R. Ruben is currently an independent CAD Designer. He previously held a position as a Senior CAD Designer in central California managing CAD design for a Civil Engineering team from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Ruben designed all aspects of design plans for water systems, instrumentation and energy systems as well as, Street improvements for land development of commercial and residential land use. Responsibilities included the design and research of fresh water reservoirs and pump stations, water utility design, Including surface profiles, surface modeling and alignment design, code compliance, architectural and structural plan design, jurisdiction requirements, and, project and team coordination. Special skills include CAD management with AutoCad.

D. Hilton has over twenty-five years graphic design experience on Macintosh and PC platforms using primarily InDesign, Quark Xpress, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat and Microsoft Office. As an architectural and structural draftsperson, she is also adept at preparing plans, details and as-builts from client sketches and specifications using AutoCAD 2011. Ms. Hilton can prepare (2d) cost-effective photographic mock-ups of architectural structures. She is experienced in creating creative websites using CSS, HTML and Dreamweaver.

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Comments

1. Describe a project that was particularly challenging. What was challenging about it? What was the solution and what results did you achieve?

   I draw floor plans of existing homes for my husband who makes scaled birdhouses. The challenging part is that I often don’t have any dimensions to work from, so I have to interpolate the footprint and door and window sizes from photographs. I generally use standard sizes to get the best approximation.

2. Which CAD software programs do you find the most useful for the kind of work that you do?

   AutoCAD 2011

3. What are the pros and cons of the various CAD software programs that you use?

   I only use AutoCAD. I use other programs for other purposes, like Adobe products for graphic design.

4. How do you keep yourself up-to-date with the various developments in your field of work?

   I read on-line articles and talk to colleagues. Also, help forums for help.

5. Which new skills have you acquired in the past year? What new skills do you plan to acquire in the future?

   Just keeping up with the new features in the software is a full-time job 🙂

6. Are there any kinds of activities that you feel are better to outsource or subcontract than to do yourself?

   N/A

7. Send us some samples of your work, in any format (DWG, PDF, JPEG, DXF,etc.), along with a description of each sample.

   Attached is a set of drawings for a structural engineer. Also, see my website of examples:

   http://www.ilikeitdesign.com/drafting/autocad.html

8. Testimonials you would like to send us from your existing customers.

   I have never asked for any.

L .DeBoard has a strong background in both architecture and product design, and is an expert in AutoCad, Photoshop and Illustrator. Has a working knowledge of 3D applications like Catia, Alias and 3D Studio. He has worked for a leading architectural firm as well as a tier one automotive supplier.

D. Hildebrandt is a CAD Technician with extensive experience in military, residential, municipal and commercial construction. He provides the following services:

• Participates in Civil/Architectural/Electrical/Mechanical design including but not limited to airfield and military site design, Grading, Concrete, Asphalt, Utility, Storm, Sewer, Site layout, Traffic protection, Signage, Utility plan/profile, Concrete construction, and multi-story PEB construction
• Specifies and Implements engineering drawing standards and implemented standards CAD/ detail library/filing/references/Software specification and configuration/AutoCAD and drafting specifics/hardware maintenance, specification, and configuration)
• Maintains existing site database while updating CAD/GIS files and conducting as-built surveys. Maintains GIS databases.
• Conducts as-built and topographic surveys for construction projects
• Rebuilds sites as-built survey using Trimble GPS gear and builds 3d CAD models.
• Uses 3D design software (LDD, Civil 3D and Softdesk) for contour build, pipe and structure
  profile, cross section, grading, sewer pipe design, drainage pipe design, road design, highway design, grading, cut/fill calculation, and survey data manipulation
• Provides design engineering for municipal and private sector construction projects including but not limited to site design, grading, concrete, asphalt, erosion control, retention, detention, stabilization, utility, storm, sewer, traffic protection, traffic signalization, signage, highway construction, ROW improvement, utility plan/profile, jack/bore operations
• Implements, specifies, and maintains CAD hardware, AutoCAD software, and standards
• Structural: Multi-story construction (steel, wood, concrete, masonry, tilt-up, precast), Residential Construction, Municipal and Education facilities
• Architectural: Multi-story construction (steel, wood, concrete, masonry, tilt-up, precast), Residential Construction, Municipal and Education facilities
• Electrical: Grounding, Power distribution, Lighting, Single-line, detailing, and scheduling
• Mechanical: Plumbing and HVAC layout, detail, and scheduling

Mr. Hildebrandt graduated from Porter & Chester Institute for Mechanical Design/Drafting, and has an ACI Certification for Concrete Inspection Field Technician Level 1, and a Construction Management Certificate from the University of Washington (Construction Safety, Project Management, Construction Estimating, and Project Planning and Control).

Interview with Mr. D. Hildebrandt

1. What kinds of clients do you serve? What is your particular area of expertise?

   Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Architects, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Environmental Consultants, Geologists, Telecommunications Engineers, and Builders. All phases of construction design and drafting using AutoCad, Civil 3D, and a host of graphical and processing software.

2. What was the most interesting CAD project that you ever worked on? What made it interesting?
   What challenges did you face?

   The JFK International Airport Air Train. I was one of the designers responsible for traffic control, pedestrian control, and crane movements. Time was a crucial factor, as it was near-impossible to design in advance due to construction timelines, change orders, etc. Therefore every inch of the way (a year in the making) required fast-paced engineering and realistic answers to very limiting factors.

3. Of the software tools that you use, which is your favorite and why?

   Civil 3D is my favorite, as it includes all the tools I need to help design including survey data manipulation, earthwork calculations, road design, and profiling tools for utilities and infrastructure design.

4. What trends are you observing in the market for CAD services? How have these trends affected you, and how are you responding to them?

   More dedicated services. A shrinking job market requires dedication and hard work in order to hold on to clients. I’ve got to work harder to keep the work coming. There are many people looking for work who can do what I do for a fraction of the cost so I’ve had to cut corners and make deals that work in favor of my clients. Of course they work in my favor too as I’ve not lost any work and am very grateful to be busy.

5. What do you like about working as an interim CAD draftsman or external CAD consultant working on a time-bound project?

   I’ve always viewed the 24 hours in a day as my time when I’m not required to show up to an 8 to 5 job. I can work any time at my own pace (always very fast) and spend quality time with my family. It is an all-around flexible way to operate. Sometimes it’s difficult to make time for multiple clients, but dedication and superior workmanship are the key.

6. Have you ever provided CAD consulting services remotely, either via phone, the Web or email?
   Do you use any screen sharing tools (like Webex, Skype, or GoToMeeting), and are they effective?
   What kinds of questions and problems could you tackle remotely?
   Are there any issues that you feel are better handled face-to-face?

   Yes. I do work remotely via email and phone. The background I posses enable ease in communication. I’ve been dealing with engineers for 25 years. I haven’t the need to work using screen-sharing. Closely-located clients, email, scanning, phone calls, and travel cover all the bases. Any and all engineering or design projects. Of course face-to-face is easier, but engineers need flexible and experienced designers to make their projects grow quickly and accurately.

D. Colley is a CAD Designer and an AIDT certified Pipe Fitter, with extensive experience in architectural, civil, electrical and piping designs. He works with multiple materials including plastic, wood, metal, glass, cement, ceramic, fiber, leather and paper, and prepares drawings and topographical and relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewerage control systems. He also provides the following services:

• Developing specifications and instructions for installation of voltage transformers, overhead or underground cables, and related electrical equipment used to conduct electrical energy from transmission lines or high-voltage distribution lines to consumers.
• Calculating mapmaking information from field notes, and draw and verify accuracy of topographical maps.
• Preparing detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information. SOS Drafting Inc. Mobile, Alabama 09/2011 to 11/2011 CAD Technician
• Reading/interpreting civil site plans and convert technical information into working drawings.
• Drafting electrical detailed drawings of fiber optic cable above and below ground systems.
• Drawing maps, diagrams, and profiles using cross-sections and surveys to represent
• elevations, to topographical contours surface formations and structures.
• Locating and identifying symbols located on topographical surveys to denote geological and geophysical formations.
• Reading/interpreting blueprints, schematics, plans and plots
• Preparing detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
• Mechanical, Electrical and Architectural Drafting
• Unit manipulation and limits relationships using CAD
• Visualization of objects
• Manual 2D drafting in geometric construction, dimensioning, sketching, detail drawing and lettering software Mr. Colley has an Associate of Applied Science Degree, Computer Drafting and Design, and specializes in Materials and Processes. He works with the following software tools: AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Revit, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Architectural Desktop 2007, Microsoft Works, AutoCAD 2008-2012.

D. Skenderovic is an expert in using Auto CAD, Revit Architecture, Rhinoceros 3D, 3D Studio MAX, Piranesi, Vue xStream and Photoshop. He has managed the detailing of a wide range of architectural projects, and has trained staff for using Revit Architecture, managed the transition from AutoCAD-based workflow to Revit BIM. He has modeled, textured, and rendered hi-res shots for many architectural project proposals. As a 3D modeler, he has prepared numerous renderings of buildings (e.g. churches, hotels) and furniture, and also has extensive experience in creating fly-through animations.

S. Kuprianoff is an architectural technician and a water pipeline & sewage systems design engineer. He has many years of experience in the planning of the internal and outward plumbing and sewage systems, concordance of a project with all engineering requirements (technical, government services and customer), and management of negotiations with architects, build designers and builders.

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S. Gelmini has specialized in industrial and electrical Engineering, focusing on industrial automation, electrical installations of buildings, hospitals, apartments, houses, as well as electrical lighting. He has primarily worked on projects involving electrical, mechanical and architectural drawings.

R. Orille is an expert in software tools such as Revit, Google Sketchup, 3D Studiomax and AutoCAD. He specializes in using 2D Architectural Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, 3D game modeling, and architecture visualisation.

K. Larkin is a highly skilled conceptual architectural designer who serves high profile architectural practices. He has used, managed and implemented AutoCAD-based systems for over 25 years, and has extensive experience with large scale international developments.

S. Pahuja is a qualifed architect with more than 20 years of experience in Architecture/ Structure/ MEP/ Coordination/ BIM Implementation at Small/ Medium/ Large Scale organizations. Have command over Auto Cad & Revit Architecture. Worked with major Architectural/Engg. Organizations in India like La Arch Plan, Hirsch Bedner Associates & Inox Group. I have experise on Autocad ,but since last approx 2.5 years, am totally working on Revit Architecture 2010. Specialties BIM Implementation, Templates and Standards development, Revit Architecture, Construction Documentation using Revit, Revit Training Classes, Schematics to Construction Documents using Revit Architecture, Autocad, MS Office, Google Sketch up.

P. Manianglung is an architectural deisgner.