Calculate Quantities: Volumes

Calculate Quantities: Volumes tool measures volume-based quantities based on the object geometry. 

Simplebim calculates quantities based on the geometry of objects. Because of this, it doesn’t matter which model author tool was used for creating the models or who made them. Simplebim always calculates the quantities with the same logic in a consistent way. Thus, quantities are comparable between different models and even between different projects. In other words, Simplebim calculates standardized quantities.

Quantities are calculated both for object instances and container objects. For example, a wall can either be an instance with a single geometry or it can be an assembly with several child objects, each of which has its own geometry and thus also its own quantities.

Quantities can be calculated for objects from any object class. So the wall doesn’t have to be modeled as a wall, and you can still calculate the quantity you need for it.

Settings

There are six different tools for calculating quantities. They all share common settings, which you can find in the Calculate Quantities: Dimensions article.

Here are the settings specific to the Calculate Quantities: Volumes tool.

Density for Weight (kg/m3)

This multiplier is applied when you have chosen the ‘Weight’ quantity. The volume net of the object is multiplied by this number to calculate the weight. This is a quick way to calculate the basic weight.

If you need more control over how the weight is calculated, then calculate the Volume with the Calculate Quantities tool, and then apply the Calculate Properties tool with a specific formula to derive the weight quantity you need.

Quantities

Volume Net can be calculated for any object that has a solid 3D geometry. It cannot be calculated for open surfaces or 2D objects.

Volume Net

Volume Net takes into account the openings and holes in the geometry. It is the measure of the volume, which you see in the 3D window.

Weight Net

Weight is a derived measure. It is calculated with the following formula: Volume Net * Density for Weight. By default, the density is 7850kg/m3. Density can be set with the Density for Weight parameter.