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COMPUTER-AIDED DRAFTING (CAD)

In the new millennium, computers are impacting the

field of architecture. This chapter is not about how to use
specific computer (CAD) systems, but rather how the
computer can best be used to become an effective tool
in an architectural office. Accepting this premise, a student of architecture will learn:
A. Office set-up and expectation.
B. CAD standards used in the industry, such as line
weights, color, and layering.
C. Effective use of 2-D and 3-D spaces. Discussions will
allow the beginner to become a more effective user
of paper space, or two-dimensional layout space,
and model space, or three-dimensional modeling
space.
D. Scaling drawings and lettering.
E. Three-dimensional drafting.
F. How to effectively cartoon.
G. The use vectors in the drawing process.
H. The near future of computers in our industry.
The computer is a relatively new tool in the architectural
industry, and one that is becoming increasingly important. Just as with other tools, the CAD drafter must learn
to use the computer through specific instruction. After the
drafter has mastered the techniques the computer can aid
in the creative process. The drafter is then controlling the
tool, rather than the computer controlling the drafter.
There is a corresponding example in the field of music. A
trombonist must go beyond thinking about how to position the sliding portion of the instrument to achieve a certain note. Instead, as a musician the trombonist responds
to the arrangement of notes on the sheet music and allows
his or her hand to move the slide spontaneously to create
music. At this point the musician is giving the music emotion, character, or spirit. Similarly, the CAD drafter concentrates on translating the intent of the designer into a
workable set of construction documents, with the computer as one of his or her creative tools.
New drawing tools in an architects office do not drastically change the way in which structures are built. With
the introduction of the computer, we may compute the
energy requirements for a building differently than we
would using a calculator, or we may produce and deliver
construction documents differently, but the computer
does not change the architectural information necessary
to construct a building. To use a car as a metaphor, a car
does not change from being a delivery vehicle for passengers or cargo (its function) just because its internal
combustion engine has been replaced by an electric engine. A change in energy source to drive the vehicle does
not change the cars need for tires, a transmission, or a
steering mechanism.
Each computer drafter should be well trained so that
he or she can prepare a set of construction documents
from scratch. Whether an office hires you as the first

CAD operator or the office already has a system incorporated, this training will allow you, the CAD operator,
to integrate your understanding of the system and become immediately effective in production.
This chapter is divided into three divisions. The first
describes the inner workings of a computer and how a
computer actually works. The second section describes
the standards used by offices that become the foundation
of construction documents. It also discusses such items
as standard colors used, line quality, and the subdivisions of a drawing, referred to as layers. The third section
shows the evolution of a complete set of construction
documents, both two- and three-dimensional.

THE COMPUTER
To describe the outer appearance of a computer to anyone in this day and age would be an insult. Students are
introduced to the computer as early as the first grade and
are thus quite familiar with the cosmetics of the equipment. Add to this the proliferation of video games and
other electronic devices, plus the enormous amount of
computer advertisement, and we have a population that
is very much aware of computers. Here we describe the
inner workings of the computer. How often have we seen
advertisements that indicate 128MB RAM, 10.0 GB hard
drive, 40x CDROM drive, 56k/14.4 V.90 data/fax modem,
and wonder whether the computer is sufficient for our
purposes. The mystery of the inner workings of a computer is now about to be revealed to you.
We start by comparing and contrasting two parallel
worlds: the inner world of a computer and that of an architectural office. The following is a list of elements common in an architectural office, contrasted with their
counterparts in a computer (see Figure 3.1).
Office
1. Architects office
2. Production
3. Library
4. Hallway
5. Clerical
6. Conference
7. Reception
8. Garage / carport
9. Kitchen
10. Toilet
11. Communication
12. Studio

Computer
A. Central processing
B. RAM
C. Hard drive
D. Motherboard
E. Discrete logic
F. Monitor
G. Log-in/out
H. Removable media
I. Power
J. Fan and compressed Air
K. Internet
L. Video card

The three main areas in the computer are central processing (design), RAM (drafting), and the hard drive (storage). All are held together by the motherboard, which
can be viewed as the connecting hallway in an architects office.