{"id":312,"date":"2018-09-28T06:05:13","date_gmt":"2018-09-28T06:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/technostruct.com\/blog\/?p=312"},"modified":"2026-09-22T08:26:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T08:26:16","slug":"differentiating-3d-design-software-bim-vdc-cad-technostruct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.technostruct.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/28\/differentiating-3d-design-software-bim-vdc-cad-technostruct\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding The Difference In 3D Design Software: CAD, BIM & VDC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gone are the days when <\/span>construction designers <\/span>would labour for hours over a wide blank drawing sheet, calculating design specifications and then measuring them for scale – by hand! Gone are the days when design engineering involved dozens of the 2D schematic on printed sheets, each sheet creating a different view of the same model. It is now the time for <\/span>3D design software <\/span>to shine, and they are!<\/span><\/p>\n

As technological advancements continue to usher in more informative and sophisticated software for <\/span>3D building design<\/span>, it can be very easy to categorize this software as one and the same. However, this is not the case. CAD, BIM<\/strong><\/a>, and VDC are starkly different in their own ways, and by the end of this article, you should have a better idea of how.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAD<\/b><\/p>\n

Computer Aided Design (CAD) is one of the most widely used <\/span>3D design software <\/span>today, and the reason is pretty clear. CAD started off as a 2D design software and it was the first of its kind. Competition as always led to a worldwide acceptance of the software. CAD was welcomed with open arms and used to maintain an edge over rivals. Those without CAD would be left behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Soon thereafter, CAD incorporated 3D designs into its fold – changing the world forever. CAD provides the fundamental concepts of 3D design as used across any software today. However, it lacked the \u2018smart\u2019 aspect newer tools like BIM can provide – in that there wasn\u2019t any additional data besides specs of the schematic.<\/span><\/p>\n

BIM<\/b><\/p>\n

Building Information Modeling <\/span>(BIM) is one of the latest design tools in the market, providing a detailed information-driven design, building and documentation process. <\/span>BIM implementations <\/span>are centered majorly around collaborative efforts between all different parties involved with the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

BIM practices use a shared computer model, that can be worked on simultaneously by manufacturers, designers, architects, engineers, etc. A <\/span>BIM<\/strong><\/a> design <\/span>is only as strong as the contextual information provided at each level.<\/span><\/p>\n

BIM schematics include a lot of real-world information and the integration capabilities of its computer-based model, can help with clash detection in as early as the design phase itself! This can help avoid costly and time-consuming project rework.<\/span><\/p>\n

VDC<\/b><\/p>\n

Often confused with BIM, <\/span>Virtual Design and Construction <\/span>(VDC) is a much wider encapsulation of design practices. VDC in simple terms is an overall strategy that takes into account the appropriate talents and technologies that need to be utilized to deliver a project on time, adhering to standards of quality and also budget compliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

VDC practices help break down complex multi-layered <\/span>construction design <\/span>processes. VDC experts are generally hired to maintain a tight schedule between all parties involved, and to modify strategies as and when required, to ensure project completion.<\/span> Just remember that while BIM is a key part of VDC, VDC is not a mandate for <\/span>BIM integrations<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>Read up on the various <\/span>3D design software <\/span>such as CAD, <\/span>Building Information Modeling <\/span>(BIM) and <\/span>Virtual Design and Construction <\/span>(VDC) on Technostruct.<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\r\n
Related Post<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n Things A Design Engineer Should Know About 3D Modelling <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"Things\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n 3D modelling software is one of the Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \r\n \r\n What Does A Designer Engineer Do? <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"What\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n Design engineers play a key part in Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \r\n \r\n Why Outsource Your BIM Design? <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"Why\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n BIM or Building Information Modeling helps you Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \r\n \r\n Is Design-Build Construction Right For You? <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"Is\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n The framework for building, construction, and design Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n