Installation

Installing BIM Expert is a simple process.

Downloading BIM Expert

Once you have created an account, login to the BuildSoft website and download the BIM Expert installer from the Downloads software section.

The installer will contain all the plugins and add-ins for Revit, Tekla Structures, SAP2000, ETABS, Diamonds, PowerConnect, IDEA StatiCa, etc

Installing BIM Expert

You need administrative permissions to install BIM Expert on your computer!

1. Once downloaded, run BIMExpertSetup.exe from the Downloads folder on your computer.

2. An overview of the components to be installed (if not present yet):

  • CodeMeter Control Center is the license manager. It will ensure the communication between BIM Expert software and your license key.
  • Gateway is the database manager. It will ensure the communication between BIM Expert software and the section & material databases.

Installing CodeMeter

CodeMeter installation steps

1. Click Next to start the CodeMeter installation wizard.

2. You need accept the End-User License Agreement by selecting the option I accept the terms in the License Agreement

3. Choose the installation scope and the features to be installed. We recommend to Install for all users of this machine as is and install all features. Click twice Next.

4. Click Install to install CodeMeter. You might need to enter administrative credentials during the process.

5. Click Finish to complete the installation.

Installing Gateway

CodeMeter installation steps

1. Click Next to start the Gateway installation wizard.

2. Choose the Gatewaty features to be installed. We recommend Complete installation. Click Next.

3. Click Install to install Gateway. You might need to enter administrative credentials during the process.

4. In some cases, you might see a black window passing by, creating/updating the BuildSoft databases.

5. Click Finish to complete the Gateway installation.

Installing BIM Expert

1. Click Next to start the BIM Expert installation.

2. Choose the installation folder and the features to be installed. We recommend to keep the installation folder as is and a complete installation. Click twice Next.

3. Click Install to install BIM Expert. You might need to enter administrative credentials during the process.

4. Click Finish to complete the installation.

Afterwards BIM Expert will always install the Tekla Structures plugin – see below.

Installing Tekla Structures plugin

The Tekla Structures plugin is automatically installed along with the BIM Expert installation.

Tekla Structures plugin installation

1. Click Next to start the Tekla plugin installation.

2. Choose the features to be installed. We recommend a complete installation. Click Next.

3. Click Install to install the Tekla plugin. You might need to enter administrative credentials during the process.

4. Click Finish to complete the installation.

Installing Revit add-in

How to add BIM Expert add-in to Revit

When there is a suited Revit installation found on the computer, BIM Expert will place the BIM Expert add-in for Revit in the designated folders.

The first time you launch Revit after the installation of the add-in, you will get following security warning:

Click ‘Always Load’ to ensure a smooth workflow with BIM Expert.

Installing SAP2000 plugin

How to add BIM Expert as plugin in SAP2000
  1. Open SAP2000
  2. Go to Tools > Add/Show plugins
  3. Click ‘Browse‘ to locate the BIM Expert SAP2000 dll:
    • Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\BuildSoft\BIM Expert\Plugins\CSI\
    • Select the dll SAP2000{version}PlugInBuildSoftBIMExpert.dll, with {version} according to your current SAP2000 version open (e.g. SAP2000v24PlugInBuildSoftBIMExpert.dll)
    • Click ‘Open
  4. Change the Menu Text name to ‘BIM Expert
  5. Click ‘Add’ to add the plugin’ & ‘Ok’
  6. BIM Expert is now in the Tools menu

Installing ETABS plugin

How to add BIM Expert as plugin in ETABS
  1. Open ETABS
  2. Go to Tools > Add/Show plugins
  3. Click ‘Browse‘ to locate the BIM Expert ETABS dll:
    • Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\BuildSoft\BIM Expert\Plugins\CSI\
    • Select the dll ETABS{version}PlugInBuildSoftBIMExpert.dll, with {version} according to your current ETABS version open (e.g. ETABSv20PlugInBuildSoftBIMExpert.dll)
    • Click ‘Open
  4. Change the Menu Text name to ‘BIM Expert
  5. Click ‘Add’ to add the plugin’ & ‘Ok’
  6. BIM Expert is now in the Tools menu

Installation troubles?

If you are experiencing installation problems

Download and install Teamviewer and call our support desk (+3292526628) during working hours.
Using Teamviewer, we can look on your screen an see what the problem might be. 
Make sure you have admin rights on your computer. Otherwise we won’t be able to install/ uninstall anything.

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