Careers Thread

[LEANE30]

Are you guys using Revit for steel? Or one of the more boutique options? Keep in mind cadworx structure only just came out as a stand alone program two years ago. It took them a solid 4 years for them to fix plant after the 2013 rewrite.

We have a number of immensely talented engineers and other employees on staff. Some sit on boards, some phds. I particularly enjoy working with some of the old timers, a couple have been in the industry for more than 60 years. They just keep going because they enjoy what they do. It's amazing the wisdom they bring to the table. You are absolutely on point that someone has to stamp stuff at the end of the day.

You guys are taking yourselves so serious.... This is r3v after all. Acting like a bunch of engineers here, all broody. LOL

[nando]

No, Revit doesn't really work for this industry (a lot of our work is retrofits and totally custom stuff). I can't imagine trying to use an architect program to design a drill site or a wharf for example.. that sounds horrible!

We're using Tekla, which is quite excellent and actually less expensive than many alternatives (including our old Bentley software that we paid hundreds of thousands worth of maintenance for and never got an update in like 8 years). The irony is Tekla interoperates better with AutoCAD than Revit does, lol. I think Autodesk secretly wishes AutoCAD would go away.

I tested every single structural modeling program that exists, except SDS/2 (which is $$$$). Cadworx steel is simply the worst one by far. It's like MS Paint vs Photoshop. They also made it clear they were never going to be adding the things we require to stay competitive. Unlike east coast engineering firms, we design and detail all of our own connections because everything has to meet seismic codes. The only thing it has going for it is the dirt cheap cost, but you get what you pay for in this case.

[LEANE30]

I have never used tekla but I've read up a little on it. Seems like a mainstay. But yes, cadworx structure (and equipment) they are scrambling to technologically catch up to cadworx plant's functionality. What release/version of cadworx structure (or was it just the old “steel” supplemental module to plant) did you test/evaluate? Part of my job I have to stay on top of it as well.

Intergraph/hexagon is a juggernaut in the space, they even dwarf Autodesk, but the left hand doesnt know the right hand in typical big company fashion. they don't move as fast as they should, or they move too quickly too often in a development direction that does nothing for the masses and average user. Slowly and surely as cadworx cannibalizes hexagon's own market share from smart3d, they cannot help themselves but to slowly over-complicate cadworx plant until it basically turns into smartplant.

Meanwhile Autodesk is begging for AutoCAD to die, but it never will. So they sit there giving away Plant3d for free with AutoCAD now, but it's about as complex as cadworx was in 2011, just with an automated route function. Cadworx components work in AutoCAD better than Plant3d components. All bets are off looking forward now that hexagon bought up Bricscad, unless Autodesk can start to port models to their FEA engines.

My company sent me to Hexagon's conference to look at the Lieca scanners along with the Plant software, supposed to be wanting me to go to the Autodesk University 2019 conference in November as well, we will see. Faro seems to be sharing the bed with Autodesk, their hardware is much more reasonably priced, but you do get what you pay for, sometimes. Get your company to send you to Vegas in November for AU, I should be there.

Software release versions and updates can make or break not just projects but entire firms. Companies have gone under trying to deploy both smartplant, PDS, and plant3d. Cadworx plant for the most part (except 2013-2014) hasn’t entirely bankrupted anyone that I know of in the denver market. But the software with best stability of current releases changes nearly quarterly.

The last time the autodesk reps made their rounds and sat down with me, the senior product owner joked to me “you know what ACAD stands for? Always Control Alt Delete” all I could think was, this is your own damn product, man!

...if it wasn’t for Hexagon’s competition and use, I’m pretty sure they would have killed off the DWG platform a long time ago and started running everything on Revit’s engine.

[The Dark Side of Will]

80-90% of work is related to e30's, rest is filled up by 20+yr old BMW's.

60 Degree V6 market drying up?

[nando]

...

We have access to the newest versions of Cadworx Structure so I tested 2018 and 2019 (basically the same thing as 2014). They send us updates on new features but they're pretty pitiful (now they can add base plates to columns, woopdeee!) It is pretty obvious that their target market are companies that do basic layout "stick models" and send out all detailing elsewhere. We need something closer to a detailing package than a layout package (thus Tekla); when pressed the dev / marketing guys they made it really clear they would not be adding the things we needed for it to be viable.

I have also tested the AutoDesk equivalent, which isn't horrible but it was pretty clunky - and AutoDesk license costs are insane. I also used to teach a class using their previous Structural Steel Detailer which was promising but also pretty horrible (and buggy), so they killed it off. Basically it being an Autodesk project and given their poor history of supporting and then just disappearing structural packages, we felt it was the wrong choice. Not being under their thumb is honestly a big advantage IMO.

We have a bunch of Faro scanners, they work pretty well for us. We have scanned every single project pretty much for the last 8-9 years now. I can't say we've had any issues (except once when a scanner fell of a platform and had to be shipped to europe for repair). Laserscans are indispensable to how we work.

[ForcedFirebird]

60 Degree V6 market drying up?

Never really was a big market to begin with, and that stuff is more of an online service, the brick and mortar shop mostly caters BMW's (has been for years). Ben and I have parted ways for the most part, he moved back to Indiana and isn't using the site for any BMW parts/services anymore.

[LEANE30]

Who else is confined to working remote with all this crazy Corona panic going around right now? I know a lot of people have been laid off too, not a good time for some people. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bradmer]

Who else is confined to working remote with all this crazy Corona panic going around right now? I know a lot of people have been laid off too, not a good time for some people. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's like the twilight zone here, the usual Friday morning rush hour traffic on the ocho was in the tens of cars instead of the thousands. Delivering electrical energy has been deemed an essential service so I have been working, I work mostly solo. However the supply house stopped delivering due to Covid-19 so I am running out of materials, looking like next week off after Tuesday.

Been working on a hill overlooking the SD airport the last week, seems like more private jets flying than commercial ones yesterday.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Not so much a panic... more about the trajectory we're on.

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/3/20/21179040/coronavirus-us-italy-not-overreacting

[Staszek]

I work from home anyway but I travel a lot. I was grounded 2 weeks ago until at least May. I am doing a lot of video conferencing now but soon with everyone closed wont be too much of a need except with my team.

[MayaWilson]

Mechanical engineer, graduated uni 9yrs ago. First 5 years working at an oil refinery, then a few years working in water and waste industry. Now back in fuel retail as a compliance engineer on client side. I drink a lot of coffee, and send heaps of emails.

[cheffy30]

what's happening to your careers amidst this covid nightmare? I am a chef. My place is shut down. Not planning to work again for 6 months... Who else is affected out there? My e30 is pimped though. sent from hell using tapatalk

[graveshaker]

I worked many years in the automotive industry and was laid off when the plant I was working for abruptly shut it's doors for good. Luckily I was able to utilize the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) and have my college tuition paid for while choosing a stronger career path. I choose to be a nurse. Since then, I'm now specialize in wounds and is wound care certified (WCC). My current role is unit manager and wound specialist at a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. I truly love my job and am so happy that shop closed it's doors.

[phillipj]

I worked many years in the automotive industry and was laid off when the plant I was working for abruptly shut it's doors for good. Luckily I was able to utilize the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) and have my college tuition paid for while choosing a stronger career path. I choose to be a nurse. Since then, I'm now specialize in wounds and is wound care certified (WCC). My current role is unit manager and wound specialist at a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. I truly love my job and am so happy that shop closed it's doors.

Uplifting story, thanks for sharing. Also bravo on taking on a career where you are playing a critical role in truly helping people's lives. A nurse is a great job. Times like these are tough but can definitely spur ideas of career change, trying something new.

The construction site I was working at is shut down and many new jobs in Architecture and Construction I was considering are on indefinite pause. I am trying to use this time to re-assess direction, hone ideas for a business or my own projects instead of managing someone else's. For the time being I may start work part-time at a friend's automotive shop just so I have some structure with my time. I have been trying to stay positive, but the constant bad news definitely takes its toll. The majority of my friends have lost their jobs / are furloughed.

[majdomo]

This whole COVID thing sucks ass. My $0.02 is that there will be a point sometime in May when the gov’t will be sick of all the bad news on the economy, declare victory and move on. Meantime, people will still get sick but it just won’t be on the front page any more. No economy can remain shut down without very, very serious consequences. The $2T was just a drop in the bucket compared to what it’ll take to get things moving again. Doesn’t matter how much money they print if there’s no one out there to earn it.

I also bet myself $1 that states will start shutting their borders to other states. Like who wants to take a plane full of passengers out of NYC these days?

I just go out and drive the bejesus out of the E30 and 02 in between zoom meetings.