CAD Translation Layout Issues

CAD drawings, created using AutoCAD software, depict the overall layout of engineering projects, the external shape of buildings, interior arrangements, structural elements, interior and exterior decorations, material specifications, equipment, construction details, etc. Construction drawings produced through CAD exhibit characteristics such as completeness, precision in expression, and specific requirements. They serve as the basis for engineering construction, preparation of construction drawing budgets, construction organization design, and are important technical documents for technical management.

In the current era of increasing international exchanges, communication regarding construction projects is essential. The importance of drawings in the construction industry is self-evident, making the translation of CAD drawings crucial. It can be said that the quality of drawing translation directly impacts the quality of the project. Today, we will briefly discuss the key points to note when translating CAD drawings at Knowledge and Action Translation Company.

Firstly, when translating CAD drawings, attention should be given to sentence abbreviation. It is important to note that CAD drawings are primarily visual, with text playing a supplementary role. Therefore, textual content in drawings is relatively minimal, mainly describing technical requirements such as product utility, materials, manufacturing accuracy, and other technical aspects. To save space on the drawings, these details are often expressed in abbreviated sentences, containing highly specialized terminology. Hence, special care is required during translation.

Secondly, when translating CAD drawings, attention should be paid to translating numbers and abbreviations. For instance: 410OpeningREF (REF-Reference) (indicating reference dimensions for 410 opening); 1.5x45°CHAM (CHAM = CNAM-FER) (representing a chamfer of 1.5x45°). These types of abbreviations often denote standards and specifications related to processes, component dimensions, sizes, thicknesses, materials, models, etc., necessitating careful consideration during translation.

Lastly, when translating CAD drawings, attention should be given to translating phrase abbreviations and graphical symbol abbreviations. In engineering drawing translation, noun phrases or verb phrases are commonly used to indicate dimension annotations and requirements. Graphical symbol abbreviations are employed to conserve space on the drawings, replacing extensive text with symbols in many cases. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to the translation of these aspects during the translation process and not overlook their significance.

1.     Before translating drawings, we should first understand the composition of the drawings, which generally consist of title blocks, technical specifications, legend explanations, as well as plans and sections of the building. The subdivision of the title block includes the drawing title, design unit, review unit, date, scale, and other requirements. It is important to avoid omissions and mistranslations.

2.     When we receive engineering drawings, the first step is to use tools for processing them before assigning them to translators. After translation, the drawings will undergo layout formatting. At this stage, layout personnelneed a certain level of expertise and the ability to read drawings. Our company offers free drawing layout services to ensure maximum readability of the drawings.

3.     Those who have translated drawings know that they often contain many abbreviations for technical terms. These abbreviations are used to make the drawings clearer and to save time for the drafters. Therefore, to excel in drawing translation, translators must have a foundational knowledge of the industry, be familiar with commonly used vocabulary, understand the abbreviations used in the drawings, and possess the ability to integrate knowledge as well as flexibility in language expression.

4.     During the drawing translation process, special attention should be paid to the explanation of technical parameters and professional terminology. It is best to translate them using simple and clear language, avoiding lengthy sentences. Additionally, complex and obscure words should be avoided; if unavoidable, notes should be made for clarification.

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▶️：A brief explanation of CAD layout usage and basic operations.