Enforcing CAD Standards

[ZenCad1960]

I am just curious how some of you or your company's enforce can standard adherence. It isn't an issue with my firm at the moment but we are going to be getting about 15 new people soon and we need to develope a clear objective in this area.

All thoughts are greatly appreciated.

ZenCad

[NuttZ]

Guns
:D :D

[Lazer]

Have the company procedure on Cad standards introduced to them on there first day induction.:)

[slimjramirez]

I ain't nuttZ, but yeah, I do enforce standards with extreme prejudice.....mainly just with a stern, "HEY!................don't do that again. kthxbai"

[ZenCad1960]

I ain't nuttZ, but yeah, I do enforce standards with extreme prejudice.....mainly just with a stern, "HEY!................don't do that again. kthxbai"

That gets old after a while doesn't it? There are more productive things I can do other than that...I was looking for a more automated solution. The CAD standards module in Autocad is ok but it is very cumbersome.

How do some of you do it? Is it like slimjramirez or do you all have other ways to enforce standards?

[Alan Cullen]

There was a mention on this some time back.....had something to do with using Jules' Bengal kitten.......:lol:

[Alan Cullen]

Guns
:D :D

NuttZ....your'e getting as bad as me.....:lol: :lol: :twisted:

[hendie]

That gets old after a while doesn't it? There are more productive things I can do other than that...I was looking for a more automated solution. The CAD standards module in Autocad is ok but it is very cumbersome.

How do some of you do it? Is it like slimjramirez or do you all have other ways to enforce standards?

Automate as much as possible making sure everything is as user friendly as can be.
Users will always take the easiest route, so if your automation is easier and faster than doing it manually, then that's the way they will choose.

[NuttZ]

NuttZ....your'e getting as bad as me.....:lol: :lol: :twisted:

:lol: We don't shoot them...just scare them o:)

[slimjramirez]

That gets old after a while doesn't it? There are more productive things I can do other than that...I was looking for a more automated solution. The CAD standards module in Autocad is ok but it is very cumbersome.

How do some of you do it? Is it like slimjramirez or do you all have other ways to enforce standards?

Rah. lol.
The people I work with aren't too bad about things. We don't use any true automated methods, but we do have a go-by where it's essentially just match-properties; this takes care of the meat & potatoes. After the first set of redlines, assuming the "quality control" people do their jobs and catch it, any other aesthetics are usually changed up by us drafters.

In the beginning though, the main "QC" guy, who was a real nazi that liked to ***** and moan even over the most petty of things ("THIS IS NOT COLOR # 112, 112, 112!!!! THIS IS MOTHER****** 111,111,111!!!!"; both plotted the same way); so we learned pretty quickly to do things right the first time in order to minimize his rants.

[acemasi]

Introduce Your Company Cad Standard to them, Set the Game Plan for everyone to follow, If one goes other way...FIRE him/her...Short & Sweet. Be fuzzy on them...

[PS_Port]

here's my 2 bob,
CAD Standards have there place.....however

.....drafting use to be slightly artistic where a draftsman could create a drawing with a certain style/look (individual) while still maintaining the integrity of the information.

.....Standards can create a mono-plain-jane mass produced product - this may be attractive to the boss.

.....If standards are in place for a reason, make sure they are clear and in writing, with an explaination of why they are in place ie. printing, lisp routines etc..

....Involve the draftsman in the work, dont enforce, encourage,

otherwise you might find yourself with some mindless drones that can draw a line.... but cant visualize, or think..

Take this with a grain, I work by myself, create standards for myself, write routines for myself, just cant let go of the past..:lol:

[Alan Cullen]

So, Paul.....

You don't actually have CAD Standards.....you just have a prefered way of working.......:twisted:

[PS_Port]

Thats about it alan, and if I step out of line , you should see the **** I get in with myself.:D

[Alan Cullen]

.......:lol: :lol: :lol:

[rustysilo]

Create a set of standard template files to start from and make sure they know which ones to use and how to use them. Have all your layers, linetypes, dim styles, text styles, etc. set up in these files. Give them direction on how the company likes their dwgs to look and let them fly. Give them some artistic leeway so they can add a little of their own character to their dwgs, but if they get a little out of hand let them know.

[Wozza]

Set up toolbars for everything that you need.

If someone here wants to write some text, they hit a button that sets the font, layer, colour, size etc.

If they want to insert a light fitting, they hit a button that inserts the correct one that comes in at the right size on the right layer etc.

If they want to draw some condenser water pipework, they hit a button that sets the linetype, colour, layer etc.

If they want to do anything, there's a button for it...

If they don't use the toolbars, you beat them without mercy.

[Cad Sponge]

at our office we have developed a template file that people use upon startup, as well as DWS files, and DWT files. Project synchronization with a standards file works well too.

[Gila]

Create a set of standard template files to start from and make sure they know which ones to use and how to use them. Have all your layers, linetypes, dim styles, text styles, etc. set up in these files.

I'm on my own and just trying to figure out which linetypes and weights print well. The layers I have set to print grey came out polka-dotted, so now I'm trying to get all the layers to print in black, but then you have to have more variety in lineweights and types. So what I'm looking for I guess is an actual template file that I can use, or some suggestions as to which lineweights/linetypes to use for which layers - I assume that also depends on the sacle you are going to print at. I'm doing landscape design, usually printing at 1/4" = 1'0".

Thanks in advance for your help.

[D7CAD]

Here we have a template with everything youll need to make a drawing and use design centre to drag in all the layers youll ever need aswell.
My approach has been to take the company cad standards...actually read it...(i know crazy) and then i made a quick ref document for the my dicipline and have introduced it to all the people using cad...they are more likely to read a 2 page document rather than 100 page document...
Just keep the basics in there...layers and what layer for what...text heights...and how to make a drawing etc..
Keep it simple :)

[Bailey]

At the moment we don’t have any standards but I’ve just finish writing the manual so will start implementing it on all new projects.
I’m using a combination of Lisp routines and templates to keep it easy for all the users (especially for the engineers lol) also with the manual I kept from getting to bogged down in detailed description, kept it stream lined so to say.
So hopefully I won’t have to get the cane out lol

But I was wondering what you guys do about existing projects before the standards where implemented? Do you update them as changes come or just leave as is??

[D7CAD]

Depends what phase they are in...if they are going to be going out the door plenty mroe times then i would tart them up to try and at least match the new standard but i wouldnt go in and change everything. Mind you this is speaking from someone who has to deal with 100's of drawing per project so it would take too much time.

Make a 1 page quick ref for engineers...Ive noticed even 2 pages is a mission to read for them.

[Bailey]

:lol: D7CAD i'll def do that.

We averige about 50 to 60 drawing per project so would be quite a mission to back date lol

[Brian_sme]

In my opinion there are 2 reasons people deviate from standards.


Your standards have holes in it that don’t work. So they have to make up something that will work.
Or they’re old and stuck in their ways.
If you have every thing and I mean every thing set up and running the way you want it and you give them it like that there should be less of a chance of them deviating from what you want. And if it’s a thing of them being stuck in there ways take what they have to offer to hart it maybe an improvement on what you have. You may want to think about changing your standards. If you don’t like what there trying to change show them why you have it the way you do. People are more likely to do things that make since.