r/Drafting

Hi, I’m currently a project designer at a corporate sign company and I want to transition to CAD because it seems like there is a higher pay ceiling and more growth. I just want more of a challenge and don’t want to be stuck doing signage forever. Since honestly my goal is to make more money, I’m not set on one discipline, but there are so many different types of “CAD” jobs and types of software, it’s hard to develop a clear plan. What area should I focus on to give me the best chance at landing a well paying job?

Also, my plan was to do an online course which prepares you to get certifications in certain AutoCAD programs but there’s different types, so I need to choose one route it seems. I think ideally id like to be at a civil engineering company. I just can’t do an entire associates degree because I plan on keeping my day job while working on an online certification course. Honestly any advice for how I can best pull off this transition without quitting my current job would be helpful!

Please can anyone share their cad experience, I'm thinking about taking the course . So... Please share your work experience

Also salary..

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***First and foremost I understand any answer I receive is not legal advice, I just want to know what people have done in the past regarding this issue***

I have an investor who hasn't paid for the use of my plans the way he is using them - I charged him for a single use, there is verbiage on the plans saying he needs my permission to use them more than once. I informed him of this and sent an invoice for a 20% reuse fee for each build of the plan, as he has come back requesting changes and such, but he has since ghosted me.

My former employer said I could put a lien on the property, however, when I called the county they said since it was not a construction-type work but rather just the drafting/copyright, she wasn't quite sure what to do and couldn't direct me further as to not give me "legal advice." I would rather not scour the internet for days trying to find what I need to know in addition to the extra time it takes to actually go through whatever process I am trying to go through, so I am just wondering what people have done in this situation.

This is a copyright issue, so I understand an attorney could be the best route - however, if I could simply put a lien on the property as opposed to incurring legal fees that would be preferred. Or, I know that copyright laws are very strict - would my legal fees end up being covered by the investor?

Thank you!

hey so i’m 19, parents are forcing me into trade, and i found cad drafting, i originally was upset they’re making me do trade because im not a big fan of hard labor work, then i found cad and it seems like it could be enjoyable. i’m looking for a calm job and this seems like that and i play a lot of games where im very into building or designing things. is this a job that seems like i’d enjoy ?

Hey. So I’m a first year Architecture student and we are doing a lot of manual drafting this week. I’ve noticed that my eyes easily strain and struggles with smaller and thinner details especially when I’m a few hours in.

So I’ve been using a magnifying glass which helps with the accuracy, but I’m concerned with being too reliant on it as well as the negative effects it might have on my eyes over time.

I’m looking into buying magnified glasses so that my sight is at least balanced. I was wondering if anyone might know if this is safe to sustain long term?

Hey everyone! I graduated from an Architectural CAD associate degree program about 4 years ago and was hired at an architectural firm right out of college. I’ve primarily been using Revit, but I also have quite a bit of experience with AutoCAD.

I’m looking to leave my current job, but there aren’t a ton of architectural firms in my area hiring right now, so I’m interested in exploring some different directions I could take with my degree and experience.

To be completely honest, I’ve realized that I really don’t enjoy drafting as a career. 😂 However, I also can’t really afford to take a significant pay cut right now, so I’m trying to find something where I can use the skills and experience I already have rather than starting completely over in another field.

One thing I do enjoy is creating 3D models and would love to eventually learn more about 3d rendering. I’d be interested in jobs where 3D modeling/CAD is involved without necessarily being traditional drafting all day.

I’ve been looking into things like millwork/cabinet drawings, manufacturing, MEP, product design, etc., but I honestly don’t know much about the opportunities outside of architecture. I’d probably need some amount of training no matter what direction I go, and I’m completely open to that.

So I’d love to hear from anyone who works in these types of fields or has experience with them. What industries or job titles should someone with an Architectural CAD degree and 4 years of Revit/AutoCAD experience be looking into? I’d especially love to hear from people working in MEP, manufacturing, millwork, product design, or other CAD/3D-modeling fields about what the day-to-day work is actually like and whether you think my background could translate well. Thank you!!

Hey everyone, I’ve been using cad for a few years, but as people have started asking me to design parts for them (specifically custom automotive parts with curvature/complex surfaces) I have really only ever designed parametric parts. I’m realizing I am not currently equipped to design the parts they need. I use onshape, and I’ve heard fusion360 could be better, but I also just don’t know if either software is good for this kind of work. I’m a college student and have limited budget currently, but I guess I’m wondering how to get better and what software you all recommend! Thanks.

I'm in the architectural millwork industry. I run a department and handle submittal drawings, engineering, CAM, install. I CANNOT find people who can dimension a drawing or format an actual submittal set.

I'm only 34, I devoted my whole life to the trade - the 60 year olds under me are worse than the new guys. I'm getting drawings back with dimensions on paperspace or geometry at 89.99 degrees.

WHAT resource needs to be corrected to fix drafting in the US? I'm trying to create SOPs on how to dimension from the overall to divisions, organizing leaders, templating, etc but it feels like there's something fundamental missing.

Are there any new guys browsing this sub? I'd like to hear what struggles you usually have or where your training is lacking.

Would like to hear from everyone elses experiences as well lol. I have a whole weekend of redrawing ahead of me. Feels like my fault for not training enough.

I am getting lost trying to find a standard that will guide me to represent my architectural drawings accurately.
It also seems that it’s something that’s not taught enough at school ( at least my school).

I am primarily looking at ISO standards. Or any commonly used in drafting.
What are your suggestions?

I want to know the thickness of each line, why I using that, names of lawyers, annotations, text style. Everything

Looking to hire an experienced AutoCAD drafter for a custom commercial showcase project.

This is paid work with the potential for ongoing projects if we work well together.

What I need

1. Individual Showcase Drawings
Plans and elevations
Sections/details
Overall and critical dimensions
Materials and construction details
Glass/glazing details where applicable
Hardware/door details
Mounting/connection details
Electrical/lighting provisions where applicable
Fabrication-ready shop drawing format

2. Complete Showcase Wall
Overall wall elevation
Plan view
Placement of each showcase
Overall and individual dimensions
Spacing/alignment
Connection/interface details
Coordination between all individual units

Deliverables
Editable DWG
Complete PDF drawing set
Initial drawings within 48–72 hours
Up to 3 revision rounds

Budget: $550–$1,000 USD fixed price, depending on experience and scope. Will pay appropriately for demonstrated millwork/shop-drawing experience and expedited turnaround.

I can provide dimensions, sketches, photos, design information, and other reference material.
I’m specifically looking for someone with experience in millwork, cabinetry, architectural metalwork, retail displays, showcases, or fabrication shop drawings.

I’m not looking for the lowest bidder. I need someone who understands how things are actually fabricated and can produce clean, professional drawings on a tight timeline.

Please DM me with:
Examples of relevant work
Your experience
Availability to start immediately
Fixed-price estimate or hourly rate
Expected turnaround time
AutoCAD version/software used

Please don’t send generic portfolios. I’m most interested in seeing actual shop drawings you’ve produced for fabricated assemblies, millwork, cabinetry, or display cases. Ty

So I have been trying to start my career as a draftsman but all the job posting went experience I currently live in Maryland I have been looking for inter but no luck

I'm bout to start a job soon on this and I'm trying to be prepared on what and how to do everything.

Looking to become a drafter — best path from surveying?

Hey everyone, I’m currently working as a surveyor and using a FARO Orbis scanner for my work. I’ve gotten comfortable with scanning and collecting data, and I’m interested in taking the next step in my career and learning drafting/CAD.
My goal is eventually to be able to take the scan data I’m collecting and turn it into professional drawings/plans.
For those who work as drafters, CAD technicians, survey drafters, or in a similar field, what would you recommend?
Would it be better to:
Teach myself through YouTube, online courses, and hands-on practice
Get specific certifications (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.)
Take courses through a community college
Pursue an associate degree in drafting/CAD
Or some combination of these?
Since I already have experience with surveying and 3D scanning, I’m hoping I can build on that rather than completely starting over.
If you were in my position, what would you learn first and what path would you take to become job-ready as a drafter?

Any advice from people currently working in the field would be greatly appreciated.

I'm exploring an idea for an engineering 3D visualizer and wanted to understand what's already available.

Are there any applications, engines, or AI systems that can take an engineering question, text description, or 2D image/diagram and generate a viewable 3D model of the concept?

For example, given a question about a mechanical component or mechanism, it could generate the corresponding 3D visualization.

I'm mainly looking for existing tools/technologies to learn from.