http://tasker.us

Tasker Drawing Notes
Updated 4/2011

[Autocad 2D]  [Solidworks 3D Models]  [File Formats]

Drawings Originating in Autocad (typically control system drawings like schematics or 2D panel layouts)
Updated 9/2009

Drawings are normally sized for printing on "B" size / Tabloid / 11 x 17 Paper
Some drawings are done on "A" size / Letter / 8½ x 11 Paper on request
The B Size title block contains more information than an A size title block.  The following pertains to both A and B size title blocks unless otherwise noted.  The title blocks are sized for minimal intrusion into the drawing space to achieve maximum real-estate and readability.

These notes apply to Tasker Projects.  Tasker also does work as a subcontractor for affiliates, and when doing so will utilize the affiliates drawing archive and numbering schemes.  See the home pages for Tasker's affiliates to review their specific drawing notes.

Tasker uses an 9 character drawing number system as described below:  The first 5 digits equate to a Tasker's Project Number.  5 digit Tasker Project numbers begin with the letter "T", and are similar to 6 digit Tasker Job Numbers which begin with the letter J.  Drawings are assigned a project number, not a job number.  There may be multiple jobs associated with a project.
The sort order is intended to be left to right T0000XX0X_description.  With the sort order left to right, suffixes can be added as necessary.

• 1st Digit "T" identifies the number as as Tasker Project
• Next 2 digits (places 2 & 3 / numbers) indicate the year the project was initiated
• Next 2 digits (places 4 & 5 / numbers) sequentially indicate the project for the year.
• The next 2 digits (places 6 & 7 / letters) are the drawing page number or sheet number
  • The page numbers are expressed as a 2 digit letters.  This permits grouping by the first letter, and facilitates adding drawings to a set in logical order as a project develops.  The letters are not necessarily sequential.  Gaps may be left for possible additions.  Letters are used instead of numbers for pages because you can count higher with base 26 than you can with base 10.  It is not typical to overflow a group of 26, but would be more common and problematic to overflow a group of 10.  One of the numbering system objectives is to have a drawing set sort in logical order.
  • There may be variations on the above, particularly when a single drawing model contains multiple layout views.  There can be multiple printed drawings derived from a single Autocad or Solidworks model (more common in mechanical drawings than schematics).  In that case, the second letter in the page number used to indicate the Autocad file will be a high letter like X or Y, and the second letter in the printed layout view page number will be lower letters starting near A or B.
• The 8th (and 9th) character is the drawing revision designation
  • Prior to commissioning, a drawing set will typically be revision "1".  Each page may have multiple revisions and is accounted for with an iteration letter after the revision number.  Example page rev 1A or 1B.  The drawing set will remain as revision 1, but the page revisions will increment individually, A, B, C, ....  This is because prior to commissioning, there are often multiple updates as a project develops and information is filled in or changes.  After commissioning, the drawing set will index to Revision 2 if revision 1 is reviewed and approved.  On some jobs, Tasker does not provide commissioning support or the end use customer may not find the time to approve the final Revision 1. 
  • Revision 2 is meant to be a more stable as-built without individual page suffixs added, but if a project is reworked, it can undergo the same individual page increments as revision 1 with a Revision 3 posted after completion.

An example drawing number would be T0907CD1F_505_DI, which would translate to a Tasker Project T0907 (the 7th Tasker project in 2009), page CD (the D drawing in the C group.  In this case the C group would likely be 505 drawings).   The drawing set revision number is "1" and this is the "F" or 6th iteration of the page since the last set revision increment.  The 505_DI on the end is a short narrative description of the drawing.

A PDF set number for Revision 1 omits the page numbers and includes a date suffix.  Note that the date format is YR_MO-DY to achieve the desired sort behavior...  For example, t0907_rev_1_draft_set_09_08-14, or t0907_rev_2_as_built_set_09_08-14.

Typical Drawing Sets include a drawing set index on page 1, and may include a 2nd or 3rd index page for device designations depending on the size of the project.  The index is typically followed by a system overview block diagrams, then power distribution drawings, and then the individual device I/O wiring schematics.  The drawings are not produced in order, with the power distribution itemized near the end of the development.  The drawing set may be reordered if indexed to revision 2 to logically group the information more effectively.

[Autocad 2D]  [Solidworks 3D Models]  [File Formats]

Mechanical 3D Models, Drawings and other files originating in Solidworks
Updated 4/2011

Drawing Number Convention / 10 characters

• TYY2233A1B
  • First 5 characters from the left (TYY22) are the Tasker Project Number (same syntax as Autocad Drawings).
    • T denotes a Tasker Project
    • YY is the year of conception
    • 22 is a numerical count of projects that year
  • If the next 2 characters (33) are letters, the file did not originate as a Solidworks mechanical model file and the 2 characters designate the drawing page number, typically an control schematic drawing originating in Autocad.  The difference between letters and numbers after the project number will cause a list to sort as either control system or mechanical
  • If the next 2 characters (33) are numbers, the file did originate in Solidworks
    • If the numbers are 01 - 09, then it designates an assembly
    • If the numbers are 11-99 The next character designates the item number
  • If the drawing number designates a Solidworks origination and the next character (A) is
    • x, y, or z, then it is set of files, usually PDF
    • a letter other than x, y, or z, then it is the sheet number for than item or assembly
    • a number 1-9, then it is an Autocad file derived from a Solidworks model, with the number indicating the Autocad sheet
  • The next number (1) designates the drawing set revision number
  • The next character (B) designates the drawing revision.  An individual drawing may iterate several times prior to the set revision.

[Autocad 2D]  [Solidworks 3D Models]  [File Formats]

Drawing File Formats
Updated 4/2011

Drawings are typically posted in PDF file format because it simplifies viewing, printing, distribution, and collaboration.  The PDF file will typically be a full or partial set.  Partial sets during revision "1" typically have a date suffix to differentiate revision iteration.  Date syntax is structured to sort from left to right YR_MO-DY ~ year_month-day.

AutoCAD file sets can be posted as a zip file on request.  The zip file is typically posted after (not posted before) a project has been commissioned, drawing set revision "1" has been approved by the customer, and the drawings set is indexed to revision 2.  The AutoCAD files reside in the same directory as their PDF files, so all of the source AutoCAD files may be accessed via FTP by authorized engineering personnel even if a link to the file is not published (contact Tom Truax for FTP username and password).  The reason Autocad file links aren't posted until a stable revision is approved is because the work of maintaining links to continually changing files would increase the projects admin cost.

Drawings are typically posted under equipment / example, Generator or Compressor.  Web documentation tree structure is Customer > Location > Equipment > Project or Service.  Drawings have a Tasker Project number, so they logically relate to projects, but their physical location on the server is at the equipment level because the drawings outlive the project notes and belong to the equipment.  example:  tasker.us/2/customer/location/equipment/dwg/rev_x

Drawing file formats for most work product between 2005 & 2009 are AutoCAD 2004.  Some of the AutoCAD files are 2000 when a customer has requested version compatibility, but 2000 file formats are larger so there are advantages to using the 2004 format.  Tasker maintains an Autocad subscription, so Tasker can work with the any file version, but Tasker does most work in a 2004 version.  2004 was a good release.  It has the smallest file sizes of all the versions, but does lack some of the functionality of the newer release versions.  The newer versions have more supported functionality, but also more overhead resulting in larger file sizes, and may also be arguably slower to work in due to the extra clutter.  PDF files after the summer of 2006 are vector images, but before 2006 they are raster images.

3D Dynamic Models are developed using Solidworks, a parametric 3D solids modeling program.  Solidworks assembly files rely on external references and will not work without referential integrity, so posting Solidworks files in not typically done due to the admin cost, but can be exported as a Pack and Go zip file on request.  Solidworks files can only be edited with an equal or higher version of the program, but the models can be exported as eDrawings (.eprt or .easm).  eDrawings are viewable with a free interactive viewing application from SolidWorks that lets the viewer rotate, pan, zoom, and optionally measure.

Machine shop drawings are typically Autocad files that were exported from a SolidWorks Model files.  Some machine shops have the ability to work directly with SolidWorks 3D models, but most require 2D Autocad or DXF artwork to program the tool paths into their CNC machines.  Solidworks 3D models (Parts and Assemblies) are flattened to 2D Solidworks Drawings.   The 2D Solidworks drawings are exported to Autocad files.  The 2D Solidworks Drawing files are linked to the 3D models, so it is easier to maintain the updates in the Solidworks drawing files.  Linking is lost when a file is printed to PDF or exported to Autocad.  The PDF file are easy to make, but the Autocad files typically require some labor for layout and spacing, so we will typically wait as long as possible in a design process prior to posting Autocad files.

Some simple layouts like control panels are often modeled in Autocad 2D utilizing layers because it is faster and simpler than creating a 3D model.  Most mechanical components are modeled in Solidworks.  Some older 3D work prior to 2009 was done in Autocad Solids Modeling.

Support Files

In addition to the Cad file formats, Tasker is also reasonably fluent in the basic Adobe products, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Photoshop.  Many documents other than CAD require a mix of file formats with laundering between them to achieve a final deliverable...

Most of our projects are small enough that distributed parallel engineering is minimal (unlike a large architectural project), so conceptually, an attempt is made to keep the Autocad drawings basic vanilla to minimize referential issues.  Most drawings use a minimal number of layers and line types, and the page is setup up to print on the system default printer.  Some projects are more complex and require multiple layers, layouts, and view ports.

• If a non standard line type is utilized, (as with balloon markup drawings), the reference file will be included in the directory.
• Autocad files that include external images reference the image through a web path to the same directory that the dwg file resides.
  • Image use is generally avoided due to the referential burden, but the enhancement value sometimes outweighs the cost.