Week 4 Blog Post - BIM vs. Drafting (CAD)

Both programs such as AutoCAD and BIM software are great for creating computer models of buildings.  In today’s world, BIM software is becoming more and more popular due to the amount of detail it can go into compared to AutoCAD and other similar programs.  “The benefits gained from Building Information Modeling (BIM) correspond to the quality and depth of information in the model” (Hamil).

“AutoCAD is and always will be a great tool for drafting.  In summary, CAD is a tool for creating construction documentation.  It requires manual coordination of engineered building systems and architecture.  BIM is best described as Virtual Construction, or a precise replica of the intended building environment, fully resolved for means of construction.  In summary, BIM is a database of information about a building for design, validation, construction and lifecycle maintenance.  It is exact, analytical and quantifiable.  You can’t simply replace AutoCAD with Revit and plan to be profitable.  BIM requires a different workflow, a different allocation of project budgets and a different approach as to how you sell your services” (Webster).

In the world today, people like to be able to visualize what they are building before they actually build it.  BIM software helps with this concept as it goes into much greater detail than programs such as AutoCAD.  3-D models can be created in AutoCAD, but it is much more difficult to accomplish and may not be as precise as using BIM software such as Revit.  Revit is basically a large database that can be used to create a precise 3-D model of a building.  It is the future of drafting and is becoming a huge part of engineering today.

A common question that is asked about BIM is: “Is BIM easier to use than CAD?”  The correct answer is: “No, it is much harder, requiring good 3-D perception, superior organization, deeper construction and design knowledge” (Krippahl).  However, once the BIM software is mastered, it can be much more effective and accomplish much more difficult tasks with much more ease than CAD.  For this reason, BIM is the future of 3-D modeling and it is imperative that people learn how to use it and master it.

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Sources:

Hamil, Stephen, Dr. "Isn't BIM Just 3D CAD?" - Building Information Modelling (BIM) Article from NBS. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014.

Krippahl, Miguel. "(bim)x: BIM v. CAD." (bim)x: BIM v. CAD. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014.

Webster, Dave. "Keys to a Successful BIM Implementation: BIM vs. CAD: Really…What’s the Difference?" MasterGraphics Weblog RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014.