Drafting Techniques with a CAD Program

Outside reading...

1. What is CAD?

Depending on who you talk to, CAD stands for either computer aided drafting or computer aided design. A CAD drawing is created on a computer screen with the click and drag of the mouse instead of on a drafting board with a pencil and T square. When completed, the CAD drawings can be plotted (or printed) at a local architect's office creating a standard set of working drawings or the computer files can be e-mailed across the country as an attachment.

2. What are the two most commonly used CAD programs?

Most architects and engineers use AutoCad, a product of Autodesk, which is the industry standard. Many scene designers, and especially lighting designers, use the less expensive, and somewhat simpler VectorWorks. VW began life as a McIntosh product known as MiniCad and, in fact, still uses the *.mcd extension in its MSWindows version. Both programs will create both two dimensional (plans and elevations) and three dimensional (virtual models) drawings. We will use VectorWorks8.5, which is installed on the computer in the Theatre Lab (JC129), for our computer drafting projects.

1. Briefly outline the process of drafting a floor plan.

1. Open the file containing the floor plan of your stage and auditorium. This file should include the major architectural units-- proscenium arch, back and side walls, apron, orchestra pit..., -- the center and plaster line and the two critical site points.
2. Save the file under a different name
3. Draw the tormentors (or portal legs) establishing the width of the "picture frame."
4. Draw the sight lines from the critical site points to the near proscenium arch (or tormentor, portal leg, or act curtain...). This should create a triangular shaped playing area which will be visible to every seat in the house.
5. Draw the major scenic units-- platforms, steps, ramps, walls, etc... Try to locate the set within this triangular shaped playing area.
6. Draw the backing flats behind the door and window units. Check sight lines from the site point on the opposite side of the stage. For example: use the stage left (house right) site point to check sight lines for a door in the stage right wall.
7. Draw (or insert) and label the furniture (or other set props).
8. Indicate the alternate position of any scenery or set props which will be shifted during the show.
9. Draw the necessary masking units: legs, backdrop, cyc, etc...
10. Delete or reassign the site lines to a hidden class or layer.
11. Assign each scenic unit (flat, platform, drop) a number (or letter) for identification in other drawings.
12. Dimension the set so it can be accurately positioned during load-in.
13. Draw (or Edit) the title block in the lower right hand corner of the drawing.

2. Briefly outline the process of drafting a Designer's (or front) elevation for a simple box set.

Using the floor plan, determine the width of each flat in the set.
Establish the height of the set.
1. Create a new file (document).
2. Establish the paper size (17" x 22" ), scale (1/2" = 1'0") and orientation (landscape) of the drawing.
3. Draw a horizontal line near the center of your sheet. This will be the base (or floor) line for your row of flats. Typically you can draw one 30' long row of 12' tall flats on a 17x22 sheet.
4. Locate a point near the left end of this line. (Approximately 4' in scale from the edge of the paper). Draw a vertical line through this point. This will be the left edge of your row of flats.
5. Locate a point on this vertical line the height of the set above the base line.
6. Through this point draw a second horizontal line. This will be the top of the flats.
7. Using the widths determined from the floor plan and starting at the point near the left end of the line, mark on the base line the outside edge of each flat. The flats, starting with the stage right return, should be drawn in the same order as they will appear on stage.
8. Draw a vertical line through each mark. You now have an outline of each individual flat in the row.
9. Draw the door, window, and fire place openings in the door, window and fire place flats.
10. Draw the architectural detail: cornice, picture rail, chair rail, mop board, wainscoting, door facings, etc...
11. Dimension the elevation so the walls can be built in the shop.
12. Label each flat with the number (or letter) which appears on the floor plan.
13. Label the unit you have drafted-- Stage Left Wall, Up Center Wall, Kitchen Backing, etc...
14. Select the entire unit. Adjust (Move), as necessary, to center the drawing on the page.
15. Draw (or Copy and Edit) the title block in the lower right hand corner of the drawing.

3. Briefly outline the process of drafting a center line cross section.

1. Open the file containing the center line cross section of your stage and auditorium. This file should include the major architectural units-- orchestra pit, stage floor, proscenium arch, back wall..., -- plaster line and the critical site point.
2. Save the file under a different name
3. Draw the teaser (or portal header) establishing the height of the "picture frame."
4. Draw the major scenic units-- platforms, steps, ramps, walls, etc... Their position upstage of the plaster line can be measured from the floor plan. The height of the units can be taken from the front elevation.
5. Draw the out position of all scenic units suspended above the stage
6. Draw the necessary masking units: borders, backdrop, cyc, etc...
7. Locate the masked position of all light pipes.
8. Draw (or Edit) the title block in the lower right hand corner of the drawing.