FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
Join Us For The 75th Anniversary Midyear Meeting Sep 7-11 ↗

New Version of United States National CAD Standard Now Available

Words: National f NyThe American Institute of Architects (AIA), Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) have unveiled the United States National CAD Standard® (NCS) Version 4.0, the first update to the Standard since 2005.

The latest edition, designed for owners, architects, engineers, contractors, facility managers, code officials, manufacturers, and suppliers, adds the following improvements to Version 3.1:
  • Expanded and reorganized CAD Layer Guidelines make it easier to locate layer names, including new telecommunications and electrical discipline layer names.

  • Updated Uniform Drawing System adds new and revised symbols for geotech, security, fire suppression, masonry, plaster and updates and clarifies common drawing practices.

    • Completely re-written Plotting Guidelines reflect that line widths are no longer required to be mapped to color numbers.
  • Version 4.0 now includes documents in PDF, Excel, and .dwg file formats, making it easier to search and integrate the standard into CAD, BIM, costing, and other software.
"CSI and our colleagues at AIA and NIBS are proud to introduce the latest version of the National CAD Standard," said Walter Marlowe, CSI's Executive Director. "NCS Version 4.0 will further streamline design, construction, and facility operations communication among all participants in the facility lifecycle. Better communication means fewer errors and lower costs for all disciplines."

"A current, widely used National CAD Standard is an essential part of NIBS' cooperative effort with AIA, CSI, and the buildingSMART Alliance to ensure an open, interoperable information format and communication environment-including integration into the new National Building Information Model Standard (NBIMS)-that will serve both the building community and the general public," said NIBS President David A. Harris, FAIA.

NCS Version 4.0 will benefit a wide range of industry stakeholders:
  • Owners and facility managers will benefit from a consistent appearance of drawing sets for all projects, reducing errors and change orders.

  • Designers will spend less time creating and maintaining in-house office standards.

  • Contractors will benefit from a consistent detail reference system.

  • Code officials will benefit from the consistent location of regulatory information in the drawing set and on specific individual sheets.

  • Manufacturers and suppliers will save time on price quotes and submittal review and approval.
The NCS incorporates three important components from the partnering organizations: AIA's CAD Layer Guidelines; Modules 1-8 of CSI's Uniform Drawing System; and NIBS' Introduction, Appendices, and Plotting Guidelines (all maintained and balloted by the NIBS NCS Project Committee).Combining these resources, the NCS prescribes CAD layer names, drawing set organization, drafting, notation, and plotting conventions. It adds an extensive symbols library and thousands of terms and abbreviations.

Over 5,000 workplaces have voluntarily adopted the NCS since its debut in 1999. Many federal agencies require NCS use and many private sector users have adopted it, including auto manufacturers, international shipping companies, national retailers and financial service providers. The NCS helps building designers, constructors and operators coordinate their efforts by classifying electronic design data consistently, easing information retrieval. It improves communication among owners and project teams, cuts or eliminates costs of developing and maintaining company-specific standards, and reduces the expense of transferring building data from design applications to facility management applications.

To order NCS Version 4.0, visit www.nationalcadstandard.org.
 0
The Evolution of Women in Masonry
August 2025

The masonry industry was created by gathering common materials and utilizing these materials with convention. Historically, men have been at the forefront of this ancient craft, finding ways to create structures with stone, brick, and concrete units. The

Cassie Mejia
Industry News
Read More
Achieving Realistic Looks with Manufactured Materials: Elevating Aesthetics in Modern Masonry Projects
August 2025

In the evolving landscape of masonry design and construction, contractors are increasingly called upon to marry tradition with innovation. Homeowners, architects, and developers demand materials that not only perform well but also look indistinguishably a

Rob McKay
Technical Talks
Read More
STABILA Introduces Innovative New Products for Fall Launch
August 2025

STABILA, a trusted name synonymous with precision, durability, and quality, is excited to announce the launch of several innovative products this fall. The lineup features the compact and versatile LAX320G laser level and the advanced LD530 Laser Distance

Rich Morse
MAP Partner
Read More
Westlake Royal Building Products™ Introduces Haint Blue Color for Royal® Reversible Beadboard/V-Groove Profile
August 2025

Westlake Royal Building Products™ (“Westlake Royal”), a Westlake company (NYSE: WLK), announced today the launch of Haint Blue, a new color for its 6” Reversible Beadboard/V-Groove Profile, part of the Royal® Trim & Mouldings line. Inspired by the century

Kriss Swint
MAP Partner
Read More