If you've spent any time in the construction industry, you've probably encountered both computer-aided design (CAD) and building information the employee contact list modeling (BIM). More than half of all construction professionals use BIM for at least some of their projects, and 97% are at least aware of its existence, according to NBS's 2017 National BIM Report.At Capterra, there are 35 architectural software options that have some capability for 2D or 3D modeling using CAD technology, and 11 options that offer BIM modeling. And there are dozens of BIM resources for construction managers who want to employee contact list learn more about the concept.
But what is the difference between CAD and BIM, and is there any reason to care as a construction manager?The answer: absolutely. Although the two terms are interconnected, they quickly head in different directions. As a construction need to the employee contact list manager, you'll need to move more towards BIM-focused software and away from CAD, and there are a few key reasons for this, which we'll outline below.BIM vs. CADWhat is CAD and what is BIM?Computer-aided design refers to the use of computer systems to facilitate the creation of designs, allowing engineers to employee contact list create higher-quality drawings for products or parts more quickly.
In the words of Autodesk, one of the leading software developers in the CAD field, CAD is “the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. CAD software replaces manual drafting with an automated process.Building Information Modeling is software that applies CAD concepts to employee contact list building design, creating to employee contact list models that include not only physical but also intrinsic properties of a building.The US National BIM Standard Project Committee uses this definition: “Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about an installation that provides a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle.