The ABCs of CAD
Computers help architects produce countless renderings and shorten lead times. But still there's one big thing CAD can't do
Dylan Chappell
June 18, 2013
Houzz Contributor and California Architect, Dylan Chappell is known for his sustainable and green approach to projects. Dylan is a South Coast native and serves on the Architectural Review Board for the County of Santa Barbara. (http://dylanchappell.com/)
Houzz Contributor and California Architect, Dylan Chappell is known for his sustainable... More
The modern architect’s office looks much different today than it did 20 to 30 years ago. Gone are the days spent bent over a drafting table, pushing pencils on paper. While we all love our sketchbooks and our drawings, the standard architect’s office environment is dictated by computers and computer-aided drawing (CAD) software.
CAD has been around since the 1980s, making drafting more affordable and efficient. This computer program allows architects to digitally draft and draw, creating plans and assembling specifications much more quickly than on paper, resulting in quicker lead times for clients.
However, it’s important to remember that drafting is an art, whether by hand or with CAD. Learning how to draw beautiful and accurate plans takes years, and it’s not something a computer can replace. Should your architect be using CAD? Most likely. But it’s no substitute for the skill and experience it takes to become a great architect.
CAD has been around since the 1980s, making drafting more affordable and efficient. This computer program allows architects to digitally draft and draw, creating plans and assembling specifications much more quickly than on paper, resulting in quicker lead times for clients.
However, it’s important to remember that drafting is an art, whether by hand or with CAD. Learning how to draw beautiful and accurate plans takes years, and it’s not something a computer can replace. Should your architect be using CAD? Most likely. But it’s no substitute for the skill and experience it takes to become a great architect.
CAD is a software program for digital drafting and drawing. If you want to duplicate a floor plan, explore design options or see how a room would feel if it were 3 feet wider, it takes just a few seconds with CAD. Gone are the days of drawing floor plans line by line — we now have wall and window tools to edit entire wall sections simultaneously or change the window heights and widths in an entire building at once.
How Can CAD Help You?
While there are plenty of benefits for architects who use CAD software, the more important question is how will it will benefit you, the homeowner? What programs and software should your architect be using? How will they affect the outcome of your project?
How Can CAD Help You?
While there are plenty of benefits for architects who use CAD software, the more important question is how will it will benefit you, the homeowner? What programs and software should your architect be using? How will they affect the outcome of your project?
The two most commonly used programs in the industry are AutoCAD and Vectorworks. Both are complicated to learn and come with a hefty price tag, but in the hands of an experienced professional they can help architects present homeowners with multiple and better design options, streamlining operations and shortening lead times.
Vectorworks is particularly popular due to its ability to manage every phase of the design and production process, whether the architect is working on beginning conceptual sketches or complex construction documents.
I’ve worked at firms where a designer would come up with a plan, then hand it off to a drafter to put it into the computer. The drafter would print it out and give it back to the designer to review and make changes. This process would go round and round. Once the designers were happy with the plan, they would then give it to an artist to do the presentation rendering. It was always time consuming and required multiple employees and software programs.
Flexible CAD programs like Vectorworks have improved the control over the design and production process. This means better and more accurate drawings of your project, leading to time and money savings.
Flexible CAD programs like Vectorworks have improved the control over the design and production process. This means better and more accurate drawings of your project, leading to time and money savings.
Easier Presentation of Multiple Ideas
I was talking recently with a homeowner contemplating a home remodel. She said she really liked the idea of hiring multiple designers so she could have several options — an idea she got from a design TV show. But the truth is, you should never have to hire three separate architects to get multiple designs. CAD allows an architect to present and explore multiple options with a few quick keystrokes.
This image shows eight potential floor plans for the same project. Eight configurations are a lot to present to a client, but this shows what's possible. Most architects would present the three most promising variations and then come up with more based on the client's feedback.
I was talking recently with a homeowner contemplating a home remodel. She said she really liked the idea of hiring multiple designers so she could have several options — an idea she got from a design TV show. But the truth is, you should never have to hire three separate architects to get multiple designs. CAD allows an architect to present and explore multiple options with a few quick keystrokes.
This image shows eight potential floor plans for the same project. Eight configurations are a lot to present to a client, but this shows what's possible. Most architects would present the three most promising variations and then come up with more based on the client's feedback.
Design is a process that requires exploring multiple ideas, making changes and constantly adapting to codes, regulations and the surrounding environment. These issues come up in every great project, and they can be looked at either as roadblocks or as inspiration for exceptional design.
Just remember, when choosing an architect, the software used should be significantly less important than his or her ability to listen, communicate, understand your vision, establish trust and guide you through the design and construction process.
More: 3 essential tools of an architect | Find an architect near you
Just remember, when choosing an architect, the software used should be significantly less important than his or her ability to listen, communicate, understand your vision, establish trust and guide you through the design and construction process.
More: 3 essential tools of an architect | Find an architect near you
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Cad is a tool....The creative person with the education and many years of experience is the "Designer" In my office I cant do all the cad work. Having my Cad operators draft my conceptual sketched does not make them the designer... Having said that many times the Cad operators will take the next step in evolution of the concept and make suggestions... It is many times the back and forth that makes a great design.
To Martin Architect: Without a doubt an accredited architect designs. My comments were directed to the interior decorators who claim to design.
Well ok then... I am glad you are using CAD!