T. Mifsud is a CAD consultant providing services to architects, engineers, builders , construction managers, and facility managers. He provides a range of CAD services, including implementation, standards and best practices development, training, project support, CADDBIM management and 3D BIM modeling services. He has extensive experience with Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Navisworks and AutoCAD. He is based in Southern NH which allows him to provide daily on-site services for clients in all 6 New England states. He has extensive real world experience in AEC-FM and CADDBIM management.

Comments

All project are challenging in different ways but the two main challenges are: unrealistic schedules and trying to meet our clients’ expectations

I use AutoDesk Suite and Revit. Pros and cons are too much detail to go into.

Training is ongoing. I have a program for our staff called “sharpen the saw” days, i.e. for 4 days a year (scheduled as work permits for the individual) each person or group selects a specific topic, researches/studies and develops a presentation for the benefit of the entire staff.

We don’t outsource anything in our skill set but do outsource to IT and web content/development consultants

Interview with Mr. T. Mifsud

1. 1. What kinds of clients do you serve?

   We serve architects, construction managers, facilities manager for CAD, REVIT and BIM and our particular areas of expertise are training, implementing software, support services, library development, standards development.

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

   I work with and support many clients on their projects so there isnt one stand-out that I could describe as the most interesting.

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

   REVIT Architecture is my favorite software and I teach classes in it It makes everything easier than 2D AutoCad.

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?

   Over the last 5 years the trend in New England has moved totally away from drafting in 2D AutoCad. We anticipated this trend, moved ahead of our clients and now work primarily in 3D BIM.

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

   I like not being tied to one desk and the challenge of constantly changing projects.

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?

   Ive been using remote software for 6-7 years. The one I prefer now is TeamViewer because it is good for remote support, training, teamwork whereas others we have tried are not as quick or flexible. Working remotely with clients is good for handling all types of questions. For comprehensive introductory training of 2 hours or more its preferred to have a face-to-face meeting.

Mr. M. Tatum has extensive experience in the design and drafting of PCB fabrication and assembly drawings. He is an expert in Solid Modeling and PCB software, as well as AutoCad (10 to 2011, 2D & 3D), Revit Architecture and Google 3D Sketchup. He is a graduate of the University Of Northern Colorado, Front Range Community College Tech School and the Denver Institute of Technology Architectural Drafting & Design.

J. Rodgers has been in the field of CAD since 1984, when she attended one of the first schools in the country to offer CAD as a major. She started her career as a designer/drafter for an inventor of a unique internal combustion engine. Ms. Rodgers then joined an architectural firm and began her long career in architectural CAD. She learned architecture on the job for a firm who was a front runner in using CAD in the mid to late 1980s. She learned how to put together symbol libraries and complete complex construction documents with different CAD systems, including structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing cad. . From 1989 to 2011 Ms. Rodgers worked for an engineering and architectural firm, where she worked on hundreds of projects including commercial, residential and the majority being for the federal government. She became very familiar with different standards for each federal agency and helped implement them. She has had training and experience in REVIT and Microstation.

D. Stockton is provides 2D drafting services to clients in the fields of architecture, civil engineering, and environmental engineering. He also provides BIM services utilizing Autodesk Revit Architecture as well as vectorization with Autodesk Raster Design. He started using AutoCAD in 1991 as a leader in the effort to bring CAD into the engineering department of his employer at the time. He works with a variety of clients, primarily using Autodesk software.

R. Travis professional career includes 4 years in Revit BIM for architecture, Structure & MEP plus seventeen years as CAD technician and twelve years in residential construction. She has drafted spaceframe, site and survey, civil, interior, MEP, and landscape design. Ms. Travis is an experienced project manager and CAD manager, and also specializes in Construction Contract Administration.

T. Wilen is a CAD Technician with many years of experience in creating detailed, precise and highly technical drawings using AutoCAD. He has worked extensively with AutoCAD and EaglePoint and is also skilled in Revit Structure and Civil 3D. Mr. Wilen oversaw the drafting in an 8-person office as well as some design and some construction activities. He has significant experience in the commercial (medical) architecture field.

R. Wright is an independent CAD consultant, and is an expert in the area of computer aided drafting. He began as a draftsman and construction administrator.

Interview with Mr. R. Wright

1. What kinds of clients do you serve?

   I serve clients who are involved in residential and commercial projects.

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

   The most interesting projects were a Veterinarian Clinic and Refurbishing a 100 year old elementary school. I had faced numerous design changes with the veterinarian clinic and with the elementary school, and had some challenges in retrofitting 100 year construction techniques.

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

   I have AutoCAD and Revit skills. Revit is my favorite software design tool because it incorporates the most information in a building model. It allows 2D, 3D and rendering.

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?

   I am observing a downward turn in the amount of work for CAD designers.

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

   I like working as an interim CAD draftsman or as a consultant, because I can work well in an office environment or alone as a consultant.

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 have provided a number a CAD consulting services remotely by way of GoToMeeting, and there was no issue in the design process or project scope that could not be handled remotely.

R. Martinez is an independent CAD consultant specializing in BIM services. He provides Building Information Modeling solutions to the building and construction industries. Mr. Martinez Oversees all design activities for the company and manages a team of 3D designers (focusing on Navisworks, Autocad MEP, Revit MEP, Autocad Architecture, Revit Architecture, Autocad structural detailing, Revit Structure, 3DS Max, and Inventor). With over 15 years of design and 3D experience, Mr. Martinez and creates BIM models and performs design assist services for hospitals, cogeneration/fossil fueled power plants, Hi-Rise Condos, low voltage systems, chiller/boiler plants, commercial, residential, machine parts and landscape designs. He utilizes Autodesk MEP and Navisworks BIM software for analysis and coordination. He also attends site meetings and assists field and peer companies with their 3D and 4D needs.

S. Mahalle is an expert in developing designs using Autocad 2011 and Revit (for BIM) 2011 and previous versions. Mrs. Mahalle has worked directly with architects on design projects, including residential homes, commercial buildings and interior designing. She holds a five year Bachelors degree in Architecture.

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.

R. Keller is currently a freelance drafter with lots of skills and experience with AutoCAD and working in interior design. His experience includes working with architects, interior designers, and millwork contractors. He has worked on residential projects, commercial offices, and retail projects. For the past three years, Rich Keller has been working as a freelance AutoCAD drafter on a variety of projects, some commercial and some residential. Prior to that, He has six years experience in the field of restaurant design working for two premier design companies. He is very proficient with AutoCAD, and has certification in Revit-architecture as well. He has much experience designing fixtures, preparing construction drawings, specifying materials, and answering RFIss He also has great skills relating to his clients and professional contacts.

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.