Drafting Methods

[Anonymous]

In an era of tightening margins we are looking at ways to increase
productivity and efficiency. I have always felt that left to their own
devices people will find the fastest way for them to draft. I no longer
think this is true. I was wondering what experience other CAD Managers have
had with trying to change the way people draft in AutoCAD. We have only
been on CAD for 15 months, and none of them have any other CAD experience,
so I am not going to be stepping on years of knowledge. But, I am a bit
concerned that it might not go well. Any advise or experience that you may
have with this would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Robert

[Anonymous]

There are usually two steps involved, in my experience:

1. Develop a complete set of AutoLISP macros and utilities for doing normal
editing tasks that you do all the time - but take it beyond simple two-command
macro-for-command substitution. For instance, create a "B" command that performs
the BLOCK command, but supercharge it - have it check the objects people select
to make the block, and make sure they are on layer 0 or Defpoints. That not only
makes the block command easier, but also foolproofs the process at the same
time.

2. Train your users regularly on what's available, and how these things work.
Preferably in regular users mettings where you sit at a machine and run through
all of the macros and what they can do. Show users in the context of tedious
day-to-day editing operations that you wrap up into simple keyboard macros.

Drafters, left to their own, will either (a) only go so far to become
semi-competent, and completely stop making inroads to learning all the bits of
the application, or (b) steadily increase their knowledge of AutoCAD to learn
how to bend it to their will. Type A people are the norm, and become your
average slug CAD user, and usually go on to live horrid little lives in trailer
parks Whereas the type B's generally move up to garner fame and fortune as
highly skilled CAD professionals, and marry supermodels.

Your role is to try to create as many Type B's as you can.

Matt
stachoni@bellatlantic.net

On Fri, 12 Jan 2001 12:27:27 -0800, "Robert Connor"
wrote:

>In an era of tightening margins we are looking at ways to increase
>productivity and efficiency. I have always felt that left to their own
>devices people will find the fastest way for them to draft. I no longer
>think this is true. I was wondering what experience other CAD Managers have
>had with trying to change the way people draft in AutoCAD. We have only
>been on CAD for 15 months, and none of them have any other CAD experience,
>so I am not going to be stepping on years of knowledge. But, I am a bit
>concerned that it might not go well. Any advise or experience that you may
>have with this would be very much appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Robert

[Anonymous]

Robert I think you would find it easier then most of us. I would start with
some standards and start creating simple macros. Also I would listen to
them, some of the problems they are having and addressing them. Have they
had some kind of training? Set up a CAD forum where everyone gets together
and usually complains. Just a few ideas

pat

"Robert Connor" wrote in message
news:5E1613A03D8FA47F4E76FB41E9944666@in.WebX.SaUCah8kaAW...
> In an era of tightening margins we are looking at ways to increase
> productivity and efficiency. I have always felt that left to their own
> devices people will find the fastest way for them to draft. I no longer
> think this is true. I was wondering what experience other CAD Managers
have
> had with trying to change the way people draft in AutoCAD. We have only
> been on CAD for 15 months, and none of them have any other CAD experience,
> so I am not going to be stepping on years of knowledge. But, I am a bit
> concerned that it might not go well. Any advise or experience that you
may
> have with this would be very much appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Robert
>

[Anonymous]

my two cents...

Make sure that they work on each others files & your's rather than alone so that
they see examples & learn from each other. This will quickly motivate them to
adhere to any sort of standards, & they can come to you for clever solutions
when they have a problem. Try not to force techniques but suggest improvements.
Also, I think it's best to set up projects yourself for a while with scales,
sheets, etc at least to start with.

Robert Connor wrote:

> In an era of tightening margins we are looking at ways to increase
> productivity and efficiency. I have always felt that left to their own
> devices people will find the fastest way for them to draft. I no longer
> think this is true. I was wondering what experience other CAD Managers have
> had with trying to change the way people draft in AutoCAD. We have only
> been on CAD for 15 months, and none of them have any other CAD experience,
> so I am not going to be stepping on years of knowledge. But, I am a bit
> concerned that it might not go well. Any advise or experience that you may
> have with this would be very much appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Robert

[Anonymous]

Thank you Matt, Patrick, and Paul.

We have a full set of templates that include all of our page setups, layer
conventions wall, door window styles, the whole nine yards. People
regularly work on other people projects, and this does push everyone towards
adhering to our standards. But, I think that we are doing pretty well with
standardization. I think that I have been lacking in demonstrating my
knowledge. I have user meetings, but I have not spent enough time showing
people what I do that works well.

I think that I will start by showing them some shortcuts, giving them lists
of tricks and tips, and continuing to ask that they let me know when the run
up against a problem that must have a better solution. I will let everyone
know how it goes. Any additional help is still appreciated.

Thanks again,

Robert

"Robert Connor" wrote in message
news:5E1613A03D8FA47F4E76FB41E9944666@in.WebX.SaUCah8kaAW...
> In an era of tightening margins we are looking at ways to increase
> productivity and efficiency. I have always felt that left to their own
> devices people will find the fastest way for them to draft. I no longer
> think this is true. I was wondering what experience other CAD Managers
have
> had with trying to change the way people draft in AutoCAD. We have only
> been on CAD for 15 months, and none of them have any other CAD experience,
> so I am not going to be stepping on years of knowledge. But, I am a bit
> concerned that it might not go well. Any advise or experience that you
may
> have with this would be very much appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Robert
>

[Anonymous]

No wonder you didn't bring your wife around to any of the cad-geek functions
at AU...knew we'd be jealous. We bow to your greatness, oh Matt of higher
life form. 🙂

--
James Wedding, E.I.T.
IT Manager
Jones & Boyd, Inc.
Dallas, Texas
jwedding@NOSPAMjones-boyd.com
Remove NOSPAM from e-mail for reply.

[Anonymous]

On Mon, 15 Jan 2001 05:54:40 -0800, "James Wedding, E.I.T."
wrote:

>No wonder you didn't bring your wife around to any of the cad-geek functions
>at AU...knew we'd be jealous.

Ah, she was too busy at the craps tables to bother with us anyway 🙂 Besides,
she has to live with one CAD geek now, so spending lots of time with a bunch of
'em was probably at the top of her list of wonderful things to do that day.

Matt
stachoni@bellatlantic.net