Growing w/ AutoCAD

With the seminars that we had and due to the groups that I joined in college, I learned some things that are a hit for engineers that time - AutoCAD. When I had the chance to study them in Franklin Baker, I really did my best to master it. I read books regarding it and asked a guru, Cliff, who became a good friend of mine. He is a Mechanical Engineer and an expert in that software. Before leaving the company, I can already make 3D models of the manufacturing line we had – after almost 2 years. By drawing the whole system, I get to learn the whole process also. I also had good chats with the experts in the manufacturing process.<>

In GlaxoSmithKline, I have used it in Structural works. I have been updating the whole plant and am usually part of planning when there are modifications to be done. With me included in the planning, I learned a lot of how decisions are made and also the process of project management. I also have done 3D models of our boilers and instrumentations for training purposes.

Before going to PNG, I was sent to China for Paper factory training and had to do a layout using the same software. They had a copy of the software and loaded it to the laptop that we had. After installation, the IT guy told us that there is a problem and that is… it is in Chinese (no English translation of the commands). Confidently, I told the IT guy that it is not a problem and I can work on it. Finishing the task, everybody who knew that the software I am using is in Chinese was amazed how I made it. I just told them that the commands are in my head already and I don’t need to read Chinese in order to prepare the drawings.

Putting it altogether, here in PNG, I have to use all the acquired knowledge I gained in drawing and in talking to other people. I have learned that there is more to drawing than the picture itself. Nowadays, I would also do share to the people I talk to while I get the measurements of the things I have to picture out.

I have used AutoCAD R14 (Franklin Baker Co. of the Phil.), AutoCAD2000 (GlaxoSmithKline Phil.) and now AutoCAD 2008 (K.K.Kingston). The tools I used are mostly the same. It just gets easier to use and more expensive every time a new version comes.