Expert: Scott Cook - 3/19/2009

Question
Hi Scott,
My name is Travis and I'm an architectural technologist working in a relatively new office. Our situation is that we have about 8 employees and we all impliment different formats to how we draft/print/etc/etc. Now I was appointed to begin the process of starting a CAD Stardards for our office and Im finding it extremely overwhelming. I feel I have 923485 questions so I'll start simple. One is templates for dwgs. How should I suggest organising them, creating them, and filing them. I think the first step to us all getting on the same page is starting with the same template files that contain startdard page layouts, text styles, dimension styles and layers. Second, there is a big debate over the use of Blocks vs Xrefs, whats more recommended and what can I say to pesuade others against the lesser of the two. I'll stop there now not to overwhelm you. Hopefully you can provide some detailed recommendations to me before I explode! Have a nice day!

Answer
DWT files are a good way to have a starting drawing that has the proper layers, etc, but I wouldn't overdo it. I'd come up with one template file for everything. Layers and stuff can get purged, so it's good to have another way to get this info into your drawings.
Most people I work with tend to use lisp routines or menu items for creating layers, inserting blocks, text, etc.. That kills several birds with one stone. For example, if you use a lisp macro for text, it's always going to use the correct layer, size, and style. So it speeds things up and automates the standard at the same time.
As far as blocks vs xrefs - xrefs are for coordinating work by others (inside or outside your firm) that may change. Do not make the mistake of using xrefs for your drawing symbols.. Your MEP consultants will hate you for it and it will make it difficult to package up sets of drawings for plotting or delivery to clients and consultants.