New school assignment questions

[evaniejane]

Hi everybody,

I can see that I'm not the first to ask these questions, but I'm currently learning AutoCAD as part of my Interior Design class, and theres an assignment where I have to Interview an AutoCAD used and get the following questions answered. I'm new to the field but I already love doing AutoCAD. Please answer the questions and add any advice you might have to someone who are starting in the field:

Your Name, location, and profession?

When do you use CAD in the production process (i.e. preliminary design, design development, etc.)?

The types of standardization you use?

Advantages or disadvantages that CAD brings to your practice?

Any advice?


Thanks,

Evaniejane

[Harold Pei Jr]

I would just use the same answers as everyone else. I still wonder, are you all from the same school, taking the same class?

[Harold Pei Jr]

Hi everybody,

I can see that I'm not the first to ask these questions, but I'm currently learning AutoCAD as part of my Interior Design class, and theres an assignment where I have to Interview an AutoCAD used and get the following questions answered. I'm new to the field but I already love doing AutoCAD. Please answer the questions and add any advice you might have to someone who are starting in the field:

Your Name, location, and profession?

When do you use CAD in the production process (i.e. preliminary design, design development, etc.)?

The types of standardization you use?

Advantages or disadvantages that CAD brings to your practice?

Any advice?


Thanks,

Evaniejane

Actually, I just thought of a disadvantage that I don't remember being brought up. People have this view that it should be 2-3 times quicker to do preliminary design work with CAD than by hand (they do here anyway). Personally, I say going by hand is faster, but for revisions, CAD is faster.

[evaniejane]

We are probably from the same school. I'm taking Interior design at Art Institute Online. The study is made up of a number of 6 week modules. I've done classes on drawing, color theory and drafting (hand drafting) and I'm now taking a class called Introduction to AutoCAD. There will be later classes as well where AutoCAD is being used.

I find that I seem to have a knack for AutoCAd and I really like it.

I am using the other answers to make a summary, but I have be careful not to be accused of plagiarism so i was hoping to get some unique answer myself

~Evaniejane

[Julie.Integra]

Your Name, location, and profession?

Julie Remke
Indiana, United States
Freelance Structural Steel Detailer

When do you use CAD in the production process (i.e. preliminary design, design development, etc.)?

I produce all fabrication shop drawings, and field erection drawings for ALL structural steel (and some miscellaneous metals) components of commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. This happens AFTER architects'/engineers' design drawings have been released (although it doesn't necessarily mean designs won't be changed during -- or even AFTER -- I've detailed steel components for the fabricator and field use drawings for the erector).

The types of standardization you use?

Drawings are created based on standards set by AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction), NISD (National Institute of Steel Detailing) , OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), AWS (American Welding Society), and many more governing organizations. There are Codes of Standard Practice to adhere to, as well as building codes... etc. As far as standardizing CAD drawings goes... there are steel industry-wide standards and common practices that come into play, with respect to how drawings are presented and organized.

Advantages or disadvantages that CAD brings to your practice?

Since I started detailing steel back in 1987 -- "on the board", or "hand drafting" (as you called it) -- I have first-hand knowledge of how CAD has affected the profession: In nearly ALL aspects, CAD has improved my productivity and efficiency. In my particular case, CAD's had no relevance over accuracy... because of how I utilize it. And the only thing that I miss about drawing on the board is that it's more difficult now to distinguish one detailer's drawings from another.

Any advice?

You can read all the manuals and guides you can get your hands on (which I DO highly recommend)... but the best and fastest way to become an expert in CAD is to explore it and use it every day!

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I hope this information is helpful to you. Good luck with your assignment!