Before embarking on an architectural project, the first requirement is to draw up detailed plans. Traditionally, designers resorted to pencils and papers for drafting. Now with the fast growing field of CAD or Computer Aided Design, plan printing is not all that difficult. 

Why is a printed plan required?

Whether you want to construct a new house or to renovate an old one, first thing to do is to consult an architect. From your discussions, he gets a fair idea of what you have in mind. He puts it in black and white for you.

• A design made according to proper scales will give you a miniature image of actual model. Modifications, if any, can be done immediately.

• Sometimes, what you have in mind may not actually be feasible. A proper plans printed gives an idea about real hurdles.

• It serves as a record for the designer as well as customer.

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Advantages of using CAD

• Improved accuracy:

Computer assisted designing ensures better accuracy. Earlier, designers had to calculate the exact measurements manually. Now CAD software enables one to draw exact dimensions according to the scale.

• Greater efficiency:

Manual drafting was cumbersome with repeated drawings and measurements. In CAD, one has the option to choose from a variety of drawing tools. This makes printing plans more effective.

• Saves time:

Designers can save a lot of time with the help of software. Before, they needed to sit with paper and pencils for hours together. Now they get it done faster. These days, most of the architectural plans are made with the aid of computers.

• Easier modifications:

When drawing manually, making modifications was the most difficult task. Manually erasing the drawings was very tiring. CAD has several editing tools that helps to edit designs easily.

• Save for re-use:

As the designing is done entirely with the help of software, it can be saved for use in future.

• Confirm to standards:

While drawing manually, every time the designer has to keep in mind, the standards prevalent in the particular industry. In CAD, designers can create styles to be applied consistently, based on industry standards.

• Lesser chances of errors:

Unlike manual designing, chances of error is significantly less in CAD as it is entirely automated.

Disadvantages of CAD

Although computer aided designing has several advantages, it has its share of drawbacks.

• It is highly priced for individual customers. Not everyone can afford expensive software.

• Designers will need to upgrade their skills with every upgradation of software.

• It may be difficult for a layman to understand designs or make modifications in it due to the complexities of software.

Whatever be the defects, it is an established fact that CAD printing has taken over the area of architectural plans and prints.