During the traditional project management preparation stage, construction design has predominantly relied on CAD software to assist designers. CAD, which stands for Computer Aided Design, enables the creation of complex engineering drawings far beyond simple lines or icons. This powerful tool is widely used across various industries to produce mechanical, architectural, and electrical drawings. Typically, CAD generates three main types of drawings: floor plans, axonometric drawings, and isometric drawings.
On the other hand, BIM (Building Information Modeling) is not just a technology but also a methodology and process that encompasses the entire lifecycle information model of a building as well as the project management workflow. By integrating these aspects, BIM facilitates comprehensive management, with design playing a crucial role during project preparation. Opting for BIM over CAD reflects a modern and advanced approach.
CAD
Basic Elements: CAD’s basic elements have no inherent meaning and are created using points and lines.
Modifying Graphic Elements: Adjusting the position or size often requires redrawing or resizing manually to achieve the desired result.
Relationships Between Architectural Elements: There is no built-in correlation between different architectural components.
Overall Building Modifications: Each projection or view must be manually updated one by one.
Architectural Information Representation: CAD provides limited architectural data, mainly digitizing traditional paper drawings.
BIM
Basic Elements: BIM elements correspond to specific building components such as windows, walls, and other parts. These elements possess not only geometric properties but also physical and functional attributes.
Modifying Graphic Elements: All graphic elements are parameterized building components with attached properties. Using BIM families, related dimensions and sizes can be adjusted simply by changing these properties.
Relationships Between Building Elements: BIM models maintain correlations between elements. For example, deleting a wall automatically removes associated doors and windows; removing a window restores the wall to its original state.
Overall Building Modifications: A single change updates all related views, including floor plans, elevations, 3D visualizations, and schedules automatically.
Architectural Information Representation: BIM encompasses comprehensive building information, offering not only 2D and 3D visualizations but also detailed data such as bills of quantities, construction management details, virtual construction models, and cost estimates.
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