I do both, in fact I do three. I offer clients a full surveying,
architecture and engineering service.
I have a Geodimeter direct reflex, robotic (one man operation) total station
for land surveying purposes, which in direct reflex mode is also good for
measuring elevations of adjacent properties, ridge heights, etc without
touching them. We can produce full contoured surveys and elevational
drawings. We hire local GPS where the need requires and have done the odd
hydrographic survey.
I provide full architectural services and structural engineering. I do 2D
frame and 3D space frame analysis, RC detailing (using CADS RC and am
learning steel fabrication drawings usings CADS Advance steel (worked for a
fabricator using StruCAD but know AutoCAD better)). I use QSE Plane frame
and Space frame analysis as I have the concrete and steel design modules. I
use Limcon3 for steel connection design as it is very thorough, although I
do have all the green books to do by hand if necessary. For most quick
designs and checks for hand calcs, I use TEDDS. For timber roof conversions
I use QuikFrame as this is the only frame analysis application I have found
which is good for timber design (although it doesn't check deflection
criteria automatically, which is part of the code and something I regularly
remind the software agents). Alot of my work is loft conversions although we
do light industrial and have been asked to do multidiscipline work on large
housing schemes £10's M
For Arthurs benefit I understand matrices but daren't try them long hand,
hence the software.
I have a B.Eng Hons degree in Civil Engineering and BTEC HNC in Building
Studies, I am chartered with a few Institutions and pursuing the others. I
have about 20 years industry experience.
I am a director of a local housing association, Chairman for the local
branch of the Chartered Institute of Building and Secretary (again) for the
local branch of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.
I am interested in working with a local M&E contractor, who will do full
design service but probably not buy Revit M&E. If I could buy this module,
rather than complete application, I am reaching the goal I am aiming for -
complete 'model' design service (albeit M&E would be draughting only).
Most practices do only one of the above disciplines. I offer all three based
primarily on client demand, although I do surveying and/or structural
engineering for architectural practices, who can't do these. From a clients
point of view, they come to me and I do The Job. I survey it, knowing what
is important for the future design, I design it knowing the site, knowing
about structural frames, foundations, etc and when I have received planning
approval, I do the engineering and in most cases the engineering never
compromises the architectural design...
But I do rely on alot of tools to help me do the job and it costs me
thousands of pounds per year in maintenance...
Without the tools, on a time basis I wouldn't be competitive.
Revit Structure is no use at present, it does matrices via links to other
apps, it does pretty stuff. It doesn't do 80% of the work, i.e. the
detailing. For example it doesn't do reinforced concrete detailing, it
doesn't do schedules. You can however 'draw' them if you like - but thats
not real world. Autodesk have bought RoboBat so I'm hoping a usable solution
will present itself. Until then I'll continue to use CADS RC (Beta testing
v9). I did try AllPlan and AllPlot. This does do 3D CAD Detailing and
scheduling, but it isn't Autodesk and I'm committed to using true dwg
compatible software because I need to communicate with others and don't need
the hassle of file transfer incompatibility.
My issue, which is maybe too strong a word, is that the clever bits of
Revit, the Building or Structural or M&E or FM, etc... are not available as
modular items. I am interested also in FM for asset tracking, as I do
architectural and engineering work for companies that would use the service,
I have the model... I need another new application with only 30% being what
I need - see initial comment.
I do appreciate my work throughput may not be Joe average, but reading the
various threads, I am not alone with a request for modular apps.
Regards
Tiss
"Cadkiller"
wrote in message
news:5364207@discussion.autodesk.com...
This is very true. You can hire a structural engineer just to calculate and
stamp the drawings for you. You don't need them to model the structural wood
framing for your residential house.
I do it all the time for my steel stair work. In most cases the Architect
nor the Engineer of record, want to be responsible for the stair design.
They end up passing that down to the builder. Unfortunately for me, neither
program can model, engineer and detail complex steel stairs (even simple
steel pan stairs) to a high level of detail. They only provide stairs at a
macro level and you have to use detail components to get them to the micro
level; which isn't that easy and takes alot of time to setup properly.
Soon they will come out with Revit Civil, Revit Mechanical, etc. etc. They
really need a Revit Residential version that will have some features from
Revit Structures and Revit Systems. Where an Architect, designer and or
builder can provide a complete set of drawings for a residential home with
one license and be able to produce plumbing, electrical, structural and HVAC
drawings.
--
From;
Edward Borg
Precision Drafting LLC
Http://Precisiondraftingllc.com
