National Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Standard

Learn about the standard established by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to ensure consistency and quality in the creation of computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) deliverables.

National computer-aided design and drafting standard

About the standard

The PSPC National CADD Standard outlines essential requirements for the production of CADD deliverables including the specifications for the file format, presentation, layering, annotations and the numbering and naming of drawings.

Annexes of the National CADD Standard

The PSPC National CADD Standard includes separate annexes that provide additional information on specific topics such as layers and symbols as well as the tools available for AutoCAD, Civil 3D and Revit.

Annex A : Layers

Appendix A includes a standard list of the most commonly used layers and standard lists of fields and extensions for creating new layers.

Annex B: Symbols and graphics

Annex B explains the standard symbols and graphics used for different disciplines. It also provides an AutoCAD drawing file with blocks, hatch patterns, and line types.

Annex C: Toolkit for AutoCAD

Annex C offers specialized AutoCAD tools to help users adopt and apply the standard in a CADD environment. The Toolkit for AutoCAD includes three tools:

• Quality Assurance Check: Ensures your drawings meet PSPC National CADD Standards.
• Tool Palettes: Offers a complete library of symbols and graphics, organized by discipline, accessible via the AutoCAD Tool Palettes interface.
• CADD Toolkit Plugin: Provides custom plugin to create layers on-the-fly and check drawing compliance with the PSPC National computer-aided design and drafting standard.

Annex D: Toolkit for Civil 3D

Annex D offers specialized AutoCAD Civil 3D tools to help users adopt and apply the standard in a Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment. The Toolkit for Civil 3D includes three tools:

• Civil 3D Template: A starting point for Civil 3D projects.
• Civil 3D Sheet Templates: To be used with the Civil 3D Plan and Production tools to simplify the creation of construction documentation.
• Sheet Set Template: Helps manage, organize, and collaborate on Civil 3D projects.

Annex E : Toolkit for Revit

Annex E offers specialized Revit tools to help users adopt and apply the standard in a Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment. The Toolkit for Revit includes three tools:

• Revit Template: A starting point for Revit projects.
• Revit Library: A collection of commonly used families and family types from past projects.
• DWG Export Procedure: Simplifies exporting Revit sheets to a format that complies with the PSPC National CADD Standard.

Related link

Documentation and Deliverables Manual for Architectural and Engineering Consultants

More Information

For questions or further information on the PSPC National CADD Standard, please contact the National Centre of Expertise for Geomatics Services by email at CADD-CDAO@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca.