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It seems that “value” is the theme these days. When considering whether something needs to be done, as far as “deliverables” are concerned, we should first ask ourselves, if it is valuable. Does it contribute significantly to expressing the design idea or to the contractors ability to build the project? If it doesn’t then it’s…[Read more]

Henry,

What would you say were the biggest short-comings to GIMP and Inkscape? I also swallowed the AutoCAD pill while in college and think I will be in that boat for a while.

Tom, I think that you are hitting on a most important point. That is that relationship between marketability/buildability/economic viability. My guess is that all of the posts on this thread will respond with what is perceived as “the” right balance of these for the particular situation of the office or market that the individual is working…[Read more]

The Emerson Cup is back again! We are inviting architects, real estate developers, building owners, engineers, consultants and students with innovative projects across the fields of air-conditioning and refrigeration. Do you think you have what it takes to walk away with the Cup? Then apply at http://bit.ly/CupApp

Thanks Lucy.

Thanks Roland…You’d think I would have known ; )

I started a discussion on this topic several months ago. The answers I got would probably be helpful, although I don’t remember any mention of Shenzhen. http://land8lounge.com/forum/topics/working-in-china

You should check out http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/forum/22-life-work-and-stu… for info on working/living in China. They even have a Guangzhou/Shenzhen subsection. Really good resource.

I don’t know when/if you’re going to China, but if you stick around you should check up on this: http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/08/03/china-developing-…[Read more]

I’m about ready to throw in the towel. I started looking at certificate programs for x-ray technicians and medical assistants last night. I’m going to apply for security guard jobs. Still no sign of things picking up in Las Vegas. I recently went back east and had a couple of interviews. They were with design/build firms and they seemed to want…[Read more]

But that does not change the fact that if you do not plan for a down turn you may be a victim of it. Too many people did not diversify their skills, portfolios, spending habitats. No recession is the same the impacts will be felt differently by everyone depending where you stand. The Last recession I was working out of my garage with a twenty six…[Read more]

Sometimes one must sell the drawings to get the plan built.

My RLA supervisor once had me change a concept plan drawing because it ‘had too many circles on it’. It wasn’t about the design he further explained, but more about what the plan looked like on the piece of paper that the client would see. He told me that on the ground, my original plan…[Read more]

Like most people, I’ve been exposed to AutoCAD, Adobe CS, and SketchUp. I really didn’t start getting into 3D until after I became unemployed 1 1/2 years ago and wasn’t CAD jockeying all-day. Knowing how competitive the job market is, I’ve been trying to expand my skills. I’ve taken a cursory look into Vectorworks. I think I need more time with it…[Read more]

My company has been using RainCAD for irrigation design and it has been working fairly well. However, we have upgraded to AutoCAD Civil3D 2010 and we have an older version of the RainCAD software. It has been impossible to get in contact with the Software Republic company (they do not respond to e-mails, faxes and their phone number is…[Read more]

Never work for free, anyone who has an intern work for free does not value their contribuition. I hired five interns this summer, they are all getting paid. We are burning through a lot of work, but we are all having a good summer experience. These people came to me with skills that I could use, they were specialists.

Every ten to fifteen years we in America go through a recession on average. Every one has a story to tell about the downturn that effected them the most. It has been usually at the turn of the decade give or take a little. This one 2008 through 2012, depending which part of the country and what part of the building cycle you work in , it may be…[Read more]

I’d say the situation is grim in Orange County and San Diego. I’ve stopped by 25+ firms in the area and it’s like a ghost town. There are seas of unoccupied drafting tables and only 2-3 people in an office designed for 40+. You can hear a pin drop in these places. It’s really sad/ depressing / disheartening to see. I’ve handed out more resumes and…[Read more]

A survey sounds more optimistic… and pessimistic at the same time

http://www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=28120

I like AutoCAD. I found VectorWorks to be counter intuitive and frustrating for even the simplest tasks. I.E. “How many clicks does it take to draw a line and choose what layer / line type it should be?” SketchUp is OK but it’s time consuming. I feel like I spend a lot of time trying to get the computer to do what I want it to do. I don’t have…[Read more]

My personal take on “deliverables” is that a lot of the computer graphics are a time consuming, expensive, luxury. If you have the budget for flashy graphics, great, knock yourself out. Get all Rhino, 3D Studio Max, etc. on it. Do a million different views and fly-throughs…

During the conceptual design phase, graphics are all about “selling”…[Read more]

Elizabeth:

The best way to prepare is to take a walk around LSU, make sure you can identify most of the plants by common and botanical name. Taking the test in the winter may be tricky so look at the plants now while they have leaves on them and try to remember what the bark looks like if they aren’t evergreen.

Good Luck!