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CAD Standards: layers, sheet organization, etc.

Drawing set organization: use discipline designators (e.g., A for architectural) and sheet types (e.g., plans, elevations, sections, large-scale views, details, schedules/diagrams, and 3D representations); use standard formats for sheets (size, layout) and schedules.

A. Set content and order:

• total set is subdivided according to disciplines (accounting for both design and construction disciplines)
• account for the "natural sequence of construction..." and interactions between disciplines in making decisions about sheet order and content. Note that this is somewhat in contradiction to the AIA contractual language which leaves "means and methods" to the contractor.
• organize drawing types each on their own sheets (e.g., plans, elevations, etc.), but note that combining types is possible for small projects.
• within each subset of drawings, start from the general; then go to the more specific information.

B. Note that different drawing sets are produced during the life of the project:

• procurement drawings (bidding, negotiations)
• contract drawings (see notes from last week)
• resource drawings (for stuff not exactly in contract, but useful, e.g., existing conditions)
• addenda and modification drawings (called "supplemental drawings;" referring to changes made after bidding phase, before or after contract is signed)
• note: in addition to these construction uses; drawings also may be useful as a facility management tool later on...

C. Order of drawings according to the discipline designators (i.e, drawing "subsets")

• G = general
• H = hazardous substances
• V = survey/mapping
• B = geotechnical
• W = civil works
• C = civil
• L = landscape
• S = structural
• A = architectural
• I = interiors
• Q = equipment
• F = fire protection
• P = plumbing
• D = process
• M = mechanical
• E = electrical
• T = telecommunications
• R = resource
• X = other disciplines
• Z = contractor/shop drawings
• O = operations

D. Note on electronic models

• Note that model files can be produced and referenced by other disciplines without being modified; e.g., the use of a reflected ceiling plan over which lighting, or electrical information is shown.

E. Sheet identification:

In the following descriptive tables, A = alphabetical character and N = numerical character.

Notes:

• the discipline designator can be 1 or 2 characters, one being more common.

  A

  -

  -

  N

  N

  N

  
  "Level 1" discipline designator

• for simple projects, the following is sufficient, leaving out modifying discipline designator, sheet type designator, and first of the two sheet sequence numbers:

  A

  -

  1

  
  
• as an example of using 1 or 2 discipline designators, electrical drawings may begin with E, while telecommunications drawings, if prepared by the electrical engineer, may be designated either as e or as ET; or, for more complex projects, the 2-character designator could start with T and have a second character, e.g., TA = telecommunications + "audio visual."
• the sheet type designator follows the hyphen, and consists of one of the following numbers:
  • 0 = general (symbols legend, notes, etc.)
  • 1 = plans
  • 2 = elevations
  • 3 = sections (includes wall sections)
  • 4 = large-scale views (can be plans, elevations, stair sections, or sections that are not counted as details)
  • 5 = details
  • 6 = schedules and diagrams
  • 7 = unspecified (user defined)
  • 8 = unspecified (user defined)
  • 9 = 3D representations (including photographs)
• It is possible to put different drawing types on the same sheet, if it makes sense to do so; the designation can be the principle type, while the full range of types should be identified in the sheet title block.
• the sheet sequence number goes next (last):
  • start with 01
  • it is possible to skip numbers, for future inclusion if necessary
  • coordinate with consultants, so A-102 and M-102 both refer to the second floor plan.
  • additional inserts are possible, as follows:

    A

    A

    -

    N

    N

    N

    -

    U

    U

    U

    
    In the table above, U is a user-defined suffix.
• supplemental drawings are not always needed; it is common to use "revision clouds" and numbers keyed into a numbered list of revisions in a "revision block." However, if a new sheet is needed, because of a major change, the user-defined suffix shown above can be employed: e.g., A-102-R1 would refer to revision 1 (R1).

F. Naming files

Library files are more generic and can be used in various projects.

• detail
• schedule
• text
• database
• symbol
• border
• title block

use masterformat or uniformat system to group such files.

copy and modify, rather than modifying the original library file; rename as appropriate for each project.

Project files are specific to a project, and include such things as building or site models, details, sheets, etc.

• model
• detail
• sheet
• schedule
• text
• database
• symbols
• border
• title block

For example, a detail file may include plans, elevations, sections, or details; they use the "dot" prior to a suffix, as follows: A-NNN-AN.AAA or A-501-B3.DWG

In this designation, A-501 is the sheet identification, B3 is the detail identification number (referring to the coordinate location on the sheet). The "reference bubble" would be B3/A-501.

Text files could be such things as general notes, etc.

Database files include the formatting and information needed for schedules and other lists.

G. Sheet organization

Government projects (federal only) are metric and use ANSI official sheet sizes. See chart below:

Sheet layout:

• divide into drawing area, title block area, and production data area
• separate the 3 areas with borders, tick marks, etc.
• create margins consistent with plotter/printer specifications, typically 3/4" for top and bottom, 1-1.2" left, and 3/4" right (can be reduced for small sheets); note that left margin size responds to binding requirements.
• base drawing area size, or at least coordinate drawing area size, on a "drawing module." Examples of such modules are 1-1/2", 3", or 6". Be consistent so that files can be inserted without problems. A drawing may use more than one module.
• Module designation refers to orthogonal grid of the sheet, as follows:

  C1	C2	C3	C4
  B1	B2	B3	B4
  A1	A2	A3	A4

  If a drawing uses more than one module, its designation is taken from the bottom-left module, so the following shaded area representing a drawing would be identified as B2:

  C1	C2	C3	C4
  B1	B2	B3	B4
  A1	A2	A3	A4

• Note that the coordinates appear on the sheet, all four sides, either inside or outside the border.
• If a note block is used, place it in the far right column.
• If a key plan is used, it is always at the bottom-right (e.g., in the lowest module of the note block).
• Title blocks:
  • contain "data blocks" with information on designer id, project id, issue (dates and drawing set info for various revisions, addenda, etc.), management (drawn by, project number, etc.), sheet title, and sheet id
  • design id includes name, address, phone, e-mail, etc, as well as logo, possibly consultants, professional seals (per state requirements).
  • formatting can be horizontal or vertical, and text in vertical block may be horizontal or vertical. Horizontal format is preferred. In all cases, sheet id, sheet title, and management block always use horizontal text.
• Production data is optional, and may be covered by binding strip.
• "scanning scale block" contains graphical scale, useful for reductions.
• Cover sheet: May identify owner, project, project team members, rendering of project, logo, etc. Only if it contains project information such as abbreviations, general notes, etc. should it be given a sheet identifier, e.g., G-001.

H. Schedules

May be combined with relevant drawings, especially in small sets (e.g., placed on plans).

Contains heading and minimum of 3 columns of related information. Two columns is not considered a schedule, but rather a list. The four typical components of a schedule are:

• heading (title)
• column with "mark" (identifying an item)
• item description column
• distinguishing feature column (notable qualities).

Notes on schedules:

• use consistent abbreviations, terms
• use short titles to fit in available column width
• be consistent with module size
• can have levels of hierarchy, e.g., by "joining" several columns
• use consistent format for all schedules

it is possible to add a "note" column on the far right, which can be written in sentences, short phrases, or keyed to a "notes legend."

Schedule examples:

include in drawings or specs? depends...

can be linked to drawing information, updated automatically as drawings change (where drawings contain "attributes").