AutoCAD
Autodesk's 2D drafting software — still essential alongside Revit for legacy work and detailed drawings.
What is AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is the oldest drafting software in mainstream use (released 1982). It produces 2D technical drawings — plans, sections, elevations, details. While Revit produces these too, AutoCAD remains essential because most Indian construction sites, vendors, and government agencies still expect AutoCAD-format DWG files.
For a BIM workflow, AutoCAD shows up in three places: (1) handover deliverables to clients who do not accept Revit files, (2) detailed construction drawings that need finer 2D control than Revit gives, (3) legacy projects that started in AutoCAD and were not converted.
Most Indian BIM roles list "AutoCAD + Revit" together. You will use AutoCAD perhaps 20% of your time as a coordinator and 50% of your time as a junior modeller.
AutoCAD pairs with Revit in 90% of Indian BIM job descriptions. Skipping it limits your placeable roles.
A junior BIM engineer at a Hyderabad MEP consultancy uses AutoCAD daily to produce shop drawings — the detailed installation diagrams that the on-site contractor actually works from. Revit produces the building model; AutoCAD produces the construction-grade drawings.
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