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Importing Floorplans in iBwave

Project type

Desktop application improvements

Role

UX Designer, User Researcher, Stakeholder Manager

Date

2022

iBwave Design is a massive desktop application for designing and simulating wireless networks inside buildings. You can design wireless networks for cellular, WiFi, Internet of Things, emergency responders, etc.

The Problem

Previously, creating the building model—a first step in network design—was manual and time-consuming. Users imported a JPG floor plan and manually traced every element (walls, doors, etc.) crucial for wireless simulation, taking 6-12 hours for a medium building and one to two weeks for a large one, such as a stadium. Users then manually assigned iBwave materials to each element.

Technical Research & Solution

Customers had 2D CAD files in PDF format, but these lacked the semantic data needed for automation. Through research, I found Autodesk's Forge platform, which has APIs to read modern 3D CAD files like Revit. These files contain semantic information identifying elements (walls, doors, etc.) and their materials, making full automation possible.

It took months of presentations, wireframes, and advocacy to convince iBwave leadership to invest.

Autodesk Forge Implementation

Despite initial setbacks, we released an alpha version that reduced the process to under 3 minutes. As a "flex," we imported the Burj Khalifa's walls, doors, windows, and floors in under 10 minutes.

Wireframes & UI Flow

The UI uses a four-step wizard to import the model:
1. Select BIM file (e.g., Revit).
2. Select Building Floors (Views).
3. Select Layers (Walls, doors, windows, floors, stairs).
4. Import building model into iBwave Design.

MATERIALS SELECTION
The application automatically maps BIM materials (concrete, wood, glass) to iBwave materials required for simulation. Manual mapping is only required by exception, streamlining a crucial part of the process.

Screen Sections

The BIM import screen features a Wizard/Browser, a 2D Viewer, and a 3D Viewer. The application automatically selects all building floor views and essential layers (walls, doors, windows, etc.). It also automatically handles material mapping, reducing the user's workload to exceptions.

Error case

If the automatic material mapping fails, an error icon appears. Clicking it opens a dialog allowing the user to manually select the correct iBwave material for the problematic BIM material.

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