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CAD Standards – Standard Settings and Styles

CAD Standards need to address all the info that might be in the template files or that need to be set by the users. The Standard Settings and Styles are defined and documented well enough to let people know what they should be using. By defining these in your standard you assist them to verify what is being used.

Why list these or show them in the standard if they are in the template? If they are already set, then there is no need to show them – right?

I think not. By showing the users what the standard settings, styles and more are defined they can verify that they are using the right ones. There are many times when the file they are using may get changed up. When copying from old files or importing info. So I think that the best way to make sure that everything is set correctly is to show everyone what the setting actually are.

Even the most basic things like Document Settings need to be documented. Do you use Decimal or Architectural Units? Do you set the Unit round-off?

Do you use Metric files? Are you using true metric? Real metric? Not the fake US translated from Imperial metric? Do you define the linestyle library to use? What about blocks and cel libraries?

There are so many that need to be documented. This will keep everyone on the same page and outline the exact target to be hit with the critical settings inside CAD.

3 Comments (Open | Close)

3 Comments To "CAD Standards – Standard Settings and Styles"

#1 Comment By David Rigarlsford On July 28, 2009 @ 6:58 AM

Dear Mark,

Your blogs do wonders! There are many aspects that need be addressed when defining cad standards. With the help of your blogs, I can produce a cad standard for our company that makes sense. Unforunately, the company I work for doesn’t realize that a cad standard is the first spade for any dig. It may be a difference in professional philosophies but ultimately, it is costing the company money in many ways.

I was wondering if there was any advice you could give as to how I could convince the upper-eschelon that we need to implement and follow a cad standard?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Dave

#2 Comment By CADDManager On July 28, 2009 @ 8:51 AM

Dave,

Thanks for the compliment.

I know I wrote something on this before, but I can’t find it. That is the trouble with writing so much. I can’t find the stuff I write… har har

Anyway…

Always speak to them in terms of time and money. When asked “who cares about CAD Standards?” – be ready to reply with tangible proof that is cost time and money to not have one.

Quantify what you mean. Find a process that is broken and document the time it takes in the present form. Then compare that to the time saved if changes were made. Never fail to mention that each little problem adds up to a very large problem.

Fixing even the littlest problem can provide great rewards. Talk “Time and Money”.

#3 Comment By David Rigarlsford On August 7, 2009 @ 7:17 AM

Mark,

As always – sage advice. Its something of a paradox, when company “A” focuses on obtaining contracts – to bring the money in – yet, appear to waste the money that does come in on production mistakes, estimating doozies and contractual penalties that more often than not have direct links to our design department. Putting out fires is their philosiphy when I have repeatedly shown and explained that with a few adjustments (as you say, fixing the littlest problem) the majority of pitfalls would go the way of the do-do.

As a matter of fact, I was told today that, “it’s easier to replace people like you – non-team players – than it is to change our procedures.”

Then, I question why I care if 90% of the other employees are only here collecting paychecks. Is it wrong that I am proud of the job I do and take pride in doing it to the best of my abilities?

Sorry about the vent.