Quality Approach
Our focus is on producing the highest quality finished product from our processes. Attention to detail and an impeccably well trained and experienced team of drafting experts complete your work and then pass the work through to our quality control department for final checking before delivery to the client. This is our recipe for success and the ethos we hold about our code of conduct when dealing with materials for any client of any size.
Security is another top priority; when your documents and materials are not being carefully handled by our team they reside in our onsite safe.
While some drafting services will have an expert team simply presiding over the process; at Delta Vision our experts don’t just watch over the process, they are the processes
It starts with a scan
Scanning is perhaps the most overlooked factor in the conversion process. This is the single most valuable feature in starting the conversion process and is far more valuable than increased resolution. Scanning these archives into compressed raster format allows them to be enabled for faster revisions and improved distribution. Good separation of text, quality line representation, and smooth raster geometry are also important aspects that should be considered in more detail when selecting your solution.
Entry of CAD drawings
We are experts in entering all types of facility management drawings. Our drafting team is made up of experts; in fact, the majority of our drafting and drawing services team have vast experience in facility management, architecture, etc., so they know what they are looking at. We have extensive services experience in drawing the following types of drawings:
- Architectural floor plan drafts.
- Space plan drawings
- Furniture drawings
- Reflected ceiling plans /drawings
- Departmental occupancy plans
- MEP CAD drawings
- Evacuation draft plans
- Data center CAD drawings
Standardization of existing CAD drawings & Drafts
Most organizations have existing drawings of some form; however, most are not in good shape. Our drafting services team can help. Our drafting clean up and standardization service takes existing drawings, updates them and makes them all comply with your organizational standards.
Drafting standards
Having enforceable, published drafting Standards is an important step to ensuring that all files in your company library are consistent and reliable. Once standards are established it is necessary to review and update existing drawings.
Layering Standards
Layering standards are essential to seamlessly share graphic information data throughout the CAD/GIS industry. Implementation of layers in a file enables better management of visual information.
The most widely used set of layering standards in Europe has been developed by the CAD/BIM Technology Center (AEC) . Delta Vision automatically uses these layering standards during the conversion of a document unless the client has supplied their own set of layering standards.
Drawings layers are organized into major categories or groups. The major groups are further subdivided into minor groups. Each group represents a layer in the converted file. Each layer is labeled using a consistent, easy-to-remember abbreviation. The major groups defined by the AEA include:
Ambiguities, Data Conflicts
Ambiguities can exist on almost any sheet and there must be conversion “rules of thumb” in place to handle them. These rules also ensure communication consistency between Delta Vision and our clients. Some of our common ambiguities and “rules-of-thumb” include: undimensioned original drawings, unclear data on the original documents, and data conflicts.
Unclear Entities on Original Documents
When data on the original documents is unclear or difficult to interpret, the Engineer creates a “Doubt” layer in the draft file. For each unclear entity that appears in the converted drafted file, the Engineer inserts a “red box”. The red box is an identifier that displays the unclear data. Our clients can then quickly zoom into the unclear area and make any necessary modifications. The “Doubt ” layer also goes through four Stages of Quality Check and will remain after Stage 4 only in cases where the data was too unclear on the original sheets to convert.
Data Conflicts
Since, Delta Vision operators manually redraw each entity shown on the original document, occasionally a dimension shown on the original document will conflict with the measurement scaled by our operator. In such cases, the actual dimension shown on the document is used as the default. Therefore, we can ensure that all of our conversions are dimensionally correct.
Tools of Vectorization
Overlay tracing
This is often referred to as heads-up digitizing. A scanned image is loaded into the system as a backdrop and the image is “traced” over with the entities. This is very similar to the idea of digitizing but a digitizer table is not needed.
Overlay tracing is quicker than a complete redraw, but is still labor-intensive, tedious, and time-consuming. It is a good option when working with poor-quality drawings. Raster snapping and heads-up digitizing improve throughput and accuracy over traditional hand-digitizing methods, which are still widely used.
Batch conversion :
Batch tools work with a set of predefined rules to recognize unique settings such as text classification, width separations, and geometrics. This works best when drawing quality is very good, drawings are consistent, and the desired result is basic primitives. Results of batch systems will often require clean-up to ensure the converted drawing meets the needs of the user.
Selective or interactive conversion
This is the most promising of the conversion techniques. It combines the intuitive knowledge of the user with an interactive line-following or selective conversion process. These tools allow an operator to isolate selected geometry and text, and then work within the limiting factors of the technology.
As an example, a topographical map is converted by selecting a raster contour then the software vector traces it to an intersecting or gap position. This process is repeated for the entire trace. Then an elevation is assigned to make it a 3-D model for the GIS system to take over.
Hybrid process
A fully hybrid approach is one where scanned archives and drafted systems are maintained for a drawing. The term hybrid in this case means a combination of both raster (scanned) and vector (drafted) drawings. Hybrid editing means using both raster data and vector data simultaneously. Changes can be made within either environment. Information can be exchanged back and forth between two distinctive formats, thus offering the most efficient method for modifying the old within the new.
Calibration between the raster database and vector drawing model is typically provided with a reference or resource file. This file contains scaling and coordinate transforms to provide a real-world coordinate system on an otherwise unintelligent raster database.
Deteriorated drawings can be scanned, cleaned up, and stored in raster. Modifications can be made to the drawing in raster or areas of the drawing can be converted into drafted vectors, as it becomes necessary. This combination of raster and vector can also be plotted and stored.
Working in a hybrid environment allows use of the scanned drawings immediately. Decisions to modify, plot, or vectorize can be made as needed. Investing time and money to convert existing drawings can be done on a “just in time” basis.
With reduced labor costs and improved usage of technology, the benefits of revising drawings electronically are clear. What may not be clear is the trade-off of investing in the upfront conversion to full drafts vs. taking advantage of lower cost hybrid and raster drafting systems.
Quality Control
To ensure that the transfer of media into a digital format has run as planned we undergo rigorous quality control of our work, checking all aspects of the scan for problems or errors and fixing any we find to deliver the best possible standard of work for the client at hand.
Stage 1
The Engineer converts and checks the file to make sure that all instructions and standards were followed. When the Engineer is confident that the file is complete, it is then passed to Stage 2.
Stage 2
The Stage 2 Draft manager plots converted file and compares it to original document for errors or omissions. The file is also reviewed for compliance with all special instructions, layering schemes and standards. Errors and omissions are noted and the CAD manager works with the Engineer to assure that all errors and omissions are corrected as necessary. When the file is 100% accurate, the file is passed to Stage 3.
Stage 3
The Stage 3 Draft manager reviews the corrected document for 100% accuracy. All instructions and standards are checked again.
Stage 4
The Stage 4 Draft manager visually compares and approves that the electronic file matches the original document. The file is then distributed to.
Indexing
The final set of files can also be indexed for quick reference. For example, Delta Vision can create a Microsoft Excel file to include each sheet names and title. The sheet name corresponds to the filename written onto the CD-ROM or Internet transfer.
Delta Vision, creates a package to be returned to the client. The package includes all documents requested by the client including final electronic files on media, original hardcopies (if requested), invoice, etc. Upon request by the client, the paper documents can be returned or destroyed. Electronic files can be destroyed or archived securely by Delta Vision , for future needs by the client.
Backups
Delta Vision maintains electronic tape/CD backups of converted files over the most recent 5 years. A backup is created monthly and includes:
- Project profile standards;
- TIF/JPG images of original sheets submitted by client to be converted;
- final files;
- Any updated files.
Project data can be retrieved and accessed by the Customer at any time.