2D CAD
2D CAD software is widely used throughout the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries for preparing technical drawings and documentation. These form a critical part of the project contract documents, which are used to determine how the project should be built.
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What Is 2D CAD?
Computer-aided design – or, alternatively, computer-aided drafting – is more commonly referred to as CAD. Previously, drawings would have been drafted by specialist draftspeople and required tools such as stencils and T-squares. CAD replaced these manual, hand-drafted drawings with a digital method, significantly increasing the efficiency and accuracy of the drafting process. 2D CAD drawings are characterized by their two-dimensional lines, polylines, and arcs, as well as text and annotations.
What Is 2D Design Used For?
2D CAD is used across a wide range of industries – such as automotive, aerospace, fashion, and industrial design – to produce line drawings and layouts for different applications. Within the built environment, 2D CAD is used to create plan, section, and elevation views and details of structures. These views explain how the structure will be built and provide information on the materials to be used and the specification or performance to be achieved. Other information may be included on the drawings that will help ensure the project gets built correctly, such as schedules or lists. These drawings – often called construction drawings – form part of the contract documents for a project, alongside other documentation such as the specification.
While preparing drawings using 2D CAD software is much faster than manual drawing methods, it also allows designers to explore different design options more efficiently. Some architects still prefer to sketch their initial designs on paper before transferring them to a 2D CAD program. However, using 2D CAD provides a number of benefits. By drafting views such as plans, sections, and elevations, designers can visualize the completed design and make any amendments as needed. Designs can also be copied quickly, and sections or features altered to compare and contrast variations in the final design. Some 2D CAD programs contain libraries of standard building components, such as beams, doors, or furniture. Being able to insert commonly used components into a drawing greatly speeds up the drawing process while also removing the potential for errors where a drawing or part of a building is repeated.
What Is The Best 2D CAD Software?
The best 2D CAD software depends on what your needs are, how easy it is to learn, and how compatible it is with your existing work processes. Within the AEC industry, the right 2D CAD program should have all the tools you require for creating accurate construction documentation – such as the ability to automatically calculate quantities, run time-saving reports, or quickly and easily draw concrete reinforcement. Allplan Architecture and Allplan Engineering both offer these features, while having the added benefit of a unique and intuitive user interface that allows drafters to design in either 2D or 3D. For example, building components can be drawn in a 2D interface and the 3D model will be created simultaneously alongside the 2D shapes. While you may not be looking for a 3D solution, features such as improved visualization, automatic clash detection, and the ability to extract sections from the 3D model saves valuable design time and increases efficiency.
While the combined 2D and 3D user interface is extremely user-friendly, ALLPLAN also provides a comprehensive suite of learning resources for new users. A wide range of video tutorials are freely available that cover aspects of designing with and using Allplan. Both live and recorded webinars describing how to address different challenges are another way that ALLPLAN supports users, as well as a comprehensive collection of guides and training materials within the Learning section.
In addition, both Allplan Engineering and Allplan Architecture support Building Information Modeling (BIM). While many project deliverables are still stipulated to be handed over as 2D drawings, the need for a BIM-compliant solution is steadily increasing as countries around the world mandate the use of BIM on their projects. With Allplan Architecture and Allplan Engineering, you get the best of both worlds: the best 2D CAD software combined with an advanced 3D modeling solution that supports BIM.
2D CAD Software Free Download
If you would like to see how easy it is to make the switch from 2D CAD to a user-friendly 3D CAD program, why not download a free, 30-day trial version of Allplan Architecture or Allplan Engineering? With the free learning resources, you can fully evaluate the program and decide if 2D CAD software still meets all your needs for delivering designs efficiently and effectively.
Learn More About 2D CAD
See how these projects combined the benefits of 3D modeling with 2D CAD in order to deliver high-quality projects on time and to budget.
Learn More About CAD Software:
Download this whitepaper to see how Allplan Engineering 3D CAD software helped improve one engineering consultancy’s design efficiency by 35%.Whitepaper: 30-35 percent increased design productivity using 3D modeling in engineering offices
Since the mid-eighties, the tools for computer-aided design have developed rapidly. But in many engineering and drawing offices, planning methods have not kept pace with development. All too often the CAD software is still used like a digital drawing board, the 2D working method predominates. Read our whitepaper to find out why there is no way around 3D work for engineers and how smaller offices in particular can sustainably increase their productivity by switching from 2D to 3D.
