Introduction

Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) has been accessible to architects since the early 1980s. Its purpose, as the name suggests, was to use the computer as a tool in the production of drafted paper documents.
The systems were designed to mimic existing simple repetitive processes, therefore speeding up the production of paper drawings. Typically objects in CAD files mimic drawn elements, like lines, text, hatching.
There is now a class of software which combines simple objects (such as lines) into a hierarchy of complex objects (such as doors, walls containing doors, rooms containing walls, etc.). Further, by attaching information to the object in addition to a simple graphic representation it can also be intelligent. It makes eminent sense to use computer power to model buildings, to create a digital model of the complete building, in effect a Building Information Model (BIM).

But this software is relatively new to the construction industry, so consequently not only is there a small user base, management techniques are also still experimental.
The reality is that for the vast majority of architectural and engineering firms it is not practical to implement BIM software instantaneously. It has to be a gradual process using the resources that are available to them.

It is possible to introduce and implement BIM concepts utilizing currently used CAD software.
This introduces staff to the concepts of BIM without them having to learn new software. The big jump is to treat computer files as a representation of the building, not of drawings of the building.
Concepts like considering plans, sections, details etc. as slices through the actual building. Where a slice is taken materials are represented and exactly located. Setting up digital information in such a way that a particular part of a building is drawn once but occurs many times, mimicking a single model of the building.

This blog is a collection of techniques, methods and examples of using AutoCAD to Model Buildings.