So I did it. I have started a blog. Why? Why not. I am trying to start something new for me here. I don't know much but I know CAD. I am good with computers (good enough anyway to be dangerous.) I am trying to establish myself as a technical writer. I have found many resources on the internet that I hope will help me.
I have no idea how often I will post something here. If I am lucky, every day! I think that's a little ambitious. In reality if I can post once to twice a week i will be very happy. If I can get some decent traffic through here that will be even better.
If you read my brief bio on the side bar there, then you know I have been using AutoCAD for a while now. When I first started everyone in the engineering department called me "kid." I was 19 years old at the time. Now I am 33 (I had to think about that for a second) and the "old timer." In my office here I have the most cad experience. Everywhere else I worked the users had similar experience. I enjoy this position. I give advise and instruction daily. That's why I am the Senior Engineering CAD Tech where I work. Basically I am the CAD Manager here without the title. I manage people, the software, standards, etc. I had the distinct pleasure of leading the team that created the company's first CAD Standards Manual. That was fun, let me tell you. No really, it was. I enjoyed it. I think I enjoy being able to say that I lead the team. It does wonders for my ego.
I could go on forever (you will see) so I'll stop now before I make one monstrous blog and have nothing else to say.
I also manage the CAD standards in my company (well, also throughout our whole system, but, sort of by default because noone else was doing it).
ReplyDeleteMy biggest challenge was making it general enough that it would apply to all disciplines, yet specific enough that we could still ensure some decent quality documentation.
I work in Facilities Management, so I process Civil, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection and any special systems we have. I had to remain pretty vague about the drafting parts, but, pretty specific about the CAD parts (even though some things are VERY basic, you'd be surprised at the crap people try to pass off as drawings... USE OSNAPS for FlyingSpaghettiMonster's sake!!! it's not that hard!).
;)
I worked at a place where we fired a guy for not using osnaps!! He said he never used them on the board so why start now. Interesting argument.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell him why start now... I'm starting to put some of our plans in a CAFM system and I can't autocreate all of the spaces because there are frickin gaps all over the place!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised I've got any hair left after three days of space creation (p-lining in vanilla autocad).
We did and got rid of him. I'm surprised you had time to breathe with all of your activities lately. I'm also impressed with your work on the CAD Bible. Very cool. I am jealous.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear. ;)
ReplyDeleteDon't be too jealous. It was a lot of work. But, it was something I wanted to do, and I'm grateful that I had the chance to work with Ellen. She's a real pro when it comes to AutoCAD and publishing and I feel I really learned a lot from her about both.
I don't know here, but i visit her website and get her e-mails. She has written many cad books so she should be well versed in publishing and writing. You were very lucky to get to work with her.
ReplyDeleteHey, congratulations for the great blog!
ReplyDeleteI am an architecture student, here, in Bulgaria, and I had some CAD difficulties. Then I accidentally found your blog and since then it is the second useful place for me (the first one is the CAD help:)).
I've learned a lot from this place.
Thank you!