Construction Details Library in CAD

[XAPHS]

Hi Everybody,
I am in the process of putting together a library of typical construction details on CAD. Most of the details are from projects I've worked on in the past, and I'm up to a few hundred details. I am putting out a request to everyone in the forum to let me know if they have any good architectural and structural details which are as typical as construction details can be, that they would be willing to share with me (foundations, walls, ceilings, roofs, shear transfer, etc.). Any format you have will be fine (CAD, .JPG, .TIF, hand sketches, etc), since I will eventually transfer them into AutoCAD. In return, I would be willing to share these details with anyone who wishes to use them for their own projects (No charge). This project stems from my own frustration of trying to find typical GOOD details. I can't seem to find anything on the internet, except very expensive libraries that you can order online for way more money that I can afford to spend. I think these should be free, since we work in such a large industry which has used repetitive details for years. If anyone has anything they'd be willing to share, please let me know.
Thanks,
Harry

[giddonah]

I'm a total rookie and have absolutely nothing to contribute, but hot damn. I give a standing ovation to you sir. I wish you luck with your project. If this doesn't make sense, I don't know what does.

[Cole]

Great Idea!!!

[Rich]

Since I've went to work for others (and 3 computers later) I don't have many details that you probably don't already have.

[KSA]

Harry, Let me see what I can do for you.

[abasaeed]

I have some details, both residentials and commercial, so let me know how can i help.

[giddonah]

I'm afraid Harry hasn't been on since new year's. Methinks this project is dormant.

[abasaeed]

thankx for the reply

[HDNord]

I'm afraid Harry hasn't been on since new year's. Methinks this project is dormant.Too bad, it was a great idea.

If you get this going again Harry I have a few you could add to your library.

[abasaeed]

so guys, how can we start this.....
i have some details that i can email it to u... or we can ftp to a my site...
so who wants to tkae part in this???

[Cole]

http://www.constructionbook.com/xq/ASP/ProductID.519/id.454/qx/default2.htm

I have some, but IMO this is better to have.

[The BN Guy]

I'd definitely contribute. I have quite a few that I've acquired over the years and many that I've created myself.

Yep, a little late on posting here but, hey, I just got here!

[Richard A Hetzel]

One of the dangers in CAD is that it puts the architect's brain into neutral, and this is an example of how that happens. I don't remember using a detail in almost 50 years that I didn't have to think about and modify somewhat to suit the one particular project. I've seen what happens when all one needs to do is cut and paste details onto drawings: conflicts, nonsense, things not fitting together. Sure, one can fill several sheets in minutes, but are they architectural drawings, or are they eyewash?

I can drive down the street and pick out buildings that were done by CAD. They stick out like a sore thumb. Clumsy detailing, proportions all wrong, no real sense of style, the designer threw everything he had at one porr building...no restraint...CAD has not done well by architecture at all. I may be the last architect on earth who doesn't use it, but so be it. Give me my pencils and my brain, any time.

With CAD, you can make an accurate drawing, but not a clear drawing. By hand you can make a clear drawing that may not be quite accurate, because that's how you make it clear.

[Rich]

I still use a combination of pencil/paper and cad. It does make a difference not only in the time required to complete a set of drawings, but also time required to construct the building.
When putting pencil to paper you are thinking about every line and how it will relate to the others. From there I can input a clear, accurate detail in a couple of minutes.
I do agree that architecture has been downgraded by the use of cad. There are not many that can be both creative and quick. I used to be based in a larger city in Montana and one of the "new" and "hip" architects designed quite a few homes across the valley. Anyway, it was a standing joke around that all his homes were the same plan just scaled up or down depending on budget. And I honestly think that many of the details were just that - reused so often because cad made it easy to "plop" them in there over and over again.

[Richard A Hetzel]

Yep, them six by six bedrooms sure are cheap...lol. I think the 18-inch-wide stairs are going just too far, though... =)

[mjpliv]

While an exchange of Autocad details is not a bad idea, most of what we do is pretty specific to the project. What I really find usefull are product blocks and hatching (PAT) files. Manufacturer spec toilets, sinks, bath and showers, ranges, refridgerators, elevators, window profiles, stock window elevations, light fixtures, etc. You get the idea!

I would imagine that each of us, at one time or another, has come across these resources for their own needs. Maybe we just need a spot on the forum to share these resources as either a downloadable file or link to another site.

Let me start!

Permacast Columns download link http://www.hbgcolumns.com/architectdwg.html

The attached zip file contains the PAT files for the Shouldice Brick hatching patterns. There is fifth one but it was too large for the file restrictions on this forum so I uploaded to my domain so you can download it from there.

http://www.buildersmatrix.com/shouldice_ANTIQUEWITHMORTAR.zip

A word of caution - this is a complex hatch pattern and can cause your "refresh" to be slow. I would only use it for finish drawings that require fine detail.

Enjoy!