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This help desk is a free resource intended for discussion purposes only. Neither BOMA, its chapters, affiliates, or Extreme Measures Inc.® are responsible for the information, comments or opinions expressed herein. For complete information, refer to the official publications of the standards themselves.

FAQ & Read-Me Articles
BOMA Office Standards Overview
BOMA Industrial Standards Overview
BOMA Retail Standards Overview
BOMA Multi-Family & Hospitality Standards Overview
BOMA Mixed-Use Overview
BOMA Gross Areas Overview
IPMS for Office Overview
Alternative Measurement Methods
Glossary of Industry Terms
What are as-built drawings/models?
Understanding CAD, BIM & Digital Twins
Resolving area disputes between tenants and landlords
Where to get measurement standards publications

Understanding CAD, BIM, and Digital Twins

Computer Aided Design/Drafting (CAD)

CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design (or Drafting). It is widely used in architecture, engineering, and manufacturing to create precise 2D and 3D technical illustrations. CAD files are "to-scale," enabling draftspeople to work in real-world dimensions such as feet, inches, meters, and millimeters. Architectural CAD software facilitates the drafting of floor plans, elevations, and sections. Several off-the-shelf CAD packages are available, each offering varying levels of specialization, sophistication, and cost. Autodesk’s AutoCAD is the most prevalent, and its DWG file format has become the industry standard for sharing and distributing CAD documents.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM stands for Building Information Model (or Modeling). BIM is utilized by architects, builders and other stakeholders to represent or simulate building construction, operation and performance. BIM files usually contain three dimensional building geometry, but may also incorporate additional information pertaining to structure, energy use, safety, and occupancy etc. Unlike CAD, which represents buildings with dimensionally accurate, but otherwise uninformative line drawings; BIM endeavors to be a comprehensive building model composed of virtual walls, slabs, roofs, doors, windows, and MEP elements - each with their own parameters and specifications. There are several major BIM software platforms in the marketplace including Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft Archicad, and Bentley Microstation.

For many building management, construction, and marketing tasks, CAD files are an effective communication format. For advanced architecture, engineering, construction and fabrication, BIM is increasingly preferred by industry.

Digital Twins: The Future of Building Lifecycle Management

Building on CAD and BIM, Digital Twins are virtual replicas of physical buildings or infrastructure, which often integrate real-time data from sensors and IoT devices. These dynamic digital models enable stakeholders to monitor, analyze, optimize, and direct building performance throughout its lifecycle—from design and construction to operation and maintenance. Digital Twins facilitate predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, safety management, and space utilization, making them invaluable tools for smart, sustainable, and efficient building management.

Summary

While CAD provides the foundation for digital drawings and detailed technical illustrations, BIM offers comprehensive, parameter-rich models that facilitate coordination and simulation. The concept of Digital Twins take this evolution further by linking virtual models with real-time data, enabling proactive and data-driven building management. Extreme Measures offers a range of services delivering both CAD and BIM files, and increasingly, digital twin implementations to support modern building lifecycle needs.