Remember in Part 1 when I promised we’d build something revolutionary? Well, before diving into code, let’s talk about the secret weapon that makes modern BIM development so exciting: AI-powered brainstorming! Today, I’ll show you how AI can transform your app planning from hours of head-scratching into a streamlined, collaborative process.
The Problem: Starting is the Hardest Part
We’ve all been there - staring at a blank screen, knowing we want to build something amazing but unsure where to begin. Traditional planning involves endless meetings, vague requirements, and specifications that change faster than you can implement them. But what if AI could be your brainstorming partner?
Using AI to Brainstorm a BIM App: A Quick Overview
In this post, I’ll share a concise overview of using AI to brainstorm and plan a Building Information Modeling (BIM) app. This approach highlights how AI can streamline development processes, turning what used to take days into a productive afternoon session.
Brainstorming with AI
Our journey begins by utilizing AI tools like Google Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. These platforms feature a canvas mode, allowing content generation and iterative refinement. My objective was to brainstorm a pipeline for handling Building Information Modeling, specifically for ingesting and processing IFC files.
The magic happens when you treat AI as a collaborator, not just a code generator. Pretty neat!
AI Guidance and Initial Setup
The process begins with guiding AI with prompts and feedback. Initially, the AI suggested backend-centric solutions, but here’s where domain knowledge becomes crucial - I steered it toward a browser-based approach. By leveraging OpenBIM frameworks, the app avoids heavy backend processes, utilizing WebAssembly to manage operations client-side.
This is the beauty of combining human expertise with AI capabilities - you get the best of both worlds!
Iterating the Specifications
The key was iterative refinement; feedback loops were established as the AI adjusted the spec based on documentation and input. We ensured that requirements aligned with a minimum viable product, focusing on simplicity and direct browser operations. The AI then aided in drafting detailed app specifications.
Creating a Mockup
Progressing to UI considerations, we instructed the AI to produce an HTML mockup reflecting the spec. Though basic at first, feedback helped refine elements, aligning the mockup closely with our vision and aesthetic preferences. This rapid prototyping provided a visual reference for ongoing development.
Finalizing the Specification
The AI supported the finalization by integrating insights from the mockup process back into the spec. Key exclusions were identified to maintain a focused scope, excluding features like server-side processing and analytics.
Looking Ahead
In the next video, we’ll refine this foundation into detailed design and task documents to prepare for coding. Context is invaluable; having a well-defined spec ensures efficient and effective development. Stay tuned to see how this strategic approach yields impressive results in the coding phase.
This approach to AI-driven development can enhance your app projects by streamlining brainstorming and specification. The barrier to creating sophisticated BIM tools has never been lower!
Let’s Build Together
What do you think about using AI for BIM app planning? Have you tried similar approaches? Let me know on YouTube - I’d love to hear about your experiences and what tools you’re using for brainstorming!
Together, we’re making BIM development accessible to everyone, one browser-based tool at a time.