Subscriber Discussion

Autocad LT 2016 And Mapping Help Please.....

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Feb 17, 2017

So I have been given the task to update our very outdated site map.  I just got AutoCAD LT 2016 installed on my workstation.  I am assuming 13 years of bad changes, and very outdated site design.  The map is 2D and the camera icons look homemade.  I have done some AutoCAD work in the past but am by no means a power user.  I am asking for any input anyone can offer, and I really want to update the "camera" icons that we use for fixed box, dome, PTZ, etc...  They don't have to be specific to the manufacture, but something that looks modern and better than what I have now.  I am almost a 100% Axis shop, or am going in that direction, including all new installs.  I see some tools on the Axis website, but they look to be for 3D mapping.  Is there a good resource for camera "icons" (I am not even sure of the correct name)?  Also, we maintain the Surveillance maps, but another department maintains other aspects of the maps, floor layout, and they can't have access to my Surveillance maps, and I need to be able to take their maps and import the changes that occur on the ground level.

 

Thanks for help.

 

James

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Michael Archer
Feb 17, 2017

Google is your friend http://www.flaticon.com/search?word=cctv

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Feb 18, 2017

Thanks Michael, I did in fact look around on the inter-webs, but did not find anything.  That's why I reached out.  I have seen the website you mentioned before but I did not see anything that would work for me.  I don't think these would look good on a "Blueprint" 2d style layout, the camera icons I see are from a side profile, and I need something a operator can reference and make out from a map under the glass on their workstation or in the VMS.  Our facility maps are very buys and I need most of the layers included as in a casino we are asked to obtain a visual at a specific slot bank, or even drilled down to a machine.  I have 400+ cameras on the main floor, cage, count, vault, slots, table games, etc... , and this it printed out on a 11x17" map, it cant be to clunky looking.  I will keep searching and thanks for your input.

 

 

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Michael Silva
Feb 18, 2017
Silva Consultants

To work effectively in AutoCAD, you will need to create AutoCAD "blocks" for each camera type that you wish to insert on your drawing. If you really need to show the locations of 400+ cameras on an 11" x 17" sheet, you are talking about an extremely dense drawing. 

There are premade AutoCAD blocks available for cameras (such as the IAPSC/SIA symbol set), but it is doubtful that these symbols would work well in your application - they would be too big and clunky. I think that your best bet would be to use AutoCAD to draw your own symbols to get something that is visually pleasing to you. Once drawn, you can then convert these symbols into blocks that you can insert into your drawings as needed.

To keep your surveillance drawings separate from the floor plan layouts, use the AutoCAD XRFEF feature to insert the floor plans as underlays. When the department who maintains the floor plan drawings makes a change, your surveillance drawing will automatically be updated, but the other department will not have any ability to make any changes to your camera layout drawing.

If you want to reach out, I'd be happy to provide you with further guidance on this.

(1)
UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Feb 19, 2017

Thank you for your reply Michael, This was the information I was looking for.  Yes you are correct the maps are very busy and dense, I am looking at options to make it more usable, and less cluttered.   I misspoke, I think the the map size is A2 - 16.54 x 23.39.  I appreciate the offer for guidance, I am working my way through this, but if I get stuck I will reach out.  Thank you so much.

James

(1)
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Tommy Sutherland
Feb 21, 2017
IPVMU Certified

I have the same issues as End User 1 but have relatively little experience with AutoCAD.  I have researched several online training programs but was just wondering if anyone had any insight on what has been the most useful training tool to get someone up to speed on utilizing AutoCAD for creating layouts of existing facilities?  Is that even possible?  Thanks for your input.

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Michael Silva
Feb 21, 2017
Silva Consultants

AutoCAD is an extremely powerful program, but the flip-side is that it is somewhat difficult to learn. One thing that is confusing to beginners is that there are numerous ways in which you can perform the same task, and no one way is either right or wrong. You just need to find a way that works for you and keep using it.

There are lots of free training videos on YouTube and I would start with these. This will give you a place to start. I would then just get in there and start drawing. The more that you draw, the better that you will get.

Yes, you can easily use AutoCAD to create layouts of existing facilities. You can either draw these completely from scratch; insert a PDF version of the drawing and trace over it, or simply use the PDF as an underlay and draw your cameras and other devices right on top of it. A pure AutoCAD drawing (without the PDF underlay) will give you a much smaller file size and offers the greatest flexibility in the long run, so I usually just insert the PDF, trace the walls and other features, and then delete the PDF.

Before you start a facility drawing from scratch, I would suggest that you double-check to see if an AutoCAD drawing of your facility already exists. In some cases, you may need to go back to the architect who originally designed the building. I have found that when asked if AutoCAD drawings are available, many facility managers just say "no" rather than take the time to really look. I can't tell you how many times we have spent hundreds on manhours redrawing a facility only to have the original AutoCAD drawings surface later. 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions. 

(2)
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Tommy Sutherland
Feb 21, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Great, thank you for your input. I really appreciate it.

SR
Samuel Rodgers
Feb 21, 2017

Regarding symbols, AXIS does have visio stencils and cad files (also revit and sketchup). i think some if available publicly, others are available in the partner pages. i don't use CAD myself but have made good use of the visio stuff which is 2D since it has drawings of all their camera models in several different angles/styles and also their coverage shapes.

(1)
JE
Jim Elder
Feb 21, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Go to Axis and sign up for their design center. I have not used it yet, but for it offers a lot of stuff, including direct integration with AutoCad and Revit. Other sites such and Pelco, Arecont, Bosch and Panasonic also offer .dwg files you can download at no cost if all you want is a camera detail. The Security Industry Association revised their CAD standards in 2015, but I agree with Michael on the clunky issue. There are lots of free CAD blocks you can download, including electrical, networking, computing systems. As to the security symbols, I just create the blocks myself. Often, it takes less time than trying to find them amid all the files i have.  

I love working with AutoCad, but there is a pretty intense learning curve. You may want to to try AutoCad 360 which has a monthly fee and all the benefits included. Although I don't use 360, I do use the cloud drive, update downloads, and the AutoCad Community quite a bit. May want to try Linda.com. They have an online course that is pretty good.   

  

 

 

 

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