Could anyone share their CAD Standards Manual

I am new to the CAD management game. I have been handling customizations, setups, troubleshooting etc. at my company since about the time I started a year and a half ago and was recently asked to write a CAD standard manual. I have a pretty good idea about what should be in there and what I would like to see in there, but would like a couple to look at as templates for writing and organizing my company's manual. I do not intend to copy the manual as we already have most of the standards in place, just not documented, I just would like some guidance on a format and making sure I cover the bases.
I would also like to make this a training manual as well that gets more into how and why of the drafting/sheet setup, so any help in that department is also great.
Thanks in advance, and all tips are appreciated.

Lawrence

Have you considered doing the manual online rather than a printed manual? There has been some discussion related to that here in this forum in the last few months.

For example, we are moving our manual to a wiki and when that is done, I will be adding XAML files to the CUIx files to point users to the wiki.

Believe me I would love to put it online. Unfortunately my company is not exactly forward thinking when it comes to using the web/technology. While I have recently gotten my company to buy new $3800 machines for out Revit users, we have a website that's not been updated since July 20, 2001 and it looks like it was 8 years before that. So for now I am going to have to do it the old fashion way.

You are not limited to web-based technology. Others are using help files, for example.

If you are using AutoCAD 2009 or higher you can use XAML file(s) in the CUI.

I'm not saying a printed manual is bad (ok, I am), I'm just seeing if you have though outside the box.

(Printed manuals are "bad" because, in my experience, they are rarely read and just waste paper. With online manuals/help the user can print the stuff they often use and get the rarely used info at their fingertips when needed.)

How do the XAML files in the CUI work? We keep up to date on AutoCAD so we're using 2010. I can see how they are helpful when it comes to showing how a command works, but how this would be applied to replacing a standards manual. I am all for getting standard and training information to people right through the program rather than a book, as you say it's more likely to be used. The only problem I could see with a system that would have you searching for answers to questions is how do people know the questions to ask without it being laid out before them in print. I am more than willing to think about this out of the box, just want to make sure I end up with a system that allows people without experience working with us to start up and have all the information available in a way that will be usable and helpful.

Ooooh XAML... something else I need to read up on.

Who says "online" has to be "online"? Print to PDF, or any other format in a read-only location, and throw in a link in the menu, or a desktop shortcut. Word and Adobe Reader are readily available and have all the required search tools. Leave the tech stuff like wikis until later when you have the standards format established and have had time to sit down with the IT folks.

And I share the sentiments about hard copies. As I always say, "Its out of date the minute it gets printed."

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Originally Posted by lawrencerobinson5

How do the XAML files in the CUI work? We keep up to date on AutoCAD so we're using 2010. I can see how they are helpful when it comes to showing how a command works, but how this would be applied to replacing a standards manual. I am all for getting standard and training information to people right through the program rather than a book, as you say it's more likely to be used. The only problem I could see with a system that would have you searching for answers to questions is how do people know the questions to ask without it being laid out before them in print. I am more than willing to think about this out of the box, just want to make sure I end up with a system that allows people without experience working with us to start up and have all the information available in a way that will be usable and helpful.

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The XAML file(s) would be useful for documenting the tools in the UI, not the entirety of what a CAD Manual normally covers.

Ok, back to the OP. Here is what I have developed so far. It started from what was already here when I arrived and was massaged with what I learned from here and a few other good "cad manager" web sites I frequent. It is never done so don't consider it a completed document.

I'll tell you this, I understand what you are asking. I needed a good example when I first started too. That is why I'm sharing this one with you. Most people don't want to give it out because they think it's sacred or something.

I keep this one in a hard copy printed form for those in my office who prefer that as well as a web site on our file server. I update both as needed. Some like electronic versions, some don't. The web site version gives me the ability to link to training videos on given topics or reference sites or what ever I think is handy. Just something to think about. Not everyone knows how to make web pages, not everyone who can make web pages make good ones. That includes me. ;-)

Thanks, Tim, for sharing this. Seriously, it's hard to find a good example.

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Originally Posted by TerribleTim

Ok, back to the OP. Here is what I have developed so far. It started from what was already here when I arrived and was massaged with what I learned from here and a few other good "cad manager" web sites I frequent. It is never done so don't consider it a completed document.

I'll tell you this, I understand what you are asking. I needed a good example when I first started too. That is why I'm sharing this one with you. Most people don't want to give it out because they think it's sacred or something.

I keep this one in a hard copy printed form for those in my office who prefer that as well as a web site on our file server. I update both as needed. Some like electronic versions, some don't. The web site version gives me the ability to link to training videos on given topics or reference sites or what ever I think is handy. Just something to think about. Not everyone knows how to make web pages, not everyone who can make web pages make good ones. That includes me. ;-)

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thanks, I am in the middle of trying to write, and implement a hard copy and share point version of a CAD standards manual as well. 21 pages.....nice, this is a great help

Does anyone know the best way to make sure everyone in the company follows the CAD Standards?

Robert Green had a nice series of articles last year. Here is one. Some others.

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Originally Posted by bintajm

Does anyone know the best way to make sure everyone in the company follows the CAD Standards?

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Have a CAD security guard... lol

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Originally Posted by cadprodesign78

Have a CAD security guard... lol

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Reminds me of this:

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Originally Posted by BlackBox

Numpties require training...

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Originally Posted by Sun Tzu, On the Matter of Training

...
In [CAD Standards], everyone is expected to obey the rules and regulations or he will be punished. To this, the [Cheif Operations Officer (COO)] assented.

Then he ordered that one hundred and eighty [numpties] be selected from among the [company numpties] to receive [CAD] training under [The CAD Manager] who divided the [numpties] into two [production teams] and made two of the [COO's] most favorite [numpties] their [Supervisors]. [The CAD Manager] then said to the [COO], "A good [production team] cannot be built without strict discipline. Although those [numpties] are [company numpties], discipline must be enforced without exception. So please send me two [Senior numpties] to enforce [CAD Standards]. " The [COO] consented.

The [CAD Standards we soon implemented]. [The CAD Manager] first [must make] known the rules and regulations to be obeyed and then explained to the [numpties] how to execute such commands as "[Use proper Osnaps]", "[Purge All]", "[Copy Objects]", "[Save the drawing]", "[Create a New drawing]", "[Archive the project]" and so on.

After he was finished with this, he asked the [numpties], "Is it all clear now?" "[Sure, man]," the [numpties] replied. But [The CAD Manager] explained the rules and regulations once again and then had the drummers beat out martial music.

At this, he shouted commands such as "[Use proper Osnaps]" and "[Copy Objects] " Instead of carrying out his commands, the [numpties] started giggling. [The CAD Manager] said, turning very serious, "It apparently is my fault not to have made the rules and regulations and commands plain enough. " So he reiterated what he had said before, explaining very carefully the rules and regulations and the way to carry out the commands.

After that he once again had the drummers beat out martial music and started giving commands. However, he met with only rings of laughter. Now [The CAD Manager] looked very stern and said seriously, "If I had not made sufficiently clear the discipline and the commands, it would be my fault.

Now that everything has been made clear and still you have failed to execute my orders, the [Supervisors] must be held responsible. " He ordered that the two [Supervisors] be beheaded immediately in public, as a warning to all.
...

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<snip>

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Unless you can configure CAD Standards in to your CAD configuration it will be difficult. If you are using something like ProjectWise or some other document control application to manage drawing production & workflows then you can enforce standards so drawings will not move from design to ready for check unless standards are met.