For major events, CAD software plays an important role for providing in-depth information about the venues and spaces involved. Organisers often rely on platforms such as AutoCAD and VectorWorks, among others, to assist in their event mapping. As map-based visual event and venue planning software, Iventis is frequently compared to CAD. We’re often asked whether we are an alternative to CAD, if CAD is necessary
to get the most from our platform, and more. Read on to understand the difference between the Iventis Planner and CAD – and how they can be used together to enhance major event planning.
How is CAD used in the events industry?
CAD ensures that the infrastructure designs for major events are clear, accurate, and compliant with planning approvals, construction specifications, and health and safety or public event regulations, such as rigging weight bearing. However, planning these elements on CAD software requires a deep understanding of the platform, which often requires a specialist. This reliance on a specialist or a small team to manage all aspects of the overlay can lead to bottlenecks, slowing down the planning process.
The balance of information
Event professionals frequently grapple with a challenging decision: master complex, technical software or settle for more accessible but less specialised tools that aren’t necessarily fit for purpose. The dilemma typically boils down to a choice: using CAD or opting for simpler, more generalised methods. CAD software provides an extraordinary amount of detail, which is vital for architects and engineers but can be overwhelming for event organisers who may only need a fraction of its capabilities. This makes CAD a disproportionately expensive and complicated option for those who aren’t using it to its full extent.
To circumvent this, event organisers often resort to universally accessible, general-purpose software such as Microsoft Office, Canva or Google Maps. Contrary to CAD, these platforms often lack the necessary detail for accurate event planning. This shortfall forces organisers to manually ensure that all aspects of the event are accounted for. As these platforms are often used to plan a specific element of an event – using Google Maps for route planning or PowerPoint for drawing site plans, for example – organisers end up with fragmented plans across a range of platforms. This not only creates inconsistencies across different functional areas but can also lead to difficulties in managing version control. Iventis was designed to bridge this gap, providing a specialised platform that equips event professionals with all the necessary tools in one unified system.
Iventis: Sitting in the sweet spot
Developed to make operational event planning more accessible, Iventis allows organisers to focus less on the complexities of CAD and more on high-quality output. This offers several advantages, including improved collaboration, cost savings and enhanced spatial planning.
Built-in collaboration
While it is not a CAD platform, Iventis works in tandem with CAD drawings to provide an easier method for overlaying. Once a CAD is created, it can be uploaded directly into the web-based platform and used as a basis for every stage of operational planning. This removes the bottleneck from CAD professionals, as they no longer need to individually add information from every functional area – every team can create and edit
their own aspects.
Streamlining costs
For many events, this means that organisers can reduce expenses by discontinuing CAD subscriptions once the CAD drawings have been uploaded to the Iventis Planner. Since CAD software is incredibly specialised and costly, this method can lead to significant savings.
Geospatial planning
Iventis also brings the benefit of geospatial planning to CAD. Individual CAD drawings are isolated, so it can be difficult to plan aspects such as ingress and egress, transport or city operations. By uploading a CAD directly to the Iventis Planner, organisers can visualise the plan within its exact physical location. This helps to ensure that every element of the event can be planned in one place, streamlining the planning process
and ensuring all plans are geographically accurate and feasible.
Your comprehensive tool for event planning
While the Iventis Planner is not a CAD program, it enhances CAD by providing a more visual, accessible and intuitive planning experience. It democratises the power of CAD, delivering essential planning functionalities without the complexity of CAD’s highly specialised architectural detail. What’s more, Iventis continuously evolves, developing new features to enhance the platform. Features designed to enable more accurate drawing, for example, are underway to further decrease reliance on CAD software. To discover how the Iventis Planner can complement or potentially replace your currentCAD software, book a demo with one of our experts.