Topic: dimensioning - which do you prefer...

[chrisdarmanin]

...from the two shown here?

this is for a working drawing to be sent on site...

i usually do drawings like the first one

[Willie]

The first one look better.

I don't like the text to be squeezed between the line in the second one.  I think it's easier to read over the squeezed text.

[chrisdarmanin]

i think so too

my aim is to make the drawing less crowded... any ideas on how to achieve it without change the scale of the drawing? because i could change the drawing from 1:100 to 1:50 but that would change my paper size to isoA2 to isoA0

[Rob...]

I usually size ductwork like the first one. Personally, I think it's not crowded at all. I'm usually trying to fit 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lb box.

[chrisdarmanin]

everyone seems to like the first one even at the office

maybe it will look better if i choose a narrower font.....

[SDETERS]

I do not like either one.  There is text overlaying borders, dimensions and other text.  Why is this?

If I had to choose I would choose #2 

[Rob...]

I do not like either one.  There is text overlaying borders, dimensions and other text.  Why is this?

Good points.

[chrisdarmanin]

that part is not crowded but others are...

I do not like either one.  There is text overlaying borders, dimensions and other text.  Why is this?

that is just part of a drawing which i drew a rectangle quicky around what i wanted printed... i didnt bother about the borders... the important part is the dimensioned ducting

[chrisdarmanin]

here is the full drawing FYI

[Keith™]

When I look at the first drawing, it feels disorganized with the leaders, but the second option appears doesn't seem to work with the text (sometimes) crammed in a tight area (i.e. the 200x100 & 200x150 ducts).

I have seen it done both ways on various projects ... but probably the best way I have seen it done is with a schedule in the drawing and an identifying mark, similar to how doors and windows are identified on many drawings.

If I have to choose one of the two though, I choose the second drawing, but maybe adjust the text height slightly to maintain readability.

[chrisdarmanin]

yes it does look disorganized and i dont like it... i havent found a system that works yet...

i never considered the schedule method, but wouldn't you end up with a huge schedule in the end that way?

maybe also a .shx fonts will look better such as romans

[Keith™]

i never considered the schedule method, but wouldn't you end up with a huge schedule in the end that way?

it really depends on how many different duct sizes you have .. from the looks of the full drawing, a schedule would probably be about as big as the "Air Control Devices Schedule", but I can see how on a very large project it could become unwieldy ... fortunately for me, we usually only do projects less than 10000 sf and the ductwork is limited.

Good luck on getting it worked out!

[chrisdarmanin]

what type of notation do you use? and do you still use leaders or put the text in the duct? or another way?

thanks for your comments

[Keith™]

We don't do these types of drawings. When we receive them from the HVAC guys, we simply put a title block on the drawing and add it to our drawing set to be issued for contruction.

The way it is generally presented is with the notation text on top of the duct, similar to your second drawing, except it is enclosed in a rectangle with the duct hidden behind it. I think they use an attributed block with a wipeout

[Bob Garner]

I like the first drawing in so far as it is going to be used in the field.  The duct sizes are all horizontal so the field personnel don't have to turn it around like a bus steering wheel to read everything. 

[Keith™]

... field personnel don't have to turn it around like a bus steering wheel to read everything.

<Tommy Roe Impression>
I'm so dizzy my head is spinning :whistle: like a bus steering wheel turning around :whistle: I'm so dizzy!!! :whistle:
</Tommy Roe Impression>

So do people really have a problem reading sideways and upside down text
nevermind .. I just realized that most people have a problem just looking at the plans .. we should be glad that those who do are actually looking at them, and not expect them to be able to read upside down and sideways text ...

[Krushert]

I like the first drawing in so far as it is going to be used in the field.  The duct sizes are all horizontal so the field personnel don't have to turn it around like a bus steering wheel to read everything. 

or hold it over their heads and turn themselves like a bus steering wheel.   

[Keith™]

I like the first drawing in so far as it is going to be used in the field.  The duct sizes are all horizontal so the field personnel don't have to turn it around like a bus steering wheel to read everything. 

or hold it over their heads and turn themselves like a bus steering wheel.   

I'm sure there is a joke in there somewhere involving 1 guy holding the plans and 3 guys rotating the reader

[Krushert]

I like the first drawing in so far as it is going to be used in the field.  The duct sizes are all horizontal so the field personnel don't have to turn it around like a bus steering wheel to read everything. 

or hold it over their heads and turn themselves like a bus steering wheel.   

I'm sure there is a joke in there somewhere involving 1 guy holding the plans and 3 guys rotating the reader

No Joke.  I have seen it done a lots of times in the shipyard.  Since a Navy boat is 25lbs of shaving cream in a 5lb bag and most of it is in the ceiling (or overhead) they install all the big heavy stuff when the unit (section of the ship) is upside and then flip the unit latter. (neat to see 200 tons turning in the air by cranes) There would be guys that would hold the plans upside down and then turn themselves to orientate to the bow.  Sometimes they still screw up the install. 

[Keith™]

....

[Krushert]

....
[image]http://DoubleFacePalm.jpg[/image]

^^
Now that is some funny stuff.