How many of us stand and gawk in fascination when we come across an old Victorian or Queen Anne home that has stood the test of time and remained standing since the middle nineteenth or early twentieth centuries? And with good reason, these home are works of art and were built by true craftsmen.
You look at all the scroll and millwork and are amazed at all the intricate patterns that are normally seen in natures snow flakes or ivy vines that seem to go everywhere on the building.. You look at the stained glass windows that remind you of great cathedrals and the lattice around the porches that seem like a never ending woven pattern and wonder how long such a building took to build with the hand tools of the day. Sort of reminds you of the story of Pollyanna, does it not?
Or how about the grand colonial homes of the old south? With their large ancient Greek type columns and facades that seem full of nothing but grand windows and one huge door opening as a portal into a party full of southern belles and finely dressed gentlemen. When you enter these homes, you would see a grand stair case that seems to dominate the entire home. And there is an openness to such a house that you have never seen in any other type home. You almost expect Scarlet Ohara to greet you as you enter.
Inside of both of these examples are finely made fireplaces and mantels, elaborate moldings, and hardwood or ceramic floors. Doors were finely crafted, many with beautiful carvings and hardware. Kitchens were decked with marble or granite and tile. The indoor bathrooms had fine porcelain tubs, toilets, and sinks. It was a sight to behold.
These homes and many other design types like this offer a warm and secure feeling unlike any of the more modern house types. They give you that feeling of more pleasant and innocent times that can be recaptured today if you want to.
Modern building materials and methods can be used to duplicate this same look to a new home. I’ve seen a few and they do a wonderful job of recreating that look on the exterior of a modern home. Even more beautiful are those new homes that have taken not only the exterior look but also the interior layout of these homes and added the modern conveniences to them.
Some people believe that in order to move forward into the future we need to forget about the past designs. I am not one of those. I believe that in order to move forward we need to remember the past and not discard the warmth and comfort these types of homes offered.
About the Author
The author, Tim Davis is a fully trained architectural designer who have been designing home plans for the past thirty years. He also has been trained in historical reconstruction and remodeling and is willing and able to help you design your own period home. His website is at http://customhouseplans.8m.com
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Choosing an Architect or Designer For your New Home Design
You are going to build a new home, your first house. For years you have dreamed, scrimped and saved with the vision of your ideal home stirring you on. Finally you have accumulated enough money to make a down payment on a piece of land and your goal is finally within your reach. So how do you intend to finalize your dream? You cant just blindly go ahead and start building.
You probably have looked through hundreds of pre drawn plans in catalogs and even though you see elements in different plans that you like but have not quite found a plan that has all that you envisioned. You have also probably seen certain elements of your friends and neighbors homes you liked but still, the overall lay out just did not seem to fit what you wanted.
It is also probably a fair assumption that you can not rely on your own technical skill in either design or construction unless you are trained in that area of expertise. So now you have two choices.
Hire an Architect
This is a common choice and all well and good. The architect was trained with this sort of thing in mind. These are professionals who are trained to design projects ranging from homes to skyscrapers. The biggest problem with this is more times than not, you are going to pay a premium amount to hire them.
But hey, if you are building a mansion, the best professional to have is the architect because of the enormity of the project and the greater amount of skills and resources needed to complete such a home. And more times than not, your ideas can be used by him or her to create a very original design. I was told by the architect that trained me that many people did not really know what they wanted and that the architect was there to enlighten them.
Hire a Designer
However, if you “do” know what you want, a designer is your better choice. This professional is also trained to design and draw homes within technical specs. If I know my colleagues well enough, are also willing to bend over backwards to give you the home that “you” want at a lower cost, the way “you” want it as long as it meets code and it is within the budget you have set for the construction of your new home.
About the Author
Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer with 30 years experience. And he does not believe you should spend a fortune designing your home. His website is at http://customhouseplans.8m.com
You probably have looked through hundreds of pre drawn plans in catalogs and even though you see elements in different plans that you like but have not quite found a plan that has all that you envisioned. You have also probably seen certain elements of your friends and neighbors homes you liked but still, the overall lay out just did not seem to fit what you wanted.
It is also probably a fair assumption that you can not rely on your own technical skill in either design or construction unless you are trained in that area of expertise. So now you have two choices.
Hire an Architect
This is a common choice and all well and good. The architect was trained with this sort of thing in mind. These are professionals who are trained to design projects ranging from homes to skyscrapers. The biggest problem with this is more times than not, you are going to pay a premium amount to hire them.
But hey, if you are building a mansion, the best professional to have is the architect because of the enormity of the project and the greater amount of skills and resources needed to complete such a home. And more times than not, your ideas can be used by him or her to create a very original design. I was told by the architect that trained me that many people did not really know what they wanted and that the architect was there to enlighten them.
Hire a Designer
However, if you “do” know what you want, a designer is your better choice. This professional is also trained to design and draw homes within technical specs. If I know my colleagues well enough, are also willing to bend over backwards to give you the home that “you” want at a lower cost, the way “you” want it as long as it meets code and it is within the budget you have set for the construction of your new home.
About the Author
Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer with 30 years experience. And he does not believe you should spend a fortune designing your home. His website is at http://customhouseplans.8m.com
A Well Designed Kitchen
When designing a new home, it is always a good idea to spend some time carefully considering the kitchen and its layout. After all, this is where the family meal is usually prepared and there is nothing more important than the family meal to keep the family as a unit.
The most popular layout today includes either a bar built into the counter space or a breakfast nook directly connected to the kitchen for the morning meals. That bar or the table in the nook is a great place for the kids to do home work or school projects not to mention a place for mom or dad to balance the check book or some other task.
A properly designed kitchen also should not be hard to work in. For instance, it should be layed out so that there is no more than a twelve to fourteen foot triangle between the stove, sink, and refrigerator. This method allows for less steps and more cooking.
Natural light should also be a major consideration. A good sized window should be placed directly over the sink if possible. If it isn’t possible, then there should be large windows in the nook area to reflect light back into the cooking area.
There should be plenty of storage space whenever possible that would include a pantry integrated into a closet in easy reach from the cabinets. In corner cabinets, A Lazy Susan should be installed. A Lazy Susan is a rotating set of shelves installed so that everything can be reached by turning a carousel of shelves.
Drawers are very important for storing silverware and a good planner will make sure there are some deep drawers for those catch all things that always seem to show up in the kitchen. Actually, junk drawers aren’t a bad idea for keeping the kitchen tidy. Some cabinet companies have racks built into special cabinets that pull out like drawers for storing pots and pans that are hung on special runners for saving space.
Time and labor savers like a dishwasher should always be installed near the sink. Other appliances to be considered would be a built in microwave for quick snacks and warming meals.
About the Author
Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer with 30 years experience. And he does not believe you should spend a fortune designing your home. His website is at http://customhouseplans.8m.com
The most popular layout today includes either a bar built into the counter space or a breakfast nook directly connected to the kitchen for the morning meals. That bar or the table in the nook is a great place for the kids to do home work or school projects not to mention a place for mom or dad to balance the check book or some other task.
A properly designed kitchen also should not be hard to work in. For instance, it should be layed out so that there is no more than a twelve to fourteen foot triangle between the stove, sink, and refrigerator. This method allows for less steps and more cooking.
Natural light should also be a major consideration. A good sized window should be placed directly over the sink if possible. If it isn’t possible, then there should be large windows in the nook area to reflect light back into the cooking area.
There should be plenty of storage space whenever possible that would include a pantry integrated into a closet in easy reach from the cabinets. In corner cabinets, A Lazy Susan should be installed. A Lazy Susan is a rotating set of shelves installed so that everything can be reached by turning a carousel of shelves.
Drawers are very important for storing silverware and a good planner will make sure there are some deep drawers for those catch all things that always seem to show up in the kitchen. Actually, junk drawers aren’t a bad idea for keeping the kitchen tidy. Some cabinet companies have racks built into special cabinets that pull out like drawers for storing pots and pans that are hung on special runners for saving space.
Time and labor savers like a dishwasher should always be installed near the sink. Other appliances to be considered would be a built in microwave for quick snacks and warming meals.
About the Author
Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer with 30 years experience. And he does not believe you should spend a fortune designing your home. His website is at http://customhouseplans.8m.com
Monday, February 22, 2010
Having Your Home Designed By A Professional
When designing a home, my belief is that there is no method to use other than simplicity even in the largest houses. The greatest problem when laying out a large home is the danger of allowing the design to become monotonous. Monotony is the greatest causes of home owners becoming bored with their new home shortly after it is built. Simplicity more or less eliminates this possibility.
What I mean by simplicity is that there shouldn’t be a maze of hallways. There is more space wasted by designers adding halls to the plan than most any other cause. And rooms should flow together with one another with access to most all area’s of the home available to those rooms. Some call this method the open floor plan concept. The Kitchen should be serviceable enough for two or more people to freely move around the room and the dining / nook rooms shouldn’t be far away from it.
Be patient with your designer. It will pay off in the long run. There are times I have seen the owner insist that the work be rushed, sometimes ending in a catastrophe of an under designed home or one whose function is not what it should be. Communicate with them and let this professional know what you are hoping for so he or she can put your individuality into every room and then trust their training and experience.
Our home is our castle no matter how humble it may be. It is where we should spend the happiest and most memorable moments of our lives. Therefore it should be built to look attractive so that the father, mother, and the children can feel that there is really “no place like home”. Sounds corny I know, but you know it is true.
About the Author
Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer with 30 years experience. And he does not believe you should spend a fortune designing your home. His website is at http://customhouseplans.8m.com
What I mean by simplicity is that there shouldn’t be a maze of hallways. There is more space wasted by designers adding halls to the plan than most any other cause. And rooms should flow together with one another with access to most all area’s of the home available to those rooms. Some call this method the open floor plan concept. The Kitchen should be serviceable enough for two or more people to freely move around the room and the dining / nook rooms shouldn’t be far away from it.
Be patient with your designer. It will pay off in the long run. There are times I have seen the owner insist that the work be rushed, sometimes ending in a catastrophe of an under designed home or one whose function is not what it should be. Communicate with them and let this professional know what you are hoping for so he or she can put your individuality into every room and then trust their training and experience.
Our home is our castle no matter how humble it may be. It is where we should spend the happiest and most memorable moments of our lives. Therefore it should be built to look attractive so that the father, mother, and the children can feel that there is really “no place like home”. Sounds corny I know, but you know it is true.
About the Author
Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer with 30 years experience. And he does not believe you should spend a fortune designing your home. His website is at http://customhouseplans.8m.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Need for Drafting and Drafters
Everyone in the world speaks a language. The definition of language is the expression of thoughts in an understandable way. And if we want to be understood, we learn as much about our language as possible including learning other languages as well. Facts are that I really do not know too many people who prefer to be misunderstood. And to become more proficient, we read books, magazines, newspapers, and practice composition in order to become completely familiar with our language.
However, if we try to describe in words the geometry, appearance, and details of a fixture, machine, house or building, it can be down right impossible using just words in most cases. This is where we need to use another language called the “Graphic Language of Drawing”. So that when our words fail to give a complete or accurate description we look to literature that uses diagrams, pictures, and drawings to better explain the concept of whatever it is we are studying or attempting to build.
This is where drafters come into play. A trained drafter is able to draw an image from many different perspectives so that there is very few questions what a finished object will look like when fabricated. This professional drafter not only creates a pictorial representation of an object, but also gives dimensions and instructions that can be understood in any workshop or construction site.
In the past, the tools of the drafter were pencil, pen, paper, tee square or parallel bar, drafting board, scales, dividers, and templates, but for the most part, with the invention of computer aided drafting tools or CAD for short, the professional can create accurate drawings that can be easily understood by most anyone. That’s not to say that drawing on a drafting board is a lost art. It’s still very common today and a excellent way for the drafter to keep up his discipline and skills.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
However, if we try to describe in words the geometry, appearance, and details of a fixture, machine, house or building, it can be down right impossible using just words in most cases. This is where we need to use another language called the “Graphic Language of Drawing”. So that when our words fail to give a complete or accurate description we look to literature that uses diagrams, pictures, and drawings to better explain the concept of whatever it is we are studying or attempting to build.
This is where drafters come into play. A trained drafter is able to draw an image from many different perspectives so that there is very few questions what a finished object will look like when fabricated. This professional drafter not only creates a pictorial representation of an object, but also gives dimensions and instructions that can be understood in any workshop or construction site.
In the past, the tools of the drafter were pencil, pen, paper, tee square or parallel bar, drafting board, scales, dividers, and templates, but for the most part, with the invention of computer aided drafting tools or CAD for short, the professional can create accurate drawings that can be easily understood by most anyone. That’s not to say that drawing on a drafting board is a lost art. It’s still very common today and a excellent way for the drafter to keep up his discipline and skills.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Article Submission Tools and Tidbits
It is a widely known fact that writing and submitting articles is a daunting task but the rewards are far more than the work involved. Writing articles and then submitting them to article directories is one of if not the best way to promote your web site bar none, including blogs, in my opinion.
If you are like me, I have my own directory connected to my website. All my new articles go into this directory and then I submit them to other directories. I also reword them to be a completely new article and submit them too.
My first method was to keep a linked list on my server and then visit the individual article directories. This didn’t suit me as I was having to click back and forth between the list, my notepad, and then the directory where I was submitting to. Lots of work, let me tell you.
My second method was to download one of those automated submission tools. I figured automation was the way to go until I found that these sometimes bunched my articles into one solid paragraph and submitted into whatever category it wanted to. I dumped that method like a hot potato.
The third and final method I tried was to build my own submission page using frames. Then with the list on the left frame, the article directory on the right frame, and the text boxes I put to the top, I came up with my own article submission tool.
Frames are a very old method in HTML and I wouldn’t recommend using them for a website, but it sure made one handy dandy utensil to submit my articles with. It splices, it dices, it makes Julienne fries. Really folks, don’t discount using the old methods in dealing with the new problems.
And the best part of this method is everyone is happy. The article directory owners get their visits and you get your articles submitted to each and every one with more ease.
About the Author
Tim Davis is an article author who has made his article submission tool available to the internet public, free to use at http://receivedtext.org/artsub/ . He also is an online architectural & mechanical drafting instructor at http://101info.org
If you are like me, I have my own directory connected to my website. All my new articles go into this directory and then I submit them to other directories. I also reword them to be a completely new article and submit them too.
My first method was to keep a linked list on my server and then visit the individual article directories. This didn’t suit me as I was having to click back and forth between the list, my notepad, and then the directory where I was submitting to. Lots of work, let me tell you.
My second method was to download one of those automated submission tools. I figured automation was the way to go until I found that these sometimes bunched my articles into one solid paragraph and submitted into whatever category it wanted to. I dumped that method like a hot potato.
The third and final method I tried was to build my own submission page using frames. Then with the list on the left frame, the article directory on the right frame, and the text boxes I put to the top, I came up with my own article submission tool.
Frames are a very old method in HTML and I wouldn’t recommend using them for a website, but it sure made one handy dandy utensil to submit my articles with. It splices, it dices, it makes Julienne fries. Really folks, don’t discount using the old methods in dealing with the new problems.
And the best part of this method is everyone is happy. The article directory owners get their visits and you get your articles submitted to each and every one with more ease.
About the Author
Tim Davis is an article author who has made his article submission tool available to the internet public, free to use at http://receivedtext.org/artsub/ . He also is an online architectural & mechanical drafting instructor at http://101info.org
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
As Built Remodeling Drawings
When we need to make alterations or additions to an existing building, the drafter finds that they need an accurate drawing of the structure as it stands. This is called an As-Built drawing. If the original drawings of the building are not available, it is then necessary that we measure and recorded it in some quick and accurate manner so that workable plans, elevations, etc., can be drawn. The amount of detail needed in these drawings and the care with which we make them is determined entirely by the new work to be added to the building and will vary with each instance.
The first sketch is made on grid paper. This paper is ruled vertically and horizontally with lines 1/4” inch apart forming 1/4” inch squares. As the sketches are usually made at a scale of 1/4" = 1' - 0", the plans, elevations, etc., can be more easily drawn on this paper with good proportions because each small space represents one foot at this scale. The paper should be fastened to a piece of cardboard or other lightweight board so that it can be easily carried and marked on.
A tape measure will be needed for making the measurements. A digital camera is also a handy piece of equipment because you can record exactly what the subject that you are drawing looks like in relation to your sketches. You need to be careful to make your notes as complete as possible from the beginning because if anything is left off the sketch, time may be wasted in having to repeat trips to the building the retrieve the missing information.
The first thing we draw are sketches of the floor plans. These should be measured and recorded as completely as possible. These should show all main dimensions of rooms, the location of stairways with the number and dimensions of the risers and treads. Then the thickness and material of all walls, the width, and location of all wall openings and then any other features such as heating and plumbing equipment, and so on are sketched. Take as many photo’s a you can. You can never have too much information to complete your as-builts.
In recording the vertical dimensions, the story heights should be noted first. This can be done by dropping your tape measure down through a stair well where possible. You can also measure on the outside wall from sill to sill of the windows and then adding the sill to floor dimensions of the lower story and subtracting corresponding dimensions from the upper story. And again, photograph everything possible on the exterior.
Once all this information is compiled along with notes on exterior finishes, roof pitches, grade heights, etc., the sketches can be turned into exact drawings of the structure that is to be remodeled. Form the point the additions can be made to the building and construction drawings can be completed.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
The first sketch is made on grid paper. This paper is ruled vertically and horizontally with lines 1/4” inch apart forming 1/4” inch squares. As the sketches are usually made at a scale of 1/4" = 1' - 0", the plans, elevations, etc., can be more easily drawn on this paper with good proportions because each small space represents one foot at this scale. The paper should be fastened to a piece of cardboard or other lightweight board so that it can be easily carried and marked on.
A tape measure will be needed for making the measurements. A digital camera is also a handy piece of equipment because you can record exactly what the subject that you are drawing looks like in relation to your sketches. You need to be careful to make your notes as complete as possible from the beginning because if anything is left off the sketch, time may be wasted in having to repeat trips to the building the retrieve the missing information.
The first thing we draw are sketches of the floor plans. These should be measured and recorded as completely as possible. These should show all main dimensions of rooms, the location of stairways with the number and dimensions of the risers and treads. Then the thickness and material of all walls, the width, and location of all wall openings and then any other features such as heating and plumbing equipment, and so on are sketched. Take as many photo’s a you can. You can never have too much information to complete your as-builts.
In recording the vertical dimensions, the story heights should be noted first. This can be done by dropping your tape measure down through a stair well where possible. You can also measure on the outside wall from sill to sill of the windows and then adding the sill to floor dimensions of the lower story and subtracting corresponding dimensions from the upper story. And again, photograph everything possible on the exterior.
Once all this information is compiled along with notes on exterior finishes, roof pitches, grade heights, etc., the sketches can be turned into exact drawings of the structure that is to be remodeled. Form the point the additions can be made to the building and construction drawings can be completed.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Architectural Detail Drawings
Architectural details are drawings that made at a larger scale than the floor plans and elevations. They are used to accurately describe the various methods of construction. The scale of detail drawings vary according to the need. 3/4" = 1' - 0" is a good size for the general details like exterior elevations and wall sections while interior elevations are often made at a scale of 1/2" = 1' - 0". Full size details are drawn when absolute accuracy is needed for things like fine mouldings of a fire place mantel.
The smaller scale details are usually included in the main drawings while full-size details are furnished only to the professional worker who specializes in a particular trade such as the finishing framer, plumber, or H.V.A.C. installer.
The details for most any building consist of the following types of drawings.
A. Vertical wall sections describing all horizontal mouldings, the sill, wall thickness, method of framing the floor into walls, windows, cornice, and roof lines at the cornice.
B. Details on the exterior elevations that could not be shown properly by the 1/4” or 1/8” = 1’ – 0” scale elevations.
C. Detailed elevations and sections of the various items in the interior of the house such as doors, fireplaces, stairways, ornamental beams, cornices and other decorative features.
D. Parts of the plan are detailed when necessary.
After the general drawings are completed, the full-size details are drawn, usually in the order in which the building is finished. So then the basement windows are almost always the first full-size details made for the better class of residence work, since these windows must ordered and then delivered before the basement wall can be completed. The interior trim, stair finish, etc., are drawn full sized lastly because that is the last work to be put into the home.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
The smaller scale details are usually included in the main drawings while full-size details are furnished only to the professional worker who specializes in a particular trade such as the finishing framer, plumber, or H.V.A.C. installer.
The details for most any building consist of the following types of drawings.
A. Vertical wall sections describing all horizontal mouldings, the sill, wall thickness, method of framing the floor into walls, windows, cornice, and roof lines at the cornice.
B. Details on the exterior elevations that could not be shown properly by the 1/4” or 1/8” = 1’ – 0” scale elevations.
C. Detailed elevations and sections of the various items in the interior of the house such as doors, fireplaces, stairways, ornamental beams, cornices and other decorative features.
D. Parts of the plan are detailed when necessary.
After the general drawings are completed, the full-size details are drawn, usually in the order in which the building is finished. So then the basement windows are almost always the first full-size details made for the better class of residence work, since these windows must ordered and then delivered before the basement wall can be completed. The interior trim, stair finish, etc., are drawn full sized lastly because that is the last work to be put into the home.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Drafting
Drafting fields vary by the type of drafting they specialize in. The various fields are architectural, structural, electrical and electronic, mechanical or machine, boundary and topographical, general, illustrative, and tracing or reproductive. And each of these fields have their own methods of getting an idea across on paper with similarities that tie them together as a certain type of trained professional.
A good drafters qualifications are: accuracy, technique, speed, economy, and neatness and also a fluent grasp of how to draw in many of the various CAD programs on the market today as well as use of the drafting board. Like many fields, drafting used to be mostly a mans vocation, but no longer because women have entered the work force and showed that they can be just as useful and skilled as any man creating complex drawings.
Accuracy is the greatest of these qualifications. A mistake should be considered as a reflection of the drafters character and every effort should be made to create habits of doing the most accurate work possible.
Technique should be studied and developed thoroughly, because without technique the drafters work looks like it was done by an amateur.
Speed in drafting is the result of mental processes as well as manual dexterity or skill with the mouse and keyboard using CAD. It naturally follows quick thought when the subject is understood and technique is mastered. And with speed comes economy. Speed can be attained by close attention to what details, dimensions, and shading are needed and also what is not required.
And then neatness is the final form of efficiency in light of the other qualities. It should be developed into a habit, and will usually be noticed in the work of those possessing the other qualities.
About the Author
Tim Davis is a drafter who has mastered many different types of drafting known as disciplines. He teaches drafting at http://101info.org and is the webmaster of Drafting, CAD, & Design Articles at http://draftingservice.us/drafting/
A good drafters qualifications are: accuracy, technique, speed, economy, and neatness and also a fluent grasp of how to draw in many of the various CAD programs on the market today as well as use of the drafting board. Like many fields, drafting used to be mostly a mans vocation, but no longer because women have entered the work force and showed that they can be just as useful and skilled as any man creating complex drawings.
Accuracy is the greatest of these qualifications. A mistake should be considered as a reflection of the drafters character and every effort should be made to create habits of doing the most accurate work possible.
Technique should be studied and developed thoroughly, because without technique the drafters work looks like it was done by an amateur.
Speed in drafting is the result of mental processes as well as manual dexterity or skill with the mouse and keyboard using CAD. It naturally follows quick thought when the subject is understood and technique is mastered. And with speed comes economy. Speed can be attained by close attention to what details, dimensions, and shading are needed and also what is not required.
And then neatness is the final form of efficiency in light of the other qualities. It should be developed into a habit, and will usually be noticed in the work of those possessing the other qualities.
About the Author
Tim Davis is a drafter who has mastered many different types of drafting known as disciplines. He teaches drafting at http://101info.org and is the webmaster of Drafting, CAD, & Design Articles at http://draftingservice.us/drafting/
What Are Architectural Details?
Architectural details are the drawings made at a larger scale than the plans and exterior elevations to accurately show the various methods of construction and the mouldings and ornamentation on the building.
The scale of details varies according to the size of the item being drawn in detail. 1/2" = 1'- 0" and 3/4" = 1'- 0" are the most common scales used. When absolute accuracy is needed, like the intricate mouldings on a decorative fire place mantel, full-size (life size) details are drawn. And the smaller scale details are usually included in the general drawings while full-size details are placed on their own separate drawing sheets.
The various types of details would be as follows:
Sectional Details - This is where we would draw something as if a knife had cut a slice out of the building plan and drew all the various parts of the construction like the studs showing all the things connected to them from the sheet-rock on the interior to the exterior sheathing and siding.
This type of detail would also show the insulation in the walls, floor, and ceiling, the types of rafters, end plates, headers over doors and windows, top and bottom plates of the walls, rafters or trusses, ceiling joists, and supporting structures, roof sheathing, shingle types, and ventilation, etc. These can either full cut away sections or partial depending on the detail needed.
Millwork Details - These details would show the angles of cuts and joints to various trims like base, corner, and wainscot mouldings usually called chair moulds. This would also include special columns and railings.
Special Details - Items of special interest like kitchen and bathroom cabinet drawings or closet specialties like built in shoe boxes and clothing lockers.
Utility Details - Usually when a special fireplace, stair, book case or entertainment center is to be built, this would be done in section or elevation showing the various parts and the extra ordinary items.
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
The scale of details varies according to the size of the item being drawn in detail. 1/2" = 1'- 0" and 3/4" = 1'- 0" are the most common scales used. When absolute accuracy is needed, like the intricate mouldings on a decorative fire place mantel, full-size (life size) details are drawn. And the smaller scale details are usually included in the general drawings while full-size details are placed on their own separate drawing sheets.
The various types of details would be as follows:
Sectional Details - This is where we would draw something as if a knife had cut a slice out of the building plan and drew all the various parts of the construction like the studs showing all the things connected to them from the sheet-rock on the interior to the exterior sheathing and siding.
This type of detail would also show the insulation in the walls, floor, and ceiling, the types of rafters, end plates, headers over doors and windows, top and bottom plates of the walls, rafters or trusses, ceiling joists, and supporting structures, roof sheathing, shingle types, and ventilation, etc. These can either full cut away sections or partial depending on the detail needed.
Millwork Details - These details would show the angles of cuts and joints to various trims like base, corner, and wainscot mouldings usually called chair moulds. This would also include special columns and railings.
Special Details - Items of special interest like kitchen and bathroom cabinet drawings or closet specialties like built in shoe boxes and clothing lockers.
Utility Details - Usually when a special fireplace, stair, book case or entertainment center is to be built, this would be done in section or elevation showing the various parts and the extra ordinary items.
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Friday, February 12, 2010
Scale Drawings of House Plans
Working drawings contain all plans, elevations (both exterior and interior views), sections, scale details and full size details necessary for the adequate construction of a home. The scale drawings of a structure are those which show the general layout of the entire building, locating the various features of the layout, showing their relation to each other and giving the needed dimensions required to accurately complete the construction.
The scale drawings of the architectural designer or architect in a certain way, resemble the assembly drawings of the machine designer. The characteristic of the designers scale drawings are that it deals with in general conditions of the home and clarifies them by symbols rather than to showing each feature exactly as it would look in real life.
To give an example, a fireplace is shown on a scale drawing by dimensioning to its center line on the plan. Then on the detailed drawings, everything is thoroughly shown and completely dimensioned. So in other words a scale drawing is merely an general representation while the more accurate description is left for the detail sheet.
To determine a scale, the first thing to be decided on the scale drawings is the scale that they will be drawn at. This is determined by the size of the building and the degree we want to go into detail.
The average residential drawing is drawn at a scale of ¼” = 1’- 0” (one quarter inch equals one foot and zero inches), while a very large house must be drawn at a scale of 1/8” = 1’ – 0” (one eight inch equals one foot and zero inches). The size of the sheet is often determined by the scale of the drawing.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
The scale drawings of the architectural designer or architect in a certain way, resemble the assembly drawings of the machine designer. The characteristic of the designers scale drawings are that it deals with in general conditions of the home and clarifies them by symbols rather than to showing each feature exactly as it would look in real life.
To give an example, a fireplace is shown on a scale drawing by dimensioning to its center line on the plan. Then on the detailed drawings, everything is thoroughly shown and completely dimensioned. So in other words a scale drawing is merely an general representation while the more accurate description is left for the detail sheet.
To determine a scale, the first thing to be decided on the scale drawings is the scale that they will be drawn at. This is determined by the size of the building and the degree we want to go into detail.
The average residential drawing is drawn at a scale of ¼” = 1’- 0” (one quarter inch equals one foot and zero inches), while a very large house must be drawn at a scale of 1/8” = 1’ – 0” (one eight inch equals one foot and zero inches). The size of the sheet is often determined by the scale of the drawing.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Why Is Stone Masonry Home Construction So Expensive?
The prettiest of all materials for a house is probably stone. This accounts for the increasing amount of houses with stone finishes erected in the past few years. But stone is also one of the most expensive materials you can use. Its use in home building costs is more than that of brick or stucco or wood. It comes as a real shock to new perspective home owners when they find out the cost difference because they had learned that when this country was young, stone was used by the poorest of farmers to construct their dwellings.
The reason the cost was so low in earlier days was that in the first place, the farmers back had to clear their fields of rock, rubble, and stone anyway, and the expense of carrying it to the construction site was no greater than the expense of carrying it anywhere else. So basically their material was supplied for free at the site! But today we have to pay for the quarrying of the stone and then more for the shipping.
And besides that, the roads and methods of transportation were so bad that it was near impossible to get brick even a few miles from brick kilns without a great amount of expense. Brick was therefore out of the question unless you had a brick kiln in your back yard or there was a waterway close by so it could be shipped by barge. Also, in those days bricks were made by hand and not by machine. The cost of molding bricks equaled or was sometimes greater than the cost of laying stone.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
The reason the cost was so low in earlier days was that in the first place, the farmers back had to clear their fields of rock, rubble, and stone anyway, and the expense of carrying it to the construction site was no greater than the expense of carrying it anywhere else. So basically their material was supplied for free at the site! But today we have to pay for the quarrying of the stone and then more for the shipping.
And besides that, the roads and methods of transportation were so bad that it was near impossible to get brick even a few miles from brick kilns without a great amount of expense. Brick was therefore out of the question unless you had a brick kiln in your back yard or there was a waterway close by so it could be shipped by barge. Also, in those days bricks were made by hand and not by machine. The cost of molding bricks equaled or was sometimes greater than the cost of laying stone.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Architectural Design and Drafting
To be fully qualified in their work, the architectural drafter needs to have training and experience in a wide range of subjects related to drawing and construction.
1. He or she must be completely familiar with the principles of orthographic projection. This would include the relation of views, projections, sections, developed views, reflected views, Intersections of members of a structure, etc.
2. They have to know the Architectural Symbols, and the methods of representing various forms of construction.
3. They have to be acquainted with the history of architecture. This includes building practices that have succeeded as well as those that have failed the test of time.
4. They have to know the principles of pure and applied design.
5. They need to know various construction materials, their strengths, characteristics, limitations and various uses.
6. They should have a working knowledge of creating perspective drawings, how to shade them with shadows, and rendering so that a design can be better understood out side of the 2 dimensional plane of drafting.
Architectural drawing is not just a mechanical operation and neither is it a subject to be learned separately from architectural design. The subject of architectural placement and arrangement of visual elements of a building must go hand in hand with the ability to mechanically draw these elements.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
1. He or she must be completely familiar with the principles of orthographic projection. This would include the relation of views, projections, sections, developed views, reflected views, Intersections of members of a structure, etc.
2. They have to know the Architectural Symbols, and the methods of representing various forms of construction.
3. They have to be acquainted with the history of architecture. This includes building practices that have succeeded as well as those that have failed the test of time.
4. They have to know the principles of pure and applied design.
5. They need to know various construction materials, their strengths, characteristics, limitations and various uses.
6. They should have a working knowledge of creating perspective drawings, how to shade them with shadows, and rendering so that a design can be better understood out side of the 2 dimensional plane of drafting.
Architectural drawing is not just a mechanical operation and neither is it a subject to be learned separately from architectural design. The subject of architectural placement and arrangement of visual elements of a building must go hand in hand with the ability to mechanically draw these elements.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Saturday, February 6, 2010
New Article Directory
Announcing a new Article Directory called Drafting, CAD, & Design Articles. Professional Articles about almost all aspects of the Drafting & Design Industry written by the Professionals Themselves.
Please visit and submit your own articles at http://www.draftingservice.us/drafting/
Please visit and submit your own articles at http://www.draftingservice.us/drafting/
Drawing a Floor Plan
It is not the intention of this article to give you a complete course in drawing a floor plan. That is a very involved process. In short though, I would like to walk you through the process for your general information.
Most all plans start with a sketch of some sort made by the prospective home builder, or by a professional architect or designer. Usually that sketch is drawn on graph paper so that some sort of scale can be maintained and usually that scale on the grid paper is either one quarter inch equals one foot or two feet.
The first thing that is drawn is the exterior boundary known as the perimeter walls. Weather you are using a drafting board or a CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) program, the process is still basically the same because a CAD program really is nothing more than a drafting board on your computer.
Inside the boundary line, we then draw the thickness of the exterior walls which can either be four or six inches depending on how much insulation will be used and if the construction material is wood or metal studs, with wood being the most common of the two. This is usually determined by the climate of the area the house will be built in. Houses in colder climates would receive more insulation, therefore thicker walls, and those in warmer climates would receive less.
For homes built with other materials, the thickness will vary from one material to the next. For instance if the home is masonry block, the thickness would be four, eight, or twelve inches. With poured concrete the thickness can be whatever is prescribed by the designer, but usually not under six or eight inches thick.
Once the exterior walls are drawn, the interior walls, which are almost always four inches thick, are then placed with careful attention paid to room depths and widths. For instance, a hall that is under three foot wide is of no practical use because the minimum door (from my own experience) into a bedroom should always be no less than thirty to thirty two inches wide and the framing along with the two or three inch trim should always be considered.
A bedroom should always be a minimum of ten feet wide and ten feet deep not including the closet to allow for a bed, dresser and chest of drawers. The closets should be a minimum of two feet deep by three or four feet wide to allow for clothing storage.
The bathroom or bathrooms of a home should be drawn at a minimum of five feet wide to accommodate a bath tub and no less than seven feet deep to allow room for a toilet and sink vanity. A half bath should be a minimum of four feet wide by four feet deep to allow for the sink and toilet.
The living or family room should almost always be at least one and one half times the size of the smallest bedroom to allow for plenty of room for socializing and relaxing while watching television or entertaining guests.
Kitchen sizes will vary but the minimum size kitchen for a two or three bedroom home should be at least one hundred square feet to allow for cooking appliances, dish washing, food storage, and preparation.
If a utility room is on the house sketch, this should be a minimum of three feet deep by five feet wide for a washer and dryer to be placed in it. This type of utility room usually has a five foot wide bi-fold or double door to allow access to both appliances.
And lastly, if we have a garage, the minimum for a single car should be twelve feet wide by twenty two feet deep and an eight foot wide garage door.
Once the rooms are laid out then the doors are placed. The nearest a door should be to a wall is three inches because of the trim surrounding the door casing. The minimum door sizes are as follows: Main Entrance - 36 inch, Secondary Entrance - 32 inch, Bedrooms - 30 inch, Study or Library - 32 inch, Bathrooms - 24 inch, Utility Rooms - 32 inch, Linen Closets - 16 inch, Bedroom Closets - 24 inch, Pantries - 12 inch, Storage Rooms - 32 inch.
These sizes are the preferences of most people I have drawn houses for and may have to be altered to suit the home builder or your client. It's also good to swing a door to the closest wall for the sake of space. Wherever a door is placed, you can't have furniture! So door placement is a matter of functionality also.
Windows are very important to the home as these allow light and fresh air into the rooms. For a bedroom, the minimum window should be three feet wide by four feet four inches tall to allow fire egress (a fire escape) should it be needed.
Once these stages are completed then things like dimensions, door and window labels, notes, and electrical can be placed on the plan.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Most all plans start with a sketch of some sort made by the prospective home builder, or by a professional architect or designer. Usually that sketch is drawn on graph paper so that some sort of scale can be maintained and usually that scale on the grid paper is either one quarter inch equals one foot or two feet.
The first thing that is drawn is the exterior boundary known as the perimeter walls. Weather you are using a drafting board or a CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) program, the process is still basically the same because a CAD program really is nothing more than a drafting board on your computer.
Inside the boundary line, we then draw the thickness of the exterior walls which can either be four or six inches depending on how much insulation will be used and if the construction material is wood or metal studs, with wood being the most common of the two. This is usually determined by the climate of the area the house will be built in. Houses in colder climates would receive more insulation, therefore thicker walls, and those in warmer climates would receive less.
For homes built with other materials, the thickness will vary from one material to the next. For instance if the home is masonry block, the thickness would be four, eight, or twelve inches. With poured concrete the thickness can be whatever is prescribed by the designer, but usually not under six or eight inches thick.
Once the exterior walls are drawn, the interior walls, which are almost always four inches thick, are then placed with careful attention paid to room depths and widths. For instance, a hall that is under three foot wide is of no practical use because the minimum door (from my own experience) into a bedroom should always be no less than thirty to thirty two inches wide and the framing along with the two or three inch trim should always be considered.
A bedroom should always be a minimum of ten feet wide and ten feet deep not including the closet to allow for a bed, dresser and chest of drawers. The closets should be a minimum of two feet deep by three or four feet wide to allow for clothing storage.
The bathroom or bathrooms of a home should be drawn at a minimum of five feet wide to accommodate a bath tub and no less than seven feet deep to allow room for a toilet and sink vanity. A half bath should be a minimum of four feet wide by four feet deep to allow for the sink and toilet.
The living or family room should almost always be at least one and one half times the size of the smallest bedroom to allow for plenty of room for socializing and relaxing while watching television or entertaining guests.
Kitchen sizes will vary but the minimum size kitchen for a two or three bedroom home should be at least one hundred square feet to allow for cooking appliances, dish washing, food storage, and preparation.
If a utility room is on the house sketch, this should be a minimum of three feet deep by five feet wide for a washer and dryer to be placed in it. This type of utility room usually has a five foot wide bi-fold or double door to allow access to both appliances.
And lastly, if we have a garage, the minimum for a single car should be twelve feet wide by twenty two feet deep and an eight foot wide garage door.
Once the rooms are laid out then the doors are placed. The nearest a door should be to a wall is three inches because of the trim surrounding the door casing. The minimum door sizes are as follows: Main Entrance - 36 inch, Secondary Entrance - 32 inch, Bedrooms - 30 inch, Study or Library - 32 inch, Bathrooms - 24 inch, Utility Rooms - 32 inch, Linen Closets - 16 inch, Bedroom Closets - 24 inch, Pantries - 12 inch, Storage Rooms - 32 inch.
These sizes are the preferences of most people I have drawn houses for and may have to be altered to suit the home builder or your client. It's also good to swing a door to the closest wall for the sake of space. Wherever a door is placed, you can't have furniture! So door placement is a matter of functionality also.
Windows are very important to the home as these allow light and fresh air into the rooms. For a bedroom, the minimum window should be three feet wide by four feet four inches tall to allow fire egress (a fire escape) should it be needed.
Once these stages are completed then things like dimensions, door and window labels, notes, and electrical can be placed on the plan.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Friday, February 5, 2010
A Course In Mechanical Drafting
Taking a course in mechanical drafting is not one of the easiest endeavors. A student needs to develop a discipline over the way he or she looks at things. They also need to develop a constructive way of thinking so that the student can think in a mechanical way. Not only this but they need to be trained to be able to communicate graphically so that the intentions of an idea, process, or item are understood without question in a fabrication or machine shop.
Mathematics are a major part of the learning process. In this field of drafting, some of those math classes you took in high school will actually seem like a necessary skill to have once you start your studies. Calculations of material stresses and deflection, calculations of material density and volume, sheering, load tables, etc. are only a few of the things a student will have to learn.
The student has to get a working knowledge of the fundamental operations and conventions of mechanical drawings from lettering and calculations, to the lay out of the work and so on in order that the completed sheet or sheets of drawings reflect a well arranged and clearly executed finished drawing. In the making of working drawings, it is often very difficult for the novice because of its conventional character of the work.
In today’s engineering drafting offices, the student will need to be able to work on a CAD system. CAD is short for Computer Aided Drafting. In other words, it is a drafting board in a computer. And before a CAD system is learned it is always best to learn how to draw on a drafting board. Manual drafting may be a disappearing discipline but in my mind as a teacher it is indispensable.
As I said, it isn’t the easiest career to learn. But like anything you have to learn to do, once you get past the basics it can become second nature to you. It is a high paying however and good pay means a more comfortable life. With enough determination, you too can do it. I did…
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Mathematics are a major part of the learning process. In this field of drafting, some of those math classes you took in high school will actually seem like a necessary skill to have once you start your studies. Calculations of material stresses and deflection, calculations of material density and volume, sheering, load tables, etc. are only a few of the things a student will have to learn.
The student has to get a working knowledge of the fundamental operations and conventions of mechanical drawings from lettering and calculations, to the lay out of the work and so on in order that the completed sheet or sheets of drawings reflect a well arranged and clearly executed finished drawing. In the making of working drawings, it is often very difficult for the novice because of its conventional character of the work.
In today’s engineering drafting offices, the student will need to be able to work on a CAD system. CAD is short for Computer Aided Drafting. In other words, it is a drafting board in a computer. And before a CAD system is learned it is always best to learn how to draw on a drafting board. Manual drafting may be a disappearing discipline but in my mind as a teacher it is indispensable.
As I said, it isn’t the easiest career to learn. But like anything you have to learn to do, once you get past the basics it can become second nature to you. It is a high paying however and good pay means a more comfortable life. With enough determination, you too can do it. I did…
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural and mechanical plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Architectural Rendering
To manually render a drawing is to make a still life of an exterior elevation or view of a building requires either a natural gift for art or a great deal of practice. It is a subject most usually only taught in a university or higher learning technical school. Some high schools attempt to teach it, but usually in it’s most elementary form. These types of drawings can be rendered in various ways using pencil, pen and ink, and water color.
The first step is to draw the exterior elevation in a perspective view using vanishing point lines. These are lines that gradually from two single points ray out until they connect to the perspective lines from an opposite side of the paper.
After the perspective elevation has been carefully drawn, and the shadows laid in outline, it is ready to be rendered. Shadows on the perspectives can be easily determined if they are cast first on the elevations, and then applied to the perspective. Then trees, shrubs, people, and whatever else can be added to the drawing.
Rendering in pencil is probably the most simple way to do it. Use a sharp #2 lead pencil, and then start with firm, short lines. If done properly, the pencil rendering will resemble the pen and ink. If you have a steady hand you can also add water color to the drawing.
On the other hand, with modern technology and the advent of automated CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) rendering can also be completed in the drafting program. This is by far the fastest way, but call me a purist if you will, there is nothing that looks better than a hand drawn rendering.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
The first step is to draw the exterior elevation in a perspective view using vanishing point lines. These are lines that gradually from two single points ray out until they connect to the perspective lines from an opposite side of the paper.
After the perspective elevation has been carefully drawn, and the shadows laid in outline, it is ready to be rendered. Shadows on the perspectives can be easily determined if they are cast first on the elevations, and then applied to the perspective. Then trees, shrubs, people, and whatever else can be added to the drawing.
Rendering in pencil is probably the most simple way to do it. Use a sharp #2 lead pencil, and then start with firm, short lines. If done properly, the pencil rendering will resemble the pen and ink. If you have a steady hand you can also add water color to the drawing.
On the other hand, with modern technology and the advent of automated CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) rendering can also be completed in the drafting program. This is by far the fastest way, but call me a purist if you will, there is nothing that looks better than a hand drawn rendering.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Economically Designing A New Home
In planning and designing a home, one of the first considerations is cost because cost will actually determine the size, shape, and style of the house. Cost of home construction will vary in every state. For instance, in some places where lumber mills are close by, lumber is a lower price. Lumber varies in cost several dollars per thousand feet in different sections of the country.
In comparing the higher cost of building today with the lower cost of building yesterday, you should remember that present day houses are more comfortable and convenient than houses of long ago. Old fashioned houses lacked many things to make life comfortable. Planning was not as well understood as it is today and of necessity, there are many other cost factors that have to be added into the modern home.
Whenever possible you should consider the orientation of a home on it’s lot by making sure that sunlight is utilized to the fullest extent. In doing so you can save your client a great deal of money in heating costs in the cold months by considering passive solar heat.
Saving space is the key word for a successful house plan, large or small. Owners should study the plans over and over again. After the rooms are sketched out, go over them carefully and see if you can eliminate any wasted space. A good room arrangement depends more upon your ingenuity to use space wisely than it does on how much money you put into it.
The shape of a house has much to do with the possibilities of planning. Rectangular or near rectangular houses allow for a better arrangement of rooms than a square house. The most economical arrangement has a central living or great room with one hall to access the two or three bedrooms, baths, kitchen, and dining room all enclosed in a rectangle.
Porches and decks are very important and the designer should consider them carefully. The most useful porch is situated, not on the front of the house where privacy is rarely secured, but on one side or in the rear of the house.
An attached garage or carport is always preferable to one build separately since it incorporates into the rectangular home easily and can share the main roof giving an even greater savings in material costs.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
In comparing the higher cost of building today with the lower cost of building yesterday, you should remember that present day houses are more comfortable and convenient than houses of long ago. Old fashioned houses lacked many things to make life comfortable. Planning was not as well understood as it is today and of necessity, there are many other cost factors that have to be added into the modern home.
Whenever possible you should consider the orientation of a home on it’s lot by making sure that sunlight is utilized to the fullest extent. In doing so you can save your client a great deal of money in heating costs in the cold months by considering passive solar heat.
Saving space is the key word for a successful house plan, large or small. Owners should study the plans over and over again. After the rooms are sketched out, go over them carefully and see if you can eliminate any wasted space. A good room arrangement depends more upon your ingenuity to use space wisely than it does on how much money you put into it.
The shape of a house has much to do with the possibilities of planning. Rectangular or near rectangular houses allow for a better arrangement of rooms than a square house. The most economical arrangement has a central living or great room with one hall to access the two or three bedrooms, baths, kitchen, and dining room all enclosed in a rectangle.
Porches and decks are very important and the designer should consider them carefully. The most useful porch is situated, not on the front of the house where privacy is rarely secured, but on one side or in the rear of the house.
An attached garage or carport is always preferable to one build separately since it incorporates into the rectangular home easily and can share the main roof giving an even greater savings in material costs.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
What Are Mechanical Assembly Drawings?
There are several different types of assembly drawings. They are Outline or Setting Drawings, Erection Drawings, Assembly Working Drawings, Diagram Drawings, Part Assembly Drawings, and General Assembly Drawings.
1. Outline or Setting Drawings
The Outline Assembly Drawing shows the machines outline with no details. Center distances and over-all dimensions are given. An outline assembly drawing is used both for illustrations for a catalog and to show prospective customers an outline of the machine. In this case, only the general appearance of the machine is need.
2. Erection Drawings
Erection Drawings are those used in the erection of a machine. Each part is numbered and named so that it can be identified easily. These drawings give the exact location of each and every part and the proper order of the procedure in the erection of the machine.
3. Assembly Working Drawings
The Assembly Working Drawing is used when only a few machines are going to be built. Each part is fully dimensioned therefore making it possible for the mechanic to build the machine from the assembly drawing instead of having to refer to various detail sheets. Using this method, a time is saved in the drafting room, since each detail does not have to be drawn individually.
4. Diagram Drawings
A Diagram Drawing shows either a sectional or an external view of the entire machine. In this kind of an assembly drawing, all the parts are either numbered and named. A list of the parts is also included on the drawing.
5. Part Assembly Drawings
A Part Assembly Drawing is the one that only a few parts of the machine are illustrated. In this instance, the parts should be shown relative to the entire machine and also to one another. An assembly drawing is made of the parts and each part is fully dimensioned so that greater detail is not needed in the part drawings.
6. General Assembly Drawings
General assembly drawings are the illustrations used in designing a complete machine. When the design of a machine is undertaken in a drafting office, the drafter begins the process by making the preliminary sketches from the engineers notes and sketches and then creates a general assembly drawing. This general assembly drawing shows all the needed dimensions that limit the strength or working capacity of the machine and shows the general relation of the various parts to each other in the assembled machine.
This drawing is then turned over to another drafter who specializes in detailing or creating detail sheets where all the parts are drawn with all detail and dimensions.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet at http://maginvent.com
1. Outline or Setting Drawings
The Outline Assembly Drawing shows the machines outline with no details. Center distances and over-all dimensions are given. An outline assembly drawing is used both for illustrations for a catalog and to show prospective customers an outline of the machine. In this case, only the general appearance of the machine is need.
2. Erection Drawings
Erection Drawings are those used in the erection of a machine. Each part is numbered and named so that it can be identified easily. These drawings give the exact location of each and every part and the proper order of the procedure in the erection of the machine.
3. Assembly Working Drawings
The Assembly Working Drawing is used when only a few machines are going to be built. Each part is fully dimensioned therefore making it possible for the mechanic to build the machine from the assembly drawing instead of having to refer to various detail sheets. Using this method, a time is saved in the drafting room, since each detail does not have to be drawn individually.
4. Diagram Drawings
A Diagram Drawing shows either a sectional or an external view of the entire machine. In this kind of an assembly drawing, all the parts are either numbered and named. A list of the parts is also included on the drawing.
5. Part Assembly Drawings
A Part Assembly Drawing is the one that only a few parts of the machine are illustrated. In this instance, the parts should be shown relative to the entire machine and also to one another. An assembly drawing is made of the parts and each part is fully dimensioned so that greater detail is not needed in the part drawings.
6. General Assembly Drawings
General assembly drawings are the illustrations used in designing a complete machine. When the design of a machine is undertaken in a drafting office, the drafter begins the process by making the preliminary sketches from the engineers notes and sketches and then creates a general assembly drawing. This general assembly drawing shows all the needed dimensions that limit the strength or working capacity of the machine and shows the general relation of the various parts to each other in the assembled machine.
This drawing is then turned over to another drafter who specializes in detailing or creating detail sheets where all the parts are drawn with all detail and dimensions.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet at http://maginvent.com
Why Are Accurate Woodworking Drawings Needed?
A simple drawing will often give you a better idea of an object you are trying to draw and then ultimately build than you can get from any verbal description. Drawing is not only a very ancient form of getting an idea across, but one that is more easily understood by people of all countries and languages. It is one of the main tools of a woodworker, so the sooner you become familiar with it, the better.
When you want to create any particular item, you should begin by making rough sketches to explore your idea. From there you can create a more accurate working drawing in which every detail and measurement is clearly displayed. Make all your working drawings carefully to scale, and when possible, make them to full size. Never guess at the height, width, and length. Always measure very carefully. It does not matter if it takes a little more time. Do it right first, and with practice you will soon teach yourself to do it quicker.
Try to get your measurements and lines exact. You should never just be satisfied with coming to within an eighth of an inch. Make your drawings accurate. You can not have a good finished product unless you have laid it out right and are cutting exactly to the exact dimension. There will be a lot of waste if the line is in the wrong place or the dimension is wrong.
Go over each of your measurements a second and third time. It is even a good idea to check them by measuring in the opposite direction. Nothing is easier to make than mistakes in measuring. There is no amount of experience that will prevent the chance of it. It only takes a second or two to measure twice and then there is much less need to correct mistakes later.
So in summation, it is a whole lot cheaper to correct mistakes on a drawing than to have to redo it in the workshop.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
When you want to create any particular item, you should begin by making rough sketches to explore your idea. From there you can create a more accurate working drawing in which every detail and measurement is clearly displayed. Make all your working drawings carefully to scale, and when possible, make them to full size. Never guess at the height, width, and length. Always measure very carefully. It does not matter if it takes a little more time. Do it right first, and with practice you will soon teach yourself to do it quicker.
Try to get your measurements and lines exact. You should never just be satisfied with coming to within an eighth of an inch. Make your drawings accurate. You can not have a good finished product unless you have laid it out right and are cutting exactly to the exact dimension. There will be a lot of waste if the line is in the wrong place or the dimension is wrong.
Go over each of your measurements a second and third time. It is even a good idea to check them by measuring in the opposite direction. Nothing is easier to make than mistakes in measuring. There is no amount of experience that will prevent the chance of it. It only takes a second or two to measure twice and then there is much less need to correct mistakes later.
So in summation, it is a whole lot cheaper to correct mistakes on a drawing than to have to redo it in the workshop.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
An Education In Mechanical Drafting
Drafting is a form of graphic expression so it is therefore a type of language. When applied in the engineering field, drawing or drafting is mechanical in character and is used primarily for the purpose of communicating information related to the construction of machines and structures. It is then reasonable to believe that the methods used and the standards adopted in the teaching of engineering drafting would be based on an study of the conditions found in the engineering world.
In the best engineering practice, the technical standards of drawing are high, so high in fact that they should be used as a model to use in the classroom. Examples of good draftsmanship selected from real world engineering offices would most definitely serve to furnish a model for classroom work, both in the technique and the methods of representation.
Engineering drawing demands brain power as much as it does skill of with the hands. The drafter in conceiving and planning his design, visualizes their problem, making all the necessary calculations for it, and then graphically representing the results on the drafting board or CAD Program. The development of all the details of their design makes it necessary that they be a trained observer of shapes, forms, and methods.
Since new designs frequently involve modifications of old designs, in their efforts to remember old designs and create new ones, they develop what is known in the trade as a visual memory. Modern methods of instruction recognize and encourage both the physical and mental factors involved in the production of engineering drawings. It is the aim of the drafting course in engineering schools to familiarize the student with the standards of technique and methods of representation found in the best commercial firms and also to develop in them the ability to visualize and reason, which should be the attributes of the commercial drafter and designer.
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
In the best engineering practice, the technical standards of drawing are high, so high in fact that they should be used as a model to use in the classroom. Examples of good draftsmanship selected from real world engineering offices would most definitely serve to furnish a model for classroom work, both in the technique and the methods of representation.
Engineering drawing demands brain power as much as it does skill of with the hands. The drafter in conceiving and planning his design, visualizes their problem, making all the necessary calculations for it, and then graphically representing the results on the drafting board or CAD Program. The development of all the details of their design makes it necessary that they be a trained observer of shapes, forms, and methods.
Since new designs frequently involve modifications of old designs, in their efforts to remember old designs and create new ones, they develop what is known in the trade as a visual memory. Modern methods of instruction recognize and encourage both the physical and mental factors involved in the production of engineering drawings. It is the aim of the drafting course in engineering schools to familiarize the student with the standards of technique and methods of representation found in the best commercial firms and also to develop in them the ability to visualize and reason, which should be the attributes of the commercial drafter and designer.
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
How to Build an Architectural Model
There are several methods of building a model of a house or building. When I designed modular homes in the early nineties, they had to be built quickly so that the client could get a better feel for their proposed home. The method I used was to take a one quarter inch scale plan view of the house and paste it to a piece of plywood.
Then I would use the same scale elevation drawings, (exterior views of the home) and paste them to cardboard. Once pasted, I would use felt tip pens and color the different elements of the home. Afterwards, I would cut out the individual views and paste them together using glue over the plan pasted to the plywood. This way the model stays square and accurate.
The roof would be a thicker cardboard. The edges would be taped over with masking tape to simulate the fascia of the roof. I would thence draw a shingle pattern and glue it to the body of the house.
The following step would be to paint the tan colored concrete driveway and walkways, and then paint the green grass on the plan. To do the landscaping, I would use lichen for the shrubs and model trees bought from a hobby shop to finish up the model. The entire process would take less than four or five hours depending on the complexity of the home.
Interior walls are built using the same method if the interior was to be part of the model. In this case the roof wouldn't be glued to the walls. If I wanted to get real fancy, I would take a surgical knife and cut out the window panes so you would be able to see inside the model.
Another method I have used was balsa wood. Of course this method takes a bit more work than the cardboard but the detail would be much greater. Not to mention more time consuming.
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Then I would use the same scale elevation drawings, (exterior views of the home) and paste them to cardboard. Once pasted, I would use felt tip pens and color the different elements of the home. Afterwards, I would cut out the individual views and paste them together using glue over the plan pasted to the plywood. This way the model stays square and accurate.
The roof would be a thicker cardboard. The edges would be taped over with masking tape to simulate the fascia of the roof. I would thence draw a shingle pattern and glue it to the body of the house.
The following step would be to paint the tan colored concrete driveway and walkways, and then paint the green grass on the plan. To do the landscaping, I would use lichen for the shrubs and model trees bought from a hobby shop to finish up the model. The entire process would take less than four or five hours depending on the complexity of the home.
Interior walls are built using the same method if the interior was to be part of the model. In this case the roof wouldn't be glued to the walls. If I wanted to get real fancy, I would take a surgical knife and cut out the window panes so you would be able to see inside the model.
Another method I have used was balsa wood. Of course this method takes a bit more work than the cardboard but the detail would be much greater. Not to mention more time consuming.
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Monday, February 1, 2010
What is a Mechanical Drafter or Draftsman?
Mechanical drafting or drawing is the art of creating illustrations used by engineers, architects, machine shop workers, wood workers, inventors, etc., in working out the details of constructive designs. In these drawings are the ways which ideas of the exact form, nature, shape, arrangement, and dimension of the parts in objects of a structural nature are expressed and made understandable to others.
Mechanical drafting enables the construction work of any kind to be carried on with accuracy, economy of time and material, and takes the place of lengthy verbal descriptions which would not be able to express with clarity and exactness the information required by the workman to create whatever they are building.
So then mechanical drafting is the graphic language of the mechanical creation of machinery and manufactured parts. A mechanical drawing that is properly dimensioned and prepared as a guide in constructing the object is called a working drawing. A mechanical drafter or draftsman is one who creates these types of drawings.
Because of the exact nature of the facts that are intended to record or convey the drawing is generally executed with the aid of instruments. In past times, instruments like a drafting board, drafting arm, tee square, or parallel bar, compass, protractors, scale rules, mechanical pens and pencils, were used in the creation of mechanical drawings. Over the past two decades a computer program call CAD or CADD (Computer Aided Drafting or Computer Assisted Design and Drafting) program is used.
Mechanical drafters are employed in areas such as structural engineering and architecture, factory fabrication, wood shops, etc.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Mechanical drafting enables the construction work of any kind to be carried on with accuracy, economy of time and material, and takes the place of lengthy verbal descriptions which would not be able to express with clarity and exactness the information required by the workman to create whatever they are building.
So then mechanical drafting is the graphic language of the mechanical creation of machinery and manufactured parts. A mechanical drawing that is properly dimensioned and prepared as a guide in constructing the object is called a working drawing. A mechanical drafter or draftsman is one who creates these types of drawings.
Because of the exact nature of the facts that are intended to record or convey the drawing is generally executed with the aid of instruments. In past times, instruments like a drafting board, drafting arm, tee square, or parallel bar, compass, protractors, scale rules, mechanical pens and pencils, were used in the creation of mechanical drawings. Over the past two decades a computer program call CAD or CADD (Computer Aided Drafting or Computer Assisted Design and Drafting) program is used.
Mechanical drafters are employed in areas such as structural engineering and architecture, factory fabrication, wood shops, etc.
About the Author
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
What is an Architectural Drafter or Draftsman?
Have you ever stood and watched a high building being erected in a large city? It is interesting to see the elevator carry a person with materials like sheet rock and metal studs to the upper floors and the crane lift huge steel girders high in the air. But have you ever stopped to wonder how each person knows where to place each particular girder, wall, stair, window, etc.? If you asked one of the supervisors, they might show you the plans that show them where and how each and everything should be placed.
Or how about watching a house grow from a ditch in the ground to a fully finished home for a family. Most likely you will see these builders reading from large pieces of paper containing each element of the proposed home. These are called Architectural Plans.
From ancient days to the present, almost all structures of any type, from a outbuilding to a high rise apartment have been built with a plan. In modern building, the architect or designer plans every detail from the roofing material right down to the floor coverings. They have to show in their drawings exactly how the finished building will look both inside and out. They must indicate the kinds of material that are used and the exact spot where each element needs to be placed. Everything in those building plans must be so clear that any builder, by looking at the drawings and reading the written instructions will know exactly what to do.
In order to make the huge amount of plans required it is many times necessary that the architect or designer hire a number of people known as architectural drafters. From the architects or designers sketches they make the drawings or plans, and in many cases do original designing themselves. A master drafter is in charge of all the others in the drafting room and are considered the architects "right-hand man."
To become an architectural drafter a person may enter an architects office as an apprentice. This is rare these days but still happens from time to time. At first they are given only basic office work to do. After a while they are put to the task of making small tracings and other less important work. Once they have the basics, they are probably then trained to do original drawings on the drafting board or trained to use a CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) program on the computer.
Another method of learning to be an architectural drafter is to enter a vocational school. Here is where the beginner will be given practical work like in an office, and will be exposed to the principles of all kinds of architectural drafting. As a result of this they will be better equipped to enter almost any architectural office and would not be restricted in their choice of a field. There are many fine drafting schools over the internet to choose from also.
There is an ever increasing need for drafters. Even if the weather or season is unfit for building, there is always need of drafters in designing and planning buildings. There are thousands of buildings and homes built every year and each of them requires a certain number of drafters.
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
Or how about watching a house grow from a ditch in the ground to a fully finished home for a family. Most likely you will see these builders reading from large pieces of paper containing each element of the proposed home. These are called Architectural Plans.
From ancient days to the present, almost all structures of any type, from a outbuilding to a high rise apartment have been built with a plan. In modern building, the architect or designer plans every detail from the roofing material right down to the floor coverings. They have to show in their drawings exactly how the finished building will look both inside and out. They must indicate the kinds of material that are used and the exact spot where each element needs to be placed. Everything in those building plans must be so clear that any builder, by looking at the drawings and reading the written instructions will know exactly what to do.
In order to make the huge amount of plans required it is many times necessary that the architect or designer hire a number of people known as architectural drafters. From the architects or designers sketches they make the drawings or plans, and in many cases do original designing themselves. A master drafter is in charge of all the others in the drafting room and are considered the architects "right-hand man."
To become an architectural drafter a person may enter an architects office as an apprentice. This is rare these days but still happens from time to time. At first they are given only basic office work to do. After a while they are put to the task of making small tracings and other less important work. Once they have the basics, they are probably then trained to do original drawings on the drafting board or trained to use a CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) program on the computer.
Another method of learning to be an architectural drafter is to enter a vocational school. Here is where the beginner will be given practical work like in an office, and will be exposed to the principles of all kinds of architectural drafting. As a result of this they will be better equipped to enter almost any architectural office and would not be restricted in their choice of a field. There are many fine drafting schools over the internet to choose from also.
There is an ever increasing need for drafters. Even if the weather or season is unfit for building, there is always need of drafters in designing and planning buildings. There are thousands of buildings and homes built every year and each of them requires a certain number of drafters.
My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans, site plans, mechanical and shop drawings and other types of drafting that I have been trained to do in a virtual classroom on the internet called 101 Info Dot Org at http://101info.org
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