Should I Use CAD Drawings or BIM Drawings?

Design is a standard component of the architecture industry, and technology has evolved to make the corresponding processes simpler and more convenient. The last few decades featured architects and engineers utilizing CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings to create the illustrations necessary for upcoming construction projects. But they also need drawings for fixtures attained from third-party contractors, such as mechanical equipment screens.

PalmSHIELD, the nation’s leading screening contractor, has historically offered CAD drawings for each of its products. And architectural screens are a necessity in this day and age, used to visually seal off HVACs and other mechanical items from public view. Of course, our screens vary in appearance (for example: louvers come in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal formations; and which one’s best depends enormously on your surrounding aesthetics), so CAD drawings are necessary to visualize the product in relation to its eventual environment. And now, we’ve added a new tool to help clients visualize the add-ons their interested in: BIM drawings. BIM (Building Information Modeling) drawings continue to surge in popularity with the passage of time, for a number of reasons.

What is the difference?

To start, let’s discuss the difference between CAD drawings and BIM drawings.

• CAD Drawings. CAD drawings are used by architects and engineers to create 2D and 3D models of their building projects, including what they’re adding via other contractors.
• BIM Drawings. BIM drawings constitute a digital representation of a finished building project, and everything that’ll be part of its environment, including added fixtures made by third parties. This includes HVACs, electrical systems, and windows as well as fences and architectural screens. These drawings are actually 3D models that can be fully rotated and viewed from every angle.

What are the specific benefits of BIM drawings?

The advent of 3D model technology has quickly taken the place of 2D drawings. After all, physical models are part of the architectural industry, used to represent the finished structure to clients, construction crews, etc. And now digital models are used to view the models from all conceivable angles. And unlike physical models, they can be shared instantly via file-sharing. Viewers can zoom in on specific parts of the model and rotate to view it from every angle. So how does this apply to PalmSHIELD’s BIM models for architectural screens? You can view the screens from various angles and judge whether or not the screens adequately hide items from street level or the approximate vantage point of neighboring buildings.

Contact PalmSHIELD’s team with any questions about BIM Drawings, CAD Drawings, and our products!