Digital twins are accurate and reliable virtual models and representations of components in the real world. They are twinning the real world. Digital twin technology relates to the technology used to drive the digital twin and provide functionality within the virtual digital environment.

A digital twin itself can be 3D, 2D and sensor data of a space, environment or asset. This includes CAD, BIM, survey and metadata about elements of the asset and environment including edge and face geometries, position, and point clouds representing the space, textures and materials. This could also be called a virtual model, or 3D model of the asset and/or environment. In effect, this is a database including 3D information. However physics-based Digital Twin Technology enables the Digital Twin data to come alive with behavioural and simulation information.

Digital twin technology can convert this virtual model into a living, dynamic, simulated and intelligent Digital twin. Within the right digital twin technology, you can see, measure, test, hypothesise, drive, walk and operate, dissect, plan and predict the future.

Good digital twin technology enables you to interact with and oversee the planning and management of an asset, identify potential issues and improvements, and make better-informed decisions faster and collaboratively about management and maintenance across the asset lifecycle.

Infrastructure Planning, Training, and Engagement with CGI Digital Twin Technology

For infrastructure and construction, CGI Digital Twin technology provides a multitude of unique benefits:

Enhanced Collaboration: By offering a centralised, easily accessible virtual platform, CGI Digital Twins enable seamless collaboration among project stakeholders, irrespective of their physical location, improving decision-making and alignment across the project lifecycle.

Comprehensive Lifecycle Management: Unlike other technologies, CGI Digital Twin technology encompasses the entire project lifecycle, providing continuous value from options to planning and construction to operations and maintenance.

Improved Risk Mitigation: The integration of current state and future state data, real-time inputs, advanced simulations, and AI-powered insights enables proactive risk management, ensuring a safer and more cost-effective project execution.

Superior Stakeholder Engagement: CGI Digital Twin technology facilitates clear communication of project plans and updates through interactive, immersive virtual models, fostering a more collaborative works program where everybody understands the project in real time.

Improve decision-making: By integrating real-world data in real-time with advanced simulations, CGI digital twins enable project managers to make data-driven decisions, reduce risk, and optimise resource allocation throughout the project lifecycle.

Streamline planning and training: CGI digital twin technology facilitates the testing of construction sequences, validation of designs, and identification of potential issues before actual implementation. Additionally, the virtual environment enables safe and effective training for construction professionals.

Optimise project outcomes: The unparalleled accuracy and analytical power of CGI digital twin technology helps identify potential challenges and devise solutions proactively, leading to increased efficiency, cost savings, and overall project success.

CGI Digital Twin Technology: A Comparison with Simulation, Gamification, and BIM Models

As construction projects become increasingly complex, the need for advanced technologies to streamline project management and improve stakeholder engagement is evident. While simulation, gamification, and BIM models have their merits, CGI Digital Twin technology stands out as a powerful and versatile solution. In this section, we will compare these technologies and highlight the unique benefits of CGI Digital Twins, particularly in construction, planning, training, and engagement for infrastructure projects.

Simulation vs. CGI Digital Twin technology

Simulation provides a valuable method for testing scenarios and predicting outcomes based on various input parameters. However, simulations often lack the visual context and interactivity that CGI Digital Twin technology provides. By integrating real-world data, advanced simulations, and immersive visualisation, CGI Digital Twin technology enables a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of project plans and potential challenges. This holistic approach enhances decision-making, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communication, making CGI Digital Twin technology a good choice for construction project management across the asset lifecycle.

Gamification vs. CGI Digital Twin technology

Gamification applies game design elements and principles to non-game contexts, enhancing user engagement and motivation. While gamification can improve stakeholder participation and communication in construction projects, it lacks the depth, accuracy, and data-driven insights offered by CGI Digital Twins.

CGI Digital Twin technology combines the engaging aspects of gamification with the precision and detail required for complex infrastructure and construction projects, delivering an unparalleled tool for project management, stakeholder engagement, and communication.

BIM Models vs. CGI Digital Twin technology

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building or infrastructure. BIM models offer a collaborative platform for project teams to access and share information. However, BIM models primarily focus on design and construction phases and are largely static models.

CGI Digital Twin technology encompasses the entire project lifecycle, from options through planning and construction to operations and maintenance. Additionally, CGI Digital Twins provide a more interactive and immersive experience, incorporating real-time data, advanced simulations, and artificial intelligence, making them a more powerful and versatile solution for infrastructure and construction project management.

Leveraging Game Engines in CGI Digital Twin Technology

The integration of game engine physics in CGI digital twin technology has revolutionised construction management and training. Realistic simulations offer valuable insights for better decision-making, while interactive training environments help professionals develop their skills more effectively. Furthermore, the technology enables improved safety and risk assessment, contributing to overall project success.

Realistic simulations for better decision-making

Game engine physics enables CGI digital twin technology to simulate real-world scenarios, including the behaviour of materials, behaviour and forces in the construction environment. This allows project managers to analyse complex integrated situations, such as the impact of acceleration and deceleration curves, inverse kinematics, load distribution or the effect of turning circles, clearance areas for virtual fences and other attributes. These realistic simulations help managers make better-informed decisions, leading to safer and more efficient construction processes.

Enhanced training and skill development

Using game engine physics, digital twin technology can create immersive and interactive training environments that replicate real-life construction scenarios. This allows construction professionals and new trainees to practise and develop their skills in a safe, virtual environment.

Improved safety and risk assessment

The realistic simulations provided by game engine physics in digital twins enable construction managers to evaluate the safety of their projects more effectively. By testing various scenarios, managers can identify potential hazards and implement appropriate measures to mitigate risks.

As the construction industry continues to evolve, the adoption of digital twin technology incorporating game engine physics will become increasingly important. By leveraging this cutting-edge technology, construction companies can stay ahead of the competition and deliver successful, efficient projects that meet the demands of the modern world.

Return on Investment for CGI Digital Twin Technology in Infrastructure

In the ever-evolving world of infrastructure asset planning and construction management, professionals are constantly seeking new ways to optimise processes, reduce costs, and improve outcomes. CGI digital twin technology offers a revolutionary solution that boasts a higher return on investment compared to traditional CAD, BIM management, and complex software tools like Bentley’s Synchro and Primavera P6.

Enhanced efficiency and cost savings

CGI digital twin technology provides a more efficient approach to infrastructure asset planning and construction management, resulting in substantial cost savings:

Improved collaboration: Digital twins enable real-time collaboration between stakeholders, reducing communication barriers and streamlining decision-making processes.

Reduced rework: By easily simulating scenarios in realistic physics-based environments, CGI digital twin technology allows professionals to identify potential issues and make necessary adjustments before construction begins, minimising costly rework.

Optimised resource allocation: With the ability to visualise and analyse asset performance, digital twin technology enables more informed decisions on resource allocation, leading to significant cost reductions.

Greater flexibility and adaptability

Compared to traditional CAD, BIM management, and complex tools like Bentley’s Synchro and Oracle’s Primavera P6, CGI digital twin technology offers superior flexibility and adaptability:

Ease of use: Digital twin technology provides an intuitive interface, making it easier for professionals to adapt and make changes to project plans, compared to the cumbersome nature of tools like Synchro and Primavera P6.

Scalability: CGI digital twin technology can easily be scaled to accommodate projects of varying sizes and complexities, from a turbine to an entire city, making it a versatile solution for various infrastructure projects.

Seamless integration: Digital twins can be seamlessly integrated with existing systems and software via APIs, streamlining workflows and improving overall project efficiency.

Quantifying the return on investment

The return on investment for CGI digital twin technology in infrastructure asset planning and construction management can be quantified through real figures and percentages:

Reduced project costs: CGI Digital twin technology can potentially reduce project costs by up to 10% or more, through streamlined processes, reduced rework, and optimised resource allocation.

Shorter project timelines: By enhancing collaboration, enabling real-time decision-making, and minimising errors, digital twins can reduce project and sub-project timelines by 5-20%, depending on project size and complexity.

Lower software and training costs: The intuitive nature of CGI digital twin technology means lower costs for software licenses and training compared to complex tools like Bentley’s Synchro and Oracle’s Primavera P6.

CGI digital twin technology offers an unparalleled return on investment for infrastructure asset planning and construction management professionals. With its enhanced efficiency, flexibility, adaptability, and cost savings, digital twin technology is a superior supplement to traditional management tools.

Investing in CGI digital twin technology not only improves project outcomes but also contributes to the long-term success of your organisation across the asset lifecycle.

Stakeholder Engagement and Management with CGI Digital Twin Technology

In the dynamic world of construction project management, effective stakeholder engagement and communication are paramount for success. By adopting CGI Digital Twin Technology, you can revolutionise the way you interact with stakeholders, streamline project management, and optimise cost and time efficiencies. Let’s explore how this innovative technology drives value, reduces risk and fosters a more collaborative environment in construction projects.

Elevate Stakeholder Engagement

Traditional methods of communicating project plans, progress, and potential challenges with stakeholders can be time-consuming and prone to misinterpretation. CGI Digital Twin Technology provides an interactive, immersive, and easily understandable platform that brings stakeholders closer to the project. Virtual models facilitate clear communication of project plans and updates, ensuring all parties have a comprehensive understanding of the project’s status, reducing misunderstandings and fostering a more collaborative environment.

Minimise Rework and Delays

CGI Digital Twin Technology enables construction professionals to visualise and analyse project scenarios in a virtual environment before actual implementation. This proactive approach helps identify potential issues, optimise designs, and validate construction sequences, ultimately saving time and money by minimising rework and delays. By using digital twins, you can make data-driven decisions, reducing the likelihood of costly errors and ensuring a more efficient allocation of resources throughout the project lifecycle.

Enhance Decision-Making

The integration of real-time data and advanced simulations in CGI Digital Twin Technology provides a powerful tool for risk mitigation. By simulating scenarios and environmental conditions, you can anticipate potential challenges and devise solutions before they escalate. This proactive approach to risk management not only enhances decision-making but also fosters a safer working environment for all project stakeholders.

Optimise Collaboration Across Teams

With CGI Digital Twin Technology, collaboration among project stakeholders is greatly enhanced. By providing a centralised, easily accessible virtual platform, project teams can work together seamlessly, regardless of their physical location. This fosters better-informed and faster decision-making, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal.

How do you get a CGI Digital Twin?

Upload your spatial data to us, and we convert it into a Digital Twin powered by Epic’s Unreal Engine 5 – the world’s most powerful physics-based rendering engine. Follow our free advice on input data formats.

We deliver your CGI Digital Twin as an executable file for running locally, or make it available on the AWS Appstream cloud – so you just click a link to go. We send you a secure link so there is lugging data about.

How do you start?

Are you starting from zero? We can source off-the-shelf and publicly available data, and/or organise surveyors and data capture from choppers to drones to feature surveys. We have some urban 3D data sets ready to go, for example – Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Sydney, Wellington and Auckland.

Are you a data supplier or surveyor? Contact us to register on our supplier list. We are constantly organising the capture of data for clients and engage reliable survey data suppliers all the time.

Do you have design data? Data from GIS, design, CAD and BIM models from NavisWorks, Revit, Revisto, 3DSMax, Propeller, MX, Civil3D, 12D and many others in formats like FBX, IFC, DWG, RVT, SKP, SHP and many more. Contact us for a 10-minute virtual meeting or send screenshots so we can give you an idea of the process of converting static data into an interactive Digital Twin. You can see advice and information on datasets here.

Do you have survey data? If you have data like LiDAR point cloud, photogrammetry (photomesh), TINs and DEMs and the combinations of such – we convert this into a next-generation CGI Digital Twin in a jiffy.

Typical turnaround times are days and weeks to get going, depending on data and procurement.

Digital Twin support

You want more functionality? Our software engineers build tools and expand functions in partnership with our clients to develop tailored solutions. We are also always extending our tools and features based on customer feedback and capabilities.

You need more 3D modelling? Our 3D modelling services integrate and create digital twins, BIMs and SIMs of projects.

You need high-end CGI animations and visualisation? Our communications team help take your Digital Twin to a cutting-edge storytelling experience. We go through a storyboard process and build and capture the elements from the Digital Twin to help you win support and engage stakeholders.

How does it work?

Getting started is simple: simply send or upload your data, and we process and convert it into the Planner format for a simulated immersive experience of your project. Need extra 3D modelling or data sourcing? We offer these services as a quoted option.

Once your project is uploaded, you’ll receive a link from us with user and access details to the Planner, hosted on AWS. Simply click on the link and it opens a web browser. Click on your project and you have to work online in a high-powered GPU virtual desktop. You can access this site anytime with your login. When you’re finished, save your work and click “End Session” (via the user email at the top right).

Notes:

The subscription includes a set number of AppStream hours per month. With the standard Planner package, it typically takes a minute or two for your virtual machine instance to start. Always-on instances are available on request. The number of concurrent users is defined in the setup and pricing and can be increased upon request.

Your project is uploaded from UC servers and stored securely on AWS S3 in an encrypted file. It is then streamed from S3 to the AWS AppStream service on load. In this way, data is always safe while being easily accessible from any computer with your login and password.

Digital Twin clients…

Our Digital Twins are used by industry leaders such as Martínus, Acciona, Kiwirail, Queensland Rail, MTM, Queensland Transport and Main Roads, Seymour Whyte, Lend Lease, John Holland Group, Level Crossing Removal Authority, Perth City Council, Sunshine Coast Council, Canberra City and other National, and International Tier 1 clients to make project management faster and easier.

CGI Digital Twin Technology Features

For more detailed information on our CGI Digital Twin Technology Features, read our User Guide.

Navigation

The first thing you will want to do is navigate your site in the UC Planner to experience it in a whole new way. With our system, you can more deeply experience your project and site from day 1 to make it easier to identify potential issues and make better decisions.

Our navigation system includes two camera modes: Free-fly edit mode (Camera 0) and third-person model (Camera 9).

Camera 0 (default, click 0) is a free-fly editing camera like Google Maps. It allows you to zoom in and out with the scroll wheel and orbit with a right click. The camera collides with objects when they are behind you and slows down as you approach any geometry, ensuring you won’t get lost in 3D space. Left-click dragging moves the world, and double-left-click instantly takes you to that spot. Right-click-drag orbits you around the click-spot, highlighted with an orb. The PgUp/Dn keys move you vertically and arrow or WASD keys move you at constant speed. The middle click is the look-around function, like moving your head around.

Camera 9 (click 9) is a third-person experiential camera like a computer game. It gives you a human-centred experience of the environment. We have two inbuilt characters – the male is Simon (default), and the female is Simone. Press M to change between them. The WASD and arrow keys allow you to run around like a computer game, and use the scroll wheel to zoom in and out of the character’s head, the spacebar is jump, and the shift key is to switch from running and walking. Additionally, left-clicking anywhere is a shortcut to just walk to that place and double left-clicking teleports to the location. Pressing F for fly gives a whole new experience of your site by flying and hovering in the third person. The controls are similar to walking, using arrows and WASD, and using Q and E for vertical motion. The characters have dynamic kinematics to manage stairs jump on ledges and climb over objects. If you are at a vertical wall, you can press V for climb for Spiderman functionality using the WASD and arrow keys as well as click-move.

Digital Twin 3D Warehouse – Assets and Finder

Introducing our Asset Library, a powerful solution for managing and utilising assets within your virtual environment. Our library includes a growing collection of plant and other assets that are stored on the cloud (AWS) and easily accessible at any time with one click.

With our asset library, you can easily access the assets you need when you need them. Simply click on any asset icon to drag and drop the asset into your scene. The object will download and appear in the scene where you placed it. You can use search to filter through the assets and find the specific one you need. If you require a specific asset that is not currently available in the library, our team can find, edit, create and upload it for you.

Once the asset is placed in the scene, simply use our easy Transform tool to adjust its position and rotation. Each time an item is placed in the scene, it will appear in the Finder in the selected folder. Drag assets between folders easily, as well as duplicate assets and folders.

You can copy and paste any selected item/s, place them at the cursor location, and paste any number of times. Use the alt-drag function to select a group of assets, use shift-select to click multiple assets one at a time, or select assets via the Finder similar to CTRL/SHIFT functions in Windows Explorer.

Your work is saved in a .sim file. Press save to have the assets saved for the next time you load the scene.

Our Asset Library is designed to be user-friendly, providing you with quick and convenient access to the assets you need to plan in your virtual environment.

Easy Transform tools

To use the Transform tool, simply select any created asset by clicking on it. The asset will highlight and the Transform tool appears on click.

The standard transform tool (default) lets you move in all 2D directions along any collision surface (ie the ground), operating like gravity. It also allows easy rotation and vertical movement of the asset up and down. Use the advanced transform tool to move, rotate or scale in any one direction, or scale in all directions using the Shift key.

To Duplicate asset/s or a whole folder, exactly in place, use the Duplicate feature in the Finder. Select the item/s and press Duplicate. This can be great for making a 4D version of the plan, duplicating a set of assets then moving the few to the next location.

Multiply assets using the CTRL+SHIFT+ALT modifiers with mouse movement to create any number of duplicates, and define the spacing between them in the pop-up box.

With our Transform tool, you’ll be able to easily and efficiently manipulate your assets to create the perfect plan quickly. Contact us for more information and pricing options.

Examples

We bring simulated digital plans to your project by modelling and converting data into virtual models. These can be transformed into communications media, training videos, interactive models and maps at any time with our advanced features and services.