A study of 2D- and 3D-oriented architectural drawing production methods

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present drawing production methods based on the difference between 2D- and 3D-oriented approaches. This study emphasizes the comparison of the two approaches in data production, updating and analysis. Architectural CAD drawings are outputted from design information through a computational interface. A drawing production model (P) can be represented by a database (DB) and an interface (I). The input interface is the input or update method between users and application systems. The output interface is the method of presenting architecture drawings like plans, elevations, sections and details based on input data. Under the constraints of a predefined data structure, the computational interface determines the efficiency and characteristics of input and output data. Drawing production methods can be classified into three types: segregating drawing files, applying reference files and constructing a virtual building model. These types come with different interfaces: 2D drafting has the same input and output interface, whereas constructing a 3D model is achieved using a different interface. A digital building model is defined as the electronic information of a whole building which is assembled by components with attributes. 2D- and 3D-oriented drawing methods are compared, based on items such as the required preparation before drafting, consistency of plans, elevations and sections, ease of modification, drafting efficiency, number of persons involved, and analysis potential.