AutoCAD Drafting Services

Offering experienced virtual offsite CAD drafting support to aid Owner, General Contractors, Architects, Municipalities, Manufactures, Engineers, Designers, Drafters and other business segments. Utilizing a variety of data input types like PDF and TIFF drawings to develop project related drawing packages. Confidently applying AutoCAD software packages to CAD Drafting Services, Architectural Drafting, Redline Markups, PDF and Paper to CAD, Architectural, MEP, P&ID, AutoCAD Drafting Services, CAD Consultant, CAD Conversion Services and Paper to CAD Outsourcing for a large array of industry sectors.

Third Evolution Advantage

Third Evolution is an internationally recognized AutoCAD BIM providers offering consulting for MEP Building Information Modeling (BIM) and AutoCAD Drafting services. We support our clients with a variety of BIM modeling services including, MEP Services, BIM Mechanical, BIM Electrical and BIM Plumbing, BIM Family Model content creations, BIM Coordination Services, Conceptual BIM for (LOD 100 and 200), BIM for Construction (LOD 300 and 350), BIM for Fabrication (LOD 400) and BIM for Facilities Management (LOD 500). Third Evolution's main focus is to relieve our clients of their limitations of not having an internal BIM/CAD department.

Third Evolution is focused on offering the highest level of quality that can be expected in the industry. Keeping a keen focus on offering high quality and cost effective services while meeting and exceeding client's expectations in today’s very driven and forward thinking environment. Third Evolution is fully equipped with the resources required. Experienced Coordinators keep in mind prefab and constructability issues. Projects are typically quoted on a “not to exceed basis” based on a scope of work and the project inputs submitted by the client, while committing to a delivery schedule. We fully stand behind our output quality, services and pricing. We seek to establish long-term relationships with clients, and we value all types of CAD/BIM Outsource business opportunities.

Featuring AutoCad Services

Building Information Modeling Services, BIM Outsource, BIM Consultant Services, BIM Coordination Company, MEP Services, BIM Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, BIM Mechanical Provider, Modeling and Coordination Services, AutoCAD Drafting Services, CAD Consultant, CAD Conversion Services, Paper to CAD Outsourcing, Custom BIM Model Content Family Services and Scan to BIM Services. Experienced Service Providers of AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, BIM Modeling, Coordination and AutoCAD Drafting Services and Solutions.

BIM Building Information Modeling, Coordination and AutoCAD Drafting Services for Commercial, Industrial, Healthcare, Education, Retail and Residential Building Construction Projects. Specializing in supporting the modeling and coordination between (MEP) Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Trade Services to LOD 100, 200, 300, 350, 400 and 500.

Third Evolution Drafting Procedures

Third Evolution follows the steps listed below to convert drawings into popular CAD formats. Our 2D and 3D BIM drawing conversions are performed using AutoCAD software applications. Below is a list of CAD conversion steps performed by Third Evolution for your project:

1. Your scanned TIF/PDF/JPG files, original blueprints, paper, or mylars are logged in as a new project. Microsoft Project is used to index, manage and track all documents and log each step of the conversion process. Your project's special requirements are reviewed by our staff engineers and architects. These special requirements often include: layering guidelines or standards; titleblocks; blocks, fonts; hatching; file naming conventions. A technical staff representative will contact you immediately if your project requirements are not completely understood. A CAD operator is then selected based on the project type and complexity. The operator is supplied with written detailed instructions fully describing your project.

2. The CAD operator manually redraws the sheet using the dimensions shown on your original document. If cases when dimensions are not provided on the original document, the CAD operator manually scales the actual dimensions, bearings, distances and coordinates from the original document and then draws each entity into CAD. During the conversion, each entity is placed on the appropriate AIA, LITE, Tri-Services, or CUSTOM layer, and any blocks supplied by the client are incorporated into drawing. The result is a dimensionally accurate, full-scale, layered, AutoCAD (DWG) file.

3. The CAD operator performs Level 1-QC to assure that the converted CAD file matches the original document.

4. The CAD file enters Level 2-QC where the CAD manager plots the DWG/RVT/DGN file and compares it to the original document for accuracy. Errors and omissions are noted and the CAD manager works with the CAD operator to assure that all errors and omissions are corrected as necessary.

5. The CAD file enters Level 3-QC where the CAD manager reviews the corrected document for 100% accuracy. Spelling checks, layering standards, file x-refs (when applicable) are verified.

6. The CAD file enters Level 4-QC where it is visually compared to the hardcopy original document. Additional files are created based on the final CAD file: PDF-color, PDF-black/white, TIF, CTB/TBL (color table files for client plotting). Once Level 4-QC testing is completed the files are ready to be distributed to the client.

7. The completed electronic files are prepared for electronic transfer via email, FTP, or CD-ROM. The CAD files returned to the customer using email or FTP are compressed into a ".zip" format. WinZIP applications are used to compress each file for economical file transfers.

8. Third Evolution, Inc. creates a package to be returned to the customer. The package includes all documents requested by the client including final electronic files on media, original hard copies (if requested), and invoice. Upon request by the customer, the original paper documents (if shipped to our office) can be returned or destroyed. All electronic CAD file are automatically archived by Third Evolution, Inc. for future needs by the client or the files can be destroyed upon request.

9. Backups: Third Evolution maintains electronic backups of converted CAD files over the most recent 5 years. A backup is created daily and includes: 1) project profile standards; 2) TIF images of original sheets submitted by client to be converted; 3) final CAD files; 4) any updated CAD files. Project data can be retrieved for the Customer at any time.

Custom Profile Data

Third Evolution creates a "customer profile" to ensure consistency across multiple projects. When a new project is received by Third Evolution, the standards, blocks, fonts, titleblocks, etc included in the customer profile are applied to each project. A customer may also have multiple "project profiles" to handle concurrent projects. Before beginning a large conversion project, Third Evolution recommends that the customer send several documents, along with the specific layering standards, blocks, etc. for an initial conversion. This way, Third Evolution can work with the client to assure that conversions meet specific standards before the actual conversion project begins.

AIA Layering Standards

CAD layering standards are essential to seamlessly share graphic information data throughout the CAD industry. Implementation of layers in a CAD file enables better management of visual information.

The most widely used layering standards have been developed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Third Evolution automatically uses the AIA layering standards during the conversion of a document unless the client has supplied their own set of layering standards.

CAD layers are organized into major categories or groups. The major groups are further subdivided into minor groups. Each group represents a layer in the converted CAD file. Each layer is labeled using a consistent, easy-to-remember abbreviation. The major groups defined by the AIA include:

See the complete AIA Layering Guidelines:

A    Architectural

C Civil

E Electrical

F Fire Protection

G General

H Hazardous Materials

I Interiors

L Landscaping

M Mechanical

P Plumbing

Q Equipment

R Resource

S Structural

T Telecommunications

X Other Disciplines

Z Contractor Shop Drawing

The colors for each layer should be consistent and all objects shall be drawn in color BYLAYER. This means that all objects assigned to a specific layer should be the same color. Occasionally, the need to create a new layer can arise in cases when custom defined, or AIA layering standards are not available. Typically, any unused drawing layers should be purged from the converted CAD document.

For more information about the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, please contact:

Task Force on CAD Layer Guidelines

C/o The American Institute of Architects

1735 New York Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20006

www.aia.org

CAD Symbols, Blocks, Attributes

Symbol libraries, blocks and attributes are additional tools designed to better organize the CAD entities in your converted CAD files. Advantages of incorporating symbols, blocks and attributes into your CAD files is that they enable you to automatically export CAD data into other report forms. For example, you can automatically count the total number of door symbols, window symbols, etc. that appears on a floor plan. Alternatively, you can export floorplan attributes such as room name, room number, area, perimeter, etc. for use with space management software applications.

At Third Evolution, we encourage our clients to submit any predefined symbols, blocks and attributes with each order. During our conversion process, we then automatically incorporate this reference data into each CAD file. Symbol libraries, blocks and attributes are not necessary, however, they will provide added control and flexibility for your final converted documents.

Data Conflicts on Original Drawings

Ambiguities can exist on almost any sheet and there must be conversion "rules of thumb" in place to handle them. These rules also ensure communication consistency between Third Evolution and our clients. Some of our common ambiguities and "rules-of-thumb" include: undimensioned original drawings, unclear data on the original documents, and data conflicts.

Undimensioned Drawings

In cases of converting undimensioned drawings, or drawings with fewer than 20% dimensions shown on the original documents, our CAD operators perform the following heads-up digitizing procedure:

1. The document is scanned to create electronic raster TIF image.
2. The raster image is imported into AutoCAD and appears as a background image. During the drafting process, the CAD operator uses the background as a reference to create the CAD file. The CAD operator manually draws all entities such as text, notes, title blocks, drawing titles, detail references, schedules, etc. During the conversion, the CAD operator also incorporates layering, blocks, etc. provided by the client.
3. The CAD operator performs Level 1-QC to ensure the document matches the original.
4. The file enters Level 2-QC where the CAD manager plots the file and compares it to the original blueprint document for accuracy. Errors and omissions are noted and the CAD manager works with the CAD operator responsible for the hand redraw to assure that all errors and omissions are corrected.
5. The file enters Level 3-QC where the CAD manager again reviews the corrected document for quality assurance.
6. The electronic file is transferred to Level 4-QC. The electronic file is visually compared to the hardcopy original document. Once Level 4-QC testing is completed, the files are ready to be distributed to the client.

Unclear Entities on Original Documents

When data on the original documents is unclear or difficult to interpret, the CAD operator creates a "README" layer in the CAD file. For each unclear entity that appears in the converted CAD file, the CAD operator inserts a "red box". The red box is an identifier that displays the unclear data. Our clients can then quickly zoom into the unclear area and make any necessary modifications. The "README" layer also goes through four levels of QA and will remain after Level 4-QC only in cases where the data was too unclear on the original sheets to convert.

Dimensional Conflicts

Because Third Evolution operators manually redraw each entity shown on the original document, occasionally a dimension shown on the original document will conflict with the measurement scaled by our operator. In such cases, the actual dimension shown on the document is used as the default. The scaled CAD dimension is shown in RED on the "README" layer. Therefore, we can ensure that all of our conversions are dimensionally correct.

CAD Standards

CAD documents are used by many disciplines and for many purposes. Before beginning a CAD conversion project, many companies establish a set of internal guidelines to make it easier to reuse drawings for multiple purposes. Such guidelines ensure seamless communication when CAD documents are created, used, or revised by employees, consultants or contractors in multiple locations or by other software applications that work with CAD files. Conversion standards also automatically manage the searching and indexing of large volumes of CAD files.

During our experience in the CAD conversion business, we have observed many different conversion standards. Given this knowledge base, we have created the following list of 6 recommended standards that you may choose to consider when developing your own standards.

Drawing Standards

Several primary conversion standards should be adhered to during the translation of paper documents into CAD. These standards include the following:

Title block

Each converted sheet should use the appropriate title block, logos, and sheet borders. A title block should be created for each sheet size: A, B, C, D, E

Model space

All document entities, dimensions, symbols, notes, etc. should be placed in Model Space. Third Evolution recommends that all entities be drawn in Model Space.

Variables

A set of present variables can be established for the document conversions to ensure consistency.

File Name – Drawing Number

To easily identify a specific building or drawing, the converted CAD files should be saved using a combination of the building name/number and the sheet number. As each document is converted, it should be added to an electronic index so that it can be quickly cross-referenced and located. The following example illustrates an easy to locate filename convention:

Format

EJH00101.DWG

Where

E=Drawing Type (such as E=Electrical)

JH=Building number/name (such as Johnson Hall)

0101=Drawing sequence number (sheet number)

01=Revision number or letter

Text, Dimensions, Linetype Styles

Standard text fonts are ROMANS and ROMAND. Typically, a standard text height should be defined, however, the text width should be flexible to accommodate the contents of each sheet. Often, in the case of a crowded sheet it may become necessary to adjust the text width to properly fit the text on the sheet. The following illustrates a text style:

Example

08ROMANS15

Where

08=width factor=0.8=width of letter

ROMANS=font

15=oblique angle (omitted when set to 0)

Blocks

Blocks are common for repetitive entities that exist on a document, such as doors, windows, toilets, etc. To ensure that all employees, contractors, and consultants use a consistent set of defined blocks, we recommend that a block legend be created. This legend should define all blocks. Blocks should be consistent among all drawings included in a set of plans or a project. For example, if a call-out block "X" is used in one drawing, it must appear as the same block "X" in all other drawings. Blocks should be created on Layer 0 and then inserted onto their correct layer in the drawing. When the block is inserted, it should be re-scaled to match the scale of the current drawing. All blocks should be listed in the drawing index, while unreferenced blocks should be purged from the drawing.

Polygon Layer

CAD documents are often used by other software applications that work with CAD files. Architects and planners often need facility data such as the area square footage of a room or a section of a building. Whereas, a structural engineer may need to find the cross-sectional area of a beam. The solution: add a polygon layer to the document. The CAD operator simply draws a closed polygon over the top of each room and over the entire building. The polygon layer then enables the export of precise information about the drawing such as room area, perimeter, location of an object, etc. that can be used with other software applications.

There are 3 primary polygon layer standards that can be used for defining polygons:

1. BOMA - Building Owners and Managers Association International Standards

2. Institutional - Higher Education, K-12 Schools Standards

3. IFMA - International Facility Managers Association Standards

IT Compliance & Cyber Security

Typically, there is a breakdown between plant/facility management and IT divisions that leaves the system vulnerable. We are uniquely positioned to integrate controls networks into a corporate network following corporate and federal regulations due to our extensive experience in IT/Corporate/Controls infrastructure. We can design the infrastructure that keeps the plant safe and operational while maintaining IT benefits such as security updates, server management, switchgear management and full backups of onsite equipment. Further, we can provide IT services for operations that currently do not have corporate IT infrastructure or standards in place. These services minimizes the IT burden on infrastructure and operations staff.

Process Design & Engineering

1. Form a Conceptual Process Flow Diagram before POs are issued to vendors
2. Acting as a controls agent for the project, contact all possible vendors (skid by skid or process area by process area), confirming/isolating those vendors who are responsive and open to accommodating project specific needs, and verifying all aspects of required electronic documentation
3. All engineering to get to final vendor selections
4. Develop engineering for detailed PFD and preliminary P&IDs (Process & Instrumentation Diagrams) and begin to lay out following:
   • Area Classifications
   • Cabinet locations
   • I/O database
   • Instrument Index
   • Conduit Routing
   • Cable Schedule
5. Review P&IDs for the needs of the project and fill out balance of information to reflect issued for construction P&IDs
   1. Reviews are iterative and can easily reach 5-7 revisions
6. Fulfill the following:
   • Estimated Timeline
   • Generate, update and hold project meetings
   • Generate, update and distribute project schedules
   • Identify any areas of slippage, concern or cost impacts
     • Personally attend to – with Webex, phone calls and visits – any concerning vendors
   • Witness any required vendor FATs
   • Purchase small cap project items
     • e.g. instruments, controls, network equip, security cameras
   • Develop test procedures
   • Develop loop sheets
   • Develop instrument connection diagrams
7. Develop process narrative
8. Develop ESDs as needed
9. Design graphic and alarm schemes
10. Transition from design to Implementation as needed, including overall project management

Project Management

Implementation

1. Hardware, software & preconfigured control logic
   • Flexible by application needs
   • Cimplicity, IFIX or WonderWare HMI
   • OPEN Solutions
   • Numerous control platforms (DCS, PLCs) as needed
   • Unified database or “wrapper-less” system as needed
2. Site/work assistance available for:
   • P&ID’s reviews and detailed completion
     • Can save $$$
   • Project database
     • Can assist in development if needed for first projects
   • Instrumentation matching
   • Implementation of logic
     • Balance of plant/foreign devices if needed
   • Commissioning, start up and tuning
3. Network design and implementation
   • Security
   • Domain trusts
   • Remote access and VPN
   • Routing and VLAN
   • Media and protocol conversion
4. SCADA system implementation of above components
5. Electrical protection
6. ESD, interlock schemes and load shed participation where applicable
7. Long-term pricing and support agreements

Typical Workflow

1. Design Motor Controls Philosophy
   • Hand versus auto wiring scheme
2. Establish Emergency Shutdown
   • If a safety system needed
3. Establish Interlock schemes, for native and skid devices
4. Receive Skid/Foreign Device Tag Databases
   • Earlier is better
5. Skid Vendor to provide typical HMI screens for skid controls
6. Build Configuration from Sequence of Operations
7. Design Operator Displays for native IO
   • Typically begins with P&ID’s
8. Build/Import Skid/Foreign Device IO databases in Control System
9. Design Operator Displays for skid devices
10. Populate displays with active data from sources
11. Create Trending displays
12. Configure and manage alarming schemes
13. FAT
14. Correct Items from FAT punch list
15. Ship system to site
16. Arrive at site after 70% of IO is terminated if not supervising installation
17. Instruments should be calibrated during this time by loop sheets
18. Begin loop checkout
    • One person on console, one tech in field
19. Wet process for commissioning and final tuning (Upstream to downstream)

Working with your organization, our staff will assimilate your corporate needs into a defined project execution model. Although our firm has its foundation in controls, our success is based on our ability to manage and execute projects with the client's goals and objectives as overriding requirements.

We first communicate with your executive staff to understand your business objectives. From there, we work with operations, engineering and IT to incorporate the vertical needs of each area, as well as standards, preferences and operational models.

At this point, depending on how many divisions and types of projects are undertaken by a company, we begin to separate all of the criteria that apply to a given project type.

At the project-specific level, software, hardware, system elements, communication protocols, network designs and detailed device requirements are identified and folded into a specification.

Simultaneously, project execution requirements such as required schedule details, reporting mechanisms and meeting protocols are defined and made available to project members for complete project buy-in and expectation setting before any work begins.

Technical review of project plans, particularly from a controls and process perspective, generally begin early – prior to any PO releases to vendors – to insure that all appropriate language is included in vendor proposals. Particular attention is paid to deliverables, support and communications.

Throughout project execution, our team identifies the weakest links in the project team and works with those firms to inspire them to fulfill their contractual obligations. As opposed to browbeating and waiting until it's too late to help the project, we believe in acting quickly and demonstrating through examples and teamwork what the project expects from those vendors who are struggling to supply deliverables.

Site support and management can add value, particularly if scopes are not well defined, which is something we prefer to avoid through thorough understanding of installation details. In this manner, proposals can be received with details to allow for fixed price as opposed to time and material contracts, which tend to run away from cost controls and can be challenging to enforce.

Finally, performance requirements can be generated and tested for final acceptance of various aspects of the project, so that a completion checklist can be witnessed and documented and project conclusion can be professionally identified.