Expert: Bob - 6/15/2005

Question
Thanks Bob!

I must confess, I jumped into AutoCAD and architectural drafting head-first. I bought a computer and taught myself the program. I did take one class that was painfully beginner-level. In Hawaii, there is a big need for AutoCAD drafters, so any ability whatsoever is fairly easily employable. So now, I'm trying to stay on top of things. I'm finding that most of my questions actually have more to do with drafting than the AutoCAD program. I bought a book on drafting that was okay, but not quite what I was looking for. Perhaps you can recommend a good book on architectural drafting principles?

Also, I do have one technical question that relates directly to the program. I have started a library of common images (doors, windows, toilets, etc.) that I frequently "Copy With Base Point" and "Paste" into other drawings. I have a file that contains all of these images which I have converted into separate blocks. I have put all the blocks onto one layer, then when I "Copy.../Paste" them into my working drawing, I place them onto the appropriate layer per that drawing. This strategy seems more intuitive to me than using Design Center or the "Import Block" icon. Anyway, there does appear to be a glitch in the process. When I try to place the newly  "Copy.../Pasted" object onto a new layer, it doesn't always go smoothly. Particularly, the object will be placed on the new layer, but the color will remain the same as the original block. I then have to "Explode" the block and re-assign it to the new layer in order to have it's color property reflect that of the new layer. It seems glitchy to me because sometimes it works fine and sometimes it doesn't. If there is a pattern, I am missing it. Needless to say, it's a bit counterproductive to have to "Explode" the block after it's already in the drawing and where it needs to be. Is this a glitch or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks again!
Aloha,
Shaun


-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi Bob,

I am pretty new to AutoCAD (about three months). I work for an architect and keep a running list of questions that come up that I cannot answer for myself. My boss, unfortunately, is not much help since he doesn't know anything about AutoCAD, or even computers, for that matter. Most of the nitpicky things I can usually figure out on my own. But there are certain conceptual ideas I seem to not be grasping. I'll just ask you one for now so as not to overwhelm you...

To put it plainly, scale factors are driving me crazy. Today, I was asked to convert a survey drawing that was 1" = 20'  to a 1/8" scale drawing. To be honest, I suck at math and didn't know where to begin. Is there some sort of golden chart or part of the AutoCAD program that I can access to compensate for my mathematical inadequacy? And what is the  basic difference between scaling through the page setup, the scale tool, the viewport, or some other way? Also, I am presuming that whomever set our sheets up did so in such a way that any drawing that is placed onto the sheet is automatically converted to 1/4" scale.  Which means, I guess, that any scaling of a drawing in paper space is actually a scale factor of 1/4", and not 1. Or something like that. So, to achieve a 1/8" scale drawing, I would actually have to compensate for the fact that the drawing is already scaled (?) 1/2 of 1/8" ? The whole thing is admittedly confusing to me. Oh, how does 1:8 differ or relate to 1/8" = 1'?

Well, I appreciate your help. Any advice or helpful hints you can give me on better understanding the big scary world of fractions (and fractions of fractions) will be greatly appreciated. This is primarily a conceptual question, so a "click here, then click there" type answer will probably not help me too much.

Thanks Bob! I really appreciate it.......

Shaun
Answer -
Hi -- I am sorry I will not be able to teach you all you ask, as it is a full chapter in a book or 2-3 hours in a class. The good news is that there are plenty of good AutoCAD books out there, on the shelves at Borders, on Amazon, etc.
I can say that you HAVE to get over the "suck at math" a certain extent. If you apply yourself, you can pretty easily see that 1:8 means "1/8 full size", which is gonna be 12 times as large as 1/8"=1'-0" (which is 1/96th full size- 12 inches to a foot, no?) A lot of this is understanding basic architectural drafting, hand or computer, and there are good books on that, too.
My advice is to decide you can overcome this, and do your research. You are already partly getting some of the answers, as I can tell from the above,but not trusting  yourself. You have to get the scale thing down, or really not go anywhere in architectural work. The architect can explain scale a bit, even if he does not use the computer, but I say go TODAY and find the right book for you.
By the way, if you have taken a class (which you should have to be doing this), they shouldfail you in the whole class if you dont "get" scale: as you can tell, it is essential. You can do it-- go learn it!

BOB  

Answer
OK -- Aloha again.
Well, if AutoCAD skills are so rare in Hawaii, get me a consulting gig!! LOL
As far as architectural drafting books go, I put the subject into Google and got a good list. One would also check with the local college for textbook assignments, ask recent archtecture students, etc.
Honest, Shaun, the self-taught thing is dangerous, and can get out of hand. Your esoteric way of storing blocks, which you, on your own, thinks beats Design Center or INSERT, is problematic, as you say. Again, this is a chapter in a book.
YOU MUST give the AutoCAD release number when asking questions. In 2004-2006, I put all the blocks commmonly used into Tool Palettes, from base drawings where the blocks reside on their proper layers. (A huge timesaver!)

But PLEASE STOP AND BUY AN AUTOCAD  BOOK. THIS IS SILLY -- I AM SORRY.
You are not helping yourself or clents by dragging your feet on learning the basics that millions have learned. No good teacher likes answering questions from a student who does not do the homework. (And I am helping you by telling you to face this, as no good boss allows this either.)

BOB