BIM often faces challenges when it comes to promoting its widespread use. After investing in BIM technology and providing relevant training to employees, many companies struggle to leverage it effectively for their business. Currently, the construction industry remains relatively unfamiliar with BIM software. To understand why BIM has not been widely adopted, the author compares it with the more commonly used CAD software:
1) Software Requirements: BIM requires the coordination of multiple software tools. In contrast, CAD software provides all the necessary drawing tools—such as erasers, scales, pens, rulers, and compasses—within a single program. CAD can complete the entire task independently, producing drawings that directly meet the client’s requirements. However, BIM generates a model and associated information that require further processing before becoming the final deliverable. Although this additional step is necessary, the quality and variety of the final product far surpass what CAD can produce.
2) Changes in Production Content and Methods: Back in 1998, the promotion of CAD was officially endorsed by eight ministries, including the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Construction, and was described as the “drawing board.” This term sparked debate because some felt it only captured CAD’s drawing capabilities and overlooked its design functions. Today, however, it is widely accepted that CAD essentially replaced traditional drawing tools, validating the term “throwing drawing boards.”
BIM, on the other hand, represents a fundamental difference from CAD. It’s not just a change in the designer’s drawing tools but a transformation in the very output itself. Instead of producing drawings as CAD does, BIM creates detailed models.
3) Beneficiaries: Imagine a scenario where most employees still draft manually, and only one person uses CAD. The productivity gains from that one CAD user would be significantly greater than those of others. As a result, designers tend to adopt CAD quickly after witnessing its efficiency, which facilitates its promotion and widespread adoption.
For CAD, benefits can be traced directly to the individual user, making it clear who gains from its use.
This differs significantly from BIM. The BIM model serves only as the raw material for the final deliverable the client requires. No single person can complete the entire process from model to finished product, as this involves multiple disciplines and project phases. Each participant contributes their own specialized expertise. Therefore, the more thoroughly the BIM material is utilized, the greater its overall impact. The person who creates the BIM model may not necessarily be the biggest beneficiary within the team. This raises the question: how can we motivate the BIM model creator to actively contribute throughout the later stages of the project?
4) Output and Delivery of Design Results: CAD drawings closely resemble hand-drawn sketches. Even without a computer, printing CAD drawings effectively conveys the design intent.
In contrast, BIM results are dynamic and multidimensional. Printed drawings from BIM software represent only partial snapshots of the complete output. Currently, fully understanding BIM outputs requires collaboration with computers and specialized software. However, this transformation is not achievable by merely updating hardware and technology; designers must also update their knowledge and drawing habits. When both designers and technology evolve together, BIM can significantly benefit the design industry even by producing numerous detailed screenshots of the model.
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