2D or 3D?

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Permalink Reply by Brian Clark on March 8, 2010 at 5:50am

I have been using VW since Minicad 6 and remember attempting to create primitive 3D drawings for my client. My architectural practice deals with projects from $50k to $12mil. I am a sole practitioner and I work exclusively in 3D in all projects up to about $2 mil which I can handle by myself, the larger ones I normally hire consultants that unfortunately insist on using AutoCad and so the 3D falls apart at some stage and reverts to 2D for their work.

Why not 3D? It is faster for my for design and for final construction documents once you get on to it and better and better in each VW version.

Permalink Reply by Lee Calisti on March 9, 2010 at 6:47am

John,
I've been using VW since 1995 (MiniCAD 3), but for the most part is has been the traditional 2D CAD approach. Now that I have VW 2010, I am now forcing myself to move towards a 3D or BIM work flow, but I must admit, it is not as easy as it sounds. I am using two very small projects as a means to learn the BIM work flow mind set. Many architects who have not come from a hand-drawn only world, need to understand our hesitation. In other words, if you have only ever used CAD, you may not understand how us "others" think. If all you know is BIM, you are one more step removed from us "old-timers."

Although I am not that old, my thought process as an architect goes way back to where I/we drew everything by hand and built models out of chip board. I still believe there is value in that process although I rarely use either of those methods. My opinions of how one becomes an architect or how we should train architects makes it difficult for me to jump into 3D (BIM level) computer modeling immediately. I know that committing to BIM doesn't mean we have to throw away our sketching tools and I understand the value and realize all the reasons to switch, it's just learning a new way of approaching it. I get it. I am also struggling with learning newer VW features that are not all working right for me now. That is slowing up my process.

I commonly hear that 3d is faster and more efficient, but I question the level and quality of design/space that will come from it...that is something we'll have to wait and see. I say that after teaching at a major university for many years to students who don't know how to use a pencil and only recognize a mouse.

So I think there is no project too small for BIM, especially since it is a more effective means for learning without being overwhelmed by size and complexity.

Permalink Reply by John Keating on March 9, 2010 at 8:07am

Lee,
Your experience seems to mirror my own in practically all respects. Like yourself, I started out with a drawing board and computer-wise, I've been using the 2D CAD approach more or less exclusively for much of my career to date. Now that I have the tools available to me via VW 2010, I think now is the time to jump on board and join the big world that is 3D BIM.

One benefit that I can think of is that it forces one to think exclusively in 3D from an early stage which can only benefit the final outcome of projects. I have also noticed that many recent graduates have very little comprehension of the size, shape and properties of basic building materials due to drafting them entirely in 2D. 3D BIM would certainly help in this regard.

Another reason? - Yes! - certainly can't have people referring to me as an "old-timer"!

Thanks for the reply, Lee.

Permalink Reply by Steven J. Calvanico on February 25, 2012 at 4:30am

Hi John, This is an old post, however I just watch a recorded Webinar on VectorWorks site called Evolving from CAD to BIM- the interesting thing for me is you can employ the BIM capabilities of VW on any scale as you see fit. Not sure if you can watch if not part of the VW service select or if you can find it on you tube- but it is very interesting.

What kind of progress have you made since last March with BIM. ?