New Office - New Standards

Hi,

The management at my office asked me to set up the standards for the architectural department. We are a very small office of 5 people with lots of production drawings to do. After reviewing my options, I went with AIA's standards in terms of layering, file names and plot files. However, I have many questions that I am resolving as they arise. Here they are:

1. What would be the best plotting system to use when you are beginning from scratch. STB or CTB and why?

2. Some of the drafters are used to draw with line thickness on the actual drawing from the properties bar. I usually manage these from the plot file. Is my understanding that the first method will run into problems when plotting at different scales. If I use the second method, is there is a way to preview the line thickness from my plot file? What do you recommend!!

3. Do I have to create a new plot file for different scales?

4. I have decided only to use a dozen colors or 20 at the maximum. Do you have a reference list of the architectural items such as walls, windows, etc and their thickens.

5. I would like to get a good reference book to help to achieve the ACAD Organizational goals for my office. Does anyone know about a simple book such as the Dummies series?

6. Could you recommend standards for Xref's?

Thanks is Advance

I don't have much time right now but quickly answer some of them.

Hi,

1. What would be the best plotting system to use when you are beginning from scratch. STB or CTB and why?

there is a thread discussing 'ctb v/s stb' so search for it & read thru. it has very useful discussion so will help you decide.

2. Some of the drafters are used to draw with line thickness on the actual drawing from the properties bar. I usually manage these from the plot file. Is my understanding that the first method will run into problems when plotting at different scales. If I use the second method, is there is a way to preview the line thickness from my plot file? What do you recommend!!

ot sure about the problems in using thinkness from property bar but if you are using ctb, you can view the lineweights on screen by selecting option to 'display lineweights' (located under the plot style selction option) in pageset up dialoguebox.

Rest of the answers I will attemp later when i ahve some more time & if you still haven't received them.