CAD drawing or BIM model: differences and when to use each
What sets an AutoCAD electrical drawing apart from a Revit BIM model, and how to choose based on project size and coordination needs.
· Reading time: 5 min
Both are used to build, but they work differently. A CAD drawing is a two-dimensional drawing; a BIM model is a three-dimensional representation with information about each element.
CAD drawing (AutoCAD)
- Fast and familiar to every contractor.
- Each view (plan, section, detail) is drawn separately.
- Suitable for small projects or projects without complex coordination.
BIM model (Revit)
- Plans, sections and schedules come from the same model: if something changes, it changes in every view.
- Elements carry data (type, circuit, dimensions).
- Allows coordination with architecture, structure, HVAC and plumbing, and clash review.
Which one to choose?
If the project is small and there are no other disciplines to coordinate, a good CAD drawing is usually enough. If several services share ceilings, ducts and technical spaces, a BIM model helps resolve clashes before construction.
BIM coordination depends on the other disciplines having their own models. When they do not, coordination uses the available drawings and the scope is adjusted in the proposal.
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