3D Interactive Construction Estimating System

摘要

A 3D interactive construction estimating system is provided that includes a computerized interactive ERP/3D design and estimating system for building construction projects and services. The computerized 3D interactive construction estimating system is real-time, visual, and transparent to both the customer and the manufacturer, and allows the customer to design and customize a home or other building with real-time integrated 3D virtual tour, pricing, scheduling, ordering, and financing options. The system includes an ERP system, a CAD system, and a graphical front end that provides the user with a virtual design experience.

主权项

1. A method of customizing a pre-designed tangible building to be physically constructed by a builder for a user, using a digital computer with a display, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, using the digital computer, input from the user selecting a building template from a predetermined list of available building templates; displaying, upon a graphical user interface of said display of the digital computer, a virtual representation of the selected building template and an associated initial price of the selected building template; providing the selected building template with at least one interior or exterior feature that is customizable by the user; receiving, using the digital computer, input from the user selecting a first customization option from a predetermined list of customization options that alters the selected building template with said at least one interior or exterior feature; retrieving, using the digital computer, a first data element based upon computer-readable data stored in a Computer Aided Design (CAD) database that enables the digital computer to provide the user with a virtual representation of the selected first customization option; displaying, upon the graphical user interface of said display, a modified virtual representation of the selected building template that includes said virtual representation of the first selected customization option; retrieving, using the digital computer, a second data element based upon computer-readable data stored in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) database that represents a first unit price of the selected first customization option; displaying, upon the graphical user interface of said display, a modified price that includes the initial price of the selected building template and the first unit price of the selected first customization option, wherein the modified virtual representation and the modified price of the selected building template are displayed substantially at the same time; and assembling, using the digital computer, an engineering bill of materials to physically construct the pre-designed tangible building that includes the selected first customization option.