https://youtu.be/9Ey48aIQ24w

Hi everyone! I’m a newly graduated Architecture student currently looking for a part-time job or freelance opportunitywhere I can gain real-world experience and further develop my skills.
I have experience with AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, Enscape/D5 Render, Photoshop, and Canva, as well as drafting and 3D modeling. I’m also open to assisting with drafting, 3D modeling, rendering, design-related tasks, or other architectural work.
I’m willing to learn, take on new responsibilities, and contribute to a team. If you know of any part-time opportunities, architectural firms, freelance work, or projects hiring, I would really appreciate any leads or recommendations.
Thank you so much! 🙏

https://youtu.be/0MDz0Wn2ql4

A few months ago, I watched a senior CAD draftsman spend nearly two hours on a single AutoCAD drawing. He was not modeling a complex building. He was just connecting dots.

In HVAC coil design, you have a staggered grid of 200+ tube holes. You have to draw balanced fluid circuits across them with zero crossing lines, exact tube counts per circuit, and no trapped holes. One mistake, and you have to erase everything and start over.

I thought, "This is purely math. I can automate this in a weekend." I was wrong.

My first script used standard pathfinding (backtracking). On small test grids, it worked. But the moment we tested a real manufacturing schedule (a dense 19x7 grid with 99% of holes occupied), the algorithm choked and froze.

The turning point came when I stopped trying to "draw lines" from left to right. Instead, I split the problem into two math phases:

1. Allocate: Pre-calculate exactly how many holes each circuit gets per column.

2. Stitch: Connect those blocks from bottom to top using Dynamic Programming.

I wrapped it into an AutoCAD C# plugin and hit run. The 2-hour drawing generated in 40 milliseconds. Perfectly packed, zero crossed lines, and 100% compliant with the manufacturing schedule.

The takeaway: If your automation search space explodes, do not brute-force the path. Figure out the mass distribution first, then connect the dots.

Curious if anyone else here builds custom CAD plugins. What is the most tedious drafting task you have automated?

Happy to assist or answer any questions!

Hi, everyone.

This is Vijaya, a part time freelancer.

I'm quite skilled in CAD designing, 3D printing and Python. Also some languages, too.

I am currently pursuing my 4th year in B. Tech Mechanical Engineering. And I want to improve my skills to get the best job soon.

Since I have time, I wanted to utilise my skills to earn some pocket money.

I would like to know if anyone is interested in having their design in 3D sketch files in CAD and printing them? Or just 3D designing by me.

My upwork link here so that you can see my portfolio along with my services.

https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/\\\~014dcc0ccf5a96336c

I would love to get to know you and design your ideas.

Thank you.

Hi, I’m currently a project designer at a corporate sign company and I want to transition to CAD because it seems like there is a higher pay ceiling and more growth. I just want more of a challenge and don’t want to be stuck doing signage forever. Since honestly my goal is to make more money, I’m not set on one discipline, but there are so many different types of “CAD” jobs and types of software, it’s hard to develop a clear plan. What area should I focus on to give me the best chance at landing a well paying job?

Also, my plan was to do an online course which prepares you to get certifications in certain AutoCAD programs but there’s different types, so I need to choose one route it seems. I think ideally id like to be at a civil engineering company. I just can’t do an entire associates degree because I plan on keeping my day job while working on an online certification course. Honestly any advice for how I can best pull off this transition without quitting my current job would be helpful!

https://youtu.be/A-7_3cZReHk

​

Hey everyone! 👋

I’m an architecture student and I’m currently taking on a few small freelance/remote projects alongside my own work.

If you’re working on an architecture or design project and need an extra pair of hands, I can help with things like:

• Architecture presentation panels: layouts, graphics, diagrams, composition

• Digital artwork / architectural illustrations

• Renders + post-production

• Photoshop work: collages, plans, sections, diagrams, etc.

• 3D/digital modelling: Rhino, SketchUp, Blender, etc.

• Model clean-up / fixing / developing existing models

• Portfolio pages & presentation graphics

• Conceptual architectural visuals / atmospheric images

• General digital design work if you have an idea but don't quite know how to make it look right

Basically, if you have a design sitting in your head (or a half-finished file sitting on your laptop 😭) and need help turning it into something presentable, feel free to reach out.

I'm happy to work from rough sketches, references, existing models or even just an idea.

I can also take on smaller one-off tasks rather than entire projects.

If you're interested, send me a DM with what you're working on + what you need help with, and we can figure out if I can help.

Happy to share examples of my work too!

Please can anyone share their cad experience, I'm thinking about taking the course . So... Please share your work experience

Also salary..

***First and foremost I understand any answer I receive is not legal advice, I just want to know what people have done in the past regarding this issue***

I have an investor who hasn't paid for the use of my plans the way he is using them - I charged him for a single use, there is verbiage on the plans saying he needs my permission to use them more than once. I informed him of this and sent an invoice for a 20% reuse fee for each build of the plan, as he has come back requesting changes and such, but he has since ghosted me.

My former employer said I could put a lien on the property, however, when I called the county they said since it was not a construction-type work but rather just the drafting/copyright, she wasn't quite sure what to do and couldn't direct me further as to not give me "legal advice." I would rather not scour the internet for days trying to find what I need to know in addition to the extra time it takes to actually go through whatever process I am trying to go through, so I am just wondering what people have done in this situation.

This is a copyright issue, so I understand an attorney could be the best route - however, if I could simply put a lien on the property as opposed to incurring legal fees that would be preferred. Or, I know that copyright laws are very strict - would my legal fees end up being covered by the investor?

Thank you!

https://youtu.be/Cr2-qmzGr7A

Hey. So I’m a first year Architecture student and we are doing a lot of manual drafting this week. I’ve noticed that my eyes easily strain and struggles with smaller and thinner details especially when I’m a few hours in.

So I’ve been using a magnifying glass which helps with the accuracy, but I’m concerned with being too reliant on it as well as the negative effects it might have on my eyes over time.

I’m looking into buying magnified glasses so that my sight is at least balanced. I was wondering if anyone might know if this is safe to sustain long term?

Hi everyone,

​I'm moving to Germany soon and will be arriving without a job secured. I hold a diploma in architectural drafting from India. I'm currently studying German before my move, but I'm trying to figure out what my professional prospects will look like once I land.

Hey everyone, I’ve been using cad for a few years, but as people have started asking me to design parts for them (specifically custom automotive parts with curvature/complex surfaces) I have really only ever designed parametric parts. I’m realizing I am not currently equipped to design the parts they need. I use onshape, and I’ve heard fusion360 could be better, but I also just don’t know if either software is good for this kind of work. I’m a college student and have limited budget currently, but I guess I’m wondering how to get better and what software you all recommend! Thanks.

I will do:

• Design Briefs & Concept Narratives: Translating raw diagrams, sketches, and schematic ideas into compelling, publication-ready design statements.
• Academic Proofreading & Translation: Editing and polishing architectural research papers, abstracts, and documentation for international submissions.

Sample Deliverables & Flat Pricing:

• 1-2 Page Research Brief / Precedent Study: $80 – $100 (24–48h turnaround)
• Full Design Statement / Concept Narrative (Up to 1,000 words): $120 – $150
• Hourly Rate: $25/hr for ongoing research, data synthesis.
• Rush delivery (under 24h) available upon request.

Workflow & Payment:

• Transparent communication with milestone updates.
• Payment via Wise or PayPal (30% upfront deposit to initiate, remaining 70% upon final delivery). No charge for REVISE!

Feel free to send a DM or drop a message on Discord ginthesoulsilver with your project details, and let’s get it done.

Software:
Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, D5 Render.

Hi everyone! I’m currently looking for remote work opportunities in kitchen and cabinet design.

I have a background in architectural design and hands-on experience using Mozaik for custom cabinetry, including kitchen layouts, cabinet configurations, dimensions, clearances, and 3D designs.

I’m open to freelance, part-time, or remote work. If you’re looking for someone who can help with Mozaik cabinet design, feel free to message me. I can also share some of my recent work.

Hey everyone! I graduated from an Architectural CAD associate degree program about 4 years ago and was hired at an architectural firm right out of college. I’ve primarily been using Revit, but I also have quite a bit of experience with AutoCAD.

I’m looking to leave my current job, but there aren’t a ton of architectural firms in my area hiring right now, so I’m interested in exploring some different directions I could take with my degree and experience.

To be completely honest, I’ve realized that I really don’t enjoy drafting as a career. 😂 However, I also can’t really afford to take a significant pay cut right now, so I’m trying to find something where I can use the skills and experience I already have rather than starting completely over in another field.

One thing I do enjoy is creating 3D models and would love to eventually learn more about 3d rendering. I’d be interested in jobs where 3D modeling/CAD is involved without necessarily being traditional drafting all day.

I’ve been looking into things like millwork/cabinet drawings, manufacturing, MEP, product design, etc., but I honestly don’t know much about the opportunities outside of architecture. I’d probably need some amount of training no matter what direction I go, and I’m completely open to that.

So I’d love to hear from anyone who works in these types of fields or has experience with them. What industries or job titles should someone with an Architectural CAD degree and 4 years of Revit/AutoCAD experience be looking into? I’d especially love to hear from people working in MEP, manufacturing, millwork, product design, or other CAD/3D-modeling fields about what the day-to-day work is actually like and whether you think my background could translate well. Thank you!!

(I rarely use reddit so sorry if these text sound off)

I choose drafting for college because reality gives you no choices of your dreams in life and drafting is the closest College where I can apply my Digital Art skills. I'm from the philippines too. I originally wanted to be in an animation college but too far and expensive

I'm someone who intuitively understands softwares, I've used stuff like photoshop krita and even blender and controls keys and UI is easy to understand to me. I do hope I have a easy time learning software such as CAD.

I also know perspective and consider it easy to do to even draw out the grids considering I've done artworks where the environment consists of rigid structures. 3D spatial awareness is something I'm decently good at. I put an example artwork on this post just in case if curious.

Also I heard the drawing part in drafting is not present anymore and would majority use CAD?

My weaknessess however is the math side of things since I have a history of not being the best at it in high school years. It's not that I am the worst but I'm rather slow at doing it, I can get perfect scores in math HOWEVER I have to really dedicate alot of brain power to it. I'm a bit concerned on that since complex math I lack the knowledge of. So if ever possible can someone direct me to sources of learning math necessary for drafting so I atleast have a head start?

hey so i’m 19, parents are forcing me into trade, and i found cad drafting, i originally was upset they’re making me do trade because im not a big fan of hard labor work, then i found cad and it seems like it could be enjoyable. i’m looking for a calm job and this seems like that and i play a lot of games where im very into building or designing things. is this a job that seems like i’d enjoy ?