Background: The emerging Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction\n(AEC)/Facility Management (FM) industry promotes life cycle process and collaborative way of working. Currently, many\nefforts have been contributed for professional integrated design/construction/maintenance process, there are very few\npractical methods that can enable a professional designer to effectively interact and collaborate with end-users/clients\non a functional level.\nMethod: This paper tries to address the issue via the utilisation of computer game software combined with Building\nInformation Modelling (BIM). Game-engine technology is used due to its intuitive controls, immersive 3D technology\nand network capabilities that allow for multiple simultaneous users. BIM has been specified due to the growing trend\nin industry for the adoption of the design method and the 3D nature of the models, which suit a game engine�s\ncapabilities.\nResults: The prototype system created in this paper is based around a designer creating a structure using BIM and this\nbeing transferred into the game engine automatically through a two-way data transferring channel. This model is then\nused in the game engine across a number of network connected client ends to allow end-users to change/add elements\nto the design, and those changes will be synchronized back to the original design conducted by the professional\ndesigner. The system has been tested for its robustness and functionality against the development requirements,\nand the results showed promising potential to support more collaborative and interactive design process.\nConclusion: It was concluded that this process of involving the end-user could be very useful in certain circumstances\nto better elaborate the end user�s requirement to design team in real time and in an efficient way.
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