It's a fact that architects and other design professionals need quick access to accurate, high-quality design files when specifying products. For building product manufacturers, this means that offering specifiers project-ready design content doesn't just add value—it's a competitive necessity. By offering well-organized, up-to-date, and readily accessible design files, BPMs can position themselves as trusted partners in the early stages of a project, ensuring their products are specified with confidence.
4 Types of Design Content Every Manufacturer Should Have
As a manufacturer, your goal should be to make it as simple as possible for AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) professionals to access your design files. Specifiers are always on the lookout for products that fit seamlessly into their workflows, so BPMs who provide the high-quality product information and technical files in the right formats are more likely to see increased specifications.
Here are the 4 core design content types every BPM should offer.
1. BIM (Building Information Modeling) Models
BIM models are rapidly becoming the standard for architectural and construction design. They contain rich, detailed data that AECs can use to visualize and analyze a building’s components and systems. Providing BIM models enables specifiers to incorporate your products directly into their digital designs, improving accuracy and coordination.
By incorporating detailed project data into the design process, BIM models can help reduce a project's energy consumption and environmental impact, which are often key priorities for design and construction firms. BIM models are also easily updated, allowing you to provide specifiers access to the most current product data.
2. CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Drawings
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Despite the rise of BIM models, CAD drawings are still widely used in the AEC industry and offer detailed 2D and 3D representations of products. By providing highly-precise files in standard formats, such as DWG or DXF, you give specifiers the flexibility to integrate your products into their designs with ease.
CAD drawings also empower specifiers to quickly create multiple design iterations and make revisions at a fast pace. The ability to reuse and modify existing drawings at various project stages significantly reduces the time spent redrawing element variations from scratch, streamlining the overall design process.
3. 3D Models
Offering 3D models of your products allows AEC professionals to quickly visualize and seamlessly incorporate your products into their designs. These models are especially helpful for design teams working on early-stage concepts, as they provide a simple yet effective way to see how products will look in real-world applications.
These models are also incredibly accurate, enabling design professionals to make effortless modifications and real-time updates as projects evolve. By offering 3D models, you make it easy for specifiers to explore and use your products in their creative process, increasing the likelihood of your products being selected for their projects.
4. 3-Part Specifications
3-part specifications are essential documents that outline the specific requirements and standards for building products. They provide the technical details that specifiers need to properly integrate products into their designs and ensure they meet building codes and regulations.
If your 3-part specifications are comprehensive and well-structured, they may even be included in a design firm's office master guide specifications. This increases the likelihood of your products being specified in multiple projects with minimal additional work required, as firms tend to reuse these specifications across various projects.
Top 3 Benefits of Offering AECs Project-Ready Design Content
1. Improved Accuracy & Precision: High-quality design files ensure that your products are accurately represented, reducing the risk of misunderstandings, errors, and discrepancies later in the design and construction process.
2. Strengthening Your Brand's Reputation & Building Trust: Offering top-notch design files builds trust with specifiers, positioning you as a reliable partner they can rely on for current and future projects. Manufacturers who consistently deliver reliable and accurate design files can boost their reputation and establish themselves as leaders in the industry.
3. Higher Chance of Getting Specified: Specifiers always seek the quickest and easiest way to specify the products they need. Providing project-ready design files in a variety of formats empowers AEC professionals to seamlessly integrate your products into their projects quickly and easily.
Get Your Files Project-Ready with CADdetails
BIM models, CAD drawings, 3D models, and 3-part specifications each require specialized expertise to produce and maintain. For over 25 years, CADdetails has helped manufacturers create and showcase high-quality, industry-compliant design files to 730,000+ North American AEC professionals.
Our Technical Services Programs are tailored to help manufacturers create, enhance, and manage their design content. Whether you need assistance developing BIM and 3D models, optimizing CAD drawings, or refining 3-part specifications, our in-house team of technical experts is ready to help. With our support, you can rest assured that your design files are always up-to-date and ready for use.
Read more about our Technical Services Programs here, or book a demo with one of our experts to get started.