July 20, 2005—The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) have jointly released a formal invitation [KATRINE: LIVE LINK TO http://www.nationalcadstandard.org/ ] to CAD and other software vendors to use the US National CAD Standard Version 3.1 in software.
In an effort to make the NCS easier to use, AIA, CSI, and NIBS are offering software vendors the opportunity for a non-exclusive NCS license. The organizations believe that the National CAD Standard would be easier to use if folded into a CAD program through a “spell-check” function, drawing template, or symbols library, for example.
The US National CAD Standard (NCS) Version 3.1 consists of AIA’s CAD Layer Guidelines, CSI’s Uniform Drawing System (Modules 1-8), and the Tri-Service Plotting Guidelines. The NCS proscribes CAD layer names, drawing set organization, drafting conventions, and notations. It also contains an extensive symbols library and thousands of terms and abbreviations.
The NCS coordinates these CAD-related publications to allow consistent and streamlined communication among owners and design/construction teams.
Version 3.1 with searchable CD is now available for purchase. The price is $350 ($250 for members of AIA, CSI, or NIBS). AIA says that use of the NCS will result in reduced costs for developing and maintaining office standards and the transfer of building design data from design to facilities management.
Adoption of the US National CAD Standard by the building design and construction industry is voluntary. However, several government agencies have adopted the standard, while dozens of public and private organizations are in various stages of implementation for the design, construction, and operation of building facilities.
The invitation, along with detailed NCS information and a list of NCS adopters, is available at NCS.
