DraftSight is a professional-grade 2D CAD and 3D design solution from Dassault Systèmes. Built for architects, engineers, and construction professionals, DraftSight delivers features that help teams design, document, and collaborate with precision. With its familiar DWG-based interface and growing integration into BIM workflows, it’s become a trusted tool for all types of design teams.
Image source: Saulo Studio/stock.adobe.com.
The need for greater collaboration and efficiency in the AEC industry has never been clearer — and traditional workflows often fall short. That’s where DraftSight’s new BIM Module steps in, offering a connected, data-rich approach to 2D drafting that leverages 3D BIM models. In a recent webinar hosted by DraftSight, Jack Lane, an industry process expert at Dassault Systèmes’ digs into the new BIM Module to help explain its workflow and benefits. The new BIM Module is available in DraftSight Premium, DraftSight Enterprise Plus, and 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight Premium.
Traditional Workflows: Where They Fall Short
Many architecture and construction firms still rely on a fragmented workflow: a lead architect or BIM designer builds a model in Revit or another 3D platform, then exports static 2D DWGs for use by various disciplines. While 2D remains the tool of choice for many subcontractors — thanks to its speed and simplicity — this separation from the source model introduces a range of issues.
First, exporting to 2D is an extra step that consumes time and often introduces inconsistencies. Exported DWGs quickly become outdated, and organizing these files for distribution across teams can be cumbersome.
Second, once the BIM model is flattened into 2D, most of its rich data — geometry, classifications, material info, and metadata — is lost. The result: clean drawings with none of the embedded intelligence that modern design teams increasingly rely on.
This loss of context leads to the third issue: collaboration breakdowns. Without access to the full model data, teams have to rely on repeated clarification meetings and emails, introducing delays and potential errors.
Fourth, updates become manual and time-consuming. When the model changes, every 2D view has to be regenerated and annotated again, adding to massive inefficiencies in large projects.
Finally, as global mandates for BIM compliance expand, especially for public-sector projects in regions such as the UK, Germany, Singapore, and South Korea, staying reliant on 2D alone may no longer be enough.
DraftSight’s new BIM Module maintains the connection between 3D BIM data and its corresponding 2D drawings. Image source DraftSight. Click image to enlarge.
Solving the Problem: DraftSight’s BIM Module
The new BIM Module in DraftSight was designed to address these common pain points. By allowing users to import Revit and IFC models directly into the program, DraftSight eliminates the need to export a disconnected DWG, skipping the configuration step. This streamlines the workflow and ensures that teams work with the most up-to-date version of the model without needing to switch platforms.
Even more critically, BIM data comes along for the ride. DraftSight imports geometry, plus it brings in metadata, object classifications, material details, and more. That means a wall is more than a rectangle; it includes functional classifications, material composition, structural role, and metadata such as fire rating or manufacturer.
This data richness improves project understanding across disciplines, minimizing the need for extra clarification and reducing the risk of misinterpretation.
The BIM Navigator makes it easy for users to filter objects quickly within a model. Image source DraftSight. Click image to enlarge.
Features That Bring BIM to Life in 2D
DraftSight’s BIM Navigator provides an intuitive interface to explore model data. Users can filter objects by level, object type, or discipline to focus on what matters. Want to isolate second-floor doors? It takes seconds.
From there, generating accurate 2D views — plans, sections, and elevations — is quick and easy. A cutting plane and a few clicks produce clean drawings that stay linked to the model. If a section is placed incorrectly, it can be repositioned, and the view refreshes in real time — no need to redraw.
Annotations are similarly intelligent. Doors, rooms, and windows can be labeled automatically using BIM data, and labels can be repositioned with a click to improve legibility. This consistency improves quality and also saves time.
Material mapping brings another layer of clarity to construction documents. By linking BIM material data to hatch patterns, drawings communicate more than layout — they indicate construction details. A preview panel ensures accuracy before committing changes.
DraftSight also introduces automated dimension strings that adjust based on user-defined styles, accommodating the unique standards of different firms or jurisdictions. Grid lines remain consistent across all drawings, from basement to top floor, aiding navigation and accurate placement of structural elements.
Even managing large drawings becomes easier. With the split drawing tool, oversized plans can be broken into tiles for easier sheet layout and printing — all while referencing the same underlying data.
A Dynamic, Adaptive Workflow
BIM projects evolve constantly, and DraftSight is built to accommodate that. Once a user loads a new model version, the software identifies which drawings need to be updated. With a single refresh, all related 2D views, annotations, and schedules update automatically to reflect the latest BIM model.
Schedules — such as door schedules created with BIM filters and data extraction tools — are updated automatically. If a door is moved to a new position, just refresh the table, and it’s reflected in the data.
This adaptability removes manual coordination of changes across multiple sheets, one of the most time-consuming steps of project documentation.
Final Thoughts
DraftSight’s BIM Module fills a critical gap, enabling 2D CAD users to tap into the intelligence of BIM models without leaving their familiar DWG environment.
For firms navigating the transition from traditional drafting to BIM-enabled collaboration, DraftSight provides a bridge — one that preserves context, reduces inefficiencies, and prepares teams for what’s next.
As global demands shift toward smarter, more integrated design practices, tools like DraftSight can help make that transition smoother, without forcing a complete overhaul of the way you work.
To see the full workflow in action, watch the full webinar: Understanding the New BIM Module in DraftSight: Workflow and Benefits, learn more online about the new BIM Module, or contact DraftSight directly for more information.
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This article was sponsored by DraftSight.
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