A scale drawing of a building is created an architectural drafter and used designers, engineers, contractors, and architects in the construction of schools, homes, commercial business parks, factories, and production plants. The majority of jobs in this field are in large corporations’ engineering or development departments. A construction company or architectural design firm may employ an architectural drafter.
Because her drawings are the actual recipe for building the structures, they must be extremely accurate. To avoid jeopardizing the structural integrity, each measurement and calculation must be exact. An architectural drafter frequently visits construction sites to ensure that her drawings are being understood correctly the contractors.
The process of creating the final drawings usually starts with rough drafts of the proposed structures’ exteriors and floor plans. These initial concepts are frequently based on engineering specifications and other information provided the general contractor. During this early stage, any general questions or areas of concern are typically referred to the engineering firm in charge for resolution.
Following the completion of the initial floor plans, the architectural drafter usually moves on to the interior room drawings. Computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software are commonly used in this process. On a video screen, the drafter can create and alter three-dimensional drawings using these computer-based programs. Architectural drafters still use traditional pens and pencils to make corrections and notations on hard copy drawings, despite the fact that they rarely use tools like protractors, triangles, and scale rulers that were necessary before the invention of CAD systems.
A person in this position is typically involved in confirming other details crucial to the project’s successful completion, in addition to drafting the plans and sketches. This usually entails confirming the quantity of required building materials as well as their suitability for the job. She also calculates stress, heat losses and gains, and weight factors as they pertain to the construction.
Most employers require applicants for architectural drafting positions to have a high school diploma or equivalent. It is highly desirable to have completed a two-year program in drafting or CAD design at a community college or trade school. Certification programs are offered some professional drafting organizations. Employers often prefer candidates with these certifications because they provide knowledge of general drafting concepts and architectural terminology. Work experience in drawing or drafting, as well as a portfolio of artistic talent in sketching or drawing, are both beneficial.