Computer-aided drafting and design services have advanced dramatically since Dr. Patrick Hanratty developed Design Automated by Computer for General Electric 67 years ago. His is considered the first CAD system to incorporate interactive graphics.

Today, CAD is an essential element of design processes used throughout the AEC industry. Recently, we spoke with Richard Robison about his impactful and critical technology. Richard is the companywide CAD manager at Mark Thomas, an engineering and construction management firm in California that was ranked #8 in civil engineering services in the State of California in Engineering News-Record’s 2023 Top Design Firm rankings.

How widely is CAD used throughout your firm?

Mark Thomas has approximately 250 CAD system users, primarily in the landscape, civil, structures and transportation disciplines. Each discipline has explicit needs, so we customize the CAD specifications to highlight the resources needed for each user group.

How do you determine the best solutions for the unique needs of so many internal system users?

I’ve maintained a partnership with ARKANCE US since the early 2000s. They counseled us initially by providing training and local tech support. Today, the company remains a trusted advisor, offering competitive software pricing and highly valued guidance. ARKANCE US, is well-aligned with Autodesk, so they are able to efficiently support our diverse software needs. In addition, different members of our firms talk with their staff weekly to provide strategic advice for improving processes as we see them emerging software and workflows. This enables us to stay ahead of the pros and cons of various AEC technology solutions.

What do you see ahead for Computer-Aided Design?

Mark Thomas is open to innovation, evaluating Autodesk Construction Cloud (including the potential use of ABC Pro) and leveraging ARKANCE US broad product offerings (e.g., Bluebeam, Egnyte, etc.) for comprehensive tech needs. We will continue to focus on issues related to internal workflows and incorporate Autodesk’s new tools for streamlining workflows. Currently, we’re expecting a routine that allows users to exchange information that will automatically update into the user files.

Which tools are creating new efficiencies for you?

We really enjoy using the Autodesk Construction Cloud. We see it as a forefront tool for collaboration with other consultants and peers, particularly on large projects. We are currently using it between offices and are seeing value. For example, when users challenged by program opening speeds that took three or four minutes to launch. That has been cut to 10 seconds with the cloud. It is very, very efficient. With a project test under our belt, we have now introduced it to all 250 internal CAD users.

What specific impact will emerging technologies have on the transportation infrastructure environment?

At Mark Thomas, I’m used to using 3D capabilities and then bringing that work into the essential transportation environment. Artificial intelligence will help us create better corridor designs by creating 3D within a BIM model and then we can bring those designs right into the construction drawings. It will be a game changer that we will use for projecting design alternatives and it will truly bring us into the next stage. We know that 3D and 6D technologies will impact visualization, takeoffs and schedules and will result in real-time savings.