Hi All, I’m a cabinetry/millwork drafter and currently looking to build up my CAD library for my freelance drafting. I’m looking for recommendations of any good sites that I can download dynamic blocks that can be used for commercial use. I’m mainly looking at fixings, screws, hinges, drawer runners etc. Can anyone offer any websites?
Hi all, a bit of background before I ask the question but I have been a CAD designer for around 4 years now and have been freelance for the past 6 months for a few clients. I would say I am probably around a middle level of experience when it comes to drafting, I rotate between a few softwares so don't quite feel like I am 100% in any software yet but do work primarily in AutoCAD 2D and Sketchup.
In my recent work I have been started to get asked a lot more about my timings for various projects and am wondering if it's because I am seem to be taking longer than people expect. I admit I am a bit of a perfectionist so that may play a role during my review stage but wanted to get an idea of people's timescales for their work. Also I wanted to ask any other freelancers out there whether when they work with a client, do you give an expected deadline or do you work to clients deadlines? I am currently in the latter of working to other people's deadlines which I think is also causing some of these questions.
My main work is drafting cabinetry on AutoCAD 2D. I find no matter what it tends to take me around 2/3 days depending on the size of the room and the amount of cabinetry in there and obviously the amount of section views needed, that also includes a full final review I complete at the end of the job to make sure everything is looking good. I usually have around a week to turn around the drawings for a deadline but recently it's becoming less and I've started to be asked about my timings due to the fact I had a few drawings that needed an extension on the turnaround time. Can anyone on the sub let me know what they think and their workflow/timescale for their drafting?
Hi all! I’m currently working on creating 3d room floorplans for a new client. I was just wondering what the average time it takes for people to set up floorplans on this sub is?
I’m following a mixture of site dims and architect plans for the plans and also having to fully kit out the room as well, so cornice, architrave, door and window openings, skirting etc. As well as setting up views and tags as well. I’m currently getting about 2 rooms finished a day but don’t know if I’m being really slow or not.
Hi All,
I am a freelancer who has been contacted by a small company to draw timber doors for them, from visuals into production drawings.
They are looking to find someone to replace their only CAD tech that is leaving, I have explained that I have work coming in from other clients (about 2/3 days worth a week currently) but they are having trouble finding someone and are willing to take what they can get currently. I did have a chat with the client and mentioned their best option would be to try and find a full time on site role but again they are finding it very difficult currently and want to bridge the gap until they can find someone.
I am never opposed to any of my work turning into a full time opportunity, if the money is good I think this may end up turning into one, as I went freelance accidentally and am looking to pivot back into the 9-5. This would also be a fully remote role, although I would look to travel in (2hrs) a few times in the beginning to try and gain an understanding of how the company runs and talk with the owner. The major issue I am having is the current CAD guy has built a whole drafting and quoting system that they use and it seems to be once he leaves the system goes with him. So I would kind of be restarting from scratch for them.
For reference my background is 4 years in Kitchen and Cabinetry construction, with 2 years in joinery and workshop before that, actual standing doors would be a new thing for me in that aspect. I currently freelance sub contracting for others so I have also never been the sole CAD person for a company before either which is a bit intimidating.
I’m looking for some advice here, what do people think about the situation? Has anyone had the same happen in their career becoming the sole drafter for a small company? It’s still early days so I can pull out with no issues and the client fully understands that this is not something I have done before. I have told him I would need an onboarding session but I fear the sole CAD tech may leave before I come onboard, sounds like they’re at the end of their notice period so I don’t know what onboarding I would have. I know timber doors are definitely easier to draft than an entire kitchen so that helps I guess.
Please let me know what you guys think.