Date: August, 1993

Author(s): M. K. Parfitt, C. McIntyre, J. H. Willenbrock

In May of 1992, the Advisory Council of the PHRC approved funding for a residential construction CAD application project. The intent of this project was to enhance the manner in which small- to medium-sized builders utilize CAD in the design and construction of residential projects.

The idea for this project evolved from a series of discussions and interviews with architects, engineers, builders, educators and others involved in the residential building industry. The general consensus was that, with the advent of low-cost microcomputer hardware and software, computer-aided design tools were readily available to residential building firms. However, for a variety of reasons, this technology was not being fully utilized by the average builder. In general it was felt that this was partly due to a lack of effective technology transfer to the industry and the fact that many of the most well-known or popular CAD systems are not addressing the specific needs of the residential builder. In other words, many CAD systems do not speak the "language" of the builder.

One of the primary results of this project was the development of a technology transfer program in the area of CAD-based systems for residential builders. This technology transfer program takes the form of a CAD tutorial-workbook, an PHRC customized AutoCAD menu system, and future CAD seminars and workshops.

The material contained in the tutorial-workbook offers information which is valuable to all residential builders, regardless of their level of CAD expertise. There is a section, for instance, which deals with system selection and appropriate builder software packages for builders who are contemplating the purchase of a CAD system or upgrading their existing system. There is also a section which explains system customization, CAD management, and CAD training for the intermediate CAD user or automated building firm. For advanced CAD personnel, there is a section introducing AutoLISP programming. Also included is a resource directory which is appropriate for every builder. Included is an overview of builder software packages, publications, organizations, education, training, etc., related to residential CAD systems.

The results of this project produced a residential software package that "speaks the language" of residential builders, i.e., walls and doors instead of lines and arcs. This package, or any part of it, could be added to a residential builders' AutoCAD menu system. It has demonstrated to the software developers and vendors that a market exists for this type of software. In fact, since the start of this project, several vendors have developed and distributed "residential software packages" that were not on the market one year ago.

The tutorial-workbook serves as a reference manual for any builder, regardless of their CAD experience level. This manual was developed to be used as the course text for the CAD workshops and seminars.

A "new" CAD project has been approved by the Advisory Council of the PHRC. This project will explore the possibilities of CAD customization and "intelligent" drawings in the area of residential infrastructure area. Possible application areas include storm water management and residential on-lot sewage design.