CAD Software

CAD software is used by engineers, rebar detailers, bridge designers, and construction professionals to design construction projects and create construction drawings. While both 2D and 3D CAD programs are available, the best CAD software for engineers combines both elements to make the design process flexible and intuitive. 

Table of contents:

• What is CAD Software?
• Who Uses CAD Software?
• What is CAD Software Used For?
• What are the types of CAD?
• What is the Best CAD Software for Engineers?
• Try 3D CAD Software – Free 30 day trial
• Learn More About CAD Software

What is CAD Software?

CAD is an acronym for computer-aided design or computer-aided drafting. It allows users to design a graphical representation of a physical object – whether that is a product, component, or even buildings and structures. The graphical representation can be used to determine material quantities, object dimensions, and can help viewers visualize the end result before the object is created.

Who Uses CAD Software?

In the AEC industry, architects, engineers, reinforcement detailers, designers, project managers, and contractors all use CAD software for various purposes. Most notably to create, edit, and view construction designs in the form of drawings and models.

What is CAD Software Used For?

Within the building environment, CAD software is used for designing and drafting the models that are used in construction projects to better understand how a building or structure is to be built. These models are an integral part of any construction project and form the basis of project documentation that must be prepared during the design stage.

During the planning and design stages, CAD software acts as a digital drawing board and enables digital virtual prototyping for designers. With CAD software, architects and engineers can develop a design based on a client’s brief. They use the drawings and models they create to show the client how the structure will look, discuss the available options, or identify any changes that are needed. Being able to digitally create and modify a design allows architects and engineers to refine the project to the client’s exact requirements before construction starts.

The design drawings and models made using CAD software can also be used to calculate the quantities of building materials required so that a cost can be estimated before the construction work proceeds. Bespoke materials, such as steel beams or reinforcement, will require designers to create fabrication drawings using CAD software. These drawings show the fabricators exactly how to manufacture the steel and can be used to obtain a price for this part of the project.

If the contractor is involved during this stage, they can use CAD software or compatible viewers in order to review the proposed models and provide feedback on the constructability of a design. They may also use CAD software to help develop their own quantity calculation and prepare cost estimates for tendering. During the construction phase, the contractor who builds the project uses the drawings or models to ensure that they have built the structure correctly and to the right specifications.

CAD software can also be used to make updates to the original design based on what has been built on site. As the construction work progresses, sometimes it becomes necessary to deviate from the original design due to unforeseen factors. These changes need to be recorded on an as-built drawing or model, which is an amended version of the original design that was created on CAD software. The as-built information is used by the owner to operate and maintain the building or structure and is useful for any future renovations, refurbishment, or demolition work that needs to be undertaken. As-built drawings and models are created on CAD software and also form part of the project documentation.

What are the types of CAD?

Types of CAD include 2D and 3D CAD software. 2D CAD software has been the industry standard for many years, as the project documentation that must be produced has been printed drawings. Before technology such as computers, tablets, and smartphones were widely available, the printed drawings were used to determine what needed to be built as there was no other way to get this information at the job site.

However, with the rise of 3D design and Building Information Modeling (BIM). 3D CAD software is becoming more widely adopted. 3D CAD software offers many advantages over 2D software, such as more efficient design processes and better visualization of the final structure or project. As internet-enabled devices are able to access information from anywhere, it has also become more feasible to use a 3D model that can be viewed from any device as opposed to 2D printed drawings.

What is the Best CAD Software for Engineers?

Engineers use a wide variety of different CAD software programs, so there is no industry standard when it comes to CAD programs. However, 2D and 3D CAD software vary enormously in terms of features, compatibility, and user-friendliness. So getting the right CAD software is crucial for companies who want to remain competitive and profitable. Even established engineers may find that the efficiency savings offered by one CAD program may quickly offset the cost of investing in a new software solution. When comparing 2D and 3D CAD software options, there are a wide range of factors to consider, such as:

• How complex are your designs? Increasingly, clients and designers are pushing the boundaries of what is possible to achieve with ever-more ambitious designs. However, the more complex the project, the more important accuracy becomes. Being able to model in 3D (as opposed to 2D line drawings) is crucial here, as it will be easier to detect and rectify clashes between building components and visualize the finished design. But not all 3D CAD software is created equal – depending on the modeling kernel used, some solutions will be more accurate than others.
  
  
• How often do you design concrete reinforcement? Typically, drawing, detailing, and quantifying steel concrete reinforcement is a laborious activity for engineers, especially for complex designs or large projects. Switching to 3D CAD software that automates some of the reinforcement design and detailing process can save a significant amount of time – and therefore money. Some software can also automatically generate quantities and bar bending schedules for increased efficiency and accuracy.
  
  
• How long do you spend creating sections and detail views? If your projects typically require a large number of longitudinal and transverse sections or details. Moving to 3D CAD software should remove the need to manually draw them. The best CAD software for engineers allows sections and details to be created as a view from the 3D model, so there’s no need to recreate information that has already been modeled.
  
  
• How often do you use BIM? BIM may or may not be something that you are implementing on your projects at the moment. However, as more and more clients are making BIM mandatory on their projects, choosing a BIM-enabled CAD program is a wise decision. If you tend to work on projects in conjunction with external parties, selecting 3D CAD software that also supports openBIM helps ensure that you can share and exchange information with others without losing any data.

Free Download 3D CAD Software 

Allplan Engineering has many features to make it one of the best choices in CAD software for engineers. Not only is it intuitive and easy to use, but it contains all the tools that structural and civil engineers need to create accurate designs efficiently: a powerful modeling kernel, intelligent tools for reinforcement design and detailing, and openBIM data exchange interfaces. Request a personal demo of Allplan and see for yourself why it's considered the best in 3D CAD software.

Download now >