How to Make Blueprints
Before breaking ground on that new home, a builder will need a complete set of blueprints, detailing the supporting beams, load-bearing walls, electrical outlets and plumbing. Today's architectural schools instruct their students in hand drafting and Computer-Automated Drafting (CAD) as two choices for making blueprints. With a little knowledge, you can make your own blueprints. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Study basic construction elements. The first step in drawing up blueprints is to have an understanding of building codes, especially those that apply in your community. Before beginning, you need to know wall thickness, electrical and plumbing outlet placement and structural support requirements.
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Fall back on the old standby-blueprint creation by hand. On large sheets of paper, you can use basic drafting techniques to draw your blueprints to scale. Your finished project should include dimensions, foundation plans, mechanical symbols and the grade of the soil surrounding your project.
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Invest in the architectural industry standard for blueprint design, AutoCAD. Be aware, however, that you must have a working knowledge of Bezier curves and other automated architectural features.
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Try out a user-friendly blueprint program. If all you need is a working set of prints that your builder can use as a reference, check your local software store for programs that offer design capability without drafting knowledge.
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Take your hand drawing or your CAD design, either on paper or as a file on a disk, to a professional printer.
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Choose between a professional blueline print and a large format copy. Blueline prints are the ones most often used in the building trade by architects and professionals, but a large format copy is just as good.
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Make enough copies so the builder and all the mechanical subcontractors can have one. Save one for yourself as well. Most printing businesses will offer a binding service for each set of blueprints purchased. Although it's not necessary, it comes in handy when many parties will handle the prints.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also purchase a plotter-printer if you will be printing your own blueprints on a regular basis. These expensive printers create a large reproduction of your CAD file.
