AutoCAD User Group Of the
Pocono'sAutoCAD User Group Of the
Pocono'sBy
Pete Karaiskos
COMMERCIAL PROGRAMS
One of my students recently brought a commercial AutoCAD evaluation program to class. (I wont mention the program by name because I didnt find it very useful.) He had purchased the program because he had been contacted about a job by a company that uses this program to evaluate its CAD operators. The program consisted of 100 multiple-choice questions designed to determine the extent of a CAD operators knowledge of AutoCAD. The questions and choices were different each time the program was run. A typical question might be something like, What does the hourglass mean in Zoom Dynamic? If you dont use Dynamic Zoom, you might not know (or care) what it means. The question is peculiar, because many advanced operators dont use Zoom Dynamic, which is generally slower than other methods of zooming. A beginner, however, might know the answer. A few questions were so technical in nature that nobody could be expected to know them. What is the code to end the definition of a shape? Who cares?
Although the idea of a commercial AutoCAD test sounds tempting, it really doesnt make sense. Anyone with a few bucks can buy the test and sit down with the AutoCAD Reference Manual until theyve encountered every possible question (this particular program had a cache of about 300 questions). The premise, however, is a good one. Its popularity indicates a desperate need to evaluate CAD operators. But who should select the questions? Who should determine what a good CAD operator should know? Technical expertise is, admittedly, hard to measure, especially when a non-expert is doing the measuring.
Often the task of evaluating a job applicant is left to the resident CAD expert, who, after 20 hours of training at the local occupational center, knows everything there is to know about AutoCAD as long as it doesnt involve scaling, plotting, or blocks. Lately, his arrowheads have been too large but he hasnt had time to figure out why. He may be so amazed at the first applicant who can create a block, that he will recommend him without question. Too often, he doesnt really want to relinquish his expert cap to the new person, so he recommends someone with a little less experience than himself.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof test for CAD operators. Each employer must develop specific testing methods and criteria for evaluation. I have certain qualities I find absolutely necessary in any CAD operator who would be considered for employment in my company. Heres what I look for:
Experience. I expect CAD operators to have some CAD experience, (if they didnt, they wouldnt be CAD operators). I always expect to do some training, however, and a good attitude is essential. I also expect CAD operators to have a basic understanding of DOS. I expect them to be able to copy, read, edit, and delete a file safely. I expect them to be able to navigate through directories and back up files onto disks. More important than CAD experience and computer experience is general experience in the field they are being hired for. If I am hiring a CAD operator to do mechanical design, the applicant first must be a mechanical designer. Experience is fairly easy to test for.
Performance. CAD operators have several responsibilities. They must produce drawings that are accurate, well-planned, and well-organized. They must be able to produce these drawings in a reasonable amount of time. They must be able to control the CAD system to the extent that they can find any given drawing easily. Operators must back up and maintain their CAD systems so information is never lost or inadvertently deleted. They must be able to output the drawings to a printer or plotter. Good performance is easy to test for.
Attitude. CAD operators willing to learn and who accept criticism well are more valuable than CAD operators who think they know everything. I like a CAD operator who isnt afraid to experiment but knows when to ask questions. I have learned a lot from novices who have tried a different approach. A good CAD operator is willing to look in the book before asking questions and will ask questions before issuing a command that may cause damage. When dealing with novices, it is important to remember that they are learning at a very fast pace. It is not uncommon for a novice to rationalize If I was worth $10 per hour last week, I must be worth at least $11 this week. Too often, a CAD operator with a poor attitude will look for work elsewhere as soon as the training period has ended. Good attitude is extremely important but not very easy to test for.
THE INTERVIEW
Knowing what you want in a CAD operator is easy; whats difficult is finding one with all these qualities. How do you know if the operator you are interviewing possesses the qualities you want? When I interview CAD operators, I try to arrange my questioning in a way that allows me to weed out the undesirable candidates without wasting too much time.
I look at their rsum. If its neat, clean, accurate, and concise, their drawings will probably be the same. Did they take the time to do a good job? Does the rsum look professional? Are there any spelling errors? If they cant double-check their own rsum, I cant expect them to double-check their work. If the rsum was prepared by a service, I test the applicant for spelling during the drawing portion of the interview. If the rsum looks good, I invite the applicant in for an interview.
During the interview, I ask them how they would rate their CAD ability on a scale of one to 10. Anyone who says 10 probably doesnt know AutoCAD well enough to know how much they don't know. I usually ask how long they have been using AutoCAD. AutoCAD was first released about December 1982. Anyone who says they have more than 10 years of AutoCAD experience is asked to explain. I ask a few AutoCAD-specific questions to flush out the beginners such as: What command would you use to alter an existing entitys linetype? or What command can be used to draw an equilateral triangle?
Of course, the questions are never the same from interview to interview. The fact that someone is a beginner doesnt necessarily disqualify them. Everyone was a beginner once, and they may have other valuable experience that isnt necessarily related to AutoCAD. I ask what add-on packages theyve been using. Some CAD operators have become so accustomed to the add-on software that they cant use AutoCAD without it. I also ask about other CAD systems they may have used and other related computer experience, schooling, and training.
I ask many questions related to the type of work they will be doing. If they cant read a blueprint, I want to know. A good CAD operator isnt necessarily a good engineer. Engineers can learn CAD faster than CAD operators can learn engineering. I ask to see sample drawings, if possible, on disk. Paper drawings can look good even if poor CAD techniques are used. When looking at paper drawings, I check to see if they have controlled their line weights, which demonstrates control over the plotter. When checking the drawing files, I check to see that layers have been used to isolate the various elements of the drawing. I check for the use of blocks for repetitive items. I select lines with a crossing window to see if AutoCAD reports multiple entities. Last, I Wblock the entire drawing and check the drawing size against the original. If the Wblock significantly reduces the drawing size, this indicates that some drawing management techniques need to be developed.
TESTING THE APPLICANT
If they pass the interview, I then test them on a drawing. It neednt be too complex. A simple bracket with a few holes will be enough. I make sure the drawing I choose allows them to demonstrate their abilities. Heres what I look for:
Computer experience. Can they sit down at the computer, turn it on, find the command that begins AutoCAD, and begin a new drawing without assistance? Of course, some computer systems are easier to work with than others. Some companies have menu-operated systems, some run their systems from DOS. What Im looking for here is how well they do on my computer system and if they are intimidated by it. After all, this is the system they would be using if I gave them the job.
Drawing setup. Do they set up layers, linetypes, and text styles? Do they prepare the drawing units and decimal places? Do they establish the correct snap spacing (i.e., if the drawings dimensions are multiples of 1/8-inch, do they establish a snap spacing of 0.125 or .00625)? If they dont set up and use snap, do they use object snap as they are drawing?
Drawing technique. Do they use entity selection methods (window, crossing, etc.) and object snaps (endpoint, midpoint, etc.)? Do they create and use blocks, attributes, or views? Do they control their display without causing regens? Can they hatch a complicated area? Do they save the drawing as they work?
Command input techniques. Do they know where to find the command they need, or do they hunt through the menus? If they type in the commands, the learning curve might be shorter if your company uses heavily customized menus. Do they automatically select the options they need or do they have to read the screen each time options are presented to them?
Accuracy. Does the drawing accurately describe the part? Do the lines meet in the corners? I pay special attention to text placement. If the text should be centered on an object, do they use the correct text alignment option? I ask them to add a note or some text that was left off the drawing. As I dictate the text, I check their spelling. When they have finished the drawing, I ask them to use the Dist command so I can check linear accuracy and the List command so I can check the accuracy of circles and fillets. In addition to checking the accuracy of the drawing, I am accomplishing two other things by having them check the drawing with me. First, I can test their attitude to some degree. Do they feel uncomfortable as I double-check their work in their presence? Do they seem insulted or display resentment? Second, the fact that I am checking their work now indicates that accuracy is important to me and if I do hire them, they are expected to do accurate work.
Dimensioning. If they have drawn the part accurately, they should be able to accept the default dimensions when dimensioning. I explain that the last applicant may have modified the dimensioning variables, so they may have to be adjusted. Do they know how to get a listing of the dimensioning variables and their status? Do they seem to have control of the dimensioning variables? Are they using object snaps to dimension exactly to the endpoints or centers of the entities on the drawing? Are they suppressing extension lines when required?
Productivity. As they are working, do they know what command they need or do they have to read each menu as it appears? Do they copy, copy, copy, copy, or do they array? Do they work smoothly, or does every new entity seem like an accomplishment? Are they being productive, or is Undo their favorite command? Are they saving as they work, or would a sudden power surge wipe out everything theyve done?
Even if they have passed the drawing test, I check references. I always ask detailed questions of past employers just to be sure they arent covering for a friend. Why did they quit, or why were they let go? What was the most significant project they worked on? How did they handle the pressure? How did they get along with others? These questions may give me a little more insight into the applicants attitude. As I speak to former employers, I try to detect personality conflicts that may influence a former employers comments. I also consider the possibility that all past employers may not be listed on the rsum, especially if it indicates gaps between jobs.
As mentioned earlier, there is no foolproof method of testing an applicant. Usually an applicants shortcomings will surface under these tests. Evaluating AutoCAD operators is a difficult task that shouldnt be taken lightly. But when we evaluate ourselves, we can have a little fun. How do you know when you are getting better on AutoCAD?
You know youre getting better on AutoCAD when . . .
you type DIR at the end of the day and you don't see any drawings named Quit, Save, End, or Zoom
the Move command no longer gives you Unpredictable Results
you no longer have to flip through five pages of Help screens to get back to the command prompt
you can Quit, type Y,
you can indicate a viewpoint using the x,y,z axis target
you stop trying to issue a command called Draw
you can configure your tablet without looking in the book
you stop trying to snap to the UCS icon
you can turn on the Alarm on Error without annoying anyone
the boss brings visitors past your desk.
Pete Karaiskos is owner of PK & Company in Newbury Park, Calif. He has been using AutoCAD since 1985.
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