Remember when everyone said 3D modeling would kill 2D drafting?

Back in the day, I was sure 3D was just a fad for show, and real work would stay on the board. Then a project in Phoenix five years back forced me to use a full 3D model for a complex duct run. Seeing the clash detection catch a pipe I'd drawn right through a beam in the 2D plans was a real 'oh' moment. It didn't replace drafting, it just made the info better before the lines go down. Now I model the tricky bits first, every time. Anyone else have a tool they fought against that just works now?

3 comments

3 Comments

margaret_torres2mo ago

Fought BIM tooth and nail... now it's just part of the toolbox. That learning curve was brutal though.

derekgibson2mo ago

Took our firm about 18 months to stop fighting it. The clash detection alone saved a massive headache on the last hospital job. Now I can't imagine starting a set without it.

the_reese1mo agoMost Upvoted

18 months sounds about right. That's usually how long it takes for everyone to stop whining and realize the old way was worse. Clash detection is the real MVP though. Nothing like watching a perfect MEP clash report roll in and knowing you just saved a million bucks in rework. Still, I bet you've got a stack of ancient CAD files somewhere that still haunt your dreams.