How is CAD technology optimized by BIM?

CAD which is an acronym for computer aided-design has brought huge changes in the functioning of construction industry. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that CAD technology is largely responsible for the rapid growth of Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry. CAD technology is optimized for executing drafting services. The process of drafting is nothing but to represent the building design in 2D form. The outputs of drafting process are 2D CAD files, and these files clearly represent the design of the building systems.

Since CAD files contain the entire design data in them they are utilized by Building Information Modelers to generate 3D building models. To execute modeling services BIM software is required and Revit is the most commonly used software for this purpose. BIM modelers import all CAD files in Revit and develop high quality 3D models for architecture, structure and MEP systems. While constructing a building first separate models are developed by modelers for architecture, structure and MEP and after that these models are reviewed for checking interferences and errors. 

The process of interference checking is generally carried out in Navisworks which is again BIM software. So clash detection services are executed to find design issues between the model elements. Clash detection is generally regarded as the first step of coordination process wherein models are finally coordinated after resolving the clashes.

So to carry out clash detection services, Revit models are first imported in Navisworks and they are thoroughly reviewed in the software by the BIM users. During the process of model review thousands of clashes are detected by the software, these clashes are highlighted by using redlining and comments. They are further saved in the folders by assigning appropriate names so that engineers or modelers can easily approach them for resolving the clashes.

In this way these folders are checked by modelers and they provide required solutions for the clashes. Once all the detected clashes are resolved by the designers these individual models are coordinated together and this fault free model is generally delivered to the owners.

This is how CAD technology is optimized by construction professionals to deliver high performing buildings.