Reality Computing and the Built Environment

University of Florida – Rinker School of Construction Management

BCN 5905 · Graduate · Fall 2025, present · 15+ students

Overview

The course explores Building Information Modeling (BIM), reality capture, BIM automation, and digital twins as technologies transforming the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Students work with digital models, real-world data, automated workflows, and connected information environments to develop practical skills for the digital transformation of the built environment.

The course begins with parametric BIM modeling and cloud-based collaboration, covering Revit parameters, custom and nested parametric families, and collaborative workflows using Autodesk Construction Cloud. Students then explore reality capture through laser scanning, LiDAR, photogrammetry, and 360-degree imaging, including point-cloud processing with Autodesk ReCap and spatial documentation using Cupix.

The course introduces BIM automation through Python, the Revit API, Dynamo, pyRevit, Revit add-ins, and MCP connectors. Students develop and test custom automation tools for practical BIM workflows, including visualization, data extraction, documentation, and quality assurance.

The course concludes with digital twins and Industry 4.0, examining digital twin concepts, maturity levels, lifecycle information, and data integration using Autodesk Tandem. Students work with model data, API-based data ingestion, data streams, querying, and visualization to explore connected information workflows for facility operations.

Through lectures, software demonstrations, hands-on assignments, and a research and model-development project, students apply these technologies to develop practical digital workflows for the built environment.

Course Objectives

Students learn to:

• Apply BIM principles and parametric modeling to architectural, structural, and mechanical systems.
• Create and manage parametric Revit families, including nested systems, constraints, and parameter-driven geometry.
• Use Autodesk Construction Cloud for collaborative, cloud-based BIM workflows.
• Capture and process built-environment data using laser scanning, LiDAR, photogrammetry, and 360-degree cameras.
• Process point clouds and apply reality-capture data to scan-to-BIM and spatial documentation workflows.
• Use Python, the Revit API, Dynamo, pyRevit, and Revit add-ins to automate BIM tasks and develop custom tools.
• Apply automation to BIM workflows involving visualization, data extraction, documentation, and QA/QC.
• Understand digital twins, Industry 4.0, and lifecycle information management.
• Integrate and manage digital twin data using Autodesk Tandem, APIs, data streams, and model-based data mapping.
• Develop digital twin visualizations and apply connected data workflows to the management of the built environment.