A. Beltran is a 3D design specialist, and an expert in Autodesk Inventor. He is a naval mechanical engineer, and also has experience in the food processing industry.

A. Siasos develops innovative ways to reduce the cost of design, development and manufacture of textile reinforced composite products, and to increase the repeatability and reliability of manufacturing processes. He is an expert in Autodesk Inventor and Solidworks.

M. Michelena is currently an independent CAD consultant, he has worked in a telecommunication industry for 18 year as a Engineering Graphic Designer, Project Manager, Project Coordinator, CAD specialist, at companies such as MOTOROLA INC, MORRISON HERSHFIELD CORP, STARCONTROLS INC. based in United States. In 2003 received the BA of Infirmation technology at the American Intercontinental University located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA. Previously worked as a CAD instructor, and Tech-Architect in Caracas/Venezuela at RASTERTECH INC, company afilliated to AUTODESK CORP, (giving training such as AUTOCAD, CIVIL/SURVEY, AUTOARCHITECT, SCANDESK, etc.) to several Architectural and Engineering companies. In 1980 received the BA of Tech-Architect at IUTAJS (Inst. Universitario de Tech. A. J. Sucre in Caracas/Venezuela)

I. Rocolla is an independent industrial designer and an expert in several CAD software tools, including AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.

F. Pires is a 3D Designer and instructor of Computer Aided Design (Autodesk AutoCAD). He has a degree in Computer Science from the Engineering School of Piracicaba.

N. McDonough is an Architectural Draftsmen with experience ranging from 4 story commercial building to residential additions. He has over nine years of professional experience as a draftsmen. He is a LEED Accredited Professional, proficient in the use of Autodesk AutoCAD and Revit 2011. He is also an expert in Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop, Autodesk Impressions, and Sketchup.

T. Mifsud is a CAD consultant providing services to architects, engineers, builders , construction managers, and facility managers. He provides a range of CAD services, including implementation, standards and best practices development, training, project support, CADDBIM management and 3D BIM modeling services. He has extensive experience with Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Navisworks and AutoCAD. He is based in Southern NH which allows him to provide daily on-site services for clients in all 6 New England states. He has extensive real world experience in AEC-FM and CADDBIM management.

Comments

All project are challenging in different ways but the two main challenges are: unrealistic schedules and trying to meet our clients’ expectations

I use AutoDesk Suite and Revit. Pros and cons are too much detail to go into.

Training is ongoing. I have a program for our staff called “sharpen the saw” days, i.e. for 4 days a year (scheduled as work permits for the individual) each person or group selects a specific topic, researches/studies and develops a presentation for the benefit of the entire staff.

We don’t outsource anything in our skill set but do outsource to IT and web content/development consultants

Interview with Mr. T. Mifsud

1. 1. What kinds of clients do you serve?

   We serve architects, construction managers, facilities manager for CAD, REVIT and BIM and our particular areas of expertise are training, implementing software, support services, library development, standards development.

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

   I work with and support many clients on their projects so there isnt one stand-out that I could describe as the most interesting.

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

   REVIT Architecture is my favorite software and I teach classes in it It makes everything easier than 2D AutoCad.

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?

   Over the last 5 years the trend in New England has moved totally away from drafting in 2D AutoCad. We anticipated this trend, moved ahead of our clients and now work primarily in 3D BIM.

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

   I like not being tied to one desk and the challenge of constantly changing projects.

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?

   Ive been using remote software for 6-7 years. The one I prefer now is TeamViewer because it is good for remote support, training, teamwork whereas others we have tried are not as quick or flexible. Working remotely with clients is good for handling all types of questions. For comprehensive introductory training of 2 hours or more its preferred to have a face-to-face meeting.

K. Land is currently a design drafter. He has 12 years of experience using various Autodesk, Bentley, and Adobe software like Architecture 2010, Plant 3D, Microstation V8i, Photoshop, and Illustrator. He started his work at an Architectural/Engineering company, and created CAD block and layer standards that are still in use today.

A. Callahan has worked with AutoDesk products since 1985 and is an expert in the area of AutoCAD customization. He is a graduate of Miami University.

D. Stockton is provides 2D drafting services to clients in the fields of architecture, civil engineering, and environmental engineering. He also provides BIM services utilizing Autodesk Revit Architecture as well as vectorization with Autodesk Raster Design. He started using AutoCAD in 1991 as a leader in the effort to bring CAD into the engineering department of his employer at the time. He works with a variety of clients, primarily using Autodesk software.

T. Stonehocker is an independent design engineer with a strong mechanical background (e.g. machine design, machine building, 3Dmodeling, patents, CNC programming). He has been using 3D modeling programs since AutoDesks first mechanical desktop in 1994 and is currently using Solidworks 2010.

Mr. T. Stonehockers samples

Interview with Mr. T. Stonehocker

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

   I am a mechanical engineer and I design and build specialty machines. I have served many different kinds of clients, in the welding fields, brake manufacturing, film manufacturing, auto manufacturing, tire manufacturing, blow mold (secondary equipment) presses and assembly machines, candy manufacturing and motorcycle / trike manufacturing.

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

   All of the projects I work on are interesting in their own right, and I have never had a dull moment with any of them. If I had to pick a favorite I would have to say the motorcycle and trike designs that I have had the pleasure of designing for people.

   The thing that made the bike projects stand out over the others I have done would have to be, taking a clients dreams and making them a reality. Of course the same thing that made them stand out was also the biggest challenge. I would have to say that the biggest challenge I faced designing the bikes and trikes for my clients was convincing them to do what would make the bike function the best not necessarily what was the coolest look. Sometimes a cool look is just a cool look and will not perform well, so trying to get them to change their minds and go with a not so cool look BUT a look that was both functional and appealing to the eye, was my most challenging effort. (I have attached a pic of the last bike that I designed for an architect in LA)

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

   I use Solidworks 2012, KeyShot3 and PhotoShop. These are my three go to softwares, I use them all the time. I have used mechanical desktop, proE, catia and Solidworks and I have found that the majority of my clients are using Soildworks, I like it and it works for me.

4. What trends are you finding in the market for CAD services? How have these trends affected
   you, and how are you responding to them?

   I have found a few sites that have jobs posted that you can bid on that have helped me get in front of some clients. Also I have found a site that I have posted a profile and portfolio on that has been a big help to me. This site is a site that is mainly built for engineers and it caters to their needs with a place to post projects so all of the parties involved with a given project can be informed about everything that happens to that project at the same time. They also host several challenges that all of the engineers can participate in to show off their skills and have a little fun at the same time. I have learned a lot from different engineers from all over the world through sites like this and I like to think that I have been a positive influence to others in the world through my interactions with these sites.

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

   I like the freedom of being able to work from my desk at home all hours of the day and night, using a virtual office to communicate with my clients to get the job done. I feel that it takes a dedicated individual to be a free-lance. That individual must be motivated with a strict since of professionalism to stay focused and get the job done. This type of individual must also be able to manage several projects at once because if they are good at what they do, they will be covered up with work all the time.

6. Have you ever provided CAD services remotely, either via phone, the Web or email?
   Do you use any screen-sharing tools (like WebEx, Skype, GoToMeeting), and are they effective?
   What kinds of questions and problems could you tackle remotely?
   
   Are there any issues you feel are better handled face-to-face?

   Yes I do most of my work remote, and I use dropbox to transfer my files back and forth with my clients. Yes I have used WebEx, Skype and GoToMeeting and I have found them all to be effective tools to communicate with my clients I have done design reviews complete with stress analysis on projects and I have done well using these mediums.I have had some face to face discussions with clients using Skype and it has work fine. The only thing I can think of that is probably better handled face to face would be a run-off on a machine or the delivery of the final product.

R. Martinez is an independent CAD consultant specializing in BIM services. He provides Building Information Modeling solutions to the building and construction industries. Mr. Martinez Oversees all design activities for the company and manages a team of 3D designers (focusing on Navisworks, Autocad MEP, Revit MEP, Autocad Architecture, Revit Architecture, Autocad structural detailing, Revit Structure, 3DS Max, and Inventor). With over 15 years of design and 3D experience, Mr. Martinez and creates BIM models and performs design assist services for hospitals, cogeneration/fossil fueled power plants, Hi-Rise Condos, low voltage systems, chiller/boiler plants, commercial, residential, machine parts and landscape designs. He utilizes Autodesk MEP and Navisworks BIM software for analysis and coordination. He also attends site meetings and assists field and peer companies with their 3D and 4D needs.