POLICIES

Layering Standards
CAD layering standards are essential to seamlessly share graphic information data throughout the CAD industry. Implementation of layers in a CAD file enables better management of visual information.
The most widely used set of layering standards has been developed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). 800CAD automatically uses the AIA layering standards during the conversion of a document unless the client has supplied their own set of layering standards.
CAD layers are organized into major categories or groups. The major groups are further subdivided into minor groups. Each group represents a layer in the converted CAD file. Each layer is labeled using a consistent, easy-to-remember abbreviation. The major groups defined by the AIA include:

A Architectural 
C Civil
E Electrical          
F Fire protection
G General
H Hazardous materials
I Interiors
L Landscape
M Mechanical      
P Plumbing
Q Equipment
R Resource
S Structural
T Telecommunications
X Other disciplines

CAD Symbols, Blocks, Attributes
Symbol libraries, blocks and attributes are additional tools designed to organize the CAD entities better in your converted CAD files. Advantages of incorporating symbols, blocks and attributes into your CAD files are that they enable you to automatically export CAD data into other report forms. For example, you can automatically count the total number of door symbols, window symbols, etc. that appears on a floor plan. Alternatively, you can export floor plan attributes such as room name, room number, area, perimeter, etc. for use with space management software applications.
At 800CAD, we encourage our clients to submit any predefined symbols, blocks and attributes with each order. During our conversion process, we then automatically incorporate this reference data into each CAD file. Symbol libraries, blocks and attributes are not necessary, however, they will provide added control and flexibility for your final converted documents.

Undimensioned drawings
In cases of converting undimensioned drawings, or drawings with fewer than 20% dimensions shown on the original documents, CAD operators perform the following heads-up digitizing procedure:

1. The raster image is imported into AutoCAD and appears as a background image. During the drafting process, the CAD operator uses the background as a reference to create the CAD file. The CAD operator then places all entities such as text, notes, title blocks, drawing titles, detail references, schedules, etc. During the conversion, the CAD operator also incorporates layering, blocks, etc. provided by the client.

2. The Group leader performs QA to ensure the document matches the original. The file enters Level 3-QA where the files are plotted and compared with the original blueprint document for accuracy. Errors and omissions are noted and the Group Leader works with the CAD operator responsible for the hand redraw to assure that all errors and omissions are corrected.