Does anyone still draw by hand

[notevensquare]

I am not that old (especially compared to some of the masters here) but I have not really tried any of the computer design things, my boss bless her soul can not visualise anything wen I am describing it so I always have to draw things out for her rough of detailed as long as it a picture,

jqLCZ5eA_edited.jpg

But is it becoming a lost art form?

[Chesand]

I still draw my projects out in scale when necessary. I was able to draw out the current project full scale on my bench top which has been helpful.

[BobL]

My projects are usually quite "fluid".

I usually start by imagining projects in my head as a series of independent steps (usually in bed when I can't sleep), over for several days. I repeatedly rotate and imagine the steps from all sides. Once things are firmed up I might scribble/sketch (I would not call it drawing) a few perspectives on paper to save me filling up my memory.

Usually I'm working to the limits of my (often Scrap) materials so don't worry too much about precise measurements until its time to start cutting. If I see improvements etc I often change a lot of things on the fly.

Later, often when the project is finished, I might knock up a schematic on the computer but even though these often have measurements on them, the drawings are not usually to scale.

I reckon I only draw maybe 10% of my plans to actual scale.

This was the only thing committed to paper top make the gizmo shown below.
It includes the parts list/ordering numbers.
Plans1.jpeg

IMG_4361.jpg

[Beardy]

I still do all my drawings by hand.
Nearly all the architects I am involved with do the same for conceptual drawings and only get put to CAD for construction or council submission

Hand drawings have soul and character

[taz01]

I work on computers all day so i try to avoid them in my free time. I find sketching out by hand quite therapeutic.

Regards,

Adam

[AJ.]

I usually design things on the back of an envelope, I am looking to upgrade to a drafting table if I can find a reasonable priced one close by. I am a self confessed technophobe though, so as much as I like the thought of CAD I cant see myself ever learning to use it.

Cheers Andrew

[Sir Stinkalot]

I do the two extremes .... it’s either rough and ready like Bob’s images, or it fully documented - mostly in 3D.

[Chief Tiff]

Most of my "plans" are usually of the back-of-a-fag-packet quick sketch with rough measurements, I keep a large children's drawing book on my bench for this.

However; at school in the UK I studied Geometric & Technical drawing. I still have my drawing board and tee-square that I started using at the age of 13 and these are what I pull out when I properly need to design stuff. With every dimension to scale it provides me with an accurate cutting list and double checks the initial back-of-fag-packet calculated dimensions!

I usually first draw it to scale as an isometric projection to see how it looks and to make sure the design is as requested; then I do a proper set of 1st angle projection technical drawings including whatever joinery methods I'm using. Following the 7 P's principle in this way massively reduces the opportunities for Mr Cock-Up to pay a visit. Reduces...

[rustynail]

I draw everything. Hand sketches for quick ideas and silly old "Paint" so I can swap things around without having to redraw. As for CAD I find it a handy tool for passing on info to fabricators, but at design stage I prefer the more creative nature of hand sketching rather than being limited to CAD characters. Particularly for a bespoke customer.

[dinosour]

If I do drawings, first by hand to get concept then if making usually do a scaled drawing for larger projects. If doing some detailed joints I do a full scaled drawing by hand.
as then name says

[LanceC]

Like Chief, I also studied technical drawing all through high school. Throughout my adult life when I wanted something precise I too would pull out the drawing board and “tools” and do my proper technical drawings.

About five years ago I gave sketch-up a go but got fed up with its limitations and abandoned it. A couple of years ago however I stumbled onto Fusion 360. As far as I’m concerned now, I may as well chop up my drawing board for kindling. I can draw, revise and design much faster than I ever could with paper (or asetate).

Having said that, I still sketch ideas on paper. In fact I have a notebook that lives next to my work bench to jot concepts down.

[bueller]

Yep I've been sketching a fair bit more since reading Mike Pekovich's book 'The How and Why of Woodworking'.



Usually just sketching random shapes until something comes to mind. If I already know what I want in my head I head to SketchUp as it's far easier to get a good idea for how things will hang together.

[Ironwood]

Yep, I still draw all my plans. Sometimes I use a ruler to make the lines straight.

[rwbuild]

If someone wants a quick 5 min sketch, I do on what ever is available, paper, off cut, sheet material but then I do the finished drawing in CAD.
At tech when I was an apprentice, I consistently got A or A+ for my drawings but must admit that to do that now I would be lucky to get -F.
The beauty of CAD is you can be accurate to almost micron level if required and make as many copies of an overall subject and apply several variations to satisfy the end project requirement or client.
I'm fortunate in that I can visualize in 3D in my mind so for me CAD is the perfect fit.

[Robson Valley]

I have always enjoyed drawing/sketching and painting watercolors.
What you see are my thoughts, the concepts, on paper.
I don't believe that I'm anywhere near mentally ready to use CAD.

Even a carving has to fit some chunk of available wood.
I make all my edits with different colored pencils to tell them apart.