Have you ever heard of LOD (Level of development)? LOD is an industry-standard for multi-level 3D refinement. Each level represents a phase of the project’s construction and refinement from design to operation, among other important metrics such as scheduling, animation, and field performance.
Read: The 3 Levels of Digital Twin.
There are 6 levels of refinement of a LOD, let’s explain each one of them.
LOD 100 – Design
The first level is linked to the project design phase. At this level, a Gross 3D representation of the project with geolocation, area, volume, and height data of the model is established.
LOD 200 – Schematic Model
This level of modeling brings data a little more representative to 3D visualization. In addition to quantitative data closer to reality such as orientation, size, shapes. It is also at this stage that other types of data that are not necessarily related to the 3D model are linked to the model.
LOD 300 – Detailing
The third level of detail already presents more detailed graphic details, faithfully representing the project in terms of size, area, general dimensions, and data not linked to the 3D model. This level is the last in the design phase.
LOD 350 – Documentation
This level of detail will be responsible for organizing all the elements of the 3D model and processing their interaction with different systems and elements graphically.
LOD 400 – Manufacturing
At this level of detail, the construction phase of the project takes place. This level contains all documentation, schedules, and specifications necessary to manufacture the model elements.
LOD 500 – Construction
The last level of detail brings the entire set of information gathered in the previous levels with the addition of costs and project execution.
These various levels of detail are used in BIM models, but can also be linked to Digital Twin models. Each level of detail is part of a project design phase and the greater its detail, the greater the data to be analyzed for its execution and operation, resulting in greater accuracy of information displayed in the digital model.
LOD IN PRACTICE
As you can imagine, the greater the level of detail of a project, structure, or equipment, the more expensive its implementation will be. Another important point is to differentiate the levels of detail of Digital Twin technology, which does not necessarily need LOD to maintain a continuous flow of data between a real asset and digital asset, however, having a high level of detail in a Digital Twin is the opportunity to more detailed visual support.
About the Author: Andre Andrade
