Bentley OpenBuildings Designer review

OpenBuildings Designer is Bentley's answer to Revit: a multidisciplinary BIM application for designing, documenting and simulating buildings. Its mechanical tools parametrically model HVAC, piping and plumbing systems, automatically model components, paths and angles when you complete piping connections, and size water, heating, cooling and gas systems with CIBSE-compliant algorithms. It also includes building energy simulation and exchanges IFC, RFA and DWG data, so it can work alongside Revit-based consultants. A 12-month Virtuoso subscription includes one license and two Keys that can be redeemed for training or services. Bentley's page showed us a price in Polish zloty only, so the US price is pending and value is scored conservatively. For US plumbing engineers the main questions are code support, since the sizing references CIBSE, and whether project partners will accept Bentley files.

Who it is for

firms already on Bentley and MicroStation

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Parametric modeling of HVAC, piping and plumbing systems
• Automatic modeling of components, paths and angles when completing piping connections
• Sizing and design of water, heating, cooling and gas systems with CIBSE-compliant algorithms
• Integrated building energy simulation
• IFC, RFA and DWG exchange across disciplines

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Architecture, structure, mechanical and energy analysis in one application
• Strength: Open BIM exchange with IFC, RFA and DWG
• Strength: 12-month Virtuoso subscription includes 2 Keys for training or services
• Weakness: Did not show a US dollar price when we checked
• Weakness: Built-in water sizing references CIBSE rather than US plumbing codes
• Weakness: Smaller US user base than Revit, so fewer consultants share files natively

Key facts

• Price: 12-month Virtuoso subscription, USD check pending
• Sizing: Water, heating, cooling and gas, CIBSE-compliant
• Exchange: IFC, RFA, DWG
• Trial: Free trial available

Where it ranks

Bentley OpenBuildings Designer is No. 9 in our Best Plumbing Design Software verdict.