National CAD Standard
 In a world where globalization is invading and
distinction is becoming the rule, We feel the
urge to pass some of the knowledge we
acquired through our years of humble
experience. We will put between your hands
some tools that will allow you in the near
future to be at the level of the challenges that
any ambitious person will face, if planning for
a successful career.
National CAD Standard
 In this course, we will introduce international
standards .
 like any language, architectural and
engineering drawings have their rules. Many
systems and codes can be applied, Maybe the
most common of all is the NCS or “National
Cad Standard” or “Standard”.
National CAD Standard
 This “Standard” will allow you and the
majority of the world to understand each
other’s through this language which is the
“drawings” that each architect will use to
express himself.
National CAD Standard
 We will start with a brief about the purpose
and reasons for the use of NCS in each
different phase of a project, then we will
define execution phases, then we will discuss
the layering system, sheet numbering
system, drafting conventions, tags and
symbols, hatch, patterns, etc…
 All that will be in the objective of a better
understanding of the project cycle and the
specific phase of your projects.
National CAD Standard
 NCS is known as the “National Cad Standards”
for architecture, engineering and construction; it
is called also “the standard”.
 NCS intent during the design phase is to speed
the transfer of information between owner,
designer, consultants, contractors and
subcontractors.
 During construction, NCS intent is to reduce
time in finding and referencing information
between owner, designer, consultants, products
suppliers and manufacturers.
National CAD Standard
 NCS Scope of work:
 Data Organization: Organize cad files: it
addresses issues such as layer name,
discipline designators, line weights, pen
assignments and the graphic organization of
the construction drawing sheets.
 Data exchange: Helps to guarantee the future
utility of today’s Cad data files.
National CAD Standard
 Chapter 1: Layers:
 Discipline – Major group – Minor Group – 2nd
minor group – status
 A
- WALL
(Page 40 - ---)
- DIMS
National CAD Standard











1 – Discipline designator – Level 1:
A → Architectural
B → Geotechnical
C → Civil
D → Process
E → Electrical
F → Fire protection
G → General
H → Hazardous materials
I → Interiors
L → Landscape
National CAD Standard











1 – Discipline designator – Level 1:
M → Mechanical
O → Operations
P → Plumbing
Q → Equipment
R → Resources
S → Structural
T → Telecommunications
T → Telecommunications
X → Other disciplines
Z → Contractor / shop drawings
National CAD Standard
 2 – Discipline designator – Level 2:
 Optional 2nd character.
Designator
-A
- AD
- AE
- AF
- AG
Designator
Architectural
Architectural Demolition
Architectural Elements
Architectural Finishes
Architectural Graphics
National CAD Standard
- AI
Architectural Interiors
- AJ
User defined
- AK
User defined
- AS
Architectural site
- Major Group: The major group is a four
character field that identifies a major building
system. No user-defined major group field
codes are not permitted. (For a full list, refer
Page 52 for all disciplines layers list.
National CAD Standard
 -Minor Group: An optional four character field
to further define the major group. User
defined minor group fields codes are
permitted.
 N.B: Any combination can be used provided
that the definition of any field code remains
unchanged.
National CAD Standard
 Chapitre II: Uniform Drawing system:
 Any user of one same drawing should be able




to vision the same result.
Project cycles: (Page 157 ….)
UDS Modules: Drawing set organization
(Page 187, 188 ….)
The UDS will discuss sheet organization,
schedules, drafting conventions, terms and
abbreviations, symbols and notations.
National CAD Standard













Discipline designators: Refer (page 189…)
The sheet type designator:
O – General
1 – Plans
2 – Elevations
3 – Sections
4 – Large-scale views
5 – Details
6 – Schedules and diagrams
7 – User defined
8 – User defined
9 – 3D representations
Please refer to “Appendix A – Discipline designators” for a listing of all
possible discipline designators for all trades.(Page 207…)
National CAD Standard
 Module 02: Sheet organization.
 The sheet organization module: (refer to Page
237…)
 Provide a consistent sheet format Explain




format: A4, A3, A1 and A0)
Presents usable examples of sheet formats.
Provides a location system of drawings on sheet.
Establishes guidelines for management,
notation and title block information.
( Fig.02.1 overall sheet layout Page239…).
National CAD Standard
 Title block area:
 (Page 244…)
 2 standards title block formats have been
identified as a part of the sheet organization
format:
 Horizontal text format
 Vertical text format
 In both types, the sheet identification block, the
sheet title block and the management block are
always oriented horizontally.
National CAD Standard
 Module 03: Schedules.
 Module 04: Drafting conventions
 (Page 362,363…)