What is CAD software

https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/cad-software

CAD, or computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), is technology for design and technical
documentation, which replaces manual drafting with an automated process. If you’re a
designer, drafter, architect, or engineer, you’ve probably used 2D or 3D CAD programs such as
AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT software. These widely used software programs can help you draft
construction documentation, explore design ideas, visualize concepts through photorealistic
renderings, and simulate how a design performs in the real world.

What is BIM

https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/bim?us_oa=dotcom-us&us_si=53e925c4-d0a3-4fc4-
97e0-487116d46626&us_st=what%20is%20bim

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the foundation of digital transformation in the

architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. As the leader in BIM, Autodesk is
the industry's partner to realize better ways of working and better outcomes for business and
the built world.

Understanding the differences behind the concepts of the terms BIM and CAD.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-
explore/caas/video/youtube/lesson/143344-courseId-100332.html#:~:text=BIM%20is
%20Building%20Information%20Modeling,CAD%20is%20Computer%2DAided
%20Design.&text=While%20BIM%20tools%20such%20as,used%20more%20for%20drafting
%20programs.

To begin this lesson, make sure you understand what BIM and CAD are. BIM is Building
Information Modeling. It is an integrated workflow built on coordinated, reliable information
about a project from design through construction and into operation.

CAD is Computer-Aided Design. You can also add another D and have Computer-Aided Design
and Drafting. CAD is simply the use of computer systems to assist with design. While BIM tools
such as Revit are technically CAD programs, the term "CAD" is used more for drafting
programs. In terms of building design, CAD is essentially using a drafting tool, such as AutoCAD,
to create lines and arcs to represent a building design.
In order to understand the differences, look at a simple example. The layout on the right
labeled "CAD" looks exactly like the layout on the left labeled "BIM." When you select one of
the CAD walls on the right, you can see that it is actually just a line. Two lines have been drawn
in parallel to represent a wall. Looking in the Properties palette, the only parameter available is
the Line Style. However, when you select a BIM wall on the left, you can see that it is an actual
wall element. In the Properties palette are several parameters that can be used to define the
wall.

Additionally, when you click Edit Type, the Type Properties dialog opens with all of the
parameters that define this wall type. All of these parameters can be used for schedules and
tags. The BIM approach is to use actual elements to represent real-world components. And not
only are they three-dimensional elements, but also, they have parameters programmed into
them. Click OK to close the Type Properties dialog.

With the wall still selected, move the cursor over the wall and drag it down. When you do this,
the door moves with the wall, and the attached walls shorten in length to stay connected.

Now go back to the CAD example and select one of the lines. When you drag it down, the
connecting lines remain attached, but the parallel line does not remain the same distance
away, and the lines that represent the door do not move either. Click Undo. If you were
actually working in a CAD environment, you would simply select all of the necessary lines to
move them. But the point is that in Revit, which is designed for BIM, there are elements that
are programmed to connect a certain way. For example, the walls clean up at corners and the
wall cuts an opening for the door when it is placed.

Next, double-click the blue section head to open the section view. Only the BIM layout on the
left appears. Walls were not previously drawn in this example. Four walls and two doors were
created in the floor plan view for both the BIM example and the CAD example. However, the
BIM tools in Revit allow actual building elements to be placed into a model, and they appear in
all views in which their visibility is turned on.

In the Quick Access Toolbar, click Default 3D View to create a 3D view. A new view is created
and the walls and doors already appear. Again, this is because they are actual building
elements and not simply lines. Switch back to the Level 1 floor plan view.

Basically, when using CAD for building design, you focus on creating drawings. When using
BIM, you focus on creating a building model and then the drawings can be generated from the
model. This saves time because you really do not have to draw anything twice. With CAD, you
typically draw floor plans and then sections. But with BIM, you create the elements in one
view, and they appear in all views in which their visibility is turned on.
Additionally, when it comes to documenting your design with tags and schedules, the
parameters that are programmed into the elements can easily be used. This saves time when it
comes to updating building components, and it cuts down on errors since a component will
not be tagged differently in two views.

On a final note, Revit is not BIM. Revit was designed for BIM, but it does not accomplish every
aspect of BIM. However, when using Revit to create a building model, you can easily export the
model to other programs to produce higher-quality renderings, perform analyses, coordinate
with other disciplines, fabricate parts, and so on. When using CAD, many of these options are
not available. So, the interoperability with BIM is much greater.