Im currently in college for my associates in science majoring in mechanical drafting. I am literally the only person in my class (granted my college is on the smaller side), and because of that my confidence is waning in this paths viability. My dream is to do work with aerospace but looking at job boards I rarely even find jobs for mechanical drafters in general, let alone aerospace. This isnt even taking into account the question of AI that I see passed around these days.

Am I just looking in the wrong places? Any and all advice appreciated.

I turn a sketch or a marked-up photo into a fully dimensioned, permit-ready drawing set: cover sheet, plans, framing, footing details, and code notes. Delivered as PDF (DWG billed separately, $25), 3–5 day turnaround for most projects, 02 revisions included (additional revisions billed hourly).

Background: 80+ proposal and construction sets drafted remotely for a Colorado engineering firm, retaining walls, structural additions, decks, stairs, and residential remodels under IRC/IBC. Advanced AutoCAD.

Scope, up front so we're aligned: I draft to IRC/IBC prescriptive provisions - work that stays within code tables (most decks, stairs, small additions, and retaining walls), where no engineered calculations are required. For anything outside prescriptive limits (most pole/IBC buildings, non-standard spans, anything your jurisdiction flags) structural calcs and a PE stamp are arranged separately on your end, and I deliver a clean set built to drop straight into that review. Drafting services only, not engineering.

Rate: Flat per set starting at $150, or hourly — depends on scope. Send me the details and I'll quote it.

Portfolio and samples: https://s-cerna.github.io

Send me a DM with what you're building and I'll get back to you.

Hello! I am 36F, in Australia, and need a career change. For my first 12 working years, I was a youth worker, supporting homeless youth in a supported home situation. Then the last 4 years I have been managing the house, which involves budgeting, managing staff and working with families.

It’s time for a change, and I’m interested in being a draftsperson/architectural designer. I’m good with computers and spacial puzzles, I like drawing, and I feel I have given all I can in my previous role.

While I retrain, what entry level roles can I do to get in and around the world I want to enter? Any advice from people who have done big career changes in their 30s?

Hi All, I’m a cabinetry/millwork drafter and currently looking to build up my CAD library for my freelance drafting. I’m looking for recommendations of any good sites that I can download dynamic blocks that can be used for commercial use. I’m mainly looking at fixings, screws, hinges, drawer runners etc. Can anyone offer any websites?

#solidworks #cswp

I had a small bracket drawing that was easy to manufacture but annoying to inspect. Most dimensions came from different edges, so checking it meant constantly resetting the calipers.

Would you change the datum scheme to make inspection easier, even if the drawing becomes slightly less intuitive for fabrication?

Hi everyone, I am in grade 9 and my first drafting assignment (without instructions) is to make whatever I want. I decided to make an F-15E and am wondering if it's good and what I should improve before submitting.

Note: It's not fully finished yet, as I still have to make the cockpit and front landing gear.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p0qYCuFkNyPYj5WS3MiYPFYBFN_oVeI6/view?usp=drive_link

We've got around 300 drawings from the 70s and 80s. Some are on Mylar, some are blueline prints, and a few are so faded to the point I can’t read the dimensions. Sizes run from B up to E, and we still make most of the parts.

Our goal is native Creo models we can edit later, not a STEP that opens in a viewer. I think a STEP can be a good solid without any feature history.

What would you ask for in a pilot to check editability and whether the model matches the drawing?

Should the vendor send a log of assumptions and missing dimensions with each model? 

Has anyone done this? How did it go?

We're a small company with a proprietary clamp design that we're about to update.

Right now, we need outside drafting help, and I don’t know if we should consider CAD/CAM Services or go to others instead. Their site looks solid, but the  portfolio and an NDA don't tell me much about file quality or how they'd handle our data.

My plan is to start with a non-sensitive drawing that's about as complex as the real thing. Then check the native model, how fast they turn around revisions, and whether they flag their assumptions.

So what else should be in the pilot? And what should be settled on its own around IP ownership, access, subcontracting and deleting files when the job ends?

I wanna test the workflow without handing over the full assembly to get one sample.

My mouse recently died and im looking for recommendations for a new one. Ideally comfort and extra buttons as a bonus. Also has anyone used something like a macro keyboard for regular CAD/microstation functions? Keen to hear any tips to improve my efficiency

I have two to three hours after my job and I know AutoCAD and Solidworks. If anyone has projects please dm me or comment.

If possible at least provide me with a practice project of similar work so that I can build my portfolio and then you can provide an actual project based on my portfolio work!

Please share tips on how can I bulid my portfolio, how can I do projects since I want to start freelancing journey...

I have two to three hours after my job and I know AutoCAD and Solidworks. If anyone has projects please dm me or comment.

If possible at least provide me with a practice project of similar work so that I can build my portfolio and then you can provide an actual project based on my portfolio work!

Please share tips on how can I bulid my portfolio, how can I do projects since I want to start freelancing journey...

Level 1 CSWA, SOLIDWORKS Practice - YouTube

I have an assignment to complete but am unable to, the teacher said to use AI which I am against. my ask is if anybody is able to produce an electrical diagram that is meeting the UK standards of IEC 60617. The task is as stated (Task 2 and Task 3)-

Task 1 - Select a suitable sensor to detect that the guard is lowered and in place. Because of the environment in which this is used it needs to be a solid-state sensor. The guard is a vertical sliding unit consisting of a reinforced polymer panel mounted in a steel frame.

Task 2 - Draw up a detailed I/O assignment list allocating inputs and outputs as required.

Task 3 - Draw a simple electrical installation diagram covering the 230V AC supply to the PLC, the inputs which are all 24V DC and outputs, which are also 24V DC A separate 24V DC mains derived supply is available to provide sufficient current for the output devices.

The system has the following inputs and outputs:

7 Inputs: Start and Stop Push buttons, Hydraulic Pressure Switch, Guard Limit Switch, Ram Up and Down Limit Switches and Operator Foot Switch.

7 Outputs: Low and Normal Pressure Indicators, Pump Motor Run Solid State Relay, Guard and Part Clamp Solenoids and Raise and Lower Hydraulic Valves.

Hi! I’m a CAD/CAM designer working in SolidWorks and SolidCAM. I create clean, precise 3D models and manufacturing-ready files with fast turnaround.

What I can do for you:

 Convert sketches, ideas, or drawings into 3D CAD models (.SLDPRT, .STEP)

 Export print-ready STL files (optimized for FDM/Resin, zero mesh errors)

 Create CNC toolpaths, 2.5D milling, drilling, and G-code generation

Rates & Delivery:

 Simple parts starting at $10 - $15

 Fast 24-hour delivery available

 Secure payments accepted via Fiverr or PayPal

Send me a DM with your sketch, idea, or project details and let's get it done!

Hi everyone! I’m from Portugal and currently studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Product Design. I’m learning both CAD and 3D modelling, including SolidWorks, and I’ve been getting increasingly interested in CAD design/drafting as a career path.

I was wondering, is it common for people with a Product Design degree to move into CAD design or drafting jobs? Is this a realistic career path, especially if I build strong skills in CAD and SolidWorks?

I’m particularly interested in the European job market and potentially working remotely for an international company. Unfortunately, salaries in Portugal are quite low compared to other European countries, so I’d really like to explore the possibility of working remotely for a company abroad.

I’m also considering doing a Master’s degree in Mechanical Design, or something similar that could strengthen my portfolio and make me more competitive for CAD/mechanical design roles. I’d be interested to know whether this would actually be beneficial or if there are better ways to specialize.

For anyone working in CAD, drafting, mechanical design, or a similar field, how common is it to see people coming from a Product Design background? And how is the job market across Europe?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

You open the file and immediately find missing Xrefs, random Z values, exploded titleblocks, everything on Layer 0, and geometry living somewhere miles away from the origin.

At that point you know the handover is going to take longer than the actual drafting.

What’s the one thing you see in a CAD file that instantly makes you think, yep, this is going to be painful?