AutoCAD Architecture - Using AEC Objects

By: Dwane Lindsey

There are many, many companies that have AutoCAD Architecture (or maybe even Architectural Desktop yet) and use it just as plain AutoCAD.  They don’t utilize the AEC Objects like Walls, Doors, Windows, etc. and have stuck with using the same process to draw walls using lines and hatching and blocks for doors and windows.

One of the “taglines” that Autodesk uses when describing AutoCAD Architecture (ACA) is that it’s “AutoCAD for Architects”.  The reason for this line is that ACA has AEC Objects that allow for a more efficient way to draw Walls, Doors, Windows, Ceilings, Schedules…there are many more but I’m going to stop at those types of elements.  The reason I’m stopping at naming just these types of elements is the fact that just using these AEC Objects will allow you to gain some efficiencies.  Just think…you could pick two points and have a wall with all of the internal components, layered and hatched automatically.  You can then place a Door or Window object in that wall and you don’t have to trim or re-hatch just because you needed to place an opening.

During the current economic situation, we’ve been having discussions with firms on how they can become more efficient with their current software.  If you are have ACA but are using it as plain AutoCAD, using objects is exactly a way to do your CD’s (projects) more efficiently.  Quite a few think that because you are using AEC objects, you’re working in 3D.  Not the case.  You can utilize Walls, Doors & Windows in 2D and never have to look at them in 3D.  Sure, the objects have a height if you decide to go into the 3D realm, but you can always just view them in 2D.  Objects like Doors and Windows have a height, but you’re only utilizing that height a schedule (at least maybe initially).

Not only do these objects help with plan efficiently, but they can also hold quite a bit of information that can be extracted into a Schedule right inside the program.  As you update the information in the objects, or even add/remove objects, the schedule(s) will also update…and in some case this can happen automatically.

As you can start to see, just using some of the AEC Objects with-in AutoCAD Architecture will allow you to gain some efficiency when doing your projects.  If you would like to know more on how using AEC Objects can benefit you and/or your company, contact your MasterGraphics representative.

Stop by again next week when I touch on another aspect of AutoCAD Architecture.