Expert: Bob - 3/25/2009

Question
Hello Bob,
I,ve taught myself CAD and use it daily for drawings to include with my proposals.  Unfortunately, in todays economy, occasionally my drawings and designs are copied and sent to competitos for pricing.  Even though we have disclaimers on our title block it happens.  Other times I just want to make sure our company name prominently on a drawing.  So ... is there a way to "watermark" things.  I use AutoDesk 2005 and can follow relatively basic instructions ok.  Well, maybe more than ok since I've figured out AutoCad on my own.  Thanks, Rich

Answer
DEAR DICK:

HEAVEN FORBID YOU THOUGHT

a-- "I must have come across as a rube, since Bob replied to me as if I were one"
b-- "It must be annoying to receive UNCLEAR questions, with my not identifying myself or my field, so maybe the reply has a point"
c-- "I didn't like the reply, but IT COST ME NOTHING AND THE GUY DID IT ON HIS OWN TIME, so maybe I will forget reacting like an angry father of neurotic children."
d-- "Bob actually answered the question -- as best he could, from what he read on the screen. He told me that it was involved, and I should do some reading on forums to see how others do it.
e-- "Yes, older people commonly call it CAD, but a teacher, such as Bob, might admonish me to use the precise names.

BOB SAYS --- No wonder you think people are cheating you. With your personality, I would prefer to use someone else, unless you were the only good one.

AGAIN -- don't ask for free advice, then make a Federal Case out of the reply. You spoil it for others.
If you read my ratings, only 2 or 3 total asses like you have slammed me, the rest understand they got what they paid for.

BOB

Hi -- This really requires a long discussion in a forum about your industry: I can't cover it all here, and certainly without knowing more about your work. (and local practices)

This is certainly NOT a new phomenon due to the economy, particularly in LA, where clients may be from countries where copying/stealing is normal. Maybe you live in a nicer place -- but the standard of ethics in general is much lower than decades ago.

I am guessing that you send dwg files - if so, you are practically asking to be cheated: sorry!
If you mean you are sending PLOTS, not dwgs, I wish you made it clear.

The best answer is: CHARGE them for drawing it, if you can get away with that in your situation. Then you are compensated, even if another finishes the job. Most of us are not unique enough to always do this.

Some of the ways to make it harder to copy --- send PDFs, send DWFs, only send paper copies -- you can read for hours about how people try to get around it, but the bottom line is that the worst people can use ways to do it. AND, many clients will send MR A's drawings WITH title block to Mr B to price.
You should spend some time in the Autodesk discussion groups, reading up on this.

You are presumably (sorry, I get a little testy when I am guessing) use ADT as plain ACAD, or the drawings would not be readable by most others.

A few things-- side points. I am grumbly about using the exact terms.
1-- It's AutoCAD, not CAD --- an old nickname that is confusing, from the days when there werent dozens of CAD programs.
2-- Guessing you mean you use ADT2005 -- the profusion of people calling it "autodesk" caused me to suggest the name be changed to AutoCAD Architectural Desktop (they improved it to AutoCAD Architecture) It says Autodesk at the top of the window, in the way that a Mustang is a Ford Mustang, but you only call it a Mustang.
3-- If I get drawings which show me that the author is self-taught (usually easy to spot), I tend to heavily discount his judgement. Others may feel the same. Most "I figured it out" people tend to have unconvential habits, naturally: thus the drawings may be difficult for others to modify and use.

This is the best I can do with what you have told me --- others in your industry and your locale will know better than I.

BOB