Sketching: a lost art?
 

I was just wondering, in this age of CAD and CAM, is the pencil obsolete? I don't mean the back-of-napkin stick-man concepts, I'm on about proper sketches of concepts, whic are still used in the motor industry today. Is there scope for such skills in the aviation world?

Re: Sketching: a lost art?
 

Have to admit to using sketcing all the time, digital cameras are great but there isn't anything like your own sketch to show how something goes back together again. I also use CAD a lot and still find that a sketch is the best way of developing initial concepts. Don't think its going to die off as much as some of the other engineering skills have, but I do know its no longer taught at my old university.

Re: Sketching: a lost art?
 

I have to agree. I work in a design support office for inservice aircraft, and although we are CAD based, it is most times quicker to sketch than to use CAD. Reallyit depends on rhe extent of the drawing required and exactly what point you are trying to get across.

Re: Sketching: a lost art?
 

No the pencil is not obsolete, it still does very good rubbings. It's not sketching I know, but I still get to use a pencil & the structures blokes still ask for them.
TT

Re: Sketching: a lost art?
 

i think its academic really, the drawing you get on the shop floor will still be wrong anyway, whether its sketched or done by CAD!