This paper describes the process of digital design and fabrication for customized building facades and effects from highly customized configurations in U.S., major manufacturing power of China, and emerging construction in Asia and South America. Case studies are presented to form comparisons of technology adoption to project workflow in these three global contexts. Although integration of digital fabrication has shown signs of success in U.S., traditional practices of limited digital information exchange are commonplace in Asia and South America. With focus on adoption of new fabrication tools, BIM and larger production capacity, the potential benefits of digital fabrication are imminent.