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CAD to Revit BIM Conversion Makes Large-scale/High-rise Building Workflows Easier

26 February 2021
Shalini John
CAD to BIM conversion

It may not exactly be dog eat dog, but competition is fierce in the construction industry, especially for large-scale or high-rise building projects. Efficient construction design has proven to be the very foundation for project success, and the designers, or architects, who create these designs need the right tools for their craft. Computer-aided design, or CAD, has ruled the roost for a long time and is still preferred by architects for small projects. When the big boys came to town, though, with big projects, big money and big implications, CAD alone was unable to cater to their needs.

That’s when Revit, with a holistic approach supported by Building Information Modelling (BIM), or Revit 3D BIM modelling, rode in to save the proverbial day. Large-scale and high-rise project contractors, architects, designers and engineers prefer using Revit modelling services to create effective designs. Yet, there are many people who still use CAD. Thus, large projects may need some part or parts of the design to be converted from CAD to Revit to create comprehensive models, facilitating precise construction design, drawings, calculations, cost estimations and material quantity estimations.

What’s so great about using Revit?

  • It is a single BIM-enabled application for architectural, MEP and structural design.
  • It virtually depicts structural items, layout advancement, synchronisation, 3D modelling and development for quantity take-offs.
  • It is user-friendly, where a 2D drawing can be used to generate a 3D model.
  • It can edit construction requirements based on unplanned developments, building material and their properties.
  • It can integrate other modelling software within the BIM process, helping stakeholders to design, simulate, visualise and collaborate with a model’s interconnected data.
  • Revit makes collaboration easier through cloud sharing, chat support services and other collaboration tools.
  • It creates data-laden elements which appear in different views as 2D drawings, 3D models and schedules.
  • Data changes for any element is updated in all views automatically and dynamically.
  • It helps BIM penetrate the market. – Revit BIM services can help create a structure based on requirements and real-world elements. It designs precisely for power, lighting, electrical wires, etc. inside the software application.
  • It opens up tasks created by other trades for a smooth partnership and adjusts with various tools and multiple groups, such as Navisworks, 3ds Max, etc.

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So, what can be converted and why would we want to do it?

  • Initial sketches or 2D or 3D CAD drawings can be converted, and complete data-rich Revit models can be created.
  • Pictures and hand-made drawings can also be converted to Revit and then rendered to generate photorealistic images before construction.
  • Converting CAD to Revit BIM enables improved communication and coordination between stakeholders and helps manage workflows seamlessly, which is especially useful for large-scale and high-rise building projects.
  • CAD to Revit BIM conversion contributes to greater efficiency and productivity in architectural design drafting.
  • 2D and 3D CAD conversion to BIM modelling enables the creation of high-quality 3D visualisation.

Advantages of the CAD to Revit BIM Conversion

Even though CAD has been useful for architects for a long time, Revit models offer a variety of advantages under BIM services for high-rise buildings and large-scale projects with repetitive designs. Some of the reasons why CAD-based models are converted to Revit BIM are because:

  • Revit models are significantly more detailed and provide more analytical options.
  • The BIM-enabled Revit software helps easy integration of late design changes.
  • Revit is widely used, enabling easy communication between stakeholders.
  • It helps obtain government permissions and approvals easily.
  • Revit BIM covers the entire project lifecycle – from conceptualisation to demolition.
  • Minimum loss of information is ensured with a common information pool.
  • BIM enables efficient work in five dimensions (length, breadth, width, time, cost), while CAD allows work in three dimensions (length, breadth, width)
  • Accurate bills of quantities, cost estimations and time schedules can be created.

Converting architectural designs from one platform to another can be tough and requires careful precision. A slight error or miscalculation can lead to expensive problems later. A reliable and process-oriented team of CAD to Revit conversion experts can be essential to the success of large-scale/high-rise building design workflows.

So, what should you look for in a sound CAD to Revit conversion process?

There’s no arguing the point. Residential Revit BIM modelling enhances building design, making the project design more accessible, the workflow faster and saving costs. A variety of BIM designers, architects, engineers and professionals use Revit architecture services and Revit 3D modelling, which helps them adhere to customer needs and government standards and codes. The Revit BIM process further results in quick turnaround times, due to easy workflows.

So, with the right Revit modelling services support from reliable and experienced partners who have proven expertise in Revit 3D BIM modelling and other Revit BIM services, the CAD to Revit BIM conversion process is smart, functional and cost-effective for large-scale and high-rise building design workflows.

XS CAD has valuable experience providing Revit modelling services and other Revit BIM services for general contractors and design consultants. Our range of services for building design firms across the world include Revit 3D BIM modelling, residential Revit BIM modelling and other Revit Architecture services. We create these models, drawings and renderings by using Revit, AutoCAD, Illustrator and BIM 360 Design for cloud collaboration.

Speak to one of our agents in your region TODAY!