Design Guidelines

and Standards

CAD
Standards

June 2004

Office of the
University Architect
Construction Management
P.O. Box 210181
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0181

Table of Contents
CAD STANDARDS
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................ 4
Drawing File Format ........................................................................................... 4
External Reference Files
5
File Numbering Conventions............................................................................. 5
CAD Layering Convention ................................................................................. 6
CAD Layering Convention ................................................................................. 7
Drawing Standards and Settings....................................................................... 8
Text Fonts
8
Entity Properties
8
Scale and Units
8
Dimensions
8
Tolerances
8
Room Numbering Guidelines ............................................................................ 9
Preliminary Room Numbers
9
Final Room Numbers
9
Subsequent Room Number Changes
9
Record Drawing Files....................................................................................... 10
Quality Assurance Audit.................................................................................. 10

Illustrations
Figure 1

Electronic File Numbering Convention

Figure 2

External Reference File (xref) File Numbering Convention

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

Table of Contents
Appendices
A

University Drawing Numbering System

University CAD Layering System

University Standard Details (in development)

University Standard Symbols and Abbreviations (in development)

Acronyms and Abbreviations

ADT R2

AutoCAD 2000 (including Architectural Desktop)

AIA

American Institute of Architects

CAD

Computer-Aided Design

CP&D

Department of Campus Planning and Design

OUA

Office of the University Architect

SM

Department of Space Management

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

CAD STANDARDS
INTRODUCTION
The intent of these CAD Standards is to provide a means for consistent graphics
management on all projects under the responsibility of the Office of the University Architect
(OUA), University of Cincinnati. This document has been approved as the official reference
for determining the graphical display, symbology, and electronic file management
conventions to be used on all OUA projects. These standards are designed to help OUA
designers communicate requirements to clients, contractors, consultants, and others
involved in project document preparation, project coordination, and construction.
These standards were developed using research from similar institutions, industry
professionals, and the U.S. National CAD Standards. They are maintained with the full
support of OUA management.
Please note that these standards will be periodically revised and updated to stay current
with changing technology, University policies, and construction practices. Comments are
welcome and may be directed to the individuals listed below.
Michael Ross, Senior CAD Technician
AutoCAD/Plan Room Manager

(513) 556-0909

David Galusha, CAD Technician

AutoCAD Support

(513) 556-1501

Ralph Jacob, Senior Staff Architect

AutoCAD Work Team Leader

(513) 556-3162

DRAWING FILE FORMAT

The CAD software currently used at the University of Cincinnati is AutoCAD 2000 including
Architectural Desktop (ADT R2). All projects prepared for the University must be
submitted in a compatible .dwg format. If you experience difficulty accessing ADT R2,
please contact the Senior CAD Technician (listed in the Introduction).
All projects developed for the University shall begin with the current standard prototype
drawing file, submitted by the University Project Administrator. (Exceptions that allow the
use of consultant-generated title blocks will be allowed only with the written permission of
the University Project Administrator.) This electronic AutoCAD file is formatted to the layers,
settings, and defaults specified in these standards. If you require assistance with any of
these files, please contact the Senior CAD Technician.
DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

CAD STANDARDS

June 2004

Recent releases of University prototype AutoCAD drawing files include tabs for modelspace
and paperspace. The title block information is located on the paperspace tab.

It is an absolute requirement that all graphic design be produced at

full scale in modelspace. Projects created otherwise will be
returned for correction.

External Reference Files

Projects requiring cooperation among different disciplines must use a common base plan as
an external reference file (xref). Such a file provides a single referenced plan that can be
revised simultaneously for all disciplines. Changes and updates during design are made to
only one background plan (the base plan), which becomes the basis for updating all
drawings. This method, which is a requirement for all construction drawings at the
University, will help ensure consistency throughout all disciplines.
When creating external reference files:

Begin all xref file names with XREF.

Use BYLAYER.

Purge before providing to other disciplines.

Include all graphic elements.

Include room numbers.

Do not include dimensions, notes, or wall types.

Insert at 0, 0.

FILE NUMBERING CONVENTIONS

All electronic CAD files must have a nine- or ten-character file number consisting of two
parts. The first five or six characters (xxxxx in Figure 1) make up the first part of the file
number and represent the UC project number. The Project Administrator will provide the
consultant with the project number at the beginning of any project.
The second part of the file number consists of four alphanumeric characters (D-nnn),
representing the drawing number as it occurs in the completed drawing title block (see
Appendix A, University Drawing Numbering System). This drawing number will include a
letter (D) representing the drawing discipline followed by a dash and a three-digit (nnn)
sequential drawing number.
Figure 1 shows the file numbering convention; Figure 2 illustrates the file numbering
convention for xref files.

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

CAD STANDARDS

June 2004

xxxxx-D-nnn
Project Number

Drawing Number
Drawing Discipline

Drawing Disciplines

Number Series

A
C
E
F
G
L
M
P
Q
S
T

000
001-099
101-199
201-299
301-399
401-499
501-599
601-699

Architectural
Civil
Electrical
Fire Protection
General (as required)
Landscaping
Mechanical
Plumbing
Equipment/Furnishings
Structural
Telecommunications

Notes and Symbols

Existing/Demolition Plans
Proposed Plans
Elevations
Sections
Enlarged Plans
Details and Diagrams
Schedules

Figure 1: Electronic File Numbering Convention

XREF-xxxxx
Begin all external reference
drawings with this term.

Project Number

Figure 2: External Reference File (xref) Numbering Convention

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

CAD STANDARDS

June 2004

CAD LAYERING CONVENTION

OUAs standards for layering follow the American Institute of Architects (AIA) CAD Layer
Guidelines, with some modifications.1 The layer guidelines are organized as a hierarchy.
This structure makes the list easier to use and accommodates future expansion. Layer
names are alphanumeric and use easy-to-remember abbreviations. The layer disciplines
shown below match the drawing discipline designations for electronic file identification.
A
C
E
F
G
L

Architectural
Civil
Electrical
Fire Protection
General
Landscaping

M
P
Q
S
T

Mechanical
Plumbing
Equipment/Furnishings
Structural
Telecommunications

These layer disciplines will be followed by a select number of layer names from the full AIA
Layer Guidelines. Each of these layer names will then be further delineated by the modifiers
"DEMO," "EXST," and "NEW" to identify construction to be removed, existing to remain, and
new work to be executed.
Example:

A-FURN-NEW

New Sub-Layers:

A-FURN-MOVE
A-FURN-NEW-MOVE

Discipline - A (do not change)

Layer - FURN (do not change)
Modifier - NEW (may be changed)

If new layers are required, new modifiers may be used to create new sub-layers of the
existing layer scheme. When the project is closed out and record CAD files are presented
to the University, the files should be such that a minimal amount of time will be required to
modify the layers so that they can be stored as part of a consistent format. See Record
Drawing Files in this document, and Appendix B, University CAD Layering System.

Copies of the CAD Layer Guidelines are available through the American Institute of Architects Press, 1735 New
York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20006.

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

CAD STANDARDS

June 2004

DRAWING STANDARDS AND SETTINGS

The following settings have been established and included in the University prototype
drawings. If files received from consultants are not in the following format, final closeout of
the project may be delayed until the files have been modified to conform to these standards.

Text Fonts
All text in submitted CAD documentation should use the Simplex or Arial font. Plotted size
of text for room names, dimensions, and notes should be 3/32 inch high. Plot size of text for
plan and detail titles should be 1/4 inch high. The intent is to provide legible text when
documents are reduced to 50 percent. The use of non-standard AutoCAD text fonts is not
acceptable.

Entity Properties
The attributes (color, line type, and line width) for all layers should be set to BYLAYER. The
use of non-standard AutoCAD line types is not acceptable.

Scale and Units

Scale of drawings (or individual views on drawings) must be as indicated by the scale of that
drawing or view. The use of scale factors to increase or decrease the size of drawing
elements is not acceptable. Different drawing scales shall be permitted only by means of
the file viewport. Plotted drawings must be directly scaleable without requiring the
application of a scale factor. Graphic scales should be included for every plan, elevation,
section, and detail.

Dimensions
Associative dimensions shall be used for drawings at all scales.

Tolerances
Tolerances for acceptable CAD documentation are as defined in the Quality Assurance
Audit section of this document, which addresses completeness of recording features,
accuracy of measurements, and compliance with these standards.
Viewports: Viewports shall be locked when work within the viewport is completed.
Block: Block must be created at full scale and on Layer 0.
Also see Appendix C, University Standard Details, and Appendix D, University Standard
Symbols and Abbreviations.

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

CAD STANDARDS

June 2004

ROOM NUMBERING GUIDELINES

Preliminary Room Numbers
Preliminary room numbers are assigned by the project design team during preliminary
design, when plans are still in development with all using departments. Preliminary room
numbers can be established by the design team using the current guidelines in the Floor
and Room Numbering Standards available on the OUA web site.
Preliminary room numbers shall be preceded by an X. For instance, a room numbered
1234 shall be noted as X1234 until final room numbers are established. All drawings
containing preliminary room numbers shall be identified with the note All room numbers are
preliminary and subject to change located on the right edge of the drawing. This shall be
coordinated with the adjacent note Preliminary Not for Construction.

Final Room Numbers

Final room numbers are assigned to a room or space by the University Architect and the
Department of Space Management when final plans have been approved by all using
departments. The Project Administrator shall submit plans to the Department of Campus
Planning and Design (CP&D) and the Department of Space Management (SM) at least 2
weeks before design is complete. Upon receiving final room numbers, the design team shall
revise all plans, details, and schedules to incorporate the number changes.
Final room numbers shall be indicated without the preliminary X designation. For example,
preliminary room X1234 may be changed to 1235 or, if it remains the same, designated
as 1234. After all drawing changes are complete, the drawing note indicating All room
numbers are preliminary shall be removed by turning off the appropriate CAD layer.

All room numbering changes must be completed before bidding.

Subsequent Room Number Changes

If the floor plan layout changes after the final room numbers have been assigned, the
revised drawings shall be resubmitted to CP&D and SM as soon as possible to establish a
revised final room numbering assignment.

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

CAD STANDARDS

June 2004

RECORD DRAWING FILES

All drawing information should be submitted to University of Cincinnati, Office of the
University Architect, and must conform to the requirements of these standards. The specific
documents required for every project at the University (along with specific presentation and
administrative requirements) are listed below.
1. Two copies of all electronic files shall be delivered on CD-ROMs in a format
compatible with AutoCAD 2000. The .dwg file format is required. Any exceptions
or special requests must have the prior approval of the Senior CAD Technician. The
disks must be labeled with the following information:

University project number

Submittal date
Set label (e.g., disk 1 of 3)

2. Electronic files must be identical to final media drawings.

3. All external referenced files must be bound to the associated file prior to submission.
4. All files must be purged prior to submission.
5. All files must include the same project title and project number in the title block.
6. All files must be noted as Record Documents and include the date of the
submission.
7. A total listing of drawing files must be included in the submission.
8. A Quality Assurance Checklist must be provided in accordance with the Quality
Assurance Audit section of these standards.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AUDIT

A Quality Assurance Checklist must be submitted with the CAD documentation at project
closeout. This checklist confirms the A/Es verification that the submitted CAD drawings
conform to these standards. The checklist must confirm the following:

The file format is compatible with AutoCAD 2000.

Layering complies with the layering guidelines.

All files use the University prototype (or one that has the prior approval of the Project
Administrator).

File numbering conforms to these standards.

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

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CAD STANDARDS

June 2004

Text fonts conform to these standards.

All entity properties are assigned by layer.

All drawings are full scale in modelspace.

Associative dimensions are used for all dimensions.

No drawings have been enlarged or reduced using the SCALE command.

All files have been purged.

All external referenced drawings have been bound to the associated file.

All electronic files are identical to the final media drawings.

At the close of the project, the Project Administrator shall confirm that the CAD drawings
accurately reflect all as-built conditions i.e., the presence, location, and approximate
dimensional accuracy of all significant features, including doors, windows, walls, columns,
stairs, ramps, and other general floor-plan layout items. Obvious errors or omissions will be
noted on a review sheet.

Projects shall not be considered complete until all items on the Quality Assurance
Audit have been confirmed by the Project Administrator and Senior CAD
Technician.

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

11