6. AEC CAD Standard TR-12-XR-6 Aug 15 115.pdf

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The CAD/BIM Technology Center for facilities, infrastructure, and environment

A/E/C CAD Standard Release 6.0

In fo rm at io n

Te ch no lo gy L ab or at or y

August 2015

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

The A/E/C CAD Standard is a Department of Defense (DoD) implementation of various industry and national standards, including but not limited to, the U.S. National CAD Standard® (NCS); the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The A/E/C CAD Standard and associated resource files contain supplemental materials and DoD specific requirements/interpretations not addressed in industry/national standards.

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation’s toughest engineering and environmental challenges. ERDC develops innovative solutions in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, the Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our nation’s public good. Find out more at www.erdc.usace.army.mil.

To search for other technical reports published by ERDC, visit the ERDC online library at http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default.

http://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/ http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default

The CAD/BIM Technology Center for facilities, infrastructure, and environment

ERDC/ITL TR-12-6

August 2015

A/E/C CAD Standard Release 6.0

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Prepared for U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199

ERDC/ITL TR-12-6; Release 6.0 ii

Abstract

The A/E/C CAD Standard has been developed by the CAD/BIM Technology Center for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment to eliminate redundant Computer-Aided Design (CAD) standardization efforts within the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Federal Government. The manual is part of an initiative to develop a nonproprietary CAD standard that incorporates existing industry, national, and international standards and to develop data standards that address the entire life cycle of facilities within the DoD.

The material addressed in the A/E/C CAD Standard include level/layer assignments, electronic file naming, and standard symbology. The Center's primary goal is to develop a CAD standard that is generic enough to operate under various CAD software packages (such as Bentley's MicroStation and Autodesk's AutoCAD) and incorporate existing industry standards when possible.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes.

Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products.

All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.

DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR.

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Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................... ii

Figures and Tables ......................................................................................................................................... v

Preface ............................................................................................................................................................ vi

1 Introduction

1.1 Acronyms

1.2 Scope

1.3 Purpose

1.4 Background

1.5 Target systems

1.6 Design applications and other applications

1.7 Coordination with design agent

1.8 Additions/Revisions

2 Drawing File Organization

2.1 Design area

2.1.1 Available drawing area

2.1.2 File accuracy (units)

2.1.3 International Feet versus Survey Feet

2.1.4 Origin (global origin)

2.2 Design, drawing, and sheet models

2.2.1 Model files and sheet files

2.2.2 Border model files

2.2.3 Reference files (XREF)

2.2.4 Raster References

2.3 Drawing sheet assembly–Use of Design Model and Sheet Model (1:1 border sheet)

2.4 Electronic drawing file naming conventions

2.4.1 Project code

2.4.2 Model file naming convention

2.4.3 Sheet file naming convention

2.4.4 Adding a drawing sheet

2.5 Coordination between sheet file name and sheet identifier

3 Graphic Concepts

3.1 Presentation graphics

3.1.1 Line widths

3.1.2 Line types/styles

3.1.3 Line color

3.1.4 Plotting

3.1.5 Screening

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3.2 Text

4 Level/Layer Assignments

4.1 Level/Layer naming convention

4.2 Model Files

4.2.1 Level/layer assignment tables

4.2.2 General levels/layers

5 Standard Symbology

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Symbology resources

5.2.1 Cells/Blocks

5.2.2 Line styles

5.3 Downloadable resources

References

Report Documentation Page

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Figures and Tables

Figures

Figure 2-1. Sheet file composition using Design Model and Sheet Model Figure 2-2. Model file naming convention Figure 2-3. Sheet file naming convention Figure 2-4. Supplemental drawing designator Figure 2-5. Typical border sheet title block with sheet identification block Figure 3-1. Predominant line types/styles Figure 4-1. Typical levels/layers contained in a sheet file Figure 4-2. Sheet- and model-specific information Figure 4-3. Level/layer naming format Figure 4-4. Model file level/layer assignment table

Tables

Table 2-1. Discipline Designators Table 2-2. Model File types Table 2-3. Sheet File Discipline Designators Table 2-4. Sheet Type Designators Table 3-1. Comparison of line widths Table 3-2. Basic colors Table 3-3. Screened colors Table 4-1. Status (Phase) codes

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Preface

Introduction

The A/E/C CAD Standard has been developed by the CAD/BIM Technology Center (hereafter referred to as the Center) for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment to eliminate redundant Computer-Aided Design (CAD) standardization efforts within the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Federal Government. This manual is part of an initiative to develop a nonproprietary CAD standard that incorporates existing industry, national, and international standards and to develop data standards that address the entire life cycle of facilities within the DoD. This report supersedes A/E/C CAD Standard, Release 5.0 (ERDC/ITL TR-12-6).

The Center acknowledges the support of the USACE CAD/BIM Community of Practice (CoP), especially Jason Fairchild, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Special thanks go to Roger Fujan, U.S. Army Engineer District, Omaha; Gerald Piotrowski, U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville;

Carl Broyles, U.S. Army Engineer District, Kansas City; and Michael Brennan, U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans, for serving on a committee that assisted in reviewing/evaluating recommended changes to the standard. Additional thanks go out to Roger Fujan; Carl Broyles; Gerald Piotrowski; Jonathan Broadie, U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah;

Danny Griffin, U.S. Army Engineer District, Mobile; and Brian Dinnon, U.S. Army Engineer District, Rock Island, for assisting in the revision of the USACE Border Sheet and the development of a USACE Cover Sheet.

The Center is located in the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Vicksburg, MS. At the time of publication of this report, the Director of ITL was Dr. Reed L. Mosher, the Deputy Director was Patti Duett, the Chief of Software Engineering and Informatics Division was Ken Pathak, and the Chief of the CAD/BIM Technology Center was Edward L. Huell.

The Director of ERDC was Dr. Jeffery P. Holland, and the Acting Commander of ERDC was LTC John T. Tucker III.

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United States National CAD Standard®

In 1995, the combined resources of the Center, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the United States Coast Guard, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Facility Information Council began an effort to develop a single CAD standard for the United States. Working together, these organizations agreed to develop an integrated set of documents that collectively would represent the United States National CAD Standard (NCS).

The two main NCS documents referenced within Release 6.0 of the A/E/C CAD Standard are the following:

• “Uniform Drawing System” The Construction Specifications Institute 110 South Union Street, Suite 100 Alexandria, VA 22314-3351

• “AIA CAD Layer Guidelines” The American Institute of Architects 1735 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20006-5292

Each of these documents is available as part of the NCS. Additional information on the NCS, as well as how to purchase a copy, can be obtained from

National Institute of Building Sciences 1090 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005-4905 http://www.nibs.org http://www.nibs.org/

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1 Introduction

1.1 Acronyms

First, a few useful acronyms:

• A-E – Architect-Engineer

• A/E/C – Architecture, Engineering, and Construction

• AIA – American Institute of Architects

• ANSI – American National Standards Institute

• ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials

• BIM – Building Information Modeling

• CAD – Computer-Aided Design

• CIM – Civil Information Modeling

• CSI – Construction Specifications Institute

• DoD – Department of Defense

• FM – Facility Management

• GIS – Geographic Information System

• IAI – International Alliance for Interoperability

• IFC – Industry Foundation Class

• ISO – International Organization for Standardization

• NCS – United States National CAD Standard

• NIBS – National Institute of Building Sciences

• SI – International System of Units (Le Système International d’Unités)

• UDS – Uniform Drawing System

1.2 Scope

This manual provides guidance and procedures for preparing Computer- Aided Design (CAD) products within the Department of Defense (DoD).

Chapters 1–5 of this manual address topics such as presentation graphics, level/layer assignments, electronic file naming, and standard symbology.

Appendix A contains tables on model file level/layer names.

1.3 Purpose

The purpose of this manual is to set a basic CAD standard to ensure consistent electronic deliverables (products) within the DoD. This manual

ERDC/ITL TR-12-6; Release 6.0 2 sets a CAD standard specifically for the A/E/C disciplines of facilities development and civil works projects.

1.4 Background

The immediate benefits of CAD standards are many:

• consistent CAD products for customers

• uniform requirements for A-E deliverables

• sharing of products and expertise.

Recognizing such potential benefits, each of the DoD agencies independently initiated efforts to establish CAD standards in the late 1980s. In 1989, the Air Force Logistics Command released the Architectural and Engineering Services for CADD Implementation within Air Force Logistics Command.

Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in 1990 published Engineer Manual 1110-1-1807, Standards Manual for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) Systems. In 1993, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command distributed its Policy and Procedures for Electronic Deliverables of Facilities Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) Systems.

To consolidate these efforts into a single standard, the Center was tasked to develop standards for the A/E/C disciplines. This manual presents the Center’s continuing effort at standardizing CAD requirements for A/E/C design and construction documents.

1.5 Target systems

This standard does not target any specific CAD system or software.

However, to ensure successful translations among CAD applications, certain system-specific characteristics were considered and the standard adjusted accordingly. During the preparation of the standard, several baseline decisions were made:

• The standard must be applicable to the latest release of commercially available CAD packages. AutoCAD and MicroStation were chosen based on their prevalence in the DoD.

• The standard is based on CAD applications that utilize layer/level names and reference files.

• The standard requires every final plotted drawing sheet to have its own separate electronic drawing file.

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1.6 Design applications and other applications

Numerous design applications have been developed to run on top of basic CAD engines. These applications can be used by designers to generate graphics inside CAD files. Most notable are design software packages for CIM and BIM.

Document management systems that contain attributes or metadata for individual files and have such features as title block integration are becoming standard tools for management of electronic files. Use of these systems to store searchable metadata for files is encouraged.

1.7 Coordination with design agent

With all the complexity and options currently available in the world of CAD, it becomes important to coordinate fundamental aspects of design work. The previously mentioned issues of basic platform, design applications, and document management are only three of the issues that can affect the success of a project and the future usefulness of the final documents. As such, each project should have at its initiation discussions and agreements on such issues as these. Each software package being used should be approved and a determination made on how many of the sup-porting electronic files should be provided to the customer as a part of the end product.

1.8 Additions/Revisions

This standard is intended to be neither static nor all inclusive and thus will be updated and enhanced as appropriate. Suggestions for improvements are strongly encouraged so that subsequent updates will reflect the input and needs of CAD users.

Recommendations or suggested additions should be sent to the following:

The CAD/BIM Technology Center U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center ATTN: CEERD-IS-C/CAD/BIMTechnologyCenter 3909 Halls Ferry Road Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199 or by e-mail to CADBIM@usace.army.mil.

mailto:CADBIM@usace.army.mil

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2 Drawing File Organization

2.1 Design area

2.1.1 Available drawing area

The two most extensively used CAD applications within the DoD, AutoCAD and MicroStation, both provide for a drawing area with nearly infinite range in each positive and negative axis (x,y,z).

2.1.2 File accuracy (units)

CAD systems allow the designer to work in real-world units. The most common units are feet:inches, survey feet:hundredths or thousandths of feet, and meters:millimeters.

MicroStation’s approach to file accuracy allows the user to set the working units (i.e., real-world units) as the following:

• Master Units = The largest unit that may be referred to when working in the design file (e.g., feet, meters)

• Sub Units = Subdivisions of Master Units (e.g., inches, millimeters).

In AutoCAD, the basic drawing unit for any file is the distance between two fixed Cartesian coordinates. For example, the distance between coordinates (1,1,1) and (1,1,2) is one drawing unit. A drawing unit can correspond to any measurement (e.g., foot, inch, meter, mile, fathom).

AutoCAD users may enter the Units display option to set the desired drawing units.

The Units command of AutoCAD does not have a direct metric system setup. For metric designs, the recommended procedure is to choose the Decimal option in the Drawing Units dialog box. This will allow each drawing unit to represent decimal meters, millimeters, and so forth, at the discretion of the user.

2.1.3 International Feet versus Survey Feet

Many sites have to deal with the initial question as to whether a particular project is designed using International Feet or Survey Feet. In some states, ERDC/ITL TR-12-6; Release 6.0 5 it is specified by statute that units of measure for grid coordinates have to be either International Feet or Survey Feet. The two units are defined as follows:

• International Feet: 1 foot (ft) = 0.3048000 meters (m)

• U.S. Survey Feet: 1 ft = 0.3048006 m.

Looking at this comparison, the difference between the two (0.0000006 m) may seem insignificant; however, ultimately this difference may cause coordinate values to be off by several feet, resulting in inaccurate design files. In MicroStation, the units.def file does contain a definition for Survey Feet (usually stored in c:\Program Files\Bentley\Workspace\ System\data), but it is disabled by default in some earlier versions. To enable, scroll down the units.def file to the section English units (based on U.S. Survey Foot) and delete the # in front of #sf,ft, which will allow for the selection of Survey Feet from the Working Units box the next time MicroStation is started.

Note: If a drawing has already been created using International Feet, changing the Master Units to Survey Feet will not automatically scale all elements in the drawing to Survey Feet.

2.1.4 Origin (global origin)

Positioned within every electronic drawing file is an origin (“global origin” in MicroStation and “origin” in AutoCAD). The origin of a drawing file is important because it serves as the point of reference from which all other elements are located. Origins are typically defined in a drawing file by the Cartesian coordinate system of x, y, and z.

The benefit of standardizing the location of the origin of a drawing is most notable in the use of reference files (see section Reference Files (XREFs) in Chapter 4). A standardized origin is also helpful when translating files between CAD applications. The recommended global origin for two-dimensional (2D) files in both AutoCAD and MicroStation drawings is x = 0 and y = 0. When three-dimensional (3D) files are used, the z-origin should be set to allow for elevations below 0.

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2.2 Design, drawing, and sheet models

Inside each CAD file can exist Design/Drawing Models (or Model Space for AutoCAD users) and Sheet Models (or Layout for AutoCAD users).

2.2.1 Model files and sheet files

Two distinct types of CAD files are addressed in this standard: model files and sheet files.

2.2.1.1 Model files

Note: This model files section contains definitions for both Design Models and Drawing Models.

A model file contains the physical components of a building (e.g., columns, walls, windows, ductwork, piping). Model files are drawn at full scale and typically represent plans, elevations, sections, etc. Model files can be generated either by placing graphics or from BIM model extractions/views.

Model files are used as components in creating plotted sheet files. The information contained within a model file for a discipline may be referenced by other disciplines to create the particular model files or sheet files for that discipline.

A model file can be considered a work in progress. For instance, a mechanical engineer may reference the architect’s floor plan model file to begin development of the HVAC ductwork layout model file. Meanwhile, the architect can continue developing the floor plan to meet new require-ments. Any changes to the floor plan would be immediately accessible to the mechanical engineer. The viewing of real-time updates eliminates a great deal of frustration for other disciplines because it allows for on-the-spot rather than after-the-fact modifications.

Design Models are where models are developed or possibly assembled prior to creation of the Sheet Model (see the following section, Drawing Sheet Assembly). Design Models contain graphic information in a model file format. For example, it may contain the entire Architectural Floor Plan model file for a building. It is this model file that is used as a reference for creating individual sheet files. Adding annotation to the design model should be avoided (annotation should be placed in the drawing model).

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A Drawing Model is a 2D view/representation with annotation of a 3D Design Model. Drawing Models include items such as plans, sections, elevations, and details referenced to the Sheet Model.

2.2.1.2 Sheet files

A sheet file is synonymous with a plotted CAD drawing file. A sheet file is a selected view or portion of referenced model file(s) within a 1:1 border sheet. The addition of sheet-specific information (e.g., text, dimensions, symbols) completes the construction of the document. In other words, a sheet file is a ready-to-plot CAD file. A design model inside the sheet file contains the model information assembled as it would be displayed on a sheet. This model would have real-world spatial alignment and would be used as the primary model for graphical information to be displayed and presented in the sheet model.

A useful generalization for differentiating between model files and sheet files is stated in Module 1 “Drawing Set Organization” of the Uniform Drawing System (UDS) (NIBS 2014): “Model files are always referenced by other files, while sheet files are never referenced by other files.”

A Sheet Model shows the presentation of model file graphics as they would appear on an individual sheet. This assembly area would contain referenced files, one of which would be the border sheet.

2.2.2 Border model files

Borders are model files referenced by all disciplines to create sheet files.

This model file contains border linework, the title block, and project-specific symbols and text. Each discipline shall use the same border (for more information on Borders, see the A/E/C Graphics Standard).

2.2.3 Reference files (XREF)

Reference files (external references or XREF) enable designers to share drawing information electronically, eliminating the need to exchange hard-copy drawings among the design disciplines.

With the use of reference files, the structural engineer need not wait for the architect to complete the architectural floor plans before beginning the structural framing plan model file.

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Referencing electronic drawing information makes any changes later made by the architect apparent to the structural designer. This real-time access to the work of others ensures accuracy and consistency within a set of drawings and helps promote concurrent design efforts. No longer does one discipline have to wait until another discipline is nearly finished before they begin their drawings.

Note: Never bind references.

Note: Each reference file shall have a unique, logical name/reference describing what is being referenced (e.g., Floor 1 Plan, Site Plan – Area A).

2.2.4 Raster references

For interoperability, the only raster file types allowed to be referenced are TIF, JPG, and PDF. Raster file names shall conform to the model file naming convention with a model file type of “IG” (e.g., *C-IGXXXX.tif/jpg).

Raster File Types uses:

• GeoReferenced TIF: best for aerial photographic imagery, maps, and drawings where the image is referenced under line work to add more clarity.

• JPG: best for non-aerial photographic imagery used for depicting existing conditions referenced to sheets.

• PDF: best for drafted drawings used as background images.

Note: MrSID files are NOT to be directly referenced. The files are extremely large and unwieldy to manage in a CAD/BIM/CIM environment. It is recommended that the MrSID image be clipped, resampled, and saved as a GeoReferenced TIF file. The smaller file size allows the software to open faster and plot more effectively.

2.3 Drawing sheet assembly–Use of Design Model and Sheet Model (1:1 border sheet)

The following method for drawing sheet assembly should be used. It involves assembling individual model files and a border sheet model file to create final plotted sheets.

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Note: Borders shall not be placed in a Sheet Model as a cell or block. The border shall be an individual, un-nested reference file in the Sheet Model.

This method consists of using a sheet file that contains a Design Model and a Sheet Model. The Design/Drawing Model is used to assemble all the individual reference files necessary to display the graphics. This may include references to individual views of Design Models in other files, or even coincident references. The Design Model should also contain real-world graphics such as northing and easting coordinate values of points.

The Sheet Model contains a reference to the project border sheet model file (at 1:1), plus a reference to the Drawing Model in the active sheet file, scaled to fit into the Sheet Model (Figure 2-1).

Figure 2-1. Sheet file composition using Design Model and Sheet Model.

Note: With Bentley software, when using Drawing Models, never reference Drawing Models to Design Models, since resymbolization problems occur.

2.4 Electronic drawing file naming conventions

Naming conventions for electronic drawing files (both model files and sheet files) allow CAD users to determine the contents of a drawing without actually displaying the file. They also provide a convenient and clear structure for organizing drawing files within project directories.

2.4.1 Project code

The Model File naming convention and the Sheet File naming convention both require a Project Code (1 to 20 characters) at the beginning of the file name. The Project Code shall be identified at the start of each project to

ERDC/ITL TR-12-6; Release 6.0 10 ensure consistent file names within that project. Some examples of Project Codes follow:

• the official agency project number

• the project number defined by the contract issuing agency CAD manager for their record system.

The use of Project Codes in file names prevents the same file name from existing in different directories.

When deciding on a standard file naming convention, the user should consider the use of a special character such as an underscore (_) for all reference/master files so that file sorting places like file types together.

When a project includes multiple sites or buildings, it is important to identify each file with the appropriate feature. This should be done as a part of the Project Code. For example, a model file for project P123, building 2, could possibly use a Project Code of _P123-Bldg2.

2.4.2 Model file naming convention

The model file naming convention (Figure 2-2) has four mandatory fields.

All fields must be used and in the correct sequence.

Following the Project Code field, the first two-character field represents the Discipline Designator. The allowable characters for the first character in the Discipline Designator are listed in Table 2-1. The second character of the Discipline Designator field is always a hyphen (-). The next two-character field represents the Model File Type (Table 2-2). The final field is User Definable, and all four characters shall be used.

Note: The NCS states that a Discipline Designator “denotes the category of subject matter contained on the specified layer.” However, this denotation leaves this type of Designator too open ended, resulting in Discipline Designators that are usually subsets of other disciplines. For example, Distributed Energy (which has the Discipline Designator “W” in the NCS) is typically shown in disciplines such as Mechanical or Electrical. To prevent the use of Discipline Designators where it is unclear what should be included within the “category of subject matter,” only the Discipline Designators shown in Table 2-1 shall be used.

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Figure 2-2. Model file naming convention.

Table 2-1. Discipline Designators.

Discipline Designator

General G

Hazardous materials H

Survey/Mapping V

Geotechnical B

Civil C

Landscape L

Structural S

Architectural A

Interiors I

Fire protection F

Plumbing P

Mechanical M

Electrical E

Telecommunications T

Resource R

Other disciplines X

Operations O

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Table 2-2. Model File types.

Discipline Code Definition

General

BS Border sheet

CS Cover sheet

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

KP Key plan

Hazardous materials

DT Detail

EL* Elevation

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LG* Legend

PP Pollution prevention plan

QP* Equipment plan

SC Section

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Survey/Mapping

AL Existing airfield lighting plan

CP Existing communication system plan

EU Existing electrical utilities plan

HP Existing hydrographic survey and mapping plan

HT Existing HTCW Utilities Plan

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LG* Legend

PB Property boundary

PP* Plan and profile

PR Existing profile

SC Existing section

SV Survey and mapping plan

UP Existing utilities plan

Geotechnical

DT Detail

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

JP Joint layout plan

LB Boring log

LG* Legend

PV Pavement site plan

SC Section

SH* Schedule

SI Subsurface investigation plan

Civil AF Airfield plan

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BR Beach renourishment plan

DT Detail

EL Elevation

ER Eco-restoration plan

FC Flood control plan

GP Grading plan

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

IP* Installation plan/Base map

JP Joint layout plan

KP* Staking plan

LG* Legend

NG Navigation/Dredging plan

PL* Project location map

PP* Plan and profile

PR Profile

SC Section

SH* Schedule

SP Site plan

TS Transportation site plan

UP Utilities plan

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Landscape

DT Detail

EL* Elevation

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

IP Irrigation plan

LG* Legend

LP Landscape plan

SC* Section

SH* Schedule

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Structural

3D Isometric/3D

BP Bridge plan

CP* Column plan

CW Misc. Small civil works structures

DT Detail

EL Elevation

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EP Enlarged plan

FC Flood control structures

FN Foundation plan

FR Framing plan

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LD Locks and dams plan

LG Legend

SC Section

SH* Schedule

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Architectural

3D* Isometric/3D

AC Area calculations/Occupancy plan

CP Reflected ceiling plan

DT Detail

EL Elevation

EP* Enlarged plan

FP Floor plan

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LG* Legend

QP Equipment plan

RP Roof plan

SC Section

SH* Schedule

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Interiors

3D* Isometric/3D

DT Detail

EL Elevation

EP* Enlarged plan

FL Floor patterns

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LG* Legend

QP* Equipment plan

RP Furniture plan

SC* Section

SH* Schedule

SP Signage placement plan

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WP System furniture plan

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Fire protection

3D* Isometric/3D

DG* Diagram

DT Detail

FA Fire alarm/Detection plan

FP Fire suppression plan

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LG* Legend

LP Life safety plan

SC* Section

SH* Schedule

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Plumbing

3D* Isometric/3D

DG Diagram

DT Detail

EL* Elevation

EP* Enlarged plan

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LG* Legend

PP Piping plan

QP* Equipment plan

SH* Schedule

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Mechanical

3D* Isometric/3D

DG Diagram

DT Detail

EL Elevation

EP* Enlarged plan

HP HVAC plan

HS Hydraulic systems

HT HTCW utilities plan

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LG* Legend

MD Machine design plan

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MH Material handling plan

QP* Equipment plan

SC Section

SH* Schedule

SP Specialty piping plan

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Electrical

AL Airfield lighting plan

AP* Auxiliary power plan

CP Exterior communication systems plan

DG Diagram

DT Detail

EU Electrical utilities plan

GP Grounding system plan

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LG* Legend

LP Lighting plan

PP Power plan

PS* Panel schedule

QP* Equipment plan

SH* Schedule

SS Special systems plan

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

Telecommunications

DG Diagram

DT Detail

IG* Raster imagery (scanned and photographic)

LG* Legend

QP* Equipment plan

SH* Schedule

TP Telephone/Data plan

XD* Existing/Demolition plan

* = No Model File Table available in Appendix A

Example. The model file name for a project at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Building 8000, first floor, Architectural Floor Plan could be

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ERDC8000A-FPF1XX.dgn/dwg where ERDC8000 is the Project Code, A- is the Discipline Designator, FP is the Model File Type (Floor Plan), and F1 is a user-definable set of char-acters for Floor 1. Since not all of the user-definable characters were used, the characters XX were used as placeholders.

Existing/Demolition model file naming. There are instances when a facility is being renovated and the as-built designs need to be revised to show demolition and new items. These revisions would not be made on existing as-built model files but on copies to ensure the original as-builts are not modified.

A model file type, Existing/Demolition (XD), has been added to the standard to allow users to make revisions to as-built files. This model file type is used to aid users in separating existing-to-remain items from items that will be demolished.

Example. An architect has an existing as-built floor plan model file for Building 1000, second floor. For the current project, walls will be demolished and new walls constructed on the second floor. First, a copy would be made of the original as-built file (B1000A-FPF2XX.dgn/dwg) , and the copy would be named B1000RENA-XDF2XX.dgn/dwg (B1000REN is the Project Code, A- is the Discipline Designator, XD is the Model File Type (Existing/Demolition Plan), and F2XX are user-definable characters (F2=Floor 2)). The architect would open this file and move all demolition items to demolition levels/layers (see Chapter 4, Status (phase) levels/layers). When the new items in the Floor Plan are drawn, the architect would open a new model file perhaps called B1000RENA- FPF2XX.dgn/dwg (B1000REN is the Project Code, A- is the Discipline Designator, FP is the Model File Type (Floor Plan), and F2XX are user-definable characters (F2=Floor 2)). The fileB1000RENA-XDF2XX.dgn/dwg would be referenced in with the demolition levels/layers turned off. The architect would then use the Floor Plan active levels/layers to construct the new items for that project.

2.4.3 Sheet file naming convention

The sheet file naming convention (Figure 2-3) also has four mandatory fields. Similar to the format for model file naming, all fields must be used and in the correct sequence.

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Figure 2-3. Sheet file naming convention.

The first field is used for a 1- to 20-character Project Code (see section 2.4.1, “Project code”). The next two characters are the Discipline Designator with either a hyphen or an alphabetical Designator (Table 2-3).

The next character is the Sheet Type Designator (Table 2-4) followed by a two-character Sheet Sequence Number (01–99).

For example, the sheet file name for a project at ERDC, Building 8000, Architectural Floor Plan, sheet sequence 02 could be

ERDC8000A-102.dgn/dwg where ERDC8000 is the Project Code, A- is the Discipline Designator, 1 is the Sheet Type Designator (Plan), and 02 is the Sheet Sequence Number.

Table 2-3. Sheet File Discipline Designators.

Discipline Designator Description Content

General

G- All general All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

GI General information Drawing index, code summary, symbol legend, orientation maps

GC General contract Phasing, schedules, contractor staging areas, fencing, haul routes, erosion control, temporary and special requirements

GR General resource Photographs, soil borings

Hazardous materials

H- All hazardous materials

All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

HA Asbestos Asbestos abatement, identification, containment

HC Chemicals Toxic chemicals handling, removal, storage

HL Lead Lead piping, paint removal

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Discipline Designator Description Content

HP PCB PCB containment and removal

HR Refrigerants Ozone depleting refrigerants

Survey/Mapping

V- All Survey/Mapping All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

VA Aerial survey Aerial surveyed points and features

VB Boundary Boundary survey

VC Computated points Computated points and features

VF Field survey Field surveyed points and features

VH* Hydrographic survey Hydrographic surveyed points and features

VI Digital survey Digitized points and features

VN Node points Node points and features

VS Staked points Staked points and features

VU Combined utilities

VL Land Land/property/American Land Title Assoc.

(ALTA) survey

Geotechnical

B- All geotechnical All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

BB* Boring logs Boring logs

BS* Stratigraphy Stratigraphy profiles

Civil

CD Civil demolition Structure removal and site clearing

C- All Civil All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

CS Civil site Plats, topographic, dimension control

CG Civil grading Excavation, grading, drainage, erosion control, retention ponds

CT Civil transportation Waterways, wharves, docks, trams, railways, airfields, people movers

CP Civil paving Roads, driveways, parking lots

CU Civil utilities Water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, power, communications, natural gas, steam systems

CI Civil improvements Pavers, flagstone, exterior tile, furnishings, retaining walls, water features

CB* Civil beach renourishment

Beach disposal and renourishment

CE* Civil ecosystem restoration

Environmental restoration

CF* Civil flood control Levees, spillways, pump stations

CH* Civil shore protection Erosion protection structures on shoreline

CN* Civil navigation Navigation, harbors, dredging

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CO* Civil operation and maintenance

Repair and upgrade to O&M structures

CR* Civil recreation Recreation facilities

CX* Civil security Security-related work

Landscape

LD Landscape demolition

Protection and removal of existing landscape

L- All Landscape All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

LS Landscape site All site hardscape and callouts

LG Landscape grading Proposed contours and spot grades

LI Landscape irrigation Mainlines, valves, controllers, pumps, etc.

LL Landscape lighting

LP Landscape planting Landscape planting

LR Landscape relocation

Vegetation relocation information

Structural

SD Structural demolition Protection and removal

S- All Structural All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

SS Structural site

SB Structural substructure

Foundations, piers, slabs, retaining walls

SF Structural framing Floors and roofs

SC* Structural components

Gates, armor, bulkheads, railings

SR* Structural reinforcement

Concrete reinforcement and anchors

ST* Structural superstructure

Walls, decks, abutments, gates, weirs

Architectural

AD Architectural demolition

Protection and removal

A- All Architectural All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

AS Architectural site

AE Architectural elements

General architectural

AI Architectural interiors

AG Architectural graphics

AF

Architectural finishes

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Interiors

ID Interior demolition Protection and removal

I- All Interiors All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

IN Interior design

IF Interior furnishings

IG Interior graphics Murals and visuals

Fire Protection

FD* Fire protection demolition

Protection and removal

F- All Fire protection All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

FA Fire protection detection and alarm

FX Fire protection suppression

Fire extinguishing systems and equipment

Plumbing

PD Plumbing demolition Protection, termination, removal

P- All Plumbing All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

PS Plumbing site Extensions and connections to Civil Utilities

PL Plumbing fixtures Domestic water, sanitary and storm drainage, fixtures

PP Plumbing piping Piping, valves, insulation

PQ Plumbing equipment Pumps and tanks

Mechanical

MD Mechanical demolition

Protection, termination, removal

M- All Mechanical All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

MH Mechanical HVAC Ductwork, air devices, equipment

MI Mechanical instrumentation

Instrumentation and controls

MP Mechanical piping Chilled and heating water, steam

MS Mechanical site Utility tunnels and piping between facilities

MY* Mechanical hydraulic systems

Pump stations, spillways, slide gates

MW* Mechanical distributed energy

Electrical

ED Electrical demolition Protection, termination, removal

E- All Electrical All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

ES Electrical site Exterior electrical systems (power, lighting, auxiliary)

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EI Electrical instrumentation

Controls, relays, instrumentation, measurement devices

EL Electrical interior lighting

Interior lighting

EP Electrical interior power

Interior power

ET Electrical telecommunications

Telephone, network, voice, and data cables

EY Electrical interior auxiliary systems

Alarms, nurse call, security, CCTV, PA, music, clock, program

EA* Electrical airfield lighting and navaids

Visual air navigation systems

EC* Electrical cathodic protection

Cathodic protection systems

EG* Electrical grounding Grounding, lightning protection devices

EW* Electrical distributed energy

Telecommunications

TD* Telecommunications demolition

Protection, termination, removal

T- All Telecommunications

All or any portion of subjects in the following Discipline Designators

TA Audio visual Cable, music, CCTV systems

TC Clock and program Time generators and bell program systems

TI Intercom Intercom and public address systems

TM Monitoring Monitoring and alarm systems

TN Data networks Network cabling and equipment

TT Telephone Telephone systems, wiring, equipment

TY Security Access controls and alarm systems

TS* SCADA Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and equipment

Resource

R- All resource All or any portion of subjects in the following Designators

RC Resource civil Surveyor’s information and existing civil drawings

RS Resource structural Existing facility structural drawings

RA Resource architectural

Existing facility architectural drawings

RM Resource mechanical

Existing facility mechanical drawings

RE Resource electrical Existing facility electrical drawings

RR Resource real estate Real estate drawings

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RG* Resource green LEED drawings

Other disciplines X

Operations O

* = Not in NCS 6.0

Table 2-4. Sheet Type Designators.

Sheet Type Designator

General (symbols legend, notes, etc.) 0

Plans (horizontal views and combination plan and profile) 1

Elevations and profiles (vertical views) 2

Sections (sectional views, cross sections, etc.) 3

Large scale views (Scaled up reproductions of plans, elevations, or sections that are not details)

Details 5

Schedules and diagrams 6

User defined 7

User defined 8

3D Representations (isometrics, perspectives, photographs) 9

Note: If the sheet sequence number goes above 99 sheets for a particular discipline, the user might want to consider using alphabetical Designators in the Discipline Designator to further subdivide the discipline (Table 2-3).

Note: In the NCS, user-defined “Level 2 Designators” in the Discipline Designator are allowed “to differentiate among multiple buildings on a ‘campus’ or among multiple features on a large civil works project.” The A/E/C CAD Standard limits the Discipline Designator field to strictly those listed in Table 2-3 for sheets. The Project Code field in conjunction with the title block “BLDG ID” field (see “Border Sheets” section in the A/E/C Graphics Standard) in the file name preempts the need for this functionality (e.g., PN123456_BLDG1_A-FPXXXX.dgn/dwg, PN123456_BLDG2_A-FPXXXX.dgn/dwg).

Note: According to the NCS: “Sheet Sequence Numbers need not be sequential, to permit future insertion of sheets during design.”

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Note: Occasionally, more than one Sheet Type (e.g., plan, elevation, detail) will be represented in one sheet file. If this is the case, the domi-nant Sheet Type determines the Sheet Type Designator.

2.4.4 Adding a drawing sheet

If a sheet needs to be added between two sequential sheets, a Supplemental Drawing Designator may be appended to the end of a sheet file name (Figure 2-4). For example, if two sheets need to be added between sheets ERDC8000A-104 and ERDC8000A-105, then the sheet file names for the inserted sheets would be ERDC8000A104A and ERDC8000A104B.

Figure 2-4. Supplemental drawing designator.

2.5 Coordination between sheet file name and sheet identifier

In assigning a sheet identifier (for use in the sheet identification block, reference bubbles, etc.), the user should coordinate with the name assigned to the electronic sheet file. The sheet identifier shall consist of the discipline designator, sheet type designator, and the sheet sequence number (Figure 2-5).

The sequence of the discipline designators in a drawing set shall follow the order as shown in Table 2-3.

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Figure 2-5. Typical border sheet title block with sheet identification block.

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3 Graphic Concepts

3.1 Presentation graphics

The first step in establishing an effective CAD standard is the development of a uniform approach to presentation graphics. Presentation graphics typically consist of drawing elements such as lines, arcs, shapes, text, and their attributes (line color, line width, line style). This chapter presents brief overviews of the characteristics of presentation graphics and the philosophy used to standardize them. For more definition, see the A/E/C Graphics Standard.

3.1.1 Line widths

Although monowidth line work is not contractually improper, varied line widths substantially improve readability. Most commercial CAD systems provide an extensive variety of line widths. However, for the majority of A/E/C drawings, the eight line widths defined in Table 3-1 are considered sufficient and should not be expanded unless an appreciable improvement in drawing clarity or contrast can be realized. Table 3-1 lists information about the various allowed line widths.

Table 3-1. Comparison of line widths.

Line Thickness mm in.

MicroStation Line Weight Typical Use

Fine 0.18 0.007 wt = 0 Patterning and material indications

Thin 0.25 0.010 wt = 1 Dimension lines, leaders, extension lines, break lines, grid lines, schedule grid lines, hidden objects, center lines, setback lines

Medium 0.35 0.014 wt = 2 Object lines, text, property lines, terminator marks, schedule grid accent lines

Wide 0.50 0.020 wt = 3 Major object lines, cut lines, section cutting plane lines, property lines, drawing block borders, titles

Extra wide 0.70 0.028 wt = 5 Minor title underlining, footprints, match lines, schedule outlines, sheet borders, large titles, object lines requiring special emphasis

XX Wide 1.00 0.040 wt = 7 Major title underlining and separating portions of drawings

XXX Wide 1.40 0.055 wt = 10 Border sheet outlines and cover sheet line work

XXXX Wide 2.00 0.079 wt = 15 Border sheet outlines and cover sheet line work

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Note: The NCS does offer an Extra Fine (0.13 mm) line width. However, the legibility on printouts becomes more difficult when the line width goes below the Fine (0.18 mm) line width. The NCS even states “Use of Extra Fine line widths should be avoided if the drawing will be plotted half-size.”

3.1.2 Line types/styles

The predominant line types/styles used in this standard are shown in Figure 3-1 and are available as line types/styles for AutoCAD and MicroStation (with the exception of “Continuous”). Additional custom line style files for MicroStation and AutoCAD are available on the Center’s web site at https://cadbim.usace.army.mil/aeccadstandard.

Figure 3-1. Predominant line types/styles.

Note: For consistency and interoperability, use of the IGDS default Bentley line styles 1-7 should be avoided.

3.1.3 Line color

The primary reason to use color in CAD drawings is to improve the clarity of the drawing on a computer monitor. The variety of colors available in a CAD application depends on the capabilities of the computer monitor and its video card. Today, most systems are capable of displaying up to 16.8 million colors.

In a departure from previous releases of the A/E/C CAD Standard, colors within the model file tables are not listed by their AutoCAD or MicroStation color numbers, but instead by their red-green-blue (RGB) values. Using RGB values instead of CAD package color numbers will allow for universal https://cadbim.usace.army.mil/aeccadstandard

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Table 3-2. Basic colors.

Color

RGB Values

Red Green Blue

Blue 0 0 255

Gray 128 128 128

Green 0 255 0

Red 255 0 0

Yellow 255 255 0

Magenta 255 0 255

Cyan 0 255 255

White 255 255 255

Note: For AutoCAD, use color "White" for all colors set to 255,255,255 to enable white/black color switching based on background color.

3.1.4 Plotting

Printers and plotters are controlled by files called pen tables or feature tables. These files (tables) convert thicknesses and/or color in an elec-tronic file to line thicknesses on a paper drawing.

This manual standardizes presentation graphics as they relate to electronic drawing files (screen display) and not the final printed or plotted paper drawing. By employing pen tables, each agency can ensure that consistent drawings are produced from an electronic file regardless of the type of printer or plotter used. It is the responsibility of each field activity to develop pen tables based on the printer/plotter used at that activity.

Note: For consistency/interoperability, it is recommended that plots first be sent to a common format, such as PDF, before paper plotting.

3.1.5 Screening

Screened images are created through a process in which the density and pattern of black and white dots are varied to simulate different shades of

ERDC/ITL TR-12-6; Release 6.0 29 gray (also known as dithering). Varying the intensity of gray scales allows users to distinguish different aspects of a drawing when it is plotted. For example, on a demolition plan the existing items not designated for demolition can be assigned a color that has been assigned a screening percentage.