Detail construction, detail library management

[Bowsers]

Hello!

I am thinking of getting either a Wacom tablet or a Microsoft surface. (My firms computers are all Windows, so an Apple device doesn't seem like a good fit) I'd like to get better at drawing, detailing, and develop my own library of details. My firm has a 'standard detail library' with many of them last updated around 2002. I conscious that my handwriting isn't the neatest / clearest and so would like to be relying on on digitally fabricated drawing. Does anyone have insights into detail creating in this manner, common pitfalls, and ways to incorporate this into my work?

Thank you

 

[Celt83]

off the bat understand that you won't really be able to draw to scale using a drawing tablet.

For handwriting you can use the same techniques as had drafting by drawing guide lines on a separate layer.

I'd recommend going for the small wacom tablet to be able to test the waters with out investing too much in case you find it's not for you.

on the application front Autodesk Sketchbook is now completely free and includes several useful rulers and guides along with the ability for custom brushes, think repeating detail items in Revit and it has a very user friendly interface.

Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

 

[dik]

A lot of people recommend one of the Wacom tablets... I'm not familiar with them, but, if you are half serious you might think of a Windows OS tablet of some kind and a real cad program. I use Bricscad for my desktops and laptops...

My details are somewhat organised... I use Masterformat as an outline... with Concrete details in Div03 and Steel details in Div05... over 20 years I've accumulated thousands of details, and, sometimes it's difficult to find a detail... memory fails over time...

My Masterformat directory for CAD is 1.96GB, has 21,000 files and 795 sub-directories... just an indication of how much stuff is in it.

Dik