M. Michelena is currently an independent CAD consultant, he has worked in a telecommunication industry for 18 year as a Engineering Graphic Designer, Project Manager, Project Coordinator, CAD specialist, at companies such as MOTOROLA INC, MORRISON HERSHFIELD CORP, STARCONTROLS INC. based in United States. In 2003 received the BA of Infirmation technology at the American Intercontinental University located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA. Previously worked as a CAD instructor, and Tech-Architect in Caracas/Venezuela at RASTERTECH INC, company afilliated to AUTODESK CORP, (giving training such as AUTOCAD, CIVIL/SURVEY, AUTOARCHITECT, SCANDESK, etc.) to several Architectural and Engineering companies. In 1980 received the BA of Tech-Architect at IUTAJS (Inst. Universitario de Tech. A. J. Sucre in Caracas/Venezuela)

D. Bryson began work in machining and metalworking in Canada in 1981, becoming a world recognized journeyman tool and die maker in 1985. Re-entering the workforce as a CAD designer, he worked his way up to Senior Mechanical Engineer in a leading microwave radio company. He shares recognition in two patents relating to his design work of microwave radios. His previous hands-on metalworking experience has benefitted him greatly in his design career, where he continues to design and develop innovative yet simple-to-manufacture parts and assemblies. Familiar with all aspects of manufacturing including precision machining and grinding, stamping, die casting and welding. He is an expert in Solid Works and AutoCAD, including import and export of the many other software platforms in the marketplace.

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Interview with Mr. D. Bryson

1. What kinds of clients do you serve?

   My clients are varied. My background is in metalworking and mechanical CAD, both 2D & 3D. I have worked on very complicated mechanical assemblies and manufacturing drawings for the microwave industry, the semi-conductor industry, the nuclear industry and just the manufacturing industry in general. I have also worked with architectural CAD and have a client in the low voltage retrofit industry whose major customers are school districts and hospitals. They upgrade security systems and classroom technology. I have done both 2D drawings and 3D renderings for them. I have another client that installs automatic car wash systems and I do all their installation drawings. I have another client for whom I do RV park layouts. Finally, I have created drawings for individuals to submit with patent applications.

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 project I worked on was a proprietary mechanical system that I can’t even talk about since the patent application is still pending. It had many small mechanical assemblies and a very large final assembly. All the work was in 3D. It will be interesting to see it actually come to fruition and know I was a part of it. I had to research many new to the market components that went into the assembly, create 3D models of them and integrate them correctly.

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

   My favorite tool is Solid Works. With my mechanical background, it is the most versatile software available that ties part modeling, assemblies and drawings all together parametrically. I can’t imagine doing the work I do today on a drawing board with a pencil. A week’s work would take a year!

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 have talked to all my clients many times over the last 2 years, thinking that they were bringing their CAD requirement in-house since I had shown a significant decrease in business from all of them. This was not the case. It is simply a slowdown in all industries. If anything, they have laid off their own full time people and are still planning on outsourcing the majority of their CAD work.

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

   I have always been good at time management and servicing several clients on several projects at the same time. I have never missed a deadline or had an unhappy client. With a home office, I have the flexibility to work any hours required to get the job done.

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?

   I have been involved in many remote meetings as an observer but have not yet had the necessity to launch my own meeting.

J. Roberts has extensive experience in serving as a Project Manager in the field of architecture. He is involved in the project from the early schematics from the beginning through to construction where he liaises with clients and contractors to ensure that all parties are satisfied with finished product. Mr. Roberts has 15 years of experience in residential architecture, working with AutoCAD in both 2D (for Construction Documents) and also 3D (for presentation packages). He has a B.Sc. in Building Control.

J. Peters is a highly experienced CAD draftsman, who has years of experience in using Autocad/Revit, Microstation and ARchicad to handle challenging Computer Aided Design & Drafting projects. He has managed construction inspections for numerous architects, city officials and banks, and has conducted on-site construction inspections to track budget costs, feasibility and projected budget overruns. Projects ranged from retail stores to multi-million dollar condominiums to private residences. He graduated with honors from San Diego State University with a B.A. degree in Environmental Design, with a concentration in Construction Technology Design Certification. He lives and works in Hailey, ID.

Y. Dean is an independent CAD and Interior Design consultant. Ms. Dean was previously the head of design at an interior design and home merchandising company, where she oversaw all design activities and projects of AutoCad, Revit, and Adobe CS4, and worked directly with architects, engineers, real estate developers and investors. She received a BFA in Interior Design from International Academy of Design & Technology in Michigan.

H. Fox is an independent CAD consultant, and has a B.Sc. in Interior Design. Her background includes:

1. space planning for corporate interiors (related to facilities management).
2. space planning for high end residential, clubhouse, spa, hotel, office, retail and restaurant
   interiors.
3. production of construction documents for high-end residential, clubhouse, spa, hotel,office,
   retail and restaurant interiors.
4. Design and production of construction documents (for design purposes only) for custom
   millwork.

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C. Fekete is a registered architect, an AIA member and a LEED Accredited Professional. He specializes in developing construction drawings for architects and builders. Based on hand sketches, programmatic and building code requirements and budgets, he develops a project in CAD (Autocad, Vectorworks, Sketchup among others) and produces all the drawings for the completion of design documents necessary for client review and approvals, bids, building permit submission and construction management. During this process, he typically prepares floor plans, elevations, details, notes, and 3D views. In addition, he can mine the data in the drawings to produce various kind of schedules, including door and window schedules, space and surface reports (for heating, cooling and energy needs), material takeoff for cost budgeting, 3D analysis for informing the design and finding areas where building systems and structures come in conflict. Versed in financial analysis and construction economics, he also advises clients with respect to value engineering, life cycle cost, return on investment, and feasibility studies for institutional and commercial projects. As a registered architect, he can review existing conditions or a set of drawings and determine the need for updating and any changes necessary to satisfy the requirements of the building codes and local officials.

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.

M. Fitzgerald is a consultant and trainer in the area of CAD, Drafting and Illustration. He specializes in the following activities:

1. Architectural & Mechanical Drafting, including plans/elevations/sections/details, sketches to working drawings, as built surveys of existing structures, or mechanical parts using AutoCAD Scan to PDF, JPG, or TIFF for mark-up, or true reverse engineering, (i.e., re-drawing existing plans to AutoCad-dwg files).
2. Architectural and Mechanical Renderings: traditional 2D, or 3D renderings of plans/elevations, or pen and ink illustrations.
3. Site Visits (New York, or New Jersey) for onsite measurements of existing conditions and digital photography of sites.
4. Providing AutoCad layouts, for “Retrofit jobs, new designs, and “As-Built drawings”.
5. Providing “Graphic Conversions” for use in dynamic linking software, required on customer sites and for sales presentations.
6. Assisting Design Engineers & Field Technicians by providing them with AutoCAD, drawings and “As-Builts”.
7. Graphic conversions of Acad drawings to Windows Metafile drawings and to Micrographic Designer drawings and conversion from Bentley MicroStation to Acad drawings.
8. Assisting Account Managers (Sale force) by providing them with full size printouts of project, & pre-bid drawings.
9. Providing training in architectural terms, drafting techniques, AutoCAD skills for architectural work, technical writing skills, & minor mathematics for use in the architectural /engineering fields.
10. Providing manual/hand drawings and CAD drafting (Personal Designer Cad software) working with concrete construction layout drawings.
11. Manual drafting (pencil layouts), working with mechanical drawings from engineering and field personnel.