Niknaz Aftahi Explores ARES Trinity: Rethinking BIM-to-DWG Automation for Complex AEC Projects

BIM has transformed the way AEC teams design, but the documentation process still lags behind. As Niknaz Aftahi puts it, “BIM is smarter than ever. So why are we still doing so much manually?” Despite highly intelligent models, teams continue to spend a disproportionate amount of time on producing drawings—often up to “30 to 40% of a project’s total time.” This disconnect highlights a persistent gap between design intelligence and deliverable output.

The issue isn’t just inefficiency—it’s a structural bottleneck. Skilled BIM professionals are still tied up with repetitive 2D tasks like labeling, dimensioning, and formatting. As the article notes, “BIM has transformed how we design. It hasn’t yet transformed how we document.” This reliance on manual workflows not only slows projects down but also increases the risk of errors and inconsistencies in final deliverables.

Graebert’s ARES Trinity 2027 aims to close this gap by automating BIM-to-DWG documentation workflows. By leveraging the data already embedded in BIM models, it generates coordinated, annotated drawings with minimal manual intervention. The result is a more streamlined pipeline that connects design, documentation, and collaboration—freeing teams to focus on higher-value work instead of repetitive drafting tasks.

Ultimately, the promise of automation goes beyond speed. As Aftahi emphasizes, “The most valuable thing automation gives you isn’t just speed. It’s your time back.” With solutions like ARES Trinity, AEC teams can finally start realizing BIM’s full potential—not just in design, but in delivering accurate, high-quality documentation at scale.