J. Potenza serves as a CADD consultant for construction projects in Massachusetts. He began as a civil drafter for the City of Boston in 1978 while attending Boston Architectural Center, and learned the Auto-trol system in 1982. He became a CADD Manager in 1985. It was at this time that he became proficient in AutoCAD, Intergraph and GDS and began creating CADD Drafting standards. Mr. Potenza headed up the CADD design for a Wastewater Treatment Plant on GDS.

Building on his GDS experience, he created and implement the CADD standards for the Boston Central Artery Project. In 2010, Mr. Potenza began teaching CADD/Engineering. Because of his extensive design/build experience, he was recently asked to design and manage the construction of a new 104,000 sq. ft. educational campus in Woburn, MA.

Interview with Mr. J. Potenza

1. What kinds of clients do you serve? What is your particular area of expertise?

   I have worked primarily with A/E firms for over 30 years. Architectural design, Civil and Utility relocation.

2. What was the most interesting CAD project that you ever worked on? What made it interesting? What challenges did you face?

   The Central Artery/3rd Harbor Tunnel. The massive coordination of companies and disciplines. The constant changes and revisions.

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

   My favorite was Auto-trol but I dont think it exists any more. Autocad now. I was in cad before Autocad existed.

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 think companies would rather hire a service now. It hasnt really affected me.

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

   I like the constant project change and the challenge of completing a job on time.

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?

   Yes, on many joint ventures. I have used GoToMeeting and found it somewhat effective. Preliminary design and most changes can be handled remotely. Face-to-face meetings are best for initial project start up and major changes.

O. Medina is an independent consultant with experience in Computer Aid Drafting software, mainly Chief Architect and AutoCad. For the past seven years he has been developing residential Architectural Drawings, HVAC and electrical drawings for residential and commercial projects. As an Architectural residential drafter he had been involved in the complete design process of projects, including schemes proposals through final construction documents. He has generated drawings for floor plans, elevations, sections, structural, electrical, plumbing, site plans and detailed sections. Also he had developed 3D walkthrough video clips for some of the projects. Oscar is currently studying electrical engineering on-line at Stony Brook University in New York. He is a graduated engineer in electronics from Saint Thomas University in Bogota Colombia.

Lambert is an engineer at a leading LED lighting manufacturer, and has served as a senior Mechanical Engineer at a leading defense contractor. He has extensive experience in Solidworks, designing fixtures and products for production, as well as converting military design prints to 3D models to be used in designing precision machining/fixturing for production.

S. Gonzalez is currently and independent Architect and CAD consultant, a role he has performed since 1998. Mr. Gonzalez has overseen all design activities for 2D & 3D drafting, focusing on AutoCad, VectorWorks, ArtLantis, Photoshop & Corel Draw. Mr. Gonzalez started his career as a CAD Draftsman. He received a BA in Architecture from UMG -Universidad Mariano Galvez- in Guatemala City and studied Architectural Design at Sci-Arc LA and Urbanism at Universidad de Puebla Mexico.

L. Bublik is an independent CAD consultant. Mr. Bublik was previously the head of the design and drafting department at a leading Control Valve design company. Mr. Bublik oversaw all design activities for the company and managed a team of 2D and 3D designers (focusing on SolidWorks and AutoCAD). His innovation in Control Valves design resulted in over $200 million in annual revenue for the company. Mr. Bublik started his career as a machinist, when he was responsible for setting up and operating lathes, mills, drill presses and other machine shop equipment. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering.

Interview with Mr. L. Bublik

1. What kinds of clients do you serve?

   As a mechanical engineer I work with any individuals or companies that need my special design expertise.

2. What was the most interesting CAD project that you ever worked on? What made it interesting?
   What challenges did you face?

   I recently had a project for treatment tables for hospitals with special design features that were very interesting to work on. Challenges were to find special electric motors and switches for the tables.

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

   SolidWorks is the best and my favorite because it is solid modelling and you can see right away what kind of product you are designing.

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?

   Clients try to pay less because of the slow job market; they want more work for less money so I have to accept any reasonable offer.

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

   I like working free-lance because I can have a more flexible schedule.

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 use Skype for remote meetings and also the phone. Skype is good for design work questions because I can share my screen and resolve problems. If I have customers in my area I meet with them in person.

A. Enoch is currently a Mechanical Design Consultant, a role he has been performed since 2002. He specializes in 3D-modeling, 2D drawings, project management and gear design. Mr. Enoch has over 20 years of design experience designing a variety of products from pressure vessels, to military vehicles, tooling and fixtures. He has an Associate Degree in Engineering.

Interview with Mr. A. Enroch

1. What What kinds of clients do you serve?

   I work for many different clients and my special area of expertise is Mechanical Design.

2. What was the most interesting CAD project that you ever worked on? What made it interesting?
   What challenges did you face?

   My most interesting work is designing fixtures for military vehicles for the Government. I enjoy accomplishing designs that everyone else has problems with.

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

   SolidWorks is my favorite software tool – I love it.

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?

   One of the trends I see is companies not wanting to pay decent rates for my work. When I negotiate with them to allow me to work from home it lowers the rate.

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

   Working as a free-lancer gives me the independence I like.

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 theyv 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 dont often work remotely or use screen-sharing tools, but if I do I like to make sure I have all the information I need before starting to avoid setbacks. I dont like wasting time.

A. Woodruff has been semi-retired and is providing patent drawings to several attorney clients for whom he has worked for over 18 years. For 10 years prior to that, Mr. Woodruff was owner of a retail business supplying automotive accessories. Before entering the retail business he had over 40 years of increasing experience and responsibility in several fields including heating/grain drying, recreational vehicles, gear boxes/machining, food processing equipment, automotive accessories, and, doors and windows. Responsibilities included design engineering management of a staff of 6, project management, and plant manager of a factory of over 300 employees. The majority of Mr. A. Woodruff’s experience is in the fenestration industry where he holds 5 U.S. patents.

J. Yazel provides both 2D plans for houses and a business, as well as 3D designing. He has an associate’s degree in architecture.

View Samples

D. Hilton has over twenty-five years graphic design experience on Macintosh and PC platforms using primarily InDesign, Quark Xpress, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat and Microsoft Office. As an architectural and structural draftsperson, she is also adept at preparing plans, details and as-builts from client sketches and specifications using AutoCAD 2011. Ms. Hilton can prepare (2d) cost-effective photographic mock-ups of architectural structures. She is experienced in creating creative websites using CSS, HTML and Dreamweaver.

View Samples

Comments

1. Describe a project that was particularly challenging. What was challenging about it? What was the solution and what results did you achieve?

   I draw floor plans of existing homes for my husband who makes scaled birdhouses. The challenging part is that I often don’t have any dimensions to work from, so I have to interpolate the footprint and door and window sizes from photographs. I generally use standard sizes to get the best approximation.

2. Which CAD software programs do you find the most useful for the kind of work that you do?

   AutoCAD 2011

3. What are the pros and cons of the various CAD software programs that you use?

   I only use AutoCAD. I use other programs for other purposes, like Adobe products for graphic design.

4. How do you keep yourself up-to-date with the various developments in your field of work?

   I read on-line articles and talk to colleagues. Also, help forums for help.

5. Which new skills have you acquired in the past year? What new skills do you plan to acquire in the future?

   Just keeping up with the new features in the software is a full-time job 🙂

6. Are there any kinds of activities that you feel are better to outsource or subcontract than to do yourself?

   N/A

7. Send us some samples of your work, in any format (DWG, PDF, JPEG, DXF,etc.), along with a description of each sample.

   Attached is a set of drawings for a structural engineer. Also, see my website of examples:

   http://www.ilikeitdesign.com/drafting/autocad.html

8. Testimonials you would like to send us from your existing customers.

   I have never asked for any.

L .DeBoard has a strong background in both architecture and product design, and is an expert in AutoCad, Photoshop and Illustrator. Has a working knowledge of 3D applications like Catia, Alias and 3D Studio. He has worked for a leading architectural firm as well as a tier one automotive supplier.

D. Hildebrandt is a CAD Technician with extensive experience in military, residential, municipal and commercial construction. He provides the following services:

• Participates in Civil/Architectural/Electrical/Mechanical design including but not limited to airfield and military site design, Grading, Concrete, Asphalt, Utility, Storm, Sewer, Site layout, Traffic protection, Signage, Utility plan/profile, Concrete construction, and multi-story PEB construction
• Specifies and Implements engineering drawing standards and implemented standards CAD/ detail library/filing/references/Software specification and configuration/AutoCAD and drafting specifics/hardware maintenance, specification, and configuration)
• Maintains existing site database while updating CAD/GIS files and conducting as-built surveys. Maintains GIS databases.
• Conducts as-built and topographic surveys for construction projects
• Rebuilds sites as-built survey using Trimble GPS gear and builds 3d CAD models.
• Uses 3D design software (LDD, Civil 3D and Softdesk) for contour build, pipe and structure
  profile, cross section, grading, sewer pipe design, drainage pipe design, road design, highway design, grading, cut/fill calculation, and survey data manipulation
• Provides design engineering for municipal and private sector construction projects including but not limited to site design, grading, concrete, asphalt, erosion control, retention, detention, stabilization, utility, storm, sewer, traffic protection, traffic signalization, signage, highway construction, ROW improvement, utility plan/profile, jack/bore operations
• Implements, specifies, and maintains CAD hardware, AutoCAD software, and standards
• Structural: Multi-story construction (steel, wood, concrete, masonry, tilt-up, precast), Residential Construction, Municipal and Education facilities
• Architectural: Multi-story construction (steel, wood, concrete, masonry, tilt-up, precast), Residential Construction, Municipal and Education facilities
• Electrical: Grounding, Power distribution, Lighting, Single-line, detailing, and scheduling
• Mechanical: Plumbing and HVAC layout, detail, and scheduling

Mr. Hildebrandt graduated from Porter & Chester Institute for Mechanical Design/Drafting, and has an ACI Certification for Concrete Inspection Field Technician Level 1, and a Construction Management Certificate from the University of Washington (Construction Safety, Project Management, Construction Estimating, and Project Planning and Control).

Interview with Mr. D. Hildebrandt

1. What kinds of clients do you serve? What is your particular area of expertise?

   Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Architects, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Environmental Consultants, Geologists, Telecommunications Engineers, and Builders. All phases of construction design and drafting using AutoCad, Civil 3D, and a host of graphical and processing software.

2. What was the most interesting CAD project that you ever worked on? What made it interesting?
   What challenges did you face?

   The JFK International Airport Air Train. I was one of the designers responsible for traffic control, pedestrian control, and crane movements. Time was a crucial factor, as it was near-impossible to design in advance due to construction timelines, change orders, etc. Therefore every inch of the way (a year in the making) required fast-paced engineering and realistic answers to very limiting factors.

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

   Civil 3D is my favorite, as it includes all the tools I need to help design including survey data manipulation, earthwork calculations, road design, and profiling tools for utilities and infrastructure design.

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?

   More dedicated services. A shrinking job market requires dedication and hard work in order to hold on to clients. I’ve got to work harder to keep the work coming. There are many people looking for work who can do what I do for a fraction of the cost so I’ve had to cut corners and make deals that work in favor of my clients. Of course they work in my favor too as I’ve not lost any work and am very grateful to be busy.

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

   I’ve always viewed the 24 hours in a day as my time when I’m not required to show up to an 8 to 5 job. I can work any time at my own pace (always very fast) and spend quality time with my family. It is an all-around flexible way to operate. Sometimes it’s difficult to make time for multiple clients, but dedication and superior workmanship are the key.

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?

   Yes. I do work remotely via email and phone. The background I posses enable ease in communication. I’ve been dealing with engineers for 25 years. I haven’t the need to work using screen-sharing. Closely-located clients, email, scanning, phone calls, and travel cover all the bases. Any and all engineering or design projects. Of course face-to-face is easier, but engineers need flexible and experienced designers to make their projects grow quickly and accurately.

D. Colley is a CAD Designer and an AIDT certified Pipe Fitter, with extensive experience in architectural, civil, electrical and piping designs. He works with multiple materials including plastic, wood, metal, glass, cement, ceramic, fiber, leather and paper, and prepares drawings and topographical and relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewerage control systems. He also provides the following services:

• Developing specifications and instructions for installation of voltage transformers, overhead or underground cables, and related electrical equipment used to conduct electrical energy from transmission lines or high-voltage distribution lines to consumers.
• Calculating mapmaking information from field notes, and draw and verify accuracy of topographical maps.
• Preparing detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information. SOS Drafting Inc. Mobile, Alabama 09/2011 to 11/2011 CAD Technician
• Reading/interpreting civil site plans and convert technical information into working drawings.
• Drafting electrical detailed drawings of fiber optic cable above and below ground systems.
• Drawing maps, diagrams, and profiles using cross-sections and surveys to represent
• elevations, to topographical contours surface formations and structures.
• Locating and identifying symbols located on topographical surveys to denote geological and geophysical formations.
• Reading/interpreting blueprints, schematics, plans and plots
• Preparing detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
• Mechanical, Electrical and Architectural Drafting
• Unit manipulation and limits relationships using CAD
• Visualization of objects
• Manual 2D drafting in geometric construction, dimensioning, sketching, detail drawing and lettering software Mr. Colley has an Associate of Applied Science Degree, Computer Drafting and Design, and specializes in Materials and Processes. He works with the following software tools: AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Revit, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Architectural Desktop 2007, Microsoft Works, AutoCAD 2008-2012.