[en] The nuclear industry, beset with increasing costs of constructing new nuclear plants, needs new initiatives. One, recently developed, is the use of CAD-IGS techniques that are proven beneficial in reducing the construction costs. This methodology had been used successfully in aerospace and automotive industries for many years. Westinghouse CAD-IGS experience with an overseas nuclear plant, now under construction, demonstrates this to be an effective tool for design verification and project management with excellent capabilities for application to new designs and operating plant support. This is accomplished through the CAD plant model and associated data base, which results in reducing human error, more complete preengineering before the start of construction and effective space utilization. Furthermore, the data base accurately represents the as-built plant, which is essential for expediting future plant upgrades. Computer-based modeling is less expensive than the conventional scale modeling and the current technology developments viz. optical scanners, photogrammetry, IGES, and advanced minicomputers will favorably improve the cost-effectiveness