Why 2D CAD Persists as a Mainstream Solution in the AEC Sector

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With the evolution of 3D modeling solutions and boom of building information modeling (BIM) solutions, 2D CAD drawings continue to hold weight in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. In fact, they’re a main contender in the way the industry designs, communicates, and builds.

So why in a 3D world do 2D CAD drawings continue to remain relevant, perhaps even more prevalent? There are many reasons AEC firms utilize 2D drawings and 2D CAD solutions like DraftSight for essential design tasks. For starters, 2D CAD is familiar as it has a longstanding history and tradition in architecture. It’s simple to use, does not require extensive training, and produces accurate, precise drawings that are easy to edit and modify. In addition, it’s cost-effective.

Today, 2D CAD solutions are far more functional than ever and offer more capabilities than in the past. These capabilities include interoperability, ease of deployment, real-time collaboration, and data security. In a recent survey and report by Lifecycle Insights, respondents commented on why 2D CAD solutions are valuable. Let’s look at these key benefits and capabilities more in-depth.

Interoperability

Interoperability was cited as the most valued 2D CAD feature as it simplifies sharing drawings with other stakeholders. AEC projects involve multiple stakeholders and need to share both 2D and 3D drawings. Interoperable 2D CAD solutions ensure that internal and external stakeholders can use design drawings regardless of their solution provider and enable them to collaborate more efficiently with architects, suppliers, contractors, and other partners. So having the ability to open files created in other CAD solutions is just one advantage that interoperability provides. It also enables companies to reuse older designs, saving time and costs.

­Ease of deployment and licensing flexibility

Companies also cited ease of deployment as one of the most valuable features of 2D CAD solutions. Flexible licensing was also important to respondents as well as being able to provide access to the right people quickly and easily.

­Real-time collaboration

Many 2D CAD solutions, such as 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight, offer cloud-based collaboration. Companies found that cloud-based 2D CAD solutions improve collaboration and make coordinating work between internal engineering and design teams easier.

Due to the nature and complexity of AEC projects, which sometimes involves numerous stakeholders, working together closely during the duration of the design process from start to finish is key. Having the ability to collaborate in real-time helps teams identify and resolve issues earlier in the design process more quickly.

Data security

More than half of those surveyed (59%) said data security was their top concern when using cloud-based 2D CAD solutions. Though cloud solutions are outside internal firewalls, solution providers comply with strict data security standards and routinely undergo security audits to protect client’s data security.

More companies are turning to cloud-based CAD solutions to store and manage data as it is more secure when hosted on the cloud than kept in disparate documents, spreadsheets, and databases on the machines of various internal and external stakeholders.

In addition to advanced security, cloud-based solutions allow executives to manage access to documents, giving them greater insight into and control over their organization’s data.

Many organizations are also considering adopting cloud-based 2D CAD solutions, which can provide benefits beyond those available in on-premise solutions. According to respondents, ease of collaboration with internal and external participants is the top benefit of using a cloud-based solution for 2D CAD. This is followed closely by the solutions’ ability to help coordinate work within and across engineering teams.

Summary

The fact is that many companies are using a mix of 2D and 3D CAD solutions in their AEC projects. And, despite the notion that 3D CAD solutions would replace 2D solutions, the use of 2D software still plays a primary role in the AEC industry.

Overall, the use of 2D CAD software can help architects avoid errors and inconsistencies associated with manual drafting, such as misalignments, overlaps, and miscalculations. 2D CAD software can also save time and resources by allowing architects to reuse and copy existing drawings, apply standard dimensions and symbols, and automate repetitive tasks.

DraftSight

DraftSight

Proven DWG-file-based CAD at the best value on the market. DraftSight, brought to you by Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE company, has been trusted by millions of users worldwide. DraftSight provides a familiar, intuitive 2D drafting experience with options for advanced productivity tools, 3D design capabilities, parametric constraints, and flexible licensing options including perpetual licenses and network licenses for organizations with multiple users or sites. DraftSight’s command and file compatibility and support for legacy drawings and data like Dynamic Blocks facilitate a quick transition from AutoCAD with a minimal learning curve. Visit DraftSight.com to learn more.
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