Title Blocks (Just the little details)
Today, I am going to cover the areas of the title block that are often overlooked. The things that if missed, can really bring your professional appearance down. they are:
1. Uniform Border
2. Text Spacing
3. Clear Identification of Information
4. Required Info
Uniform Page Border
Not every designer, engineer, or architect pays much attention to this, but it is number one for a reason. Page borders do the same to a drawing just as the iPod made every other MP3 player look cheap. Personally I ensure a .5" border by making the title block an actual block in the drawing and inserting it in the Page View.
Before I go into any more detail, I must make this disclaimer. I use AutoCAD and most of the jargon I spew will be AutoCAD speak. I realize that there are many fine 2D drawing programs out there that are arguably just as good as AutoCAD; however, I have only run into one firm that didn't use it; making my corner of the world 99.9% AutoCAD.
...back to title blocks
When crating the title block block (Wow! that looks a little weirder than it sounds), I make sure that the insertion handle is at 0,0,0. That way, if I start my page border at .5,.5,0, I can create a 41" x 29" rectangle and be assured a perfect .5 in white space from the edge of the paper to the edge of the page border line.
Text Spacing
I am talking about the text that is in the title block. They all should be spaced and aligned the same. If the drawing date and scale are on the vertical plane , then they need to have the same position y value. The same goes for the position x value and text that are on the same horizontal plane. Spacing between information blocks are also important. If you have a 0.25" space between your logo and the project address, then please make sure you have a .025" space between every other block of information.
To overcome this, I make sure that all my tittle block block attribute have a fixed position. That way, I have to go into the block editor to move them and don't accidentally drag something off balance.
Clear Identification of information
This is one of those things that isn't essential, but if it's there, make sure it's everywhere. I have "Project Address" next to the drawings project address and "Client Info" next to my clients information. Not really difficult, but often overlooked.
Required Info
Nothing says "I am too busy and you are not important" than not taking the time to fill out the title block completely. Some items I see that often go unfilled are:
1. Date
2. Scale
3. Project Address
Sometimes this information is in the drawing. Like in the case of Scale in Typical Diagrams; however, you should at least write "Noted On Drawing" if there is not a unified scale. I am a little weird in the fact that I think of these bits of info as marines..."No Man Gets Left Behind"
Hopefully I am able to shed light on some areas you don't really consider too often; and by pointing them out persuade you to stop ignoring them because people do look and judge.
Till next time
-Lee
