PET. Methods: HER3 monoclonal antibody was conjugated with p-SCN-Bn-deferoxamine (DFO) or p-SCN-Bn-DOTA (DOTA) then labeled with Zirconium-89 (89Zr) or Indium-111 (111In), respectively. Flow cytometry and gamma counting was used to characterize HER3 ARC biological activity in HER3-expressing tumor cell lines. Balb/c mice subcutaneously inoculated with HER3-expressing xenograft tumors (lung, ovarian and colorectal) were intravenously administered with 89Zr-DFO-HER3 or 111In-DOTA-HER3. PET or SPECT scans were acquired 72 and 120-144hrs post injection of the radiotracer. Separate cohorts of mice were simultaneously administered with 89Zr-DFO-HER3 or 111In-DOTA-HER3 and 20-fold excess of native HER3 antibody as control to block radiotracer binding. Tissue uptake was quantified by drawing 3D or 2D regions of interest (ROI) for PET or SPECT images, respectively. Results: HER3 ARC radiotracers were successfully prepared and demonstrated similar binding to HER3 expressing cells compared to native HER3 antibody. In tumor-bearing mice, 89Zr-DFO-HER3 and 111In-DOTA-HER3 specifically accumulated in HER3 expressing tumors and cleared throughout the reticuloendothelial system. High tumor uptake was observed 120hrs post radiotracer injection using both imaging modalities. In mice pre-treated with 20-fold excess of native antibody, tumor uptake was significantly lower, showing tumor binding specificity of ARC. PET and SPECT images showed similar tracer distribution profile in the HER3 tumors. As expected, radiotracer clearance organ signals were also visualized. Conclusions: In this study we show that PET or SPECT imaging using 89Zr or 111In, respectively, offers the potential to assess the distribution of HER3 targeted radioligand therapy during early stages of drug development. HER3 ARC showed highly specific HER3 tumor uptake that remained at least 120hrs post injection. Our findings warrant further investigation to support advancement of HER3 ARC as a therapeutic option. Citation Format: Sumit Mukherjee, Debbie Lewis, Jason Li, Le-Cun Xu, Amanda Chin, Mary Chen, Monideepa Roy, Patrik Brodin, William van der Touw, Helen Kotanides, Denis Beckford-Vera. Characterization of HER3 targeted radioligand therapy using molecular imaging [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2023 Oct 11-15; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2023;22(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A149.

PARTNER COLLABORATION PROGRAM TO ASSIST THE 74 HAFIZUN ALIM FOUNDATION IN CREATING MOCKUPS OF THE AL-QURAN PILLARS

This Partner Collaboration Program aims to assist the 74 Hafidzun Alim Foundation in creating mockups of the Al-Quran Pillars through the design stage of 2D and 3D architectural drawings to be applied visually. This mockup can be simulated as educational material for memorizing the Al Quran graphically using digital methods. The implementation method involves six (6) stages involving lecturers, students and partners, from initial consultation to monitoring and evaluation. This activity seeks to solve the problem of partners who cannot develop their findings into products more easily recognized and understood by the Muslim community in memorizing letter numbers, letter names and the number of verses in the Al Quran. The result of this activity is a mockup of the Graphic Al Quran Pillar Educational model, which can be digitally simulated. Y74HA has been able to operate a 3D mockup model of the Pillar of the Al Quran with a digital system and use it to broadcast the method of memorizing the Al Quran graphically so that Muslims can easily find out and remember the surah number, surah name and number of verses, by simply pressing the Surah button—the desired Qoran. The assistance provided by Budi Luhur University in creating working drawings and making mockups of Al-Quran Pillar models for partners has succeeded in developing a new business practice plan for Y74HA, namely a method to create digital graphic Al-Qurans, as a foundation business unit.

A conceptual framework for automatic modelling and conflict detection of 3D land-use regulation restrictions to support issuing planning permits

There are a wide variety of Land-use Regulation (LuR) restrictions, ranging from those that need simple 2D spatial analyses to be verified (e.g., area calculation), to those that need complex 3D analyses (e.g., overshadowing and overlooking). Assessing LuR restrictions to automatically detect LuRs’ potential conflicts with physical objects, such as building elements, could be a challenging task in 2D land administration systems relying on 2D drawings and 2D representations, especially when 3D/vertical analyses are required. Land administration systems can include 3D representations of LuR restrictions to identify their impacts on land parcels and vice versa since the LuRs contain legally binding restrictions for all parties including governments and citizens. As part of the transition from the 2D representation of LuR restrictions and manual conflict detection between LuR restrictions and physical objects such as building elements towards a 3D digital representation and automatic conflict detection, this paper proposes a three-stage conceptual framework for automatic 3D modelling and conflict detection of 3D LuR restrictions. The three-stage conceptual framework, as a generic approach, proposes required principles and procedures to automatically (1) model 3D LuR restrictions (called 3D CityLuR), (2) combine them with other sources of information (e.g., zoning maps, 3D city models, and BIM), and (3) detect LuRs’ potential conflicts between the modelled LuRs and physical objects (i.e., proposed/existing building elements). For modelling and verifying 3D LuRs automatically, the framework organises all the required information for IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) as the proposed building, CityGML as the existing buildings, and most importantly, the planning and zoning requirements. It proposes two categories of required information as “level of information need” for (1) modelling and combing 3D CityLuR with other sources of information automatically and (2) automatically detecting potential spatio-semantic conflicts between LuR restrictions and physical objects such as proposed/existing building elements. Based on a case study in Victoria, Australia, 3D LuR restrictions subject to planning approvals and building subdivisions are investigated. The paper concludes with a discussion arguing the feasibility of automating the verification of LuR restrictions to support decision-making in planning permit applications and building subdivisions.

SLOW ADOPTION OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING: COMPARING VIEWPOINTS OF DESIGNERS AND CONTRACTORS

The slow adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology poses significant problems for the construction industry in the Middle East. The root causes of this issue are purported to include a lack of understanding of its benefits and the existence of barriers to its adoption. This study investigates the slow adoption of BIM technology in the Middle East to identify solutions to facilitate BIM adoption and approaches by which stakeholders can transform to utilizing BIM. The main objectives of this research are to: (1) examine the attitudes and readiness of construction stakeholders for BIM, (2) investigate the extent to which there is a lack of understanding of BIM benefits, (3) explore the barriers that hinder BIM adoption, and (4) identify the solutions recommended by the industry experts to promote BIM utilization. The study also compares the viewpoints of designers and contractors to identify potential differences. A questionnaire survey has been devised to gather data from stakeholder firms and experienced BIM professionals. The results revealed that the viewpoints of designers and contractors generally align, except when it comes to recognizing a few benefits such as the generation of accurate and consistent 2D drawings, achieving greater predictability in project time, enhancing communication among project stakeholders, minimizing change orders, and mitigating redesign issues. Similarly, there was a difference in recognizing a few barriers, namely, the lack of skilled personnel and the cost of training existing staff. Furthermore, the analysis led to the conclusion that the most notable advantage of BIM is improved conflict detection, and the most significant barrier is the lack of BIM training. The research culminated in offering recommendations for addressing the industry's BIM-related challenges. These suggestions encompassed raising awareness of BIM as a robust design and construction tool, supporting construction firms for adopting BIM techniques, and identifying methods to streamline the implementation process within these firms.

A Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) Framework for Inspection and Maintenance Intervention in Reinforced Concrete Bridges

Reinforced concrete bridges (RCBs) are essential elements of transportation infrastructure, necessitating ongoing inspection and maintenance to guarantee their durability and structural integrity. This research aims to develop an integrated framework for inspection and maintenance intervention in reinforced concrete bridges (RCB), leveraging the potential of as-is Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM). The methodology begins by converting 2D drawings into a 3D as-is BrIM model, facilitating a more accurate representation of the bridge’s current state. This is followed by creating a comprehensive bridge inventory, allowing for meticulous tracking of vital components and their condition. Subsequently, inspection data are acquired using advanced sensing technologies, enabling real-time data collection and analysis. Structural defects are modeled on the as-is BrIM model to enhance diagnostic capabilities, providing a visual representation of areas requiring intervention. The framework also makes it easier to create reports, ensuring that important information is efficiently shared with the right people. A thorough case study using a concrete bridge is used to show the effectiveness of the created framework. The BrIM framework’s potential to improve the bridge inspection and maintenance process was demonstrated by integrating inspection reporting with BrIM, which produced encouraging results. The research contribution to the body of knowledge is significant as the developed framework considerably enhances the administration of bridge inspection and maintenance procedures, resulting in greater efficacy by offering a thorough and clear picture of the bridge’s current state.

Real-time telementoring with 3D drawing annotation in robotic surgery.

In telementoring, differences in teaching methods affect local surgeons' comprehension. Because the object to be operated on is a three-dimensional (3D) structure, voice or 2D annotation may not be sufficient to convey the instructor's intention. In this study, we examined the usefulness of telementoring using 3D drawing annotations in robotic surgery. Kyushu University and Beppu Hospital are located 140km apart, and the study was conducted using a Saroa™ surgical robot by RIVERFIELD Inc. using a commercial guarantee network on optical fiber. Twenty medical students performed vertical mattress suturing using a swine intestinal tract under surgical guidance at the Center for Advanced Medical Innovation Kyushu University. Surgical guidance was provided by Beppu Hospital using voice, 2D, and 3D drawing annotations. All robot operations were performed using 3D images, and only the annotations were independently switched between voice and 2D and 3D images. The operation time, needle movement, and performance were also evaluated. The 3D annotation group tended to have a shorter working time than the control group (25.6 ± 63.2 vs. -36.7 ± 65.4min, P = 0.06). The 3D annotation group had fewer retries than the control group (1.3 ± 1.7 vs. -1.1 ± 0.7, P = 0.006), and there was a tendency for fewer needle drops (0.4 ± 0.7 vs. -0.5 ± 0.9, P = 0.06). The 3D annotation group scored significantly higher than the control group on the Global Evaluate Assessment of Robot Skills (16.8 ± 2.0 vs. 22.8 ± 2.4, P = 0.04). The 3D annotation group also scored higher than the voice (13.4 ± 1.2) and 2D annotation (16.2 ± 1.8) groups (3D vs. voice: P = 0.03, 3D vs. 2D: P = 0.03). Telementoring using 3D drawing annotation was shown to provide good comprehension and a smooth operation for local surgeons.

Exploring the Potential of Metaverse Platforms in Real Estate Transactions

COVID-19 has posed significant challenges to face-to-face sales of apartments and requires innovative solutions. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a model of a metaverse apartment sales promotion system. The proposed system utilizes the Zep metaverse platform to provide customers with virtual model houses and comprehensive real estate information. It provides various views, including satellite maps and 360° video, allowing customers to remotely explore the location of their apartments. Customers can explore the interior of the apartment via avatar, access 2D drawings and immersive 360° 3D videos. In addition, detailed sales conditions can be conveniently checked through a YouTube link, and customer convenience has been enhanced through online consultation with a sales agent. The proposed system aims to enhance the apartment buying and selling process by providing an immersive and convenient metaverse experience.

Novo dispositivo intraoral para prevenção de lesões bucais em pacientes intubados

Oral injuries in patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) are recurrent, especially during endotracheal intubation, as the presence of the tube added to the teeth in the oral cavity can cause injuries to the tongue and other soft tissues. Ideally, tube stabilization devices should be easy to handle by the hospital staff, should always be available for use in ICUs, in addition to being low cost. The aim of this study was to develop a device for endotracheal tube stabilization and injury prevention in patients. 3D technical drawings were prepared, and the final version of the device was prototyped in polylactic acid and positioned in the patient. When compared to mouthguards described in the literature, it was found that the developed device provided stability for the tube, provided separation of the teeth from the adjacent soft tissues, and prevented the intubated patient from biting the tube, thus contributing to the prevention of traumatic injuries. It was concluded that the device has characteristics that allow stabilization of the endotracheal tube and the prevention of oral lesions in ICU patients, and can be used by hospital nursing staff.

Enhancing concrete structures education: Impact of virtual reality on motivation, performance and usability for undergraduate engineering students

AbstractBackground StudyThe research discusses the need for a paradigm shift in engineering education current practices to accommodate the digital native students. The paper emphasizes the importance of integrating disruptive technologies, namely Virtual Reality (VR) through Head Mounted Displays VR (HMD VR) and Desktop Based VR (DB VR) and comparing it with the traditional teaching methods. The research focuses on second‐year undergraduate students enrolled in a concrete structures course.ObjectivesThe objective of the study is to analyse the impact of DB VR and HMD VR on students' motivation, performance and workload in comparison with traditional 2D drawings. The study also aims to investigate how simulation sickness and system usability could impact students' motivation and performance when interpreting concrete structures.MethodsThe study divided second‐year civil engineering students into three groups, 2D, DB VR and HMD VR. The performance and motivation levels of students were assessed based on the number of mistakes identified and an intrinsic motivation survey. Furthermore, data on system usability and simulation sickness were collected. Spearman rank correlation was conducted to analyse the relationships between the variables tested.ResultsThe results have shown that students' motivation and performance were much higher when using VR in general and HMD VR specifically, students' efficiency and accuracy were also observed. On the other hand, usability was found to be moderately correlated with motivation, with students rating HMD VR as the most usable approach. A moderate inverse correlation was observed between simulation sickness and motivation, indicating that higher simulation sickness led to lower motivation levels.ConclusionThe study concludes that integrating VR in general, DB VR, or HMD VR into a concrete structures course for undergraduate students can significantly improve students' performance and motivation. Furthermore, enhancing usability of any of the methods used can also improve the performance and motivation. On the other hand, simulation sickness inversely affects motivation and performance, therefore, VR developers and educators should not neglect it.

GA‐Sketching: Shape Modeling from Multi‐View Sketching with Geometry‐Aligned Deep Implicit Functions

AbstractSketch‐based shape modeling aims to bridge the gap between 2D drawing and 3D modeling by providing an intuitive and accessible approach to create 3D shapes from 2D sketches. However, existing methods still suffer from limitations in reconstruction quality and multi‐view interaction friendliness, hindering their practical application. This paper proposes a faithful and user‐friendly iterative solution to tackle these limitations by learning geometry‐aligned deep implicit functions from one or multiple sketches. Our method lifts 2D sketches to volume‐based feature tensors, which align strongly with the output 3D shape, enabling accurate reconstruction and faithful editing. Such a geometry‐aligned feature encoding technique is well‐suited to iterative modeling since features from different viewpoints can be easily memorized or aggregated. Based on these advantages, we design a unified interactive system for sketch‐based shape modeling. It enables users to generate the desired geometry iteratively by drawing sketches from any number of viewpoints. In addition, it allows users to edit the generated surface by making a few local modifications. We demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of our method with extensive experiments and user studies, where we found that our method outperformed existing methods in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and user satisfaction. The source code of this project is available at https://github.com/LordLiang/GA‐Sketching.

Improving the 2D drawing soft skills of Banten Province vocational high school teachers and laboratory assistants through workshops and training

Improving the 2D drawing soft skills of Banten Province vocational high school teachers and laboratory assistants through workshops and training

Total BIM on the construction site: a dynamic single source of information

Digital technologies are rapidly transforming the construction industry, offering new opportunities to improve site work performance. Traditionally, site workers take information from static construction documents such as 2D paper drawings. However, in the Nordic region, a dynamic approach known as Total BIM has gained interest. Total BIM is a model-based approach to construction where BIM replaces 2D drawings as the contractual and legally binding construction document, and site workers use production-oriented, cloud-based BIM, on mobile devices to extract construction information. By having a dynamic single source of information, site workers face new demands as they independently extract construction information directly from BIM. This paper investigates the impact of Total BIM on site work methods through four real-life case studies, site visits, workshops, seminars and semi-structured interviews. The findings indicated that Total BIM provided site workers with a more dynamic construction process where the mobile BIM-viewer software became a central communication and management platform. Key digital Total BIM features were investigated that site workers used to perform new work methods, including measuring, filtering, visualizing, communicating, checklists, and requests for information. By using Total BIM instead of static 2D drawings, site workers interacted dynamically with BIM on mobile devices, changing the process of how work was implemented on the construction site. The practical implications of these findings can be used to support the on-site implementation and strategy work of Total BIM. Furthermore, this paper contributes practical concrete examples of on-site Total BIM use and addresses issues commonly found in state-of-the-art BIM projects.

Mechanism of molecular interaction of sitagliptin with human DPP4 enzyme - New Insights

PurposeDipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inactivates a range of bioactive peptides. The cleavage of insulinotropic peptides and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) by DPP4 directly influences glucose homeostasis. This study aimed to describe the mode of interaction between sitagliptin (an antidiabetic drug) and human DPP4 using in silico approaches. Materials and methodsDocking studies were conducted using AutoDock Vina, 2D and 3D schematic drawings were obtained using PoseView and PLIP servers, and the DPP4-sitagliptin complex was visualized with Pymol software. ResultsThe best affinity energy to form the DPP4-sitagliptin complex was E-value ​= ​- 8.1 ​kcal ​mol−1, as indicated by docking simulations. This result suggests a strong interaction. According to our observations, hydrophobic interactions involving the amino acids residues Tyr663 and Val712, hydrogen bonds (Glu203, Glu204, Tyr663, and Tyr667), π-Stacking interactions (Phe355 and Tyr667), and halogenic bonds (Arg123, Glu204, and Arg356) were prevalent in the DPP4-sitagliptin complex. Root Mean Square Deviation prediction also demonstrated that the global structure of the human DPP4 did not have a significant change in its topology, even after the formation of the DPP4-sitagliptin complex. ConclusionThe stable interaction between the sitagliptin ligand and the DPP4 enzyme was demonstrated through molecular docking simulations. The findings presented in this work enhance the understanding of the physicochemical properties of the sitagliptin interaction site, supporting the design of more efficient gliptin-like iDPP4 inhibitors.

Computer- Aided Design in the Aerospace Industry

Computer-Aided Design, a multifunctional software application employed by designers and engineers, has altered the way products are conceived, visualized, developed, tested, and manufactured. Supporting a wide range of design types, to name a few: 2D drafting, 3D modeling, parametric design, surface modeling, and solid modeling, the reliance of industries on this software has risen inexplicably to meet the needs of its consumers or to yield a desired product. Here, the aerospace industry is no stranger.

Analisis Perbandingan Quantity Take Off (QTO) Beton Menggunakan Metode Building Information Modelling (BIM) dan Metode Konvensional (Studi Kasus : Proyek Kantor PNM Cabang Jember)

Along with the world of construction that is growing, the stakeholders involved in it are trying to find methods and technologies that can make the activities contained in construction projects more efficient. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the most widely applied technological developments in the world of construction. One of the benefits of implementing BIM is that it can produce Quantity Take-Off (QTO) data output based on the 3 Dimensional model that has been created. This research examines the PT Permodalan Nasional Madani Branch Office Building Construction Project in Jember City which performs QTO calculations using 2 methods, namely the conventional method and the BIM method. The purpose of this study is to find out the results of the calculation of the QTO of the Conventional Method and the BIM Method, then to compare the results of the calculation of the QTO of the Conventional Method and the BIM Method, and to analyze the reasons for the differences in the results of QTO calculations on the Conventional Method and the BIM Method. The conventional method of performing calculations is using Ms.Excel software with reference to 2D drawings from AutoCAD. The BIM method uses Autodesk Revit software by performing 3D modeling which is directly integrated with the quantity calculation. The QTO calculation is carried out on the need for concrete materials in the superstructure (columns, beams and slabs) of the building. The results of QTO Concrete using the BIM method on column work 41.59 m³, beams 33.29 m³, and floor slabs 154.39 m³. The total QTO of concrete for the superstructure using the BIM method is 229.23 m³. The results of QTO Concrete using the Conventional method on column work 44.36 m³, beams 58.79 m³, and floor slabs 154.54 m³. The total QTO of concrete for the superstructure using the conventional method is 257.68 m³. The difference in the QTO results of the BIM and conventional methods for column work is 6.24%, beams are 43.37%, floor plans are 0.12%. The difference in the highest QTO value is in the beam structure item. The total difference in volume of concrete between the conventional method and the BIM method is 28.45 m³ or 11.04%. The reason for the difference in QTO results between the BIM and Conventional methods is due to the double calculations in the Conventional method at each intersection point between columns, beams and plates. Whereas with the BIM method every meeting will be calculated only on one of the elements with the order of domination of the calculation from the highest, namely plate, column, plate.

The revitalization of endangered heritage buildings in developing countries: A decision-making framework for investment and determining the highest and best use in Egypt

Background: Egypt's major cities have been losing heritage and historical buildings due to neglect and misuse, prompting non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and researchers to advocate for adaptive reuse strategies to preserve the cities' heritage and identity. Adaptive reuse involves changing, modifying, or reusing a space based on community needs, business model, location, and proximity to facilities and services. Heritage buildings offer many tangible and intangible benefits that enhance financial returns, making them challenging but feasible and attractive for investors who value authenticity, uniqueness, and sustainability. Methods: This study examines how market value, acquisition opportunities, target clients, age groups, and socioeconomic status affect decision-making. A comparative analysis of three buildings in the Egyptian cities of Alexandria and Cairo is utilized to establish development guidelines and decision-making parameters that significantly impact project design and building functions to determine the highest and best use. In order to complete this study, AutoCAD by Autodesk was used for 2D drawings, SketchUp by Trimble for 3D models, Adobe Photoshop for diagram presentation, and Microsoft Office for tables and diagrams. Results: The comparative analysis provided valuable insights into the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings in developing countries. Findings highlighted how cultural heritage preservation could foster socioeconomic development. Key success factors included stakeholder and community engagement, financial viability, and architectural compatibility. The decision-making framework provides a practical tool for evaluating heritage building reuse. Conclusions: The analysis illustrates successful reuse strategies and considerations. Decision-making frameworks and tools offer practical guidance for future investments and decisions. These findings affect heritage conservation and urban development policymakers, planners, and investors. Stakeholders can make informed decisions and implement strategies to preserve cultural and environmental value by realizing challenges and opportunities. This study hopes to inspire more research and help preserve and revitalize heritage buildings in developing countries, preserving their cultural and socioeconomic value.

BIM-Based Automated Multi-Air Distribution Layout Generation for Office Buildings: A Case Study

Although HVAC (Heating Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) layout design has transitioned from 2D drawings to 3D BIM models, the traditional manual process of sizing and placing terminal units is still a time-consuming task, which can lead to inappropriate airflow and wastage of resources due to human error. The purpose of this paper is to develop a highly robust method for sizing and placing HVAC terminal units in rooms, while also systematically avoiding obstacles based on the locations of air terminal units and FCUs (Fan Coil Units) to which they belong. The method employs a “scan” approach to solve the problem of insufficient robustness caused by the traditional grid division method. Rule-based iterative algorithms are utilized for the sizing of terminals, airflow verification, and obstacle avoidance to generate a complete set of FCU and CAV (Constant Air Volume) system terminal layouts within a building. The method was tested for the automated design of HVAC terminal layouts in six different buildings and successfully completed the task within seconds, demonstrating the method’s immediacy and robustness. Moreover, airflow organization tests showed that the terminal layouts generated by the algorithm had a 95% pass rate, indicating the effectiveness of the method.