STANDARD DETAIL BEST PRACTICES

[mkennedy2000]

I'm rethinking my detail libraries and I'm interested in how other manage their details, especially those who collaborate with a team and use a shared detail library.

[GeneDavis]

Maybe @Renerabbitt will enter the room.  He's got this covered well.

[ChristianA]

I am in the early stages of a software switch, so take what I do with a grain of salt.  I have boiler plate details in a disconnected plan in the "common files".  Any unique details or details with information that may change from project to project I store in the layout file of the project.  I export the details plan file to our server so that my partner can have access to it.  I'm not sure how we are going to deal with updates and changes to that file.

[mkennedy2000]

On 8/16/2026 at 12:28 PM, ChristianA said:

I am in the early stages of a software switch, so take what I do with a grain of salt.  I have boiler plate details in a disconnected plan in the "common files".  Any unique details or details with information that may change from project to project I store in the layout file of the project.  I export the details plan file to our server so that my partner can have access to it.  I'm not sure how we are going to deal with updates and changes to that file.

I'm not wild about sending stuff to layout  - there's a disconnect in the macro label as well as the graphical point of insertion. I'm considering building detail libraires in a layout, then copy pasting the desired details in the current plan layout. I would love to be able to keep my details in CA and drop them straight from the library to layout or plan as needed but I cant find a way to keep them synced across users.

[para-CAD]

My details are all in CAD details in my plan template and are then referenced to the layout. The only downside is that I use notes quite a bit, and you CAN'T block your CAD work with a schedule then to put it into your user library.  

[Renerabbitt]

[mkennedy2000]

Rene, that looks pretty slick, I may just buy that from you? But my real mission is getting the details into layout. I want to snap my details into place. I can probably use a 0,0 trick of some sort to accomplish what I want OR I can copy paste OR, well who knows, I'm sure it will come to me. My angst is a little ill-defined as yet, I'll figure out what I'm trying to improve as I go.

[Renerabbitt]

16 minutes ago, mkennedy2000 said:

Rene, that looks pretty slick, I may just buy that from you? But my real mission is getting the details into layout. I want to snap my details into place. I can probably use a 0,0 trick of some sort to accomplish what I want OR I can copy paste OR, well who knows, I'm sure it will come to me. My angst is a little ill-defined as yet, I'll figure out what I'm trying to improve as I go.

My friend this system is yours, just shoot me an email. Let's go grab a beer?

[jtcapa1]

"a beer"? Man your cheap Rene.

I've got your system, but have not yet gotten into those details.  (old dog new tricks).

My issue is those details.

I'd like to clarify something.  Like most people using CA, we have developed details over decades of designing and drafting, and now with the ability to make a very accurate 3d model custom details are much easier to create and safer to.  I've found out the hard way that most of my "boiler plate" details are out of date with current codes.  This has forced me to use CA in a slightly different way.  I generate live section cuts and then try to add 2d elements on top of them to make them pop and clearer.  Unfortunately is can be a black hole of time.  Such accuracy is under appreciated by all parties, so hard to recover my cost in time.  

On your details Rene, am I correct in assuming we can modify or insert our details?  And to be clear, are those details you use 2d?  

I like the direction Mike is going with integrating his details and notes on a detail page, but he's now adding 3d images.  Mike, are those 3d detail "live" so if you change something they will automatically update?