(ZweigWhite: Fayetteville, AK) -- Three-dimensional building information modeling (BIM) is rapidly replacing 2-D design software in many architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental firms. However, a blend of 2-D and 3-D technology is still commonplace.

According to an article published in the July 25, 2011, issue of The Zweig Letter, IT needs are rapidly evolving. In an informal survey, readers were polled on their levels of BIM technologies. According to the responses, practitioners are starting to move beyond 2-D computer-aided design (CAD) programs in favor of BIM. Only 12.5 percent of firms responding to the survey still rely solely on CAD, while 31.3 percent say they use CAD but are currently adding BIM technologies. Twenty-five percent indicated they currently use CAD concurrently with BIM and will continue to do so for some time to come; 31.3 percent reported using CAD on a limited basis and using BIM for most projects. None reported making the full transition to BIM yet, but all expect to at some point.

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