Microvellum Knowledge Network

Shop Drawings: More Than 1 Way to Skin a Cat - Open Discussion

I'm curious to know what other methods y'all might be using for shop drawing procedures.

At my previous company, we drew entirely in Model space - our title blocks were even in model space. We had procedures and custom commands that made working in layout tabs disadvantageous to us. We also modified the 2D Drawing Instructions and used custom AutoCAD blocks to really take a lot of the manual dimensioning, notating, and detailing out of the equation. This resulted in standardized drawings across our different drafters/engineers. So, I'm a huge advocate for the 2D Drawing capabilities built-in to Microvellum. For custom one-off products we often used the AutoCAD FLATSHOT command to produce quick 2D views.

I know there are many out there who draw strictly in AutoCAD, and many of those use their own CAD drawing blocks to do so. Then, they engineer the products behind the scenes. I'm curious to know their procedures for that. I've always had my reservations doing things this way, but I'd love to know how others are using it effectively.

The AutoCAD command VIEWBASE is being used more and more frequently. I'd love to know how many of you are using it, or plan to use it, over the Microvellum 2D Drawings. Also, I'd love to know how you're handling standardization of drawings using this method. I've only dabbled in it a handful of times. It's neat and fast, but it's hard for me to look past the automation of the Microvellum 2D Drawings. What are the pros to using VIEWBASE over the 2D Drawings?

Also, I've heard of users setting up layouts based on their 3D views. I'm curious to know more about how that is being done. How are you dimensioning, notating, and detailing your drawings? What are the pros to that vs the 2D Drawings?

And lastly, how do these different types of drawing methods work with updating rooms/products? How do they work with features like Sheet Set Manager?

So, please, I'd love everyone's participation on this topic! I'd love to explore all the different avenues people are using to create shop drawings.

James Drury 
Technology Advocate
MICROVELLUM SOFTWARE

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