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Inventor smoothes construction of timber frame homes |
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|  | Flexibile program: 3D drawings assisted designer McFadyen in working not only with customers, but with architects and engineers.
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{toggle author}A few years ago Jamie McFadyen was working as a timber framer and realized there were constant problems with the technical shop drawings he was receiving ñ they just werenít technical enough. About the same time he began to learn more about CAD and started to envision the impact it could have on timber frame designs.
Today, using Autodesk Inventor (autodesk.ca), his company McFadyen Design Inc. is carving out a niche for itself designing custom built timber frame homes. McFadyen believes the future of his designs will live in 3D.
ìTimber framing is a very specialized trade that requires extreme precision. Each piece must fit in perfectly like a giant jigsaw puzzle,î says McFadyen. ìThe ability to use 3D computer-aided design technology to make sure each piece fits perfectly, as I do with Autodesk Inventor, gives me a huge advantage over the competition.î
A quality timber frame home is breathtaking, but there are many challenges that must be tackled first. The varying technical abilities of each group involved in the building process can prove to be a hurdle. A client, designer, architect, timber framer and engineer have such a different perspective on the each aspect of the house ñ that can often result in delays in construction or unnecessary conflict.
ìWhen it comes to discussing a design with my customers, 3D drawings really assist me in getting my point across in a simple and visual manner. The customer can almost touch and feel the design, which can save a lot of time,î said McFadyen. ìI can then switch gears, and using that same design, I can begin to work with the architect or the engineer. As a one person operation I can really appreciate the flexibility in this product.î
To date, McFadyen Designs has been involved with about half a dozen homes since its inception 18 months ago. While no project is typical, the length of each design project has averaged approximately three months ñ but that can really differ based on the individual needs of each customer. And as McFadyen continues to build upon his library of components and investment parts, his time-to-build will continue to decrease.
ìIt only took me a few months with Inventor to be comfortable enough to begin producing designs that I was ready to show to customers,î said McFadyen. ìAs I continue to work with the software, and with new releases from Autodesk, I expect to see a significant increase in the number of designs I can take on at once. Iím always willing and able to take on more jobs.î
The collaborative nature of Autodesk Inventor and the ability to share designs via the Internet is key in keeping each group ñ from client to framer ñ in sync with the process at each stage of design. This also helps keep costs down through increased efficiency, time-to-build and even decreased postage charges.
Kerry Saumur is National Manufacturing Sales Manager, Autodesk Canada. McFadyen Design Inc. is supported by Solid Caddgroup Inc. (solidcadcam.com), an Autodesk Authorized Reseller.
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