Facade Engineering

HiCAD - 3D-CAD-SOFTWARE FOR FACADE ENGINEERING

Elevate Facade Engineering
with 2D/3D CAD: From
Design to Automated
Production Documents

What is HiCAD Façade Engineering?

Welcome to HiCAD Facade Engineering Solutions—a cutting-edge platform designed to streamline the creation of visually stunning and technically precise facades. HiCAD enhances your workflow with advanced digital tools, empowering engineers to design facades that combine aesthetic appeal with energy efficiency. By seamlessly integrating architectural data, HiCAD enables the development of complex facade designs in various creative forms, producing a detailed digital twin that simplifies and optimizes every step of the project lifecycle.

Key Features of HiCAD Facade Engineering

Automated cladding panel layout for faster design
Panel libraries from leading manufacturers and unitized panels
Integration with partner systems (e.g., Logikal by Orgadata) for windows, doors, and facade elements
Specialized tools for all facade types: cladding, glazing/curtain wall, complete building envelopes
Point cloud integration from 3D scans (e.g., FARO, Leica)
BIM-compliant models that support as-built documentation for construction and ongoing maintenance

Full Video: HiCAD 3D-CAD for impressive façade designs | ISD Group &Thermo Konstrukties I Customer Reference on YouTube

Features that Set HiCAD Apart

Automated 3-D installation, individual grids:Youtube

Automated Element Installation for Facade Engineering

HiCAD makes element installation effortless. With a dedicated plugin, grids can be automatically generated to meet your design requirements. Whether you create an elevation grid via an intuitive menu or extract it directly from a 2D sketch, HiCAD offers unmatched flexibility to fit your workflow. Choose from an extensive library of panels from renowned manufacturers or design custom panels tailored to your specific needs. With specialized tools for creating diverse facades and substructures in 3D, HiCAD empowers you to deliver efficient, high-quality results with ease.

Streamlined Collaboration with BIM Planning

BIM planning revolutionizes collaboration between clients, architects, and third parties, ensuring a seamless exchange of accurate model information. Essential data, such as precise dimensions, fire and acoustic ratings, thermal transmittance, and other critical properties, can be easily shared, fostering clear communication and efficient coordination across all stakeholders.
By reducing misunderstandings and minimizing errors, BIM planning streamlines the design and construction process, resulting in smoother workflows and better project outcomes. Additionally, it ensures alignment with building regulations and performance standards, enabling you to deliver compliant, high-quality projects with confidence.

Identical part search and production drawing creation

Our Identical Part Search feature streamlines your workflow by allowing you to quickly locate and reuse existing parts from your library. This not only saves valuable time but also minimizes design errors, ensuring a more efficient process. When combined with Production Drawing Creation, HiCAD automatically generates accurate and detailed drawings, maintaining consistency in manufacturing and simplifying the production process. This powerful combination enhances productivity, reduces costs, and delivers high-quality results across all stages of your project. For more in-depth tutorials and demonstrations of HiCAD Facade Engineering, visit our YouTube Channel ISD Group International. Explore features, tips, and tools to elevate your design capabilities.

Why Choose HiCAD Facade Engineering?

At ISD Group, we work with trusted partners like FARO and Leica to ensure precise measurements using advanced scanners and point cloud technology. Through our partnership with Logikal by Orgadata, we enable seamless integration of windows, doors, and facade elements, ensuring an optimized workflow for facade engineering.

HiCAD offers a robust catalog of panels from industry-leading manufacturers, including 3A Composites | Alucobond. This ensures seamless integration and precision in facade design, allowing you to effortlessly incorporate high-quality materials into your projects.

Our team offers specialized webinars, training videos, and hands-on sessions for facade engineers. We provide test versions of our software to explore its capabilities, and our experienced trainers deliver in-depth training to help you maximize the potential of our tools.

Client Testimonials

HiCAD - Trusted by Industry Leaders

Since switching to HiCAD, our design process has become exponentially more efficient. The flexibility and precision are simply unparalleled. We’ve been able to take on more complex projects with confidence, knowing that HiCAD has our back.– Ryan Diamond, VDC Manager at True Metal Solutions

Modeling Process in Facade Engineering

DESIGN
PROCESS

Simplify Complex Facade Engineering with HiCAD

As buildings reach new heights and facade designs become increasingly intricate, the engineering process demands advanced tools and workflows.

PointCloud Integration
Collaboration with Architects
2D Sketch Creation
Grid Creation
Panel Design/Automated Panel Placement
Substructure Design
Steel and Sheet Metal Integration
Windows & Doors Element Integration
BIM Integration

HiCAD’s specialized design tools, material integration, and automation-driven workflows simplify even the most complex projects. From concept to fabrication, HiCAD empowers engineers to deliver high-quality results efficiently, making it an essential tool for modern facade projects.

DOCUMENTATION
&VALIDATION

Automated Documentation and Data Management with HiCAD and HELiOS

HiCAD automates the generation of detailed
drawings and documentation from the 3D
model, including sections, dimensions, and
connection details, ensuring compliance with
industry standards and BIM integration for
efficient communication. Documentation is
dynamically updated with every design
change, maintaining accuracy throughout the project lifecycle.

Complementing HiCAD, HELiOS takes project data management to the next level by organizing and streamlining document handling. Together, HiCAD and HELiOS provide a fully integrated solution for efficient design, documentation, and data management.

FABRICATION &
CONSTRUCTION

Optimize Facade Fabrication with HiCAD

HiCAD simplifies the facade fabrication process by automating the creation of production-ready files, including CNC data. It transforms 3D models into detailed production drawings, such as cutting lists, panel layouts, and assembly instructions, providing all the necessary details for accurate and efficient manufacturing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HiCAD Facade Engineering used for?

HiCAD Facade Engineering is used for a wide range of applications in the facade design and construction industry, offering advanced tools and automation for various disciplines:

Facade Design/Modeling – Focuses on the design and creation of facades, including cladding, glazing, and customized solutions, with automated tools for precise modeling and panel placement.

Substructure Design – Specialized tools for the design of supporting substructures, ensuring proper alignment and structural integrity of the facade elements.

Panel and Material Integration – Enables seamless integration of panels from a library of well-known manufacturers or custom panels, including steel, sheet metal, and glazing systems.

Facade Fabrication – Supports the fabrication process by automating the generation of production-ready files, including CNC data, panel layouts, and cutting lists for efficient manufacturing.

Industrial Facades – Focuses on the design and construction of robust, functional facades for industrial buildings, factories, and warehouses, incorporating elements like large panels, specialized cladding, and durable materials tailored for industrial environments.

Modular Facades – Facilitates the design of modular facade systems for quick assembly and disassembly, promoting cost efficiency, scalability, and reduced construction times, especially in modern building projects.

Building Envelopes – Offers a flexible and intuitive design environment for creating building envelopes of any scale or complexity.

Curtain Wall Systems – Supports the design of curtain wall systems, including the creation of glazing panels, mullions, transoms, and other structural components.

Metal Engineering – Streamlines the design and engineering of glass rooftops and metal structures, ensuring structural integrity and seamless integration with facade systems.

Sunshades and Canopies – Provides tools for designing sunshades, louvers, and canopies to enhance energy efficiency, offer weather protection, and add aesthetic value to building facades.

Who uses HiCAD Facade Engineering?

HiCAD Facade Engineering is widely adopted by professionals across the facade design and construction industry, including

Facade Designers – Craft innovative and functional facade systems by integrating cladding, glazing, and metal components to balance aesthetics and technical performance.

Facade Engineers – Focus on the structural design and analysis of facades, ensuring safety, stability, and compliance with energy efficiency and building regulations.

Metal Engineers – Design and fabricate custom steel, sheet metal, and metallic elements for structural and aesthetic requirements in facade systems.

Facade Fabricators – Transform design concepts into physical components with precise fabrication drawings, optimizing material use and ensuring accurate production.

Construction Professionals – Contractors and project managers utilize HiCAD for on-site assembly and installation, reducing errors and ensuring compliance with design specifications and building codes.

Educational Institutions – Train future facade engineers with hands-on experience in design, analysis, and project management, leveraging HiCAD’s advanced virtual tools.