Call all CAD technicians

Banzai_Joe · 24 Aug 2015 at 12:08

Guys,
we currently use AutoCad 2013 at work. BUT we only use it for 2d.
We use Sketchup pro and Podium for doing 3d and rendering.

Now, i say 'we', but i mean our design team. I don't have a scooby doo about cad.
What i do know is that none of our guys are 'classically' trained, and the problem with that is there are often huge holes in the knowledge of how to actually use the software to its fullest let alone passing on such info to someone else. And some designers are quite protective of their bubble and may not want to reveal that they do not know how to use the 3d elements of cad for [i guess] obvious reasons.

As I.T. Manager i'm tasked with looking into 'fit for purpose' hardware and software and need unbiased advice really.
We have a new starter in 2 weeks time who uses revit. Now he may have to conform and use cad or i'll be asked to get him a revit licence.

Currently i'm thinking we use sketchup for 3d work as it is/was easier to pickup than 3d work in cad. If so, then i'm not sure that's the best use of what we have.
Had a chat with our main CAD tech and he says he'd love to use 3d, but we'd need training (and time). he says the scheduling alone would reduce costly mistakes and time.

If any cad guys out there can understand the situation do you have any advice to offer?

Thanks

Banzai_Joe · 24 Aug 2015 at 12:26

TBH, that's not an/the issue.
It's more of "are we working as smart as we can by not using 3d in cad?"
It seems that all our design concepts are done in sketchup and from a brief chat with our cad tech he thinks sketchup can import cad files, but not vice versa.
If that's true then designing something in sketchup to then be completely redone in cad seems a mammoth waste of time and resource within the dept.

Banzai_Joe · 24 Aug 2015 at 16:11

We are an interior design and fit-out company. So we design refurbed or completely new floor layouts for some big kahunas, JLR, Specsavers, Loughoborough Uni.
Crytek was one of our clients. I got to go see the Cry3 engine in action way back when.

Aaanyway, yes its buildings, floor plans etc.
We are mindful of the new BIM compliance that will eventually come into action.
It's my job to ensure we are efficient and fit for purpose (without actually knowing how to use the programs they use).

Banzai_Joe · 25 Aug 2015 at 08:35

Thanks for the input so far guys it really helps.
Our guys use Podium to render out of sketchup. I've just had OCUK build a 5820k based rig with 32gb ram and GTX980 and it renders in 6mins what took almost an hour using the Dell T1600 cad workstation (Xeon 4-core, 16gb ram, Quadro 2000).

pc-guy, you're right its our interior design girls that use Sketchup for nice interiors. But surely if the concept is approved they then have to transfer the technical aspects into cad.
So how do we bridge this gap? Could using 3d in cad do this? Sketchup may be easier but we are supposed to be professionals so i'm sure we could sort the know-how out.

Banzai_Joe · 26 Aug 2015 at 12:30

Thanks D3K.
I'll another chat with one or two of our designers to try and build a better picture.
I have to be a little not to step on any toes; designers might think their working practices are being brought into questions by someone who doesn't even do the same job and therefore unqualified to comment/critique.
Bringing in a 3rd party may well be just as bad, but i'll ponder on this.

Thanks again

Banzai_Joe · 1 Sep 2015 at 16:06

Hi fellas,
thanks again for the info. I was supposed to have a meeting with my Line Manager about a lot of this today, but it got rain-checked.
Currently our designers backsave autocad 2013 into something ancient like 2007 to ensure compatibility with most of our clients and suppliers.

What we can't do is totally change the software so that training is required for everyone.
If we move to say Revit, then we at least have a new designer starting with us next week who can jump straight in. The others could receive proper training in a staggered way whilst others get help from the experienced designer.
We would also look at AutoCad 2016 and give our guys training on the 3D aspect of it to try and eliminate wasted time in sketchup.
That said, if it were a choice between autocad 2016 and revit for 3d purposes with training required for both......what would you guys do?
Ultiately BIM compliance will come into force somewhere down the line, especially with government projects so maybe jumping ship now is more prudent.