During the spring semester, my experience in the Entertainment Drafting 1 course has been interesting. The purpose of the class was to obtain knowledge on the methods of drafting in the Entertainment Industry, become familiar with the utilization of computer aided software, and develop literacy in a theatrical production.
What I mainly learned in this class was how to differentiate Construction drawings and Designer drawings, and the purpose of Orthographic Projection. Although I found myself confused with the facets of Orthographic Projection during the early half of this semester. I was able to reach a breakthrough as I realized how the use of geometric principles can simplify a complex drawing, and also gives apparent clues to the other views of a drawing, such as the section view of a ground plan, with the use of a technique called Miter Transfer line.
Another skill I have been able to acquire in this class is the competence of using a scale ruler. This knowing a reference point in the ruler that allowed you to indicate where the zero mark is when finding the dimensions of an object, and where a half of a foot is in relation to the number of ticks that are representing inches on any scale on the scale ruler.
In addition, I have made myself comfortable with using Auto Cad and Vectorworks, and being able to compare which CAD is the best software to use for a specific drafting project. After gaining familiarity with each CAD, it becomes clear that the main difference is its Graphic User Interface, and it provides convenience for one job, and an inconvenience for another. For example, Auto Cad seems to offer an infinite amount to approaches to drawing a Ground Plan, section view of an object, construction drawing, or anything pertaining to the typical duties of a Technical Director. As a professional in Audio Recording and Production Auto Cad kind of reminds me of the Avid company software, Protools, there both software with vast capabilities, but the downside is that you literally have to operate it has if it lacks artificial intelligence, meaning Auto Cad does have any expectations, or assumptions for a result a how your mind would. However, VectorWorks has a sense of knowing how a lighting designer would want to set a lighting plot, and where the sound designer would place the speakers in a sound plot with categories of tools that allow a steadfast workflow, resulting in time effective formations of such drawings. But, the con is that the world of Vectorworks seems to be very finite, lacking in flexibility, thus leaving very little to the imagination, and can possibly cause mental blocks for a technical director, or a scene designer.
Overall, before attending this course, I had no level of comprehension to this subject in my field of study. Now, I believe I obtained enough knowledge to confidently follow the requirements of a Designer and Construction drawing, and assist others who may be lost in a part of there assignment. Currently, I realize that my biggest flaw is making an at least almost perfectly legible draft, one that is free of minor imperfections such as thicker than usual dimension and hatch lines, and learning the craft of preserving the integrity of a printed draft. Once I have mastered that trait; I would be delighted to help others with similar challenges.
