A steel model can be perfectly accurate and still cause trouble in the shop. The problem starts when drawings, material lists, and fabrication files are built from copies of that model instead of the model itself.
For example, a plate may be revised during the project. The drawing gets updated, but the fabrication data doesn’t. Once copies exist, every revision requires another round of manual coordination, and 3D Steel Modeling Software helps reduce that problem by keeping project information connected
Where Design-to-Fabrication Workflows Slip
The gaps tend to show up in the same places:
- Drawings edited by hand after export
- Bills of materials maintained in spreadsheets
- NC files created before the latest revision
- Custom parts modelled in separate CAD software
None of this is unusual, and each item adds another version someone has to track.
What Changes When the Model Drives Everything
In HiCAD, users can work within an integrated 2D/3D environment. Changes made in the model can update connections, profiles, and drawings across the project, so documentation follows the design instead of chasing it. This reduces the need to manually track which files need updating. That means less manual rework and fewer files to double-check before release.
What HiCAD Generates from the 3D Model
Fabrication teams need output they can use straight away. HiCAD creates:
- Bills of materials
- NC data
- STEP and IFC files
- Detailed fabrication drawings
Generating these outputs from the same model helps keep production information aligned with the current design.
One Model for More Than Steel
Projects often include stairs, railings, cladding, glazing, and sheet metal next to structural steel. HiCAD can hold all of these in one model, so changes affecting one discipline can be checked against surrounding elements before they become fabrication or installation problems.
HiCAD by ISD Group
ISD Group develops HiCAD, and its consultants also work directly with customers to configure the software around their engineering standards, drawing requirements, and fabrication processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can HiCAD produce NC data from the 3D model?
Yes. NC data, along with STEP and IFC files, bills of materials, and fabrication drawings, can all be generated directly from the 3D model.
Does HiCAD only cover steel?
No. Sheet metal, glazing, cladding, and stairs and railings can also be part of the same model.
Want to see how a connected model works on your own projects? Book a HiCAD demo.
