CAD systems need not only perform the function of producing drawings. Used to full advantage, there are benefits of reduced staff and costs, a paperless environment and time saving, instant exchange of information with other involved parties.

Louis Botha, a Director of Theunissen Jankowitz group of companies, is typical of the modern day architect who had completely foregone the drawing board and incorporated CAD as the basis for streamlining labour and office efficiency. With 12 branches throughout southern Africa, standardised on 40 Caddie work stations, the company designs a broad range from homes to office blocks, industrial sites and airports. Major projects include Zimbali Lodge near Durban, Dobsonville and Daveyton Shopping Centres, several bank complexes and Durban Airport.

"I stopped using the drawing board totally five years ago," Botha says. "If you do not adapt you die. Many architects still use the drawing board to sketch by hand, which gets passed onto a draughtsman to convert to CAD drawings. Too often, CAD systems become complicated, almost laborious to use, so the architect believes it is quicker to work by hand. It is easy to sketch on Caddie for provisional drawings, which can be e-mailed out to the client. There is no flow of paper, no time wasted - it is a straight screen-to-screen presentation.

"Very importantly, with the layering system available in Caddie one can isolate relevant information for different disciplines such as the mechanical and electrical engineers, the town planner etc. When designing, the layers allow the drawings to become transparent which makes the co-ordination of services such as water pipes, air-conditioning pipes easier."

The most obvious advantage brought about by computers for the architect, traditionally a high paper user and storer, is that archiving systems are now small, as the directory for each project containing drawings, correspondence and diagram information can be stored on one CD. A well organised library will avoid redrawing. Theunissen Jankowitz hold a database at their Durban head office, categorised in project type. This allows architects to access via e-mail, sketch plans and working drawings to assist in similar projects using existing information and technology.

Caddie has a built-in library of around 2000 symbols. Louis has expanded this to over 5000. "Typical construction details such as windowsills, roof edges, a door, are made into a symbol. It is quick to pull up the symbol from the library and paste it on the drawing and, if needed, then change it, for instance to a different finish or colour. The aspect of holding a symbol library enables designing accuracy first time round. "In a computer centre I place the computers in position so that I can see if the cable routes are adequate, whether the ventilation circulation is adequate, etc.

Botha believes that because of the networking of Caddie, he is able to have a more 'hands-on' approach to projects by being involved in all aspects by working more closely with technicians who are producing documentation and final drawings. Three-dimensional sketches not only assist in professional presentation to clients but also have become vital in communicating effectively with contractors and even unskilled labour.

"The approach of Caddie's 3D system makes it as simple to use as Caddie 2D. The link to Povray rendering is also an important enhancement," Botha concludes.

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