Had a talk with a junior drafter that changed how I look at layers

I was showing a new guy how I organize my layers in AutoCAD last week. He asked why I had like 15 different layers for MEP stuff when the job only needed a few. At first I got defensive, but then he showed me his setup with way fewer layers and how he just used lineweights and colors to separate things. I sat there for a minute and realized my way was just habit, not efficiency. He cut his drafting time by 20% on his last project using that method. Now I'm going through my templates and trimming down the fat. Has anyone else had a younger drafter teach them something that saved time?

3 comments

3 Comments

alicer533d ago

I did the exact same thing about a year ago with my title blocks. Had like 40 layouts per project because I thought each sheet needed its own setup. A young intern showed me how to use sheet sets with just one master layout and annotative scaling. Cuts out so much clicking around when you're plotting 50 sheets. Really makes you re-think what you learned as a newbie and if it still holds up.

patricia323d ago

Honestly @alicer53, that intern saved you a ton of time - sheet sets are a game changer.

paige_robinson243d agoMost Upvoted

@alicer53 that "rethink what you learned" part hits hard. Most old habits aren't worth keeping.