However, current practice includes the use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) which allows for more complex and detailed plans due to the accuracy that a computer can offer as well as its 3D capabilities. This has drastically impacted both the engineering and architectural industries and has made the process of planning and designing more seamless, letting concepts translate better into a detailed model instead of just being on paper. 

Role of architects 

With architects being involved in the design and building of structures, they make use of CAD tools to be able to make drawings that are not only structurally sound, but also ones that are compliant with local codes and regulations. Architects are involved with the entire process of the construction projects from the moment the project is planned up to the day it is completed. 

Draftsmen (or drafters) also function the same as architects. They also prepare the drawings and this can be used in many different applications outside architecture and construction such as mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil designs. 

How architects use CAD

The use of CAD has greatly improved the drafting or planning phase of any building project. Firstly, it speeds up the process of manually drawing by having all the important functionalities within a single platform. With the nature of the work that sometimes more than one person would be working on a project, CAD proves to be invaluable with its ability to share and collaborate designs into universally accepted file formats and even the cloud. Being able to edit and make revisions makes for an efficient drafting experience as compared to the more tedious traditional drafting process. 

More than visualizing the project on paper, CAD offers 3D modelling which helps architects visualize their project without having to build any models prior. This is key in any building evaluation process. The ability to do this can help architects fix potential problems easier before they reach the building phase, which can save a lot of time, effort, and money.

Also in the evaluation stage, alongside CAD, architects can benefit from using Building Information Management (BIM) that has a lot of other capabilities such as project management and construction management. Luckily, CAD systems are integrated with BIM making it a seamless experience as they undergo the whole planning, evaluating, and construction phase. 

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Want to learn more about CAD? Check out USCADD’s blogs for more knowledge about CAD and its applications. Visit our website at https://www.uscadd.com/.