# Architectural Design Software: CAD Versus BIM

Designing and planning buildings has become easier from architectural software such as CAD and BIM programs. Gone are the days of people and teams sitting over a drafting table for days planni
ng out a building's layout and construction materials.

These days, builders, architects and designers are able to spend more time making creative and innovative designs for their buildings and projects and less time actually drawing out their projects.

These architectural software programs have cut costs for many businesses and opened many avenues of creativity for those who rely on them for their work. These models are easier to use than paper and pencil and are accessible from anywhere there is access to a computer.

Emailing a file is much faster and in many cases much more cost-effective,saving on the overall cost of a building project. There are a great many architectural software programs available and often it depends on the personal preference as well as the needs of the designer and the construction crew, on which is right for them.

Much like any technology computer aided design has come along a great deal since its introduction to the computer. Originally the only thing available was two-dimensional CAD where the author still had to join their own details and often the drawings took a great deal longer to figure out for the reader.

This is replaced by a three-dimensional CAD as well as the latest the BIM architectural software.

CAD, or computer aided design, programs are more beneficial in the design aspect of a building.

They allow the user to show a two or three-dimensional computer model of their building design, but do not necessarily have every aspect drawn to scale or contain every detail.CAD can be a quicker option for someone looking to design a building before much thought is in about what the minor details of it.

While CAD does allow an option for incorporating building materials it does not allow for the maker of the design are for informing the crew through the program of how they want that material implemented.


BIM, or building information modeling, programs focus in more detail and are more important in the implementation phase of a building's construction.

Their walls and other aspects will be precisely to scale and often with exact instructions on how to install materials. Training in BIM programs, such as Revit, can become a bit more time-consuming than training in a basic CAD program, depending on what the person who is training's experience is with CAD design.

However post design, BIM programs can make a job faster and less expensive due to every one of the building details all being incorporated directly into the design.

There are a great deal of architectural software programs available. From the CAD software such as AutoCad and AutoDesk 3D which has the benefit of being able to help training students not near a facility, as well as BIM software such as Revit and AutoDesk **[bim modeling](https://www.team4bim.com/bim-modeling-services/)**, there is an option for nearly anyone needing to use or learn a system.

Many training facilities will use one or another to train from, however once someone becomes familiar with it nearly every program is able to utilize.

Choosing the right architectural software depends a great deal on the needs of a business, the preferences of a designer, and the turnover time available for projects.

There are a great many options available and they are all certainly easier and less time-consuming that the drafting designs of the past. Architects, designers, and contractors can all certainly agree on the benefits of time savings and convenience that these programs bring to their careers.