Digital AEC Preliminary Design Tools - What's out there?

Every great building starts with an idea. So does every poor building and often it’s the transition from idea, to concept, to reality that makes the difference.

The concept stage of the project can be the most dynamic, collaborative and, sometimes, demanding part, yet it’s still often done with traditional “analog” media. There is nothing wrong with that but the media, by it’s nature, makes changing, sharing, and collaborating difficult in this digital age. Once a concept is agreed those sketches will require transcription to digital CAD & BIM tools to test, develop and document the design. Often this reveals the need for major revisions; compromising the concept, costing money and time.

It’s not a new idea to capture this process with digital tools. Some brave attempts failed and the perfect solution does not exist, yet. However, a combination of technologies, techniques and advances in hardware – Pen based PC’s with decent horsepower & graphics – mean maybe we are getting close.

In this recent Cadalyst article H. Edward Goldberg does a round up of 2D & 3D Digital AEC Preliminary Design Tools from Artistic Sketch programs to BIM Massing. It’s a good summary of applications that can help you get from concept to reality.

AEC from the Ground Up--Preliminary Design Tools - Productivity in AEC begins with effective digital tools - Cadalyst
By: H. Edward Goldberg, AIA

AEC from the Ground Up--Preliminary Design Tools - Productivity in AEC begins with effective digital tools - Cadalyst
By: H. Edward Goldberg, AIA