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This article was born from a series of comments

gleaned from various discussions I was involved in

on social network forums like Facebook and

LinkedIn in mid-July of 2011.

As is often the case when discussing software technology like CAD

and BIM, particularly as they apply to the AEC (Architecture, Engi-

neering and Construction) market and software manufacturers, a

passionate discussion took place which was sometimes shrouded in misun-

derstanding. Comments were submitted haphazardly and often lost in the

timeline of the social network platform. In addition, the information cited

was many times inaccurate and unsubstantiated.

Social network discussions are similar to those that take place between

a group of friends at a cafe or restaurant. As with discussions about sports,

the participants end up taking sides. Arguments people make in defence of

their favourite club are rarely based on facts. This is inevitable.

Nevertheless, I decided to compile some of the comments from these

online conversations in this short article. I have tried to keep it simple and

easy to understand, adding documented historic references. The article is

not intended to be academic or scientific.

The idea was to put the comments into a bit of order − a brief outline of

BIM history, without delving too much into it. I will leave that for the his-

torians.

My motto is “keep-it-simple”: to talk from user to user, just as we would

talk among friends. Something like “BIM history for dummies” from

dummies.

I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone on the social networks

who contributed to this article.

The BeginningIt all began more than half a century ago in 1957 when Dr. Patrick J.

Hanratty developed the first commercial software CAM (computer-aided

manufacturing). Later, in 1963 the first CAD software with graphical user

interface “Sketchpad” was developed by Ivan Sutherland at MIT Lincoln

Labs. [8]

“Back in 1984 a Hungarian physicist smuggled two Macs into his coun-

try. At the time, ownership of personal computers was illegal under Com-

munist rule. Using Pascal, he and his teenage associate worked to write a

3D CAD program for the Mac.” [1]

The Hungarian company Graphisoft, founded in 1982, launched ArchiCAD

in 1984 [4], the first BIM software in the world, recognized later in 1987

under the Virtual Building concept. [3]

One year after the launch of the electronic drawing board, in Decem-

ber 1982, the 2D CAD of Autodesk AutoCAD was released. [2] Graphisoft

founder Mr Gabor Bojar [5] and his team built 3D software for a project

involving a network of pipes in a nuclear power plant. The original idea

was not to create 3D modelling software for the existing pipes, but rather

to carry out the project with little memory – a 64K RAM HP calculator, in

fact. For the already existing “objects”, Bojar and Graphisoft created a GDL

technology (Geometric Description Language) that has remained the basis

of ArchiCAD models to this day.

Metaphorically, we can say that in 1982 in Hungary, they took the archi-

tect’s model and put it on a computer, thus creating CAD/BIM ArchiCAD;

whereas in the US, they took a drawing board and put it on a computer,

thus creating 2D/CAD AutoCAD.

The ChangeThe transition from drawing board, rotring ink pens, tracing paper, two-di-

mensional hand drawing and sketching was a natural process that proved

more logical and simple at the time for draft and design professionals. I still

remember the greatest issue for designers at that time was the scale of the

drawings. Part of the transitional process that went on for many years was

the use of a graphics tablet interface, also known as a pen pad or digitizer,

in order to simulate the drawing board on the computer. It was what the de-

signers were looking for: doing things on the computer that they normally

did on the drawing board.

No one except the visionaries wanted to learn to think and work differ-

ently, even though it would have meant better projects in less time with

fewer errors.

The Virtual Building (VB) concept of ArchiCAD was a turning point, but

no one wanted to use it. For most, it was easier to project 2D lines and arcs

than make a virtual model of the building. As odd as that mentality may

seem today, it once existed and still does among some.

Although they were undoubtedly pioneers, many users of same-gen-

eration software such as ArchiCAD and MiniCAD only used these tools in

CAD, in 2D.

Graphisoft’s advertising message from the late 1980s, “Simulate the

buildings not the drawing board”, showed how far they were ahead of

their time. Yet professionals still choose to only change the tool and main-

tain the same concepts and processes associated with the drawing board.

The New ParadigmAlthough it has taken 30 years, BIM (Building information modelling) has

revolutionized the concepts and methods used in project design. Be that

as it may, even now many are just hearing the buzzword for the first time.

The earliest documented example of the concept was published in Septem-

ber 1974 in the AIA Journal by Charles “Chuck” Eastman and others. It

described a working prototype BDS (Building Description System) [9]

which had many characteristics of contemporary BIM tools.

Unfortunately, after all these years, the construction industry, in terms

of methods, design concepts and BIM software use, has just 2.5 % “inno-

vators” and 13.5 % “early adopters” on the bell curve of the “technology

adoption lifecycle” [6] of the industry.

At this stage of the transitional process, professionals are no longer con-

cerned if the software is A, B, C, or ABC − the real issue is the paradigm

shift from CAD to BIM.

The DimensionsThe concept of BIM moves well beyond 2D CAD, ultimately entailing a 7-di-

mensional process. To think that BIM is merely 3D is to severely underutilize

the tools that BIM has to offer.

A brief description of the current 7 dimensions BIM is considered to have

is listed below:

• The 2nd dimension is documentation

• The 3rd dimension is space

• The 4th dimension is time, i.e. scheduling and sequencing

• The 5th dimension is cost estimation

• The 6th dimension is facility management applications like CAFM

(computer-aided facility management)

• The 7th dimension is procurement solutions e.g. contracts, purchasing,

suppliers, and environmental standards.

The TeachingUnfortunately, universities teaching architecture and engineering have not

prepared their future graduates sufficiently for this inevitable change.

I believe it will be up to the new generation of young architects, engi-

neers and builders who are already active in the market to introduce these

pedagogical changes.

It is easy to change software − having the best, most sophisticated tool

in the world costs only money and the time to learn how to use it properly.

The most difficult task is to change people and the methods and atti-

tudes they possess as they relate to their work. Prying AEC professionals

from their comfort zone may take generations.

There is an urgent need to initiate this change at its origin, e.g. in schools

and universities.

The FutureAll I want to say about the future is that BIM is not the future, it is the

present!

Finally, some motivational messages for all of us to ponder:

Evolution, Methodologies & Concepts of CAD & BIM Software Tools in the AEC Industry

Victor Silvav5ilva@me.com

“ We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are. ”Max Dupree

“ The biggest obstacle to change is us! ”Elizabeth Stilwell [9]

More InfoVictor’s LinkedIn Profile

MAG

REFERENCES

[1] “Graphisoft’s Key Client Conference, by Ralph Grabowski“

– upFront.eZine http://bit.ly/ue9pc8

[2] “Autodesk AutoCAD” – Wikipedia http://bit.ly/ufPCur

[3] “Graphisoft ArchiCAD” – Wikipedia http://bit.ly/s4QNfS

[4] “ArchiCAD versions“ – http://bit.ly/tGTSsj

[5] “Gábor Bojár” – Wikipedia http://bit.ly/viCzwh

[6] “Technology adoption lifecycle” – Wikipedia http://bit.ly/ruZQyS

[7] “Destak” – Elizabeth Stilwell full article in Portuguese

http://goo.gl/u3vCM

[8] “Sketchpad” – Wikipedia http://bit.ly/tVjDmJ

[9] “An Outline of the Building Description System” Charles Eastman and

Others – http://1.usa.gov/y5hNDM