C. Fekete is a registered architect, an AIA member and a LEED Accredited Professional. He specializes in developing construction drawings for architects and builders. Based on hand sketches, programmatic and building code requirements and budgets, he develops a project in CAD (Autocad, Vectorworks, Sketchup among others) and produces all the drawings for the completion of design documents necessary for client review and approvals, bids, building permit submission and construction management. During this process, he typically prepares floor plans, elevations, details, notes, and 3D views. In addition, he can mine the data in the drawings to produce various kind of schedules, including door and window schedules, space and surface reports (for heating, cooling and energy needs), material takeoff for cost budgeting, 3D analysis for informing the design and finding areas where building systems and structures come in conflict. Versed in financial analysis and construction economics, he also advises clients with respect to value engineering, life cycle cost, return on investment, and feasibility studies for institutional and commercial projects. As a registered architect, he can review existing conditions or a set of drawings and determine the need for updating and any changes necessary to satisfy the requirements of the building codes and local officials.

C. Ong is currently an independent design and CAD consultant, and has a degree in architecture. Mr Ong advises clients on preparing schedules (from design stage to construction documentation) and getting city permits. He is an expert in the use of Autocad, Sketchup Pro, Illustrator, and Photoshop. He has extensive experience in the development of drawings for custom homes, track homes, commercial buildings, and multi-family residential buildings.

J. Rodgers has been in the field of CAD since 1984, when she attended one of the first schools in the country to offer CAD as a major. She started her career as a designer/drafter for an inventor of a unique internal combustion engine. Ms. Rodgers then joined an architectural firm and began her long career in architectural CAD. She learned architecture on the job for a firm who was a front runner in using CAD in the mid to late 1980s. She learned how to put together symbol libraries and complete complex construction documents with different CAD systems, including structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing cad. . From 1989 to 2011 Ms. Rodgers worked for an engineering and architectural firm, where she worked on hundreds of projects including commercial, residential and the majority being for the federal government. She became very familiar with different standards for each federal agency and helped implement them. She has had training and experience in REVIT and Microstation.

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.

J. Brouwer has over 40 years of engineering experience as a contract engineer with a wide variety of defense and aerospace companies. Since being introduced to CAD in 1982 he has accumulated over 54,000 design hours on 3-D CAD, 10,000 on ComputerVision’s CADDS 4X and the remainder on IRONCAD, ZW3D and variety of other PC based CAD programs.

He also provides the following services:

1. Engineering Services, including Engineering Design, 3-D modeling, drafting, CNC programming and complete integrated system management.
2. Plastic Product Design: Providing fully 3-D wireframe, surfaced, solid models and detail drawings if required.
3. Mechanical Design: 3-D design of mechanical assemblies.

Interview with Mr. J. Brouwer

1. What kinds of clients do you serve?

   I support companies that do not have an engineering department. I provide mechanical and plastic product design.

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

   It was a project for Boeing. They were making models for testing. We did the F-22 and Osprey — who gets to work on project like this? It was a few years ago and we had to make 3D prints. Just making sure the solid/surface models were complete. The work was done in Ironcad and a Hybrid CAD system.

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

   IronCAD is my tool of choice because of its ease of use and great flexibility, but I also use a hybrid CAD system when a project has to be broken down to wireframes and surfaces. I have used most of the Pro/E paradigm systems: Pro/E, SW, Inventor and Solid Edge, but never have really got proficient with the Pro/E paradigm.

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?

   Much of my work is reverse engineering requiring working from scanned data. It requires a Hybrid CAD systems to work with this data. I also get called in when the project is a mess and they need it cleaned up and get the parts made.

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

   The freedom it offers.

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 started telecommuting years ago when we used phone handset modems. Using CADKEY, I would sent the files back and forth. I use all of the programs you have mentioned. Most of the problems can be handled remotely. Face to face is always important at every milestone, even though I have done projects where I have never met face to face.

Mr. Raileanu has over twenty years’ experience in CAD-based solutions designing aluminum and steel machinery, fabrication drawings, processing and part designing.

He creates designs for HVAC systems. He has designed in the following areas:
• metal fabrication
• processing and part design
• drafting and MS Office
• 2D & 3D geometry creation and manipulation
• mechanical & sheet metal structural design
• product engineering and mechanical design

He has been working with AutoCAD since college days, however he works mainly on SolidWorks to design heat and ac frames, sheet metals and enclosures. He has worked with AutoCAD since 1989, however in 2004 he discovered SolidWorks and since then he has been designing 3D models and drawings only with SolidWorks. As a proficient user of SolidWorks, he believes SolidWorks has the best user interface and intuitive, reliable FEA (Failure Effects Analysis) features.

Since 2017, he has been working with a world-class manufacturer of dehumidifiers in Georgia. He has been designing and developing innovative products and production systems to support engineering requirements. He has been using SolidWorks extensively for all product designs, weldments and frames, work assemblies and subassemblies and creation of job fabrication binders for manufacturing team members. This includes all necessary part files, bend drawings, appropriate dimensional data, general overview layout, exploded views of critical component assemblies.

Since 2016, he has been working in another company, in development of anatomically-precise 3D and 4D surface imaging systems. He works with R&D products, responsible for creating and maintaining any CAD documentation required by sales, and developing detailed engineering drawings for system design, components, cabling, and prototyping 3D printing products.

From 2015 to 2016, he also provided CAD support for a pallet rack manufacturer in Georgia that offers a full range of services from design to installation of storage solutions for many industries and materials. He designed layouts and drawings for estimating, approval, permitting and fabrication.

One of his most challenging projects was one that required him to design and build a video electronic enclosure that had to be light and also appeal to specific customers in that field (medical devices). The challenges were to make it less heavy than the previous design, to fit all electronic components required, to have a good maintenance access and to look visually appealing.

He built a mobile dehumidifier unit with a small footprint to fit other competitors design, easy maintenance access, sturdy, structurally safe, outdoor proof and easy to maneuver. He also brought some new concepts to the design to challenge the competitors’ design, such as less energy consumption (less welding) and ability to stacking during shipping or storage.

He feels that the best thing about working as a CAD draftsman is that he gets to work from home.

He uses Skype and phone to communicate with clients. He shares his screen with clients for a variety of different purposes. He also uses Webex and GoToMeeting as he finds these tools to be very effective between people at different locations. He thinks they solve most of the issues related to projects. When required, however, he also meets clients face to face. He does not believe that issues can be solved only by face-to-face meetings, but in certain situations where a personal approach is required face-to-face meetings may be more appropriate.

M. Keolyan is an independent CAD drafter and designer. His extensive expertise in putting together design, shop and permit drawing sets for dawnings, trellises and canopies. Also, has extensive expertise in CD sets for residential homes. Anything from new construction to home additions. He received a BA in Architecture from Woodbury University.

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.

N. Felix is a draftsman and CAD & CAM technician. He performs conversions from 2d to 3d, designs parts from sketches, and models ideas and parts.

Interview with Mr. N. Felix

1. What kinds of clients do you serve?

   I serve many types of clients, including medical, consumer products, machinery and furniture.

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

   I love working with medical devices and products because I know eventually it might save someones life.

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

   Autodesk Inventor, because it is easy to use and produces great quality work.

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 and more, customers are looking for renderings of their products. The more realistic, the better. I took it upon myself to learn 3d rendering.

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

   I get lost in all my projects and time just flies when I am working on a CAD project.

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 have had video conference calls with customers for clarifications.

N. Afonso is an expert in use of Autocad (2D and 3D CAD) and DTP software. He has specialized in the area of metal mechanics, where he has spent 10 years in mechanical project and work coordination. He has also focused on conveyor and materials handling systems specification, design and installation and has developed projects linked to mining, cement plants, chemical production and steel production. He has been involved in producing detailed drawings of turnkey projects for quarries, mines, cement plants, and is familiar with crushers, screeners, hoppers, feeders, discharge gutters, belt conveyors and bucket elevators. Mr. Afonso typically starts with a layout study to define dimensions of height of the machines and then prepares a budget form all material required for an installation. He then prepares the detailed layout and all detail drawings that are required. Mr. Afonso has a Mechanical Engineering degree and a Technological Specialization Diploma in Mechanical Technology.

R. Chanmugam is a Marine Engineer, Mechanical Engineer and Inventor. He has over 30 years experience in the marine and manufacturing sectors working in Asia, Africa, Europe and New Zealand. He provides digital prototyping services to machinery manufacturers, engineers and inventors. Ray’s early career was in Marine Engineering working for companies in Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and the UK. He has project managed major engineering projects in Sri Lanka, UK and New Zealand. He was also a lecturer and Research Fellow at Middlesex University’s Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronic Centre in London, UK, where he developed a Retrofit Low Inertia kit for Cotton Ginning machines in Tanzania. Most recently he was a Techlink Consultant to the Foundation for Research Science & Technology (FRST) in Northland. Ray brings together a unique combination of skills, knowledge and industry experience. His innovative qualities are demonstrated in his most recent invention – a fully automated boat gangway. He holds a BEng (Hons) degree in Mechanical Engineering.

S. Shaikh has been working on CAD based projects since 2010. He is proficient in AutoCAD for 2D and Revit for 3D modelling. He has a mechanical design background and has a good knowledge about electrical design concepts as well. Mr. S. Shaikh is currently working on Revit projects for prime luxury hotels in India for a US consulting company. He is skilled in the use of screen sharing tools like Skype to get client feedback. One of the challenging projects that he has worked on was for a Moroccan palace for which he designed floorplans, layouts and isometric single line 3D diagrams.