Version 4.0 of the National CAD Standard (NCS), released in January 2008, is the first update to the standard since 2005. The NCS is a consensus document that incorporates three important components from the partnering organizations: the AIA’s CAD Layer Guidelines; modules 1–8 of the Construction Specification Institute’s Uniform Drawing System; and the National Institute of Building Sciences’ Introduction, Appendices, and Plotting Guidelines.

The new edition—intended for owners, architects, engineers, contractors, facility managers, code officials, manufacturers, and suppliers—features the following improvements:

Expanded and reorganized CAD Layer Guidelines makes 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, and plaster; it also updates and clarifies common drawing practices

Completely revised Plotting Guidelines reflect that line widths are no longer required to be mapped to color numbers

NCS v4.0 streamlines the exchange of building design and construction data, which can help reduce costs and produce efficiencies in the process.

Visit the NCS Web site to learn more and to purchase version 4.0.