A general arrangement drawing (GA drawing) is a contract document, which records information needed to understand the general arrangement structural elements on a project. A GA drawing is created in BIM workflows from one or more model views, with associated schedules and on a project title sheet. This is the most common form of drawing used by consulting structural engineers to communicate a structure sufficiently to other legal teams, public authorities, along with the design, costing and construction teams.

General arrangement drawings show the model from the most suitable direction. For example, in plan drawings, you are looking from the top of a building or floor down towards the ground. In elevation drawings you are looking from one of the sides of the building, like along a grid line. General arrangement drawings often contain enlarged views of complex areas or details, and other additional information that helps in the approval process and during the installation phase.

Create general arrangement drawings when you need

• Several views in one drawing, including the entire model or a part of it

• Plan drawings (foundation, floor, deck layout, and anchor bolt plans)

• Erection elevation drawings

• Information from model views, including 3D views

You can create general arrangement drawings using ribbon or pop-up menu commands in the following ways:

Create general arrangement drawings

Create general arrangement drawings using saved settings in Master Drawing Catalog

Create anchor bolt plans using saved settings

To see examples of general arrangement drawings, click the links below:

Example: Foundation plan

Example: Slab plan

Example: Framing plan

Example: Deck plan

Example: Erection elevation drawing

Example: 3D isometric drawing

Example: Anchor bolt plan