How to Create High Quality BIM Objects

BIM objects are an essential part of the construction industry, but ensuring consistency and quality across the board can be tricky.

When manufacturers create objects to a recognised standard, they provide reliable and consistent information that supports both practice and project-specific needs. This gives specifiers peace of mind in the accuracy and quality of digital models, therefore streamlining workflows and building confidence among clients and project managers.

At NBS, we’re committed to making the design and build experiences as straightforward and seamless as possible, and unifying BIM objects to a certain standard is a huge part of this.

We’ve created the NBS BIM Object Standard, which forms the foundation of creating high-quality BIM objects. Any objects that meet this standard are clearly marked with the green BOS stamp in NBS Source.

As a manufacturer, you need to understand the best practices for BIM Objects in order to meet the NBS BIM Object Standard. By following the tips in this guide, you can create better BIM objects that appeal to specifiers and foster better collaboration across the board.

What is a BIM object?

Even if you already understand the basics of BIM, we’ll cover them again here to help make sure everyone is up to speed… 

A BIM (Building Information Modelling) object is a digital version of a real-world component. It contains the product and geometry that represent that product’s physical characteristics.

Within the BIM object is a visualisation, so specifiers can see how it will look, as well as behavioural data, which allows designers to position the object exactly how it would work within a real-life environment.

There are two primary types of BIM objects:

• Component objects: Building products with fixed geometrical shapes such as windows, doors, boilers, etc.
• Layered objects: Building products that do not have a fixed shape or size, such as carpets, roofing, walls, and ceilings.

BIM objects can either be generic or specific (proprietary). Generic objects, or library objects, are used during the initial design phase as a visual expression of the need for an object. Specific objects, rather, are designed by manufacturers, and these are the exact objects they design and sell and will include product data.

As a manufacturer, having a BIM object specified does not guarantee that it will be used in the final design, but it does increase your chances – that’s because it’s already been proven to integrate into the design and meet the required criteria around performance, sustainability, and other factors. Combined with a well-written specification, this forms part of the triple lock approach: accurate product data, trusted specification, and seamless integration, giving your products the strongest opportunity to remain in the project through to completion.

BIM objects come in a range of file formats, suitable for use in software like Revit Architecture, Bentley AECOsim, Nemetscheck Vectorworks and Graphisoft ArchiCAD.

So, to increase the likelihood that your BIM objects will be chosen by specifiers, you’ll need to make sure that they meet a certain standard. This means including all information necessary, ensuring it’s accurate, and meeting any industry standards, too.

What makes a good BIM object?

When creating specific BIM objects, manufacturers should always aim to achieve a certain standard. By standardising properties and modelling approaches, BIM objects become more consistent and are easier to compare, select, and use across different platforms and manufacturers. Ultimately, this allows for greater collaboration, efficiency, and more meaningful information exchange.

That’s why we created the NBS BIM Object Standard, which sets the standard for BIM Objects housed in NBS Source’s BIM library.

The NBS BIM Object Standard ensures every object includes a core property set that supports efficient workflows and high-quality digital assets. It promotes consistency through standardised classification (aligned with ISO 19650 and ISO 12006-2, with Uniclass as a leading example), naming conventions, and information structures.

For the full NBS BIM Object Standard, including specific requirements for each section, download it here.

In the meantime, here’s a quick summary of each section:

General requirements

This section outlines the general requirements for BIM objects, covering categorisation, IFC element and predefined type requirements, and terminology.

BIM objects must be created as either generic or manufacturer objects, and as component or layered objects. They may also form part of larger assemblies. Each object type must be identifiable within a BIM authoring system and assigned the correct IfcElementType and PredefinedType from the IFC4 schema (ISO 16739).

If no suitable type exists, IfcBuildingElementProxyType and USERDEFINED should be used.

Finally, objects should include all necessary IFC properties to enable complete IFC export.

Information requirements

This section covers all the information required for meeting the BIM Object Standard. There’s a lot of detail, so definitely make sure you look at the Object Standard document so you don’t miss anything.

Properties must be assigned appropriately as either type or component, with common properties defined at the type level rather than the component level. In addition, BIM objects should use information properties to represent aspects of construction products that are not expressed through geometry.

If BIM objects have all the relevant information included in this section, specifiers will know that the information is both accurate and in the proper format, so that better decisions can be made in the design and construction process.

Geometry requirements

A BIM object should provide only the geometry necessary to show its extent, connectivity, and purpose, with generic objects using nominal dimensions and manufacturer objects providing accurate ones.

Essential geometry must include the external boundary, purposeful forms, and key openings, with fixed geometry used for non-modifiable products.

Clear representation at different scales should be achieved with simplified symbols, line types, and hatching, supported by supplementary 2D details where required. Objects may also define operation, access, installation, or transportation spaces, while material appearance can be represented through colours, textures, or default platform materials, allowing flexibility where possible.

Functional requirements

Like section 3, this section makes sure that an object is fit for its intended purpose, and how it interacts in a BIM model.

A BIM object needs to interact properly with related objects without affecting overall performance, and shouldn’t rely on a host unless that’s part of the product’s design. The object should be simple to use, with any constraints reflecting real product options without causing confusion, and it should connect smoothly with other objects where appropriate.

Metadata requirements

This section sets out metadata requirements for BIM objects, focusing on consistent naming conventions for files, objects, properties, materials, values, and images. Spellings should follow the standard of the parent resource (e.g., OED for NBS, North American English for COBie and IFC).

Names must use only alphanumeric characters, underscores as delimiters, and dashes within phrases, with PascalCase applied to fields, no spaces, and a 75-character limit.

Properties and values should be uniquely and consistently named, and where platform restrictions apply, abbreviations of up to seven uppercase characters may be used consistently in both singular and plural forms.

Why does the BIM Object Standard matter?

The BIM Object Standard was created by NBS to standardise objects in the NBS Source BIM library. Objects that meet this standard are marked with the BOS icon:

The BOS icon gives specifiers the confidence that they are using high-quality and reliable objects in their designs. Objects selected at this stage are much more likely to be used in the final designs, as they are already proven to meet the necessary requirements.

This is a huge opportunity for manufacturers to ensure they’re meeting the standards expected by specifiers and championing best practice going forward.

For specifiers, choosing objects that meet the BIM Object standard not only ensures consistency for you and your team but also promotes uniformity across the entire industry.

Standardising BIM across the project lifecycle

BIM objects are just one part of the lifecycle. Standardisation is a key part of ensuring accuracy and streamlining processes for designers, and manufacturers can play a role in this by creating the best BIM assets.

Keep in mind that designers adhere to ISO 19650, an international series of standards defining processes for effective information management when using BIM. This covers everything from concepts and principles to assets and delivery, all the way to information exchange and security. So, creating standardised and comprehensive BIM objects supports architects in achieving this standard in their designs.

Step-by-step process for creating BIM Objects

So, we know that high-quality BIM objects are essential for efficient and effective collaboration by providing specifiers with reliable and comprehensive information to use in their designs… but how do you create the best BIM objects?

Choosing the right software

BIM objects are created in software like Autodesk Revit (using families), Graphisoft Archicad (using GDL objects), or similar tools.

Collect reference information

Gather all the relevant information for your BIM object, including dimensions, functional requirements (connections, host requirements, movement), and metadata (product name, manufacturer, classification codes, COBie/IFC properties). Don’t forget to check the BIM Object Standard to ensure you’ve covered everything.

Define behaviour

When defining the behaviour of a BIM object, it is essential to configure constraints such as available sizes or accessories so the object reflects real-world product options. The object must function correctly within the BIM platform, for example, ensuring doors swing properly or light fittings connect to ceilings.

Geometry should be kept efficient to avoid slowing down the model, and the object should be capable of connecting with related elements where appropriate.

Add symbolic and space data

Symbolic and space data should also be added to enhance usability. This includes creating 2D symbols for different scales, such as 1:20, 1:50, and 1:100, and incorporating operation and maintenance zones, like access or installation spaces.

Supplementary symbols, such as arrows or opening directions, can be included where needed to convey information not easily represented in 3D.

Apply materials and appearances

Materials and appearance settings should be applied to make the object visually accurate and adaptable. Assigning materials, colours, or textures helps reflect real products. These should display correctly across plans, elevations, and 3D views, while still allowing flexibility for users to adjust finishes if necessary.

Test, test and test again

Finally, each BIM object should be tested within a project environment. This ensures it scales and behaves correctly, displays all properties as intended, and remains easy to use without reliance on unnecessary hosts.

The object should also be checked for compliance with Level of Detail (LOD), metadata, and performance requirements to confirm it is ready for practical use.

Authoring

NBS authors BIM objects to the internationally recognised NBS BIM Object Standard. This ensures the object acts and performs as it would be expected in the real world, as well as containing real-time information about the asset’s performance.

Hosting

BIM objects in NBS Source integrate seamlessly into BIM models and are widely specified in construction projects around the world.

You should also upload BIM objects to your own website to allow architects to access them directly if required.

Find high-quality BIM Objects in NBS Source

The BIM Library within NBS Source is the only collection of high-quality BIM objects certified to meet the NBS BIM Object Standard (BOS). When exploring product tiles, look for the BOS stamp, confirming that a product meets this standard.

Showcase your products where specifiers are already searching

By hosting your BIM objects on NBS Source, you’ll give designers direct access to high-quality, BOS-certified content that integrates seamlessly into their projects. This increases visibility, drives specification, and ensures your products are represented accurately and consistently in BIM models worldwide.