Getting slower with age

[JNJ Eaton, Sr.]

I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always done it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

 

[Phil Holman]

"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...

I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous
disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could
be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned
CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as
possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always
done it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn
good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to
keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

Move yourself up the food chain. Competing against younger, less
experienced engineers on the basis of speed as a cad jockey is a
decaying orbit. Surely you should focus on a role of utilizing your
greater experience and engineering judgement i.e. project lead or
technical guru.

Phil Holman

 

[Mel Rosenow]

No advice, but
You have "experience" and "understanding" which come with age.
The newbies cannot hold a candle to that.


"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...

I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always done
it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

 

[Don Phillips]

"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...

I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always done
it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????

Personally, I have two a couple of things to stay ahead of the curve:
1) I try to automate as best I can using blocks, standard drawings with
layers already established, and LISP routines.
2) I try to use plug-ins like Architectural Desktop to free time.



Sincerely,


Donald L. Phillips, Jr., P.E.
Worthington Engineering, Inc.
145 Greenglade Avenue
Worthington, OH 43085-2264

dphillips@worthingtonNSengineering.com
(remove NS to use the address)
614.937.0463 voice
208.975.1011 fax

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[neil]

I agree with Phil - speed is all very well but if you have 'maturity' and
years of real engineering experience you are capable of getting on better
with a variety of people- very important- and the work you do will have
fewer mistakes in it .Smart employers will value the stability an 'older'
employee can bring to their business and the fact they turn up every day and
do know the old stuff. Youngsters get a bit cocky about their
ability -imagined or otherwise- maybe you need to assert yourself a bit if
you have been on the receiving end of some ageist comment that may have you
feeling a bit down.
cheers

 

[John Kreutzberger]

I'm 8 years older than you. I am faster than most of the younger generation
of designers in my industry. Not in my use of any software, but in the
generation of the final design. This is because I make decisions quickly,
and these decisions are based on my years of experience.

These decisions are not always what the customer wants. However, because I
use a parametric modeler and employ sound practices, I can always get to the
desired result without too much back-tracking.

All I am saying is that you should trust yourself and what you have to
offer. Get some training if you can, and GO FOR IT.

just my 2 cents...........Good Luck.

jk


"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...

I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always done
it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

 

[Jonathan Barnes]

You need to work smarter....

On 3 D work a user of solid works should get a lot more done than an Autocad
user, so it's time to re skill in that respect...

If you can put your experience to good use, it may take you a little longer
to make a model; but if you can cut down the amount of reworking that is
needed you can still get to the finish first.

Good luck
--
Jonathan

Barnes's theorem; for every foolproof device
there is a fool greater than the proof.

To reply remove AT

"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...

I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always done
it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

 

[Kman]

CAD doesn't make the engineer, designer or detailer. It is a tool and works
best in the hands of an experienced individual.

Kman


"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...

I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always done
it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

 

[Roy Knapp]

I

am still pretty damn good and make into the high 30's an hour With
layoffs and all I have to keep proving myself wherever I go........

sympathy, not an emotion I do very often.

with an engineering degree I was making $18/hr after 10 years with one
company.

I work for myself, with my wife, drawing house plans.
we charge $45, going to $50 this Janauary because the wife is timid about
raising our rate.

as long as you work for someone else, you have to live with the baggage.
working for yourself carries different baggage.

sometimes it's good, sure is a wild ride.

good luck.

P.S.
we had the advantage of her STARTING her business whilst I brought home a
regular check, then I came to work for/with her after this was established.
may not apply to your situation for a variety of reasons.

 

[Nathaniel Flick]

JNJ

"Slower" is a relative term, as these other posters have pointed out.

I would suggest increasing your key knowledge by going to www.cadtutor.net
and checking out all the tutorials. It's a great site for the beginner to
advanced user.

Also look for CAD refresher courses in your area to bone up on your skills.

Cheers!


--

Nathaniel Flick
please reply to: nat at flikworld(dot)com
or reply to this newsgroup

 

[Rudy Kube]

I'll be 69 next month and I'm not quitting. Love what I'm doing. It's almost
like a hobby now. But it's fun.
Rudy

 

[dlzc@aol.com (formerly)]

Dear JNJ Eaton, Sr.:

"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...
....

Anyone have any constructive assistance????

You've got some really good advice, already.

I do all my AutoCAD in solids, using its primitives. I use a few of the
keystroke+space ('d'elete, 'z'oom) and location specifications ('cen'ter,
'mid'dle), and I only use the icons for dimensions. Mr. Gates was not
doing designers any good in this respect.

You've had good suggestions about building up a toolkit of LISP routines,
and I would add a graphics tablet to which you become friends. Maybe you
need to have the hardware drivers and LISP routines on a CD you keep in
your briefcase.

And finally, you've had really excellent advice to become leadman. Keeping
your nose to the grindstone doesn't even keep your sinuses clear. If you
can't start your own business, take up the gauntlet of responsibility.
Working fast only makes fast mistakes. It takes a steady mind to find 'em.

David A. Smith

 

[Mr. B]

With Deft Fingers, "JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote:

I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could be
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????

LOL... I'm almost 49... and am MUCH faster and more Efficient than MOST of the
'younger' CAD people I work with (70 employees.... mixed company... Architects
and Engineers). My secret is that I AM Acad knowledgable.... those who say
they know Acad don't know it (only how to use it). I write lots of LISP
routines to SPEED up my work. Many others don't have that knowledge (and
don't want to bother to learn).

So I Zip past the 'youngsters' (LOL). Always will until they learn more than
me

But again... that is 'my' success and life experience. Others may vary (and
I'm not knocking anyone... but IF someone is willing to look under the hood,
they can learn a lot).

Bruce

 

[Jeff Finlayson]

"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote:

I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always done it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

Take training classes periodically. Find the quickest way to do a task, even
if it means learning a new way to do it. Basically try to work smarter.

Best of luck.

 

[TheTick]

What have you dobe in 17 years to make yourself a better engineer,
designer or detailer? No AA or BSME yet?

"Kman" <kengineering@peoplepc.com> wrote in message news:<vt4gqf86cadoa5@corp.supernews.com>...

CAD doesn't make the engineer, designer or detailer. It is a tool and works
best in the hands of an experienced individual.

Kman


"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...
I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always done
it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

 

[Kman]

Tick,

I believe your question is directed to the original poster?

Kman

Else I don't really understand your question
"TheTick" <rol3@liquidschwarz.com> wrote in message
news:2e958085.0312070557.75cc3bf3@posting.google.com...

What have you dobe in 17 years to make yourself a better engineer,
designer or detailer? No AA or BSME yet?

"Kman" <kengineering@peoplepc.com> wrote in message
news:<vt4gqf86cadoa5@corp.supernews.com>...
CAD doesn't make the engineer, designer or detailer. It is a tool and
works
best in the hands of an experienced individual.

Kman


"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...
I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous
disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could
be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned
CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as
possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always
done
it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn
good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to
keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

 

[Brian Spillane]

I bet in 17 years he at the very least learned the value of SPELL -CHECK!
Happy Holidays all!

"TheTick" <rol3@liquidschwarz.com> wrote in message
news:2e958085.0312070557.75cc3bf3@posting.google.com...

What have you dobe in 17 years to make yourself a better engineer,
designer or detailer? No AA or BSME yet?

"Kman" <kengineering@peoplepc.com> wrote in message
news:<vt4gqf86cadoa5@corp.supernews.com>...
CAD doesn't make the engineer, designer or detailer. It is a tool and
works
best in the hands of an experienced individual.

Kman


"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...
I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous
disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could
be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned
CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as
possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always
done
it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn
good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to
keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~

 

[AHA]

<snip>
| with an engineering degree I was making $18/hr after 10 years with one
| company.
|
| I work for myself, with my wife, drawing house plans.
| we charge $45, going to $50 this Janauary because the wife is timid about
| raising our rate.

When I charge 50 Euro, at the end of the year having paid taxes, social security
etc. it ends up being 16 Euro for me ...

Alex

 

[Giuseppe Carmine De Blasi]

When I charge 50 Euro, at the end of the year having paid taxes, social
security
etc. it ends up being 16 Euro for me ...

What country do you live, and how much do you earn? I think that you're
exagerating a tiny little bit... not even in Sweden you have such a high
taxation... care to share?

--
Pepe
Milano, Italy

 

[TheTick]

Whatever. Just trying to add to your point of "CAD doesn't make the
engineer/designer/drafter". I assume the original poster saw the
reply.


"Kman" <kengineering@peoplepc.com> wrote in message news:<vt6edn25m8no97@corp.supernews.com>...

Tick,

I believe your question is directed to the original poster?

Kman

Else I don't really understand your question
"TheTick" <rol3@liquidschwarz.com> wrote in message
news:2e958085.0312070557.75cc3bf3@posting.google.com...
What have you dobe in 17 years to make yourself a better engineer,
designer or detailer? No AA or BSME yet?

"Kman" <kengineering@peoplepc.com> wrote in message
news:<vt4gqf86cadoa5@corp.supernews.com>...
CAD doesn't make the engineer, designer or detailer. It is a tool and
works
best in the hands of an experienced individual.

Kman


"JNJ Eaton, Sr." <jnjeaton@txucom.net> wrote in message
news:3fd2045c$1@katy-news.txucom.net...
I have used Autocad as a design tool for 17 years in numerous
disciplines.
Last couple of years I seem to be getting slower at drawing. It could
be
that today's engineers put more design responsibilities onto the
designer/drafter.
I'm just 44 and will need to be employable till I die most likely.
I am a heavy icon user instead to 2 finger commands??????
Perfectionist, thinker and very critical of my work ??????
I also use Microstation, PDS and trying to learn Solidworks to stay
employable.
I have to increase my speed to keep up with the newbies that learned
CAD a
different way than we did 17 years ago. I keep abreast as much as
possible
on the new stuff, but still seem to hang onto the way I have always
done
it.
Please don't misunderstand this plea for help I am still pretty damn
good
and make into the high 30's an hour With layoffs and all I have to
keep
proving myself wherever I go........
Anyone have any constructive assistance????
~Texascadman~