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Conversion of documents from 2D to 3D model

The constant problem is a high probability of mistakes in 2D drawings that could be revealed in the course of construction and lead to financial and time losses. Application of 3D (BIM) technologies reduces the number of mistakes significantly. Why is it even more convenient to use 3D?
- 3D model elements are spacial and contain digital filling needed for their determination.
- BIM model is common for all design and construction participants.
- The model can be coordinated by all participants during the whole design, installation, operation and demolition processes.
- This is a convenient environment for cooperation of designers.
- Opportunity for:
Fast and efficient elimination of collisions;
- Creation of a list of material and structural elements consumed in the common environment.
- Significant simplification of designer supervision performance;
- Visual and virtual presentation of design solutions for investors;
- Instant access to any data on the facility for calculation of reconstruction or major repairs costs;
- Environmental friendliness;
Individual approach for each customer and extensive experience in design enables ENECA GmbH to develop the direction of documentation transfer from 2D drawings to 3D model successfully. Our company employs more than 200 experienced specialists who specialise in design using Revit, Tekla, Civil 3D, Advance Steel and etc.

Necessity of digital model creation based on 2D drawings


Nowadays, 2D drawings form the base of the detailed documentation for construction, but due to the range of demands and problems, the tendency goes to the conversion of 2D drawings to 3D models. The main difference between 2D drawings and a 3D model (BIM model) lies in the fact that 3D model elements are spacial and contain digital filling needed for their determination. Moreover, the key feature of the BIM model is its unity for all design and construction participants which enables the model to be confirmed and coordinated by all the parties involved during the whole design, installation, operation and final demolition processes.
The most common issue during the design process lies in the fact that there is a high possibility of mistakes even working with 2D drawings which in the most cases will be revealed in the course of construction and will lead to cost-intensive consequences. Application of 3D technologies in design significantly reduces the number of critical mistakes both from the designers’ and builders’ sides. The obtained BIM product can be used during the whole life cycle of the building and facility.



3D modelling advantages in comparison with CAD design:

- Convenient environment for cooperation of designers;
- Optimal design solution, taking into account the interconnection of all structural and equipment details.
- Efficient distribution of employees and resources;
- Opportunity for:
Submitting the model to all specialists working on the adjacent design disciplines and sub-contractors;
- Revealing collisions at all design stages;
- Instant access to any data on the facility for planning and calculation of reconstruction or major repairs costs;
- Creation of a list of material and structural elements consumed, a list of material and equipment in the common environment.;
- Control of the actual scope of the work performed, as well as over the performance of financial and technical supervision, cost justification review.
- Preparation of visual and virtual presentation of design solutions for investors;
- Environmental friendliness


Initial data requirements

To develop a 3D model, first of all, you need a high-quality 2D base and a competent Terms of Reference. The key requirements for converting from 2D to 3D are:
● Provision of all the necessary and sufficient information from the side of the customer in the form of CAD materials / PDF drawings /paper drawings
● Compliance with the required level of detail (LOD) (to develop a model with a high level of LOD, the drawings must be high qualitative).
Practical experience
Modelling of an underground car park
Initial data: 2D drawings in PDF and DWG format.
Built-up area: 3905 m2;
Objective: to obtain an architectural 3D model of an underground car park as a part of a residential house in Switzerland with level of detail LOD200 in an IFC-format for further development of the adjacent design disciplines.
Features: non-standard curvilinear car park shapes; complicated sloping system, curvilinear wall shapes, small amount of initial data for development, tight deadlines.
Description of the development: When developing the 3D model, some mistakes were revealed in the provided drawings, and an audit of the design documentation was carried out. Our team kept in touch with the customer, coordinating various issues when creating the model throughout the model development process. The model was being sent for verification with a certain frequency, so that the customer could assess and control the process and quality of the model developed.
Modelling of multifunctional complex façades in LOD400
Initial data: 2D drawings of details in PDF and DWG formats, list of requirements to the filled parameters of model elements.
Objective: to obtain a 3D model of glazed façades and their fastenings with the level of detail LOD400 in an IFC-format, filling in the required parameters in each element of the model.
Features: high model detailing, a huge amount of initial data, tight deadlines.
Description of the development: For this project, we have developed all parts of the glazing system, including fastenings, from scratches, so that the customer could see detailed information on each fastening and each panel in Navisworks software. As a result of typical elements creation, the façade could be assembled like Lego construction toys, and the necessary parameters could be filled in, as well.

This solution made it possible to accurately specify all structural elements and vividly visualise the model for builders.