How is BIM different from CAD in today’s construction process?

Overview

In the traditional AEC Industry, the structures were built with no written documentations which let the project get delayed, time-consuming method and incurred huge cost on rework. Before the advent of computers, drawings were made by hand. Lines were drawn manually for the indication of walls and openings but in today’s world all the lines are drawn by computer and the information for the same is kept through computer systems. 

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) focuses on the architectural and engineering sector for many years. It helps to create a design on floor plans and models that come out accurate and can impress the clients. AEC industry has been evolving over the years since new concepts are coming up rapidly which makes CAD outdated and gradually drops the use of this software in the present world.

BIM Modelling Services is one of those new digital technologies which focuses on creating, managing and providing information in the 3D Model. It creates sustainable buildings and a collaborative environment that has changed the way the transformation of the construction industry is prevailing. The rise of cloud computing technology has increased the use of BIM. The model made in the digital environment gets automatically adjusted in 2d, 3D and 4D dimensions that help to increase productivity and is cost-effective solutions.

These types of software tools help the architects, drafters, designers, engineers and builders to create plans, construction documentation, provide information on building materials and direct everyone on how and when to put things together.

BIM and CAD process is not interchangeable and often people get confused between the two concepts. To know what exactly is CAD and BIM you need to understand the difference between the two concepts and their usage in the construction projects.

What is CAD?

CAD is the creation of design and documents related to the construction project through computers. CAD is used for large scale projects as it allows you to bring up several designs together so that the model can get fit in a large unit.

We can create 2D drawings such as floor plans, roof modeling, etc. in AutoCAD software which have been changing in recent years to update the drawings. In today’s time, CAD can be used to create a 3D model that creates a model accurately and can be used for better representation of the client’s ideas.

 Now that 3D models are easier to create in this software, it can be enhanced and used for complex projects by the architects. Design in today’s world is far more than just creating drawings; it has smoothly shifted from ordinary concept ideas to manufacture much quicker since the past years.

CAD Services makes it possible to review a proposed building or structure before the actual construction work begins. It is used to create a precise design and technical illustrations for the product produced in 2D or 3D format.

What is BIM?

The core of BIM relies upon collaboration and sustainability which allows you to bring all the design, including CAD Model into a single database. Using the cloud, anyone involved in the project can access the database of the 3D BIM Model where changes can be quickly resolved.

BIM can help the client to visualize the complex and large scale projects which is the primary benefit in the construction. The project issues can be spotted before the actual construction begins during the early design phase.

BIM can expand beyond your basic CAD designs which provide more information to the project stakeholders in the construction process for the building model. BIM Coordination Services and Clash detection is also the initial step in the construction process as it focuses on attaining the primary benefit of BIM that is to collaborate and coordinate among various disciplines in the project and resolve clashes if any easier and quicker.

BIM software not just represents the physical aspect but also the functional aspects of a building. BIM has various dimensions such as 4D BIM which look upon the scheduling of activities on a given time is accomplished or not.

5D BIM is the cost estimation of the construction process carried out which includes the detail of materials, construction process and equipment. 6D BIM looks upon the sustainability aspect of the building or structures. 7D BIM looks upon the BIM Facility Management of the building that caters to the maintenance and operations of the constructed building.

Advantages and Disadvantages of CAD Drafting

CAD has played an essential role in the engineering and architectural sector and is going to be part of the AEC industry no matter it is becoming outdated. It might not be perfect but can be useful for the construction process in many ways stated below.

Advantages

• CAD has replaced the paper and clay modeling techniques to create design through computer systems which is easier and offers the tools that can create drawings in 2D and 3D format.
• Advanced features of the Software allows the drafters and engineers to work on complex models.
• CAD software helps to spot errors and fix them together which makes it a valuable tools used by Architects, Structural engineers and MEP engineers.

Disadvantages

• CAD Software provides many tools that make the user complacent that they can use anything from the library that might make the same design to deliver the same work issues to the clients every time. This would affect the productivity of the drafters.
• The CAD software is easy to use but does have a learning curve that scale to get the most out of the software, so if the design gets a failure, it results in comparison to those of competitors.

Advantages and Disadvantages of BIM

BIM technologies have been adopted and successfully implemented by many construction companies but it has pros and cons which you need to be aware of while working on it.

Advantages

• BIM delivers a digital representation of the building design model and takes the core components into account. This helps the project team to take full advantage of space and resource availability of the design model.
• BIM allows keeping the documents into a single database platform where several people would work on the same model involved in the project and save it to cloud for future use. This way changes can be made quickly and you can get instant updates that won’t waste time searching the documents when you need to modify the model.
• BIM can aid in completing the prefabrication of elements of a building ahead of time.
• BIM Model helps to give your client more than CAD which allows you to constantly update to work on the project. It helps to get approvals for milestones and more efficient project development easier and faster.
• Resource tracking is a key component of BIM Models through 5D BIM Services. This would help to figure out how much resources would you need during the design stage and not waste it.

Disadvantages

• Many professionals in the Architectural and Engineering industries have not adopted BIM yet. It can be an issue for your organization as firms are rapidly using BIM methodology in their projects.
• Lack of experts who work for projects can get the project to be delayed, incur rework possibility and waste time. So there is an investment in the training and knowledge session arranged for such professionals.
• BIM needs a huge investment to implement this technology and software.

The transition from CAD to BIM

There are several factors which you need to keep in mind while switching from CAD to BIM. It is a new technology so this means you will need to invest in the technology and give training to the architects, designers and engineers to make the most out of the software. Some countries have not yet adopted BIM and are using CAD which makes them stand back in the construction industry.

However, by making the right choice and shift you can see the adoption of other digital technologies with BIM can help to achieve the utmost out of the projects. By adopting BIM they see themselves in the industries in a better way.

The choice for using the technologies out of the two depends on the need and business trading of the firm. Smaller firms may feel it as a hurdle for investment and others might get benefitted from staying ahead of the competition. BIM environment with a cloud storage method makes it easier for the firm to use the model, instantly change the issues and make it a complete set of models.

Conclusion

BIM is becoming the emerging and trending technologies in the AEC industry which if used can provide numerous benefits to the firms such as a coordinated model, saves time and money on construction projects, cost estimation of material and equipment and tracking of the workers. CAD no doubt has been the technologies available in the industry since the 1980s but is getting outdated and doesn’t match with the benefits BIM technology would provide the clients.

The final decision would depend on the firm of the need to trade with this business which technology would be helpful to them and how they make the most of it for their clients.