Architecture AutoCAD Services

Make Perfect Erection Drawings for Guiding the Steel Erector

steeldetailer — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:33:30 +0000

Structural drafting India is well-known structure engineering and structure steel detailing service provider in steel detailing fields. We offer wide range of steel detailing structures with high quality and excellent accuracy.

Save up to 40% on your cost by outsourcing your structure steel detailing and fabrication or shop drawings with us.

We offer erection drawings for your steel detailing work. Erection drawing is called detailed structural drawings for how to construct or install parts of a structure. Erection drawing helps steel erector on the construction site as where and how to erect the fabricated steel parts. This drawing show all details with specific information and requirements.

We have large team of high qualified and experienced steel detailer for effectively manage your all erection drawings and shop design work. Our dedicated team always ready for challenging work and give the best solution in-time. We have best-of-breed technologies, unique processes and highly skilled professionals to provide you with top-tier end to end structural solutions in the global market. Our client-focused environment helps us earning trust and long term business relationship with them.

We offer professional and precise structural steel detailing services include:

•   Erection Drawing
•   Structural Drafting
•   Shop Drawings
•   3D Modeling Services
•   Construction Documents

Our main aim is to create commonly beneficially and long term business relationships with our clients by following a customer centric, professional, friendly and flexible approach. Our teams are capable to handle any complex and large size of projects. They work 24/7 x 365 bases and complete the project before deadlines.
So please contact us for more information about our structural steel detailing services at: inquiry@structuraldraftingindia.com

Structural Steel Detailing, Steel Building Drawings for UK

steeldetailer — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:40:58 +0000

Structural drafting India is providing accurate structural steel detailing and steel building drawings at affordable cost in UK. We support various steel detailing services that includes shop drawings, fabrication drawings and steel building drawings with superior quality. At the present time, we offer 70% discount on structural steel detailing. So outsource structural steel detailing projects now and get maximum return.

Our firm is based in UK having multiple production centers in various European countries. By providing accurate steel detailing services we become most trusted choice for offshore fabricators, contractors and builders. We also provide online solutions so it doesn’t matter from where you are sending your requirements.

Find more about our structural steel detailing services explain as below:

• Column connection to foundation with base plate details

• Erection Drawings

• Structural Steel Design

• Steel Fabrication Drawings

• Connection Details

• Steel member Detail Drawings

• bolt holes and connecting members

• Anchor Setting Plan

• Bill of materials

• Field and Shop Bolt Summary

• Steel Trusses member and connection details

• Reinforcement Detailing

Steel Trusses member and connection details
Reinforcement Detailing

We have team of professional steel detailers who are familiar with international standards and codes must be followed in steel detailing. Our experts are also familiar with various countries codes and standards and can work as per needs.

If you want to outsource your structural steel detailing projects to us or want to get quality steel building drawings then email your requirements at inquiry@structuraldraftingindia.com

Structural Steel Detailing Services at Amazingly Low Cost!!!

steeldetailer — Mon, 24 May 2010 11:50:08 +0000

Structural Drafting India provides structural steel detailing and designing services. Structural Steel Detailing Services represents a dedicated team of professionals in steel detailing and miscellaneous steel detailing and steel fabrication drawings. Our unique group of the talented Structural engineers, drafter and detailer who are specialize in providing Steel detailing, X-Steel Detailing, miscellaneous steel detailing, AISC steel design, Steel beam design, composite steel beam design, 3D structural model, concrete steel connection design and shop drawings.

Structural Drafting India is expertise in providing the shop drawings and bill of material as per the international standards. Our team of drafter and designer are well expertise in providing miscellaneous detailing of beams, rafters, girders, single/double legged columns, bracings, trusses, staircases, pipe bridges, bunkers, chutes and variety of miscellaneous items.

Our Structural Steel Detailing services include:

• Shop Drawings
• Fabrication Drawings
• Anchor Bolt Plans
• Framing Plans
• Erection Plan
• 3D Modeling
• Stair and Hand rail detailing

Structural Drafting India offer steel detailing services to Fabricators, Professional Engineers, and Joist Manufactures. Our steel detailing service includes Steel Design prepare by the structural engineers with the complete documents of shop drawings for the fabricators. Our detailer are specialize in providing detail drawing of each and every component of structure, Erection drawing, Member placement drawing, Anchor Bolt layout.

inquiry@structuraldraftingindia.com – email us to get custom quotes.

Visit us at http://www.StructuralDraftingIndia.com for more information.

CADjobhunter – your first stop for UK jobs involving CAD/CAM/CAE, 3D and GIS software.

cadjobhunter — Sun, 16 May 2010 16:11:00 +0000

CADjobhunter is a brand new job board for CAD, CAM, CAE, 3D and GIS software users. Its aim is to establish itself as the first point of contact for CAD, 3D and GIS users and employers to find each other. It also hopes to be a useful place where all of those in these industries can come together and share ideas, thoughts and generally help each other out. View our blog here.

For Job Seekers

We hope that our search facility, which includes a facility which allows you to select the softwares you are skilled in (along with the more standard industry and location options), will enable you to get better search results for your jobs.

If you have any suggestions for software or industries which should be included please email us at // info@cadjobhunter.com.
For Employers

Finding candidates can be an easy process especially with the amount of generic job boards that are around, however finding good candidates can be a little trickier. The aim for CADjobhunter is to provide you with the best candidates rather than the most number of applications. Whilst we would never recommend against the use of generic job boards we aim to provide an effective weapon when seeking out the best candidates at an affordable price. In addition to job posting we also offer access to the CV database, employer branding including logo and banner advertising.

FOR A LIMITED INTRODUCTORY PERIOD ALL JOB POSTINGS ARE FREE

For more details on how to advertise, click here

Free 3GP Video Convert Wizard Gets All 3GP Conversion Done with Ease

FreeAudioVideo — Tue, 11 May 2010 09:06:22 +0000

For immediate release

Contact: Allan Royd
Company: FreeAudioVideo Software
E-mail:sales@freeaudiovideosoft.com

Free 3GP Video Convert Wizard Gets All 3GP Conversion Done with Ease

Professional 3GP Converting Program

Mission, Kansas, USA. – March, 10 2010: FreeAudioVideo Software has updated its software, Free 3GP Video Convert Wizard, a useful 3GP converter.

This program is a useful converting tool for mobile phone users. It allows you to batch convert video files of various formats to 3GP format supported by mobile phones. It also supports AVI/MP4 and WAV/MP3 output.

Free 3GP Video Convert Wizard supports almost all video formats. You can convert them into 3GP video, including AVI, MPEG 1/2/4, WMV, MP4, VOB, MOV, RM, RMVB, FLV, SWF etc. The output video formats include 3GP, MPEG4 and AVI; the audio output formats include WAV and MP3. You can adjust the video size, quality, frame rate, audio bit rate, frequency and channel with many well configured presets.

With Free 3GP Video Convert Wizard, you can: Convert interesting video for 3GP mobile phone users to enjoy anywhere; Convert the 3GP movies and music videos stored in your mobile to MP4 for iPod/iPhone/PSP; Convert video to MP3 for your music player or other portable device; Extract audio from video to use as your ring tone; Convert various videos to AVI format for your player and data storage.

Pricing and Availability

Free 3GP Video Convert Wizard is completely free to use. You can enjoy its converting function of all formats supported without any charge. Free 3GP Video Convert Wizard is available as a free download at:http://www.freeaudiovideosoft.com/files/Free3GPVideoConvertWizard.exe(4.21 Mb)

The Advantages of AutoCAD Detailing

Eli Loper — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 15:14:46 +0000

By: Eli Loper

Autodesk Inc.’s AutoCAD is a computer aided drafting and design software that allows its users to create 2D and 3D designs. AutoCAD detailing is one of the most prevalent forms of detailing due to AutoCAD’s ease of use, high level of customizability, realistic rendering, 3D navigation, flexibility and other features. Additionally, users have learned to use AutoCAD over the years, having been around for more than 27 years.

As such, most architects, steel fabricators, and engineers have relied on AutoCAD detailing to do their own jobs. AutoCAD detailing assists them by giving them a work plan and exact estimates. In short, these drawings save time, money, and labor by making it possible to order in bulk, well ahead of time and in the right dimensions.

Comprehensive AutoCAD detailing can help steel fabricators produce steel projects efficiently. At its finest, AutoCAD detailing may combine an architect’s work with analysis and specifications from engineers. These shop drawings will help you in getting complicated designs simplified and according to specifications.

Additionally, AutoCAD detailing can be rendered in 2D or 3D, helping you visualize your projects as well as helping you sell it to third parties and investors. AutoCAD is also easily integrated with other applications to further expand its capabilities. AutoCAD detailing will be able to assist you in previewing your projects from the nitty-gritty details to the most complex! And can even help you in various aspects of your project: from architecture, to structural steel detailing, to floor plans.

AutoCAD detailing, however, is best left to experts with years of experience in the field. This is the best way to guarantee that you have accurate AutoCAD detailing. The good news is, there are a lot of providers that offer AutoCAD detailing to choose from, so you can choose the best and the most cost-efficient one for your needs. Choose a company that is willing to work with you on your projects, ironing out the specifications and has the ability to create clear details. Also choose one that is responsive, as well as competent in converting your original hand drafted or scanned designs into AutoCAD format. But overall, select a company that has access to the most updated AutoCAD software to complete your job according to your time limits.

Whether as purely outsourced work, or as an addition to in-house staff, AutoCAD detailing services are great for your detailing needs.

About Author: Eli Loper is the CEO of Traffic Support Inc.

Why use CAD or AutoCAD for Civil engineering design and drafting

Richard — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:37:58 +0000

Richard Bose

Civil Engineers design and develop modern home and commercial buildings. They design building models and implement those using resources and technologies. Presently, designs are created digitally using computer-aided design (CAD) softwares. CAD drafting has made a civil Engineers job easier and simpler which was much more complex earlier when done manually. CAD softwares such as AutoCAD, Revit, Tekla, etc have become an integral part of the industry. In the future advanced and creative features should make CAD softwares more functional and a complete product to fulfill raising expectations and the needs of this industry. All through the years CAD softwares have always been evolving which resulted in lesser designing time and easier drafting process for the Engineers. Automated CAD drafting creates high-quality designs accurately and faster. The Engineer can analyze the project model, and the changes can be incorporated in design easily, saving a lot of time and money. The functionality of the softwares can be enhanced by integrating it with other useful applications. These advantages of the CAD softwares increase the efficiency of drafting to a great amount. But, CAD softwares also have demerits as it is expensive and training is very essential for AutoCAD drafting. The civil Engineer can design 2D or 3D building model. 3D modeling compared to 2D drafting is much advanced as it creates more complex objects. AutoCAD 3D softwares are based on solid and parametric modeling, and older wireframe technique. The solid modeling creates basic solid structures. They have limited motion and lack intelligent features. Modern 3D parametric modeling defines other models using advanced geometric features. It employs transmigration operation with which the design can be changed any where. These changes affect other design parts and have to be adjusted accordingly. Therefore, the original design indent becomes important while drafting to avoid corrections and changes in the design. But this problem can be eliminated by explicit modelers. 3D modeling has greater advantages over 2D drafting. 3D designs are faster and of high quality. The rendering aids help to produce a photorealistic, dynamic and accurate design. Manipulations in the 3D design can be done instantly. With 2D design the visualization is difficult, and there is always a possibility of error in the output. In spite of all these shortcomings, 2D CAD softwares are still used in the field of Civil engineering. For any queries related to Civil CAD drafting and structural design related services email us at info@outsourcestructuraldrafting.com

10 Minute Introduction to 3D AutoCAD: Turning 2D Floor Plans into 3D Models

Nancy Fulton — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:24:42 +0000

By Nancy Fulton

Most AutoCAD Architects need to create geometry in 3D at some point. Sometimes they need to show a client or a community group what spaces will look like when they are built. Sometimes they need to gain a better understanding of the environments they are designing.

Fortunately AutoCAD makes it easy to convert a 2D floor plan 3D geometry.

Converting a 2D Floor Plan into a 3D Model

The first step in creating a 3D model from a floor plan is simply displaying a top (or plan) view of the floor plan in model space. Then, from the View menu, choose 3D Views and South East Isometric. You will then see a 3D view of your flat floor plan.

Select the wall lines in your floor plan. Then from the Modify menu choose Properties. Change the Thickness of the lines to represent the height of the walls. Press ESC to indicate you are done modifying wall lines.

Select the lines representing one or more window sills. Modify their thickness property to make them the right height. You will have to specify the correct height for every window sill which may require multiple selections.

Select the window and door headers. Set their Elevation property to lift them up off the ground. Set their thickness to determine how wide they are.

By this time you should have a fairly reasonable 3D wireframe model.

Viewing Shaded Views of your 3D Model

Once you have converted a 2D floor plan into a 3D model, you may want to view that model with hidden lines removed. To do this, at the command prompt, type HIDE.

To view a shaded view of the same model, from the View menu choose Shade then select one of the Shaded options. The color applied to walls, headers and sills will be the color of the lines used to create them.

What Next?

Using the techniques covered in this tutorial you should find it easy to create thick 3D lines to create window glass and doors.

AutoCAD features more sophisticated tools for creating and exporting photorealistic images of 3D models. It also has other commands (like UCS and REGION) that will let you create and position 3D geometry.

When you feel comfortable converting 2D floor plans into 3D model, it will take just a few hours to master those more advanced tools.

Nancy Fulton owns and operates the [http://www.complete-support.com] training site which has hundreds of free AutoCAD tutorials currently online.

Animating a 3D Model

John Enrique Arturo — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:37:13 +0000

By John Enrique Arturo

Unlike movies that consist of many frames, 3D models cannot be animated by using the typical amount of frames per second which our eye attributes as blurring and creates on stable image – such as frames per second becoming the movies that we are used to seeing on a daily basis. Creating a 3D model that is to be used for animation is significantly different than creating a 3D model that will not be animated.

Creating a model for animation means that less attention will be paid to the background of the 3D model. Focus is going to be on what is moving within the scene, and this is the 3D model.

Using smaller textures within the shell of the model will mean less time rendering the model. Smaller textures are easier to translate and easier to convert. Throughout the rendering process, the model will be placed upon an axis in the scene that the model is to be placed – upon this axis the model will be turned each necessary way to interact with the scene. These smaller textures become easier to manipulate, as well as convert to digital media.

Animating 3D models consists of rendering, but specially includes additional blurring; this motion blur is also referred to as creative blurring. It allows us to perceive that the model has moved, but in reality – the model has remained within the same place throughout the scene.
To create these organic models, such as characters within an animated film, NURBs modeling is the preference of many, as the curved appearances on the shell can be easier to create but it is truly a matter of personal preference to the designer.
Animation of 3D models has brought us forward in technology and animations that we have come to know and love and allows us to use it as a valuable teaching tool in medical schools throughout the country.

The Importance of a Storyboard in 3D Modeling Animation

3-D modeling animation is a detailed process that begins with an idea, and is developed through a series of steps that ensure thorough and precise translation from mind to visualization. The most important part of this process is to have a storyboard prior to undergoing the production of the full video presentation. This is used during all three of the production stages; pre-production, production, and post production, and is a vital tool in creating a flowing moving animation.

The storyboard consists of a series of diagrams that show sketches of the video image, brief descriptions of the visuals that are to be implemented, notes for the camera operator and crew, and details of the audio that is to be associated with the visual presentation. When used correctly, the storyboard becomes a valuable reference to guide the crew through the production and post production stages. The goals are then unified, and there is less confusion in the process, resulting in a smoother transition from idea to reality.

The storyboard becomes the basis of the video or short animation that is being created. It provides a map for the project and way to measure the progress. There are thousands of storyboards created, even for the shortest of animation. The storyboard is an integral part of the animation process and dictates how the character is going to move within and interact with the surrounding scene.
With a storyboard, the production team is able to work with the ideas, and make changes while not disrupting the project as a whole. The storyboard is most commonly drawn out in card format with numbered pages so that it is easier to flip through the entire animation map without having to backtrack. More than any other tool, the storyboard is always considered the life-saver when it comes to video animation.

The Important of Light in the Animation of 3D Models

As we are aware in our daily lives – light gives an object, or a room – life! The lighting of 3D models has two purposes. One, light produces a shadow which causes the 3D model to appear to be anchored to the ground and two, it adds depth to the model through the use of advanced shading techniques. These two uses for the shadow are one of the main differences between two and three dimensional 3D models.

Shading occurs in a 3D model when light is shone from one side of the object or one when the light that is shed is brighter on one side than the other. The intensity of the light shone on the object can even change the look of the 3D model. This is evident in comparisons seen in many textbook 3D model creation processes, a model without a shadow appears two dimensional in form, and shadows are one of the most important aspects in the creation process of a 3D model.

Shadows are also created with light, and as long as the 3D model is solid, than a shadow will occur. Solid models can be created to cast realistic shadows, depending on the angle that the light is exposed to the 3D model.

How are shadows created? Shadows are created within the software program and can be adjusted to look as realistic as possible. Different intensities of light can be formed to mimic different types of shadows – just as, different techniques can be used to manipulate these shadows.

What are the benefits of shadowing? Shadowing is one of the tricks that allow the viewer to form a realistic connection with the mode, while it locks it to the ground and gives it depth; it gains creditability as a moving, living, breathing object.

It is these shadows and shading cause 3D models to appear lifelike. The light angles can be manipulated into creating different percent of the 3D model within our minds.

Flat Pyramid
2711 N. Sepulveda #233
Manhattan Beach
California 90266 USA
Phone: 310-697-3740
Fax: 310-697-3774
Email: info@flatpyramid.com
3D Model Website

Steps For a 3D Render

Beno Goldfarb — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:33:34 +0000

Software Model: AutoCAD & 3ds max; Texturing & rendering: 3ds max plus V-Ray Advanced; Post Processing: Photoshop

Modeling: The entire building was modeled in AutoCAD, except the spiders, text on the glass, ivy and long grass.

The spiders and text on the glass were both modeled in 3ds max using common commands. For the long grass I used 3ds max fur based hair on a common plane applying soft selection and some noise. The Ivy was made with the Gwivi plugin form guruware

Textures: Most materials are V-Ray materials but in some cases I used a V-Ray blend material like for the oxide on the walls or the floor with the flower drawing. This allowed me to handle different reflection types for different wall or floor components. Light objects are planes with a V-Ray light material assigned, with high multiplers. The glass was made with white refraction, 40% reflection, and some light green fog (0,1), and a noise map on bump to distort reflections. – All materials have reflections, from minimal reflections on walls (fresnel 10% with 0,5 glossiness) to steel parts (with 90% and 0,95 glossiness) On floor tiles, I used three multi sub object material in order to give three different looks with randomized color difference (RGB levels) and randomized coordinates to avoid the tiling. p4-camera There is a V-Ray physical camera with color balance adjusted to provide some light cyan color. The shutter speed is set to 5 and f-stop to 4. It is also a vertical shift correction without vignette, I prefer do it in Photoshop later.

Lights Illumination of the scene is solved with: Environment: V-Ray sky (very strong) and a direct light (sun, with multiplier of 4, warm orange color) in front of the camera. V-Ray lights on each light emitter (Approx. 30 lights, most with a yellow color with the exception of the lights on the first floor which are a more orange. All lights are set with affect diffuse and specular, and invisible, because the light emitters already have a V-Ray light material.

Rendering Settings: The render was done using the V-Ray plugin using an irradiance map with medium quality for global illumination. The light cache was set to 1200 for primary and secondary bounces. The final render was 3000 pixels which was more than enough. The antialiasing filter was Michel Netravali (good sharpen and lower noise) with adaptative QMC, set to min 3 max 10. The subdivisions threshold was set to 0,005. Color mapping was set linear, at 1,1,1.5 gamma to get more illumination in thegrey areas.

I realize this is not a linear workflow, but this gives me the best resolution in the situation.

Rick has been writing articles for nearly 4 years. Come visit his latest website over athttp://zeroturnlawnmowers.info/ which helps people find the best

Zero Turn Lawn Mowers and information they are looking for Lawn Mowers.

Architectural Rendering Training

Alison Cole — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:11:18 +0000

By Alison Cole

Architectural rendering is the art of creating a two-dimensional image of a projected architectural design, which can help architects and architecture students to see the building they are about to build before construction even begins. Traditionally, architectural rendering was done by hand, but now architects and students prefer using computer-assisted architectural rendering. This is because doing so provides them with a 3D image of a structure that is very realistic and allows them to make the modifications using their computers without having to do everything all over again. However, using computer-assisted architectural rendering requires that people undergo training so that they can effectively use the the software. The good news is that most schools include this training in their curriculum, so architects can always avail themselves of the training from a number of sources an, example of which is the Internet.

Online architectural rendering training

With regard to online education, one of the best things available online is computer training. Apart from the fact that you are already using the media that you wish to get further education on, learning new skills can be very easy. Evidence to this are the numerous online degrees in computer studies that are offered on the Internet. However, online education can also be used in other fields of studies because the training is readily available online, especially from architectural schools that want to teach computer-assisted architectural rendering skills to their students and to architects as well.

One of the biggest advantages to getting training online is that you can do it at your own speed and your own time, which can make learning more effective. In addition to this, online training is also usually shorter than traditional training in classrooms because online training allows for one-on-one teaching, which can make learning faster. For architects, this is very important because, given the competition among architects in the market, being equipped with the necessary skills will give them an edge and open more opportunities for the architect faster.

For architects and architecture students, computer-assisted architectural rendering provides numerous benefits. However, using computer-assisted architectural rendering requires that people get the necessary training so that they can effectively use the software. Fortunately, this kind of training is readily available from a number of sources, which includes the Internet, which provides the necessary training as well as other benefits.

Architectural Rendering provides detailed information on Architectural Rendering, 3D Architectural Rendering, Digital Architectural Rendering, Architectural Rendering Software and more. Architectural Rendering is affiliated with CAD Software.

New Way of Creating AutoCAD Drawings

Jos van Doorn — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:36:38 +0000

You can sue this way. If you’re creating 2D drawings and 3D drawings. If you follow this way, you’re saving
a lot of time.

The new way of creating auto-CAD drawings is all about creating a 3D drawing first and then using that drawing to create your 2D drawing.

In this course is explained how it is done. More. There is even explained how you can add dimensions to your 2D drawing.

Let’s make a good start. We start with creating a 3D drawing. It’s going to be a simple drawing. But that

doesn’t matter.

We open AutoCAD. We start with a new drawing. We draw a rectangle. The size of the rectangle is 200 by 100. And we draw a circle.

The comes is drawn in the left side of the rectangle. The diameter of the circle is 100. It fits nicely in
the rectangle.

This is the base of the 3D drawing. Let’s extrude the rectangle and the circle. We give them a height of 50.
And a taper angel of zero.

We now have two 3D objects. Let’s make one 3D object. We use the UNION command. You know that command. You know what to do.

To see the 3D model clearly we go to a 3D view of the drawing. Next we save the drawing. Give it the name 3D drawing.

This is the first articles in a series of five articles. To get the other articles send a blank e-mail

to: mailto:newway@aweber.com

About the author:

Jos van Doorn. AutoCAD specialist and AutoLISP
programmer. Also write AutoCAD articles and AutoCAD
courses. Find everything here:

http://autocad-articles.blogspot.com/

What Is AutoCAD Detailing?

Eli — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:34:17 +0000

AutoCAD is a computer aided design software from Autodesk Inc. that allows its users to create 2D and 3D designs. Because AutoCAD is easy to use and because of its high level of customization, flexibility and realistic rendering, AutoCAD detailing is one of the most seen forms of detailing. On top of that, AutoCAD has been around for over 27 years, gaining for itself a strong user base who can use and operate it with no problems.

As such, far more professionals like architects, engineers and steel fabricators rely on AutoCAD detailing to do their own jobs. AutoCAD detailing provides them with a work plan and accurate estimates to do this. In short, by enabling its users to order in volumes, these drawings save money; By allowing its users to order in advance in the right dimensions, it helps save time and labor

AutoCAD detailing can also help steel fabricators in producing steel projects in an efficient manner. At its finest, AutoCAD drafting may combine an architect’s work with analysis and specifications from engineers. AutoCAD drawings will assist you in getting complex designs broken down into simple drawings and still keep specifications.

Additionally, detailing works in AutoCAD may be rendered in either 2D or 3D, assisting you visualizing your projects while also helping you sell it to investors and other parties. You can also easily integrate other applications and software like ProSteel 3D with AutoCAD to expand its functionality. AutoCAD drawings can assist you in envisioning your projects from the more complex to the smallest and minute details! It can even assist you in different aspects of your work: from structural steel detailing, to floor plans and blueprints to architecture.

It is, however, best to leave AutoCAD detailing to the experts who have tons of experience doing it. This is the best way to guarantee that you have accurate AutoCAD detailing. Fortunately, there are a lot of vendors that offer AutoCAD drafting to choose from, but choose the most cost-efficient and the best one for your needs. Select a provider that is willing to work with you on your requirements, getting the specifications ironed out and is very competent in creating clear details. Also, pick one that is competent in converting your original scanned or hand-drafted designs into AutoCAD format, as well as one who is very responsive to your questions or requests. But overall, select a company that has access to the most updated AutoCAD software to complete your job according to your time limits.

AutoCAD detailing is an essential part of your building projects that can be outsourced.

Eli Loper is the CEO of TrafficSupport Inc. Traffic Support is a BPO provider with offices located in both the United States and the Philippines. To know more about the services TrafficSupport offers, please visit http://trafficsupport.net/services.

This article may be used on other relevant websites as long as a reference to the author and a link to Traffic Support is included.

Top Ten AutoCAD Tricks for New AutoCAD Users

Nancy Fulton — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:30:42 +0000

AutoCAD is used by professionals world-wide to create the drawing files that define the buildings, equipment and products we use every day. If you are looking for a job in design or construction, you need to know AutoCAD in order to command high wages and job security. These easy tips will help new users get up to speed fast.

Use the Pull Down Menus

If you look at the top of the AutoCAD screen you will see menus like Draw, Edit, Modify, etc. Use these menus to launch AutoCAD commands. As you become more familiar with AutoCAD you may elect to use the toolbars and the command prompt to issue commands, but new users learn and work faster if they use the pull down menus.

Keep Your Eye on the Command Prompt

At the bottom of the screen you will find the Command prompt. Keep your eye on this space when you issue commands. You will find that every command you issue puts its options on this line. So, if you start the CIRCLE command, you will find you can type D to indicate that you want to specify a diameter for the circle you want to create.

Learn How to Identify Points

New AutoCAD users struggle with the many ways in which they can enter points in AutoCAD. You can type them (3,4), you can click your mouse to select them, you can use Object Snaps to pick up points on existing geometry (hold down the shift key and right-click to see the Osnap menu). You can Also select a point, move your mouse up or down, right or left and type a distance. Take 30 minutes and learn all the ways you can select points in AutoCAD by reviewing its Help files. you will save yourself hundreds of hours of work and create better drawings.

Never Ever Draw What You Can Copy

New AutoCAD users spend too much time drawing. If you’ve ever drawn something, you should never need to draw the thing again. Learn how to use the BLOCK and WBLOCK commands to create named geometry you can use over and over again. Learn how to use the INSERT or DESIGN CENTER and EXPLODE commands to place editable geometry in your drawing.

Learn How to Use Model Space/Paper Space or Layouts

Its really very simple. You Click the MODEL tab. You draw your objects at full scale (one inch in the real world is one inch in AutoCAD’s model space). Select a Layout to toggle into paper space. Specify the size of your paper. Use the MVIEW command to “cut a hole” in the paper and display the objects in model space. Select the edge of the hole, right-click and choose a scale for the view. Double-click inside the hole and pan the view so its centered. Double-click outside the hole. From the File menu choose Plot to plot your scaled drawing. The instructions for using Layouts vary slightly based on which version of AutoCAD you are using, but the basic technique is always the same. Draw full scale in model space. Create scaled drawings in Layouts.

Be Organized

If you don’t know how to create and navigate to folders in Windows, life with AutoCAD will be a misery. It will scatter your files all over your hard disk or network. you will never be able to find anything. There are a million books and websites that review Windows fundamentals, take a moment to master the basic skills they review. you will spend less time looking for things.

Use External References

If you are working as members of a team, put the geometry you need in one file. Everyone can then create new files which externally reference that file. The result is, multiple people can work on the same project at the same time. You use the XREF command to place one drawing inside another. You can also use Design Center to insert external references.

Learn How to Use Dimension & Text Styles

To define text fonts that you use in your drawings, use the STYLE command. To define how dimensions look use the DIMSTYLE command. If you don’t use dimension and text styles, you spend a great deal of time tweaking each and every dimension and text block you create. If you define a style changing the style updates all the text and dimensions.

Back Up All The Time

If you don’t know how your drawings are being backed up, go find out right now. Every drawing represents hundreds or thousands of man hours. A lost, deleted or corrupt drawing file can mean lots of lost revenue. Small design shops using AutoCAD are the worst offenders. They rarely back up, they often lose data. You need to back up in such a way that you can go back four or five versions of your drawing, because often problems in a drawing aren’t noticed for a long time. So many lines, so little time . . .

Find Out What Other Folks In the Office Do

Don’t be the lone wolf in your AutoCAD office. Use the templates, title blocks, text styles, dimension styles, plot styles and block libraries everyone else uses. It saves everybody time. Your drawings are easier for others to edit and plot. You can edit and plot the drawings of others. Its always better to ask questions (even multiple times) than do something no one else in the office will understand later.

I hope these ten tips will help make you a better AutoCAD user, and that you will learn to love the application as so many have. As complex as it is, as confusing as it can be, there’s almost nothing you can’t do in AutoCAD one way or another. You can’t say that about every CAD application.

Nancy Fulton owns and operates the http://www.Complete-Support.com training site which has hundreds of free AutoCAD tutorials

Mastering AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008

Harris Cheung — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:18:20 +0000

The World’s Bestselling AutoCAD Resource Fully Updated for 2008.There’s a reason why Mastering AutoCAD is so popular year after year. Loaded with concise explanations, step-by-step instructions, and hands-on projects, this comprehensive reference and tutorial from award-winning author George Omura has everything you need to become an AutoCAD expert. If you’re new to AutoCAD, the tutorials will help you build your skills right away. If you’re an AutoCAD veteran, Omura’s in-depth explanations of the latest and most advanced features, including the exciting annotation, notes, and layer properties features, will turn you into an AutoCAD pro. Whatever your experience level and however you use AutoCAD, you’ll refer to this indispensable reference again and again. Coverage includes: *Creating and developing AutoCAD drawings *Drawing curves and applying solid fills *Effectively using hatches, fields, and tables *Manipulating dynamic blocks and attributes *Linking drawings to databases and spreadsheets *Rendering realistic interior views with natural lighting *Giving a hand-drawn look to 3D views *Presenting 3D models with cutaway and x-ray views *Making spiral forms with the Helix and Sweep tools *Exploring your model in real time with the Walk and Fly tools *Adding hyperlinks to drawings *Converting multiple layer settings and other layer translator options *Master the New Text and Table Features *Explore the Layer Manager Enhancements *Annotate, Secure, and Authenticate Files *Track Your Projects with the Sheet Set Manager *Publish Drawings over the Internet and eTransmit Your Files *Customize the New Dashboard and Control Panel (http://www.freecadebook.co.cc/)

Drafting Tools in AutoCAD – Snap and Grid

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:47:28 +0000

We’ve got snap and grid in AutoCAD. Let’s talk about snap and grid. Let’s see how we can use it and why wewould use it.

Snap restricts the cursor movements to specified intervals. That is handy. Lines will have a specific length.

Still. If you’re using object snaps than you can pick a point that is not on an interval that has been specified. We’ll talk about object snap later.

With grid switched on dots are displayed in the screen. The dots help to visualize distances. Often the grid interval is the same as the snap interval.

That is important. You can have grid dots displayed in the screen. Now you want to print your drawing. The dots are not printed.

OK. We know what snap and grid are. But we want to know more. We want to know how we can set the intervals and how we can switch it on and off. Let’s start with setting the intervals. There are two ways for doing that. Whatever way you choose. You do it over the Drafting Settings dialog box.

Click on Tools in the menu bar. A pull down menu shows up. In the pull down menu click on Drafting Settings. The Drafting Settings dialog box is displayed.

There are four tabs in the Drafting Settings dialog box. The Snap and Grid tab is in front. That’s exactly what we want.

In the dialog box we see two check boxes and we see four areas. The checkboxes can be used for switching on or off snap and grid.

Let’s have a look at the Snap area and the Grid area. First the Snap area. In that area you can enter values for the spacing.

You can enter a value for the X spacing and you can enter a value for the Y pacing. The spacing set the interval I was talking about.

There is more you can do in that area. You can enter an angle, an X base, and a Y base. The angle gives the

angle of the snap intervals. Most of the time you do not change the angle. You leave the angle at zero. But the X base and the Y base.

What’s that?

The X base and the Y base gives the starting point of the snap. As before. Do not change it. Leave it as it is. At zero.

You now know how you can do the settings for the snap. You do it in the Snap area of the Drafting Settings dialog box.

But we can also do something with the settings of the grid. That is done in the Grid area of the dialog box.

This time we can do less.

We can only change the X spacing and the Y spacing. We cannot change the angle or the X base and Y base of the grid.

This is what is done most of the time. Most of the time the spacing for the grid is the same as the spacing for the snap.

That is what is happening. The grid follows the snap settings for angle and the X base and Y base. So there is no need to change those settings.

This is what we now saw. You can do the settings of the snap and the grid in the Drafting Settings dialog box. And you can switch them on and off.

Before I continue. I must tell you about the third area in the Drafting Settings dialog box. It is the Snap style and type area.

For the snap type we can set Grid snap and we can set PolarSnap. If we go for a Grid snap type then e can select a rectangular snap or an isometric snap.

If you’re creating isometric drawings, then you want to go for an isometric snap. The snap will have the isometric angles.

I’m not going to talk about PolarSnap now. I will do that later. I will do that as we’re talking about Polar Tracking. In the next article.

But there is another way. Look at your screen. Do you see the status bar? In the status bar there are two buttons.

In the status bar there is the Snap button and there is the Grid button. You can click on the buttons. To have snap and grid switched on and off.

Something else you can do with the buttons. You can right click them. If you do a short cut menu is displayed.

If you right click the Snap button then you’ll find the following options in the shortcut menu:

- PolartSnap On

- Grid Snap On

- Off

- Settings

If you right click on the Grid button then you’ll find the following options in the shortcut menu:

- On

- Off

- Settings

You can imagine where the on and off options stand for. Those options can be sued to switch snap and grid on or off.

But we already saw. There is a quicker way. We can also click on the Snap and Grid buttons in the status bar. In fact. There is another quick way.

You can press the F7 function key to switch grid on or off. And you can press the F9 function key to switch snap on or off.

Oh. In the shortcut menu under the Snap button you also see the PolarSnap On option. As I said before. We’ll talk about it alter.

But there is the Settings option in the shortcut menus under the Snap button and the Grid button. Click on that option.

If you do the Drafting Settings dialog box is opened. We already have seen what can be done in the Drafting Settings dialog box.

But this is what we now know. Using the shortcut menu under the Snap and Grid button. That is a quicker way to open the Drafting Settings dialog box.

This is it for today. Now you know everything that you need to know about snap and grid. Tomorrow we’re going to talk about polar tracking.

See you tomorrow.

This is the first article in a series of five articles. F- R- E- E. Written by Jos van Doorn. To get the other articles. Send a blank e- mail to:

draftingtools@aweber.com

There are more AutoCAD articles. Would you like to know? You can find them here:

http://www.autocad-articles.blogspot.com

Jos van Doorn. AutoCAD specialist and AutoLISP programmer.

Drill Control Horizontal Directional Drilling

Peter — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:08:17 +0000

Drill Control is a powerful AutoCAD Civil 3D based application which supports the entire process of Horizontal Directional Drilling: Engineering, Operation and Delivery.

Drill Control is the ultimate solution for Contractors, Engineering offices and Utility companies who deal with Horizontal Directional Drilling and comes in two modules: Design en Operations.

Drill Control provides automatic calculation of optimum vertical and horizontal drill path, fully automatic dimensioning, creating As-built drawings by importing Operational output data… and much more!

Drill Control advantages: – Up to 90% faster creation and editing of Design Drawings

- Report of design parameters for use in stress analysis software

- Up to 95% faster dimensioning

- Fully optimized preparation of your Drillings, ruling out potential problems during Drilling Operations as much as possible

- Up to 90% faster creation of As-built drawings

- Fast response times to (potential) customers

- Professional drawings of high and constant quality, resulting in a strong company-imago and increased order potential

Design module – Highlights: – Efficient parametric design of a horizontal directional drilling

- Automatic calculation and generation of a realistic drilling line with both vertical and horizontal steering

- Intelligent link between topology and multiple cross-section views

- Fast and easy modification of planned drillings

- Full report of drill path dimensions, curvature and soil load for input in stress analysis software

- Automatic generation of dimension pattern in cross-section views with regard to Entry point, Reference point, Water level, Ground surface, etc.

Operations module – Highlights: – Bi-directional interface between AutoCAD and Electronic Guidance System

- Bi-directional interface between AutoCAD and Excel Drill Report

- Fully automated generation of As built drawing, based on Operational output data from both Electronic Guidance System and Walkover system

http://www.drillcontrol.com

What is AutoCAD Modeling and What Are the Benefits of It?

Prahlad — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:05:54 +0000

AutoCAD modeling is popular in designer community to generate elaborate computerized models of objects prior to actual production. AutoCAD is more advanced 3D tool that allows for greater 3D (three dimensional) modeling and investigation of models with high-quality and fast-moving renderings. Architects, Engineers and even artists use desktop computers to assist in their design projects. Programs like AutoCAD allows user to visualize their designs and deal with problems before they spend any of the resources required to realize them into physical form.

AutoCAD modeling takes various forms depending on the nature of project. AutoCAD program generates models as simple 2D (two-dimensional) illustrations of different views of an object or as elaborate 3D (three-dimensional) cross-sections that display each information in detailed graph. Some AutoCAD models are even animated, showing how all of the members of the model work together to accomplish its function.

Whether your engineering design process is simple or complex, AutoCAD modeling can significantly increases efficiency and speed of design work. First, a general idea is pondered to solve a specific problem. Next, CAD modeling is used to work out the particulars of the model’s design. At one time, this step would have required several drafters making dozens of sketches and diagrams until a perfect model could be created. Now, a single CAD file can be made, edited, and continually tweaked until the object is ready for production!

Today 3D AutoCAD Models are being extensively used by numerous engineering verticals such as Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, HVAC, etc. The use of AutoCAD modeling is extremely widespread; anything from stairs to high-rise buildings can be designed with the aid of AutoCAD program. Typically, one AutoCAD modeler can easily substitute several pen-and-paper drafters. AutoCAD software, however, can be very pricey. Also, training AutoCAD designers can also be expensive. Therefore, property developers, manufacturers and structural engineers prefer to outsource AutoCAD Modeling related work to offshore AutoCAD service provider companies to save on infrastructure and human resource costs!

For more information on how AutoCAD Modeling can help you in saving time and cost email us at info@autocaddraftingindia.com

Visit us at http://www.autocaddraftingindia.com/3dimension/modeling/solid_modeling.php

Prahlad Parmar is AutoCAD draftsman at AutoCAD Drafting India – an established Architectural Rendering Services provider at affordable rates. To get answers for your specific queries email us at: info@autocaddraftingindia.com

The Brilliance of Modern AutoCAD Technology

Billings — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:58:36 +0000

Modern technology has continued advancing everyday since its major boom in the 1980’s. The autoCAD, computer aided design programming, in of itself has evolved immensely to benefit many professions worldwide, resulting in the everyday enjoyment of people as a public as well.

In the late 70’s and very early 80’s, software for computer aided design was very limited. Because it typically required massive amounts of power, it could only be used in powerful gigantic computers. Also, its capabilities were limited to drawing up mostly simple lines, circles, and text overlays. Without the ability of this program to be offered with any computer, plans for buildings, public spaces, and new products still needed to be drawn up by hand for the most part.

AutoCAD pioneered the evolution of using CAD programs on your own personal computer. It started out in simple terms, but still saving designers a lot of time as they no longer needed to wait to work at larger workstations or draw up plans mostly by hand. As time went on, AutoCAD optimized the ability for its program to use more vigorous custom object features, and as of a few years ago, it can now handle 3D modeling capabilities.

There are now more specific AutoCAD programs for architecture, electrical, and Civil 3D. But with this extensive capability of technology, not everybody in engineering or design professions are up to date with their fullest options. Fortunately, there are AutoCAD professionals who remain ready to optimize solutions and continue programming it for you. By seeking out a respectable AutoCAD optimization programmer who loves what they do and can program in multiple languages, you can benefit your engineering capabilities and the public as a whole.

CAD Programs CA (http://www.cadprograms.ca/) is a company dedicated to providing custom AutoCAD solutions to engineering and consulting groups world wide. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

How to Make AutoCAD Quicker and Easier to Use – 3 More AutoCAD Time Savers

Lochlin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:55:58 +0000

This article is the second in a series of articles designed to make your AutoCAD drafting much faster and more productive. We got a lot of responses and good tips from our readers for the last batch of AutoCAD time savers, and have another set of them for you! Here we go.

Tip 1: The Glory Of Blocks

First and foremost, is using blocks and layers to automate your work flow. Now, blocks and layers are the bread and butter of anyone who uses AutoCAD – a block is basically a group of shapes that are linked together to make one object. You can think of them as a template of something you draw often.

Now, one of the nifty things about template documents in AutoCAD is that you can pre-load blocks that you’re going to re-use from multiple projects into them. You can also do the same thing with layer sets, and once you’ve used standardized layer sets, you’ll never go back to creating them ad hoc. You can even put blocks and layer sets on a network share so that everyone can use them, which greatly aids consistency. Remember the cardinal rule of AutoCAD: Lots of problems have interesting solutions, but it’s better to get a solution that works and re-use it than re-create the wheel.

One of the hidden benefits of blocks and layers is that AutoCAD only loads a reference to the block in your drawing, pulling it from the database to re-use it. Since a block is treated as a single object, this can cut file size down rapidly on large drawings, and make your workstation more responsive.

The other great thing about blocks is that they’re more than just drawing information. You can embed text objects (attributes), which can be extracted to a database or spreadsheet. Thus, your block can include things like what material an object is made of, who you get it from, and part numbers. This sort of detail is why AutoCAD is used for engineering diagrams, however, far too many people are unaware that they can embed that text information into an AutoCAD block object. With later versions of AutoCAD, you can even make these text attributes hyperlinks to the manufacturer’s catalog.

Tip 2: Getting More Elbow Room

The next time saving tip is what we call the Elbo Room Comamnd: Control+0 lets you maximize your working space, clearing away the extra bits of the AutoCAD interface. This is a great way to get an overview of your work in progress without zooming out too far. (We also recommend getting a two monitor hookup wherever possible. Nothing improves AutoCAD efficiency as much as more screen real estate to work with.

Tip 3: Dynamic Input Is Your Friend

There are two types of dynamic input we’re talking about – the first is autocompletion of typed commands. This allows AutoCAD to guess at what you’re going to do next – even better, it’s likely to guess from what objects you have selected and what your last 15 commands entered were, to try to give you commands that fit your workflow.

The second is one of those features that most people are never aware of: Did you know you can hit the Enter key to repeat the last command you typed? This is a great time saver, if, like us, you tend to think carefully about a command that’s got multiple parts worked out and want to re-use it repeatedly on different objects in series. (Now, if only AutoCAD would borrow the History tools from the assorted Adobe products…)

And while not a time saver, a tip for productivity: Turn off your email when you’re doing drafting work. Most people will, given the chance to futz with email, do that rather than work on something that requires brain power.

So, there we have it, the final article in the AutoCAD timesavers series. If you enjoyed this article and would like more AutoCAD tips and tricks then check out our blog in the resource box below.

For more information and tutorials on AutoCAD head over to The AutoCAD Training Blog. From beginner to advanced you will find the AutoCAD Training you’re looking for.