Visual Search for Drawings
Search for construction details using images or sketches instead of keywords.
Definition
Visual Search for Drawings enables users to find similar construction details by uploading an image, sketch, or photo rather than typing keywords. AI analyzes the visual content—line patterns, shapes, and layout—to find matching or similar details in the firm's drawing archives. This is particularly valuable when designers know what they're looking for visually but don't know the proper terminology or file location.
In Depth
Visual Search for Drawings allows users to find drawing elements and details based on visual similarity rather than text-based naming. Instead of remembering that the stair detail is numbered 5 on sheet A5.2, a user can search for "stair detail with steel stringer" and find every matching detail across the entire project — or across every project the firm has ever done.
This is particularly powerful for detail libraries. Most firms maintain libraries of standard details, but they grow unwieldy over time — thousands of details with inconsistent naming conventions across decades of projects. Visual search lets a designer find the curtain wall sill detail they need by describing it, rather than browsing through hundreds of DWG files hoping to recognize the right one.
Cross-project visual search is where it gets really valuable. When a designer needs a sloped glazing detail for a new project, visual search can find every sloped glazing detail the firm has drawn across all past projects. The designer sees the actual drawings, can evaluate which approach fits their current project, and can reference or adapt the detail — tapping into the firm's entire design history through a single search.
Examples
Uploading a rough sketch to find similar standard details
Photographing an existing condition to find matching details
Finding visually similar details across different projects
Nomic Use Cases
See how Nomic applies this in production AEC workflows:
Frequently Asked Questions
Visual Search for Drawings enables users to find similar construction details by uploading an image, sketch, or photo rather than typing keywords. AI analyzes the visual content—line patterns, shapes, and layout—to find matching or similar details in the firm's drawing archives. This is particularly valuable when designers know what they're looking for visually but don't know the proper terminology or file location.
Uploading a rough sketch to find similar standard details. Photographing an existing condition to find matching details. Finding visually similar details across different projects.
Firm-Wide Detail Search: Give designers instant access to every detail your firm has ever drawn. Drawing Parse API: Integrate drawing recognition into your applications with a simple API.