WC 1M Post Challenge - You Ready?!

[MSFTisMIA]

Miracle of miracles. I got the missus to ditch her 8+ for the XR. I better keep my phone charged at all times to deal with the deluge of "how the f*** do I do this now!" calls that I'm sure to be bombarded with. The clincher was showing how it's easier to pull down a mask for FaceID than it is to remove latex gloves. She's on Humira so she's taking the 'Rona a wee bit more serious than most.

Sounds like you and Rue busted out in chorus like this when that happened:

https://youtu.be/eZMZ4UTI5CY

 

[N_LaRUE]

This is plineToExtrude for r1 = 10, r2 = 20, r3 = 30, n = 5.

View attachment 142174

It's extruded to the height of h/2, since it starts at the height of h/2 itself.
And this is the plineToRevolve. It basically revolves around the previous solid. It's also 3D rotated, since it's plotted in XY.
View attachment 142175

And what's left is the intersection of the two.

View attachment 142176

The sin and cos are used to get the points for PLINE which draws the first drawing.
It is pointless generally speaking. But the point is automation of the process, when possible.

It's neat. I like it. I get the idea behind the exercise.

I understand automating things because I'm going to do some of that at this company but not to that level. I'm just going to add tool pallets and make dynamic blocks. So easy to do and fix.

I will explain why I both like it and dislike it.

These things are great for doing the tasks that are repetitive. Though there are packages these days that takes care of most things. So typically making automating pointless unless you're using vanilla AutoCAD. Which a few people still use. Though you can get add-ons.

The main issue with automation is that there's typically only one person who does it at the company and if they leave no one can update things as needed. Depending on how they code it will be either easy or a pain to update when required and of course the complexity of what's automated.

Therein lies the issue.

Lots of AutoCAD users do not code. The older they are the more typical that they barely know any of the newer functions.

If they are contractors it's unlikely they've updated their skills because that takes time and money. They'd rather be working.

The current state of the engineering industry, in my general field is a mix bag between an older generation that has no desire to change their ways and a younger generation not really interested in engineering. So there's a huge gap. There's also the issue of companies not taking on younger people as well. But that's a whole other issue.

That's why most of the work is done overseas now, typically India.

My current company is full of older generation people and it's causing issues overall. They're either not really interested in work anymore and simply getting a paycheck or they don't like using the new tools and use them wrong. It's a bit of a headache. Keep in mind it's difficult to get rid of people in France.

To be clear I believe in older people working but they need to change their position and become trainers for younger people so there's easier transitions.

There's a whole bunch of other issues, I could go on but I'll leave it there.

 

[Rose640]

It's neat. I like it. I get the idea behind the exercise.

I understand automating things because I'm going to do some of that at this company but not to that level. I'm just going to add tool pallets and make dynamic blocks. So easy to do and fix.

I will explain why I both like it and dislike it.

These things are great for doing the tasks that are repetitive. Though there are packages these days that takes care of most things. So typically making automating pointless unless you're using vanilla AutoCAD. Which a few people still use. Though you can get add-ons.

The main issue with automation is that there's typically only one person who does it at the company and if they leave no one can update things as needed. Depending on how they code it will be either easy or a pain to update when required and of course the complexity of what's automated.

Therein lies the issue.

Lots of AutoCAD users do not code. The older they are the more typical that they barely know any of the newer functions.

If they are contractors it's unlikely they've updated their skills because that takes time and money. They'd rather be working.

The current state of the engineering industry, in my general field is a mix bag between an older generation that has no desire to change their ways and a younger generation not really interested in engineering. So there's a huge gap. There's also the issue of companies not taking on younger people as well. But that's a whole other issue.

That's why most of the work is done overseas now, typically India.

My current company is full of older generation people and it's causing issues overall. They're either not really interested in work anymore and simply getting a paycheck or they don't like using the new tools and use them wrong. It's a bit of a headache. Keep in mind it's difficult to get rid of people in France.

To be clear I believe in older people working but they need to change their position and become trainers for younger people so there's easier transitions.

There's a whole bunch of other issues, I could go on but I'll leave it there.

Of course you're not going to be reinventing the wheel. That's something we've been taught on our C++ classes. If there's a function/class that does the job you need, it probably does it better than yours would.

These are short codes, not too difficult to maintain, even if they're somewhat bigger, it still wouldn't be an issue. Add some commenting and documentation, it's doable. But of course, everything to it's limits.
My opinion is that in 95% cases I wouldn't be coding these drawings/3D models. But if it's repetitive and requires you to start from scratch every time, I bet coding it would be optimal in that case.

Though I myself prefer drawing it with "hand".

As for the older engineers. Don't get me started on that. I'm 2nd year engineering and I get depriciatory comments from older "meisters" who, in best case, have 3 years of craft school.

As for the employment, I really have no intention staying and working here. You know yourself how hard engineering college is. I'm not going to allow myself to get paid 400-500€ for all my troubles and knowledge. The only way you can get a good, decent job and pay is if you have a powerful cousin or a friend. Things that I both lack and am disgusted by.

 

[Rose640]

I just read a topic on reddit how it seems that everyone calls themselves engineers these days. And I can relate. I'm not an engineer myself yet, but I'm on my way to become one.

I keep seeing people who have gotten a 3 month certificate in web development/design calling themselves engineers and a whole other bunch of IT related proffesions.

Not just IT, plumbers get called mechanical engineers, electricians electrical engineers... The list goes on.

 

[N_LaRUE]

I just read a topic on reddit how it seems that everyone calls themselves engineers these days. And I can relate. I'm not an engineer myself yet, but I'm on my way to become one.

I keep seeing people who have gotten a 3 month certificate in web development/design calling themselves engineers and a whole other bunch of IT related proffesions.

Not just IT, plumbers get called mechanical engineers, electricians electrical engineers... The list goes on.

The term engineer has been degrading for a few decades now.

In Canada (USA?) Garbage men are called 'sanitary engineers', not entirely sure what they engineer.

The term used in IT is a tough one. There are engineers in IT. It's just become too generalised.

There needs to be standards of what it means to be an engineer. In Canada to be considered an electrical engineer you to take a test. It's a standards/law test.

In Australia/UK in order to be classified as an engineer you need to work at least four years in the industry. To become certified you have to pass tests.

Unfortunately the term engineer is become blasē so people who feel they're engineers just use it.

 

[N_LaRUE]

Of course you're not going to be reinventing the wheel. That's something we've been taught on our C++ classes. If there's a function/class that does the job you need, it probably does it better than yours would.

These are short codes, not too difficult to maintain, even if they're somewhat bigger, it still wouldn't be an issue. Add some commenting and documentation, it's doable. But of course, everything to it's limits.
My opinion is that in 95% cases I wouldn't be coding these drawings/3D models. But if it's repetitive and requires you to start from scratch every time, I bet coding it would be optimal in that case.

Though I myself prefer drawing it with "hand".

As for the older engineers. Don't get me started on that. I'm 2nd year engineering and I get depriciatory comments from older "meisters" who, in best case, have 3 years of craft school.

As for the employment, I really have no intention staying and working here. You know yourself how hard engineering college is. I'm not going to allow myself to get paid 400-500€ for all my troubles and knowledge. The only way you can get a good, decent job and pay is if you have a powerful cousin or a friend. Things that I both lack and am disgusted by.

As I indicated. There's nothing wrong with coding in general just majority of people who use AutoCAD don't code

With the influx of specialised software you don't need to code. No company really wants to spend the money on specialised code either. They rather just buy what they need.

Craft workers (trades) always give engineers a hard time. It's part of the job. Everywhere. Most think you have no practical skills. In truth a lot of younger engineers (and some older) come out of university completely clueless.

When I was in the UK the young engineers weren't going to site (no idea why but probably to do with safety) so a large portion of them had zero idea of the size of things because they've only seen stuff on a screen. Things in real life are more impressive. In the past most companies would send the young engineers to site for both the experience and because they were cheaper.

Nothing beats having practical experience really.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

So, it has been very interesting to watch the reopening discussions.

Money talks indeed.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

So, if I had a different space, I'd work from home. I've been an avid commuter - by necessity - and this has been one of the positive parts of COVID-19 lock down is redefining said commute.

I like the separation of work and home spaces. This has been the biggest challenge for me, as there's minimal physical separation in my current space. It's a mindset I have to use, which is taxing on top of my work itself. I don't mind short range commuting for work, COVID-19 has confirmed by own feeling over the past 10 years that I have less of a stomach for super commuting. For the regulars who've taken any of the transit systems in the NYC metro area, you'll understand what I mean.

 

[raycpl]

Reopening is a difficult situation. Big restaurants are allowed to start dine-in, with social distancing SOPs .
I have a few close friends running small restaurants, they are really hurting cos they are only allowed takeaways. They'll go bust in a couple of weeks if it continues.
Meantime, some city council idiots decides no alcohol can be sold even at licensed eateries. I know its Ramadan, but there had never been such restriction before. Its little napoleon's forcing their religion on others. Of course, the orders were withdrawn soon after without apology or clarification.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

So, it has been very interesting to watch the reopening discussions.

Money talks indeed.

So, the eagle eyed among you will notice the one institution that was losing money that couldn't talk about it much - hospitals. 99 knows this especially well - elective procedures and outpatient treatment visits provide a significant amount of revenues for hospitals. So when they went into crisis mode for the pandemic, we knew the other shoe would drop.

They're under the same pressures of business to return to normal function. Adding the responsibility to maintain safety of guests, staff and patients...along with issues of renegotiating contracts with vendors and unions for unionized employees, is going to get even more complicated.

 

[raycpl]

Meanwhile, my Charge2 display called it quits. Must be getting wet once too many times with all these frequent cleaning of hands and using sanitisers.
I gather its not worth repairing. Am in no rush to upgrade. But any suggestions is welcomed. What's decent around US$300, max???

 

[raycpl]

So, the eagle eyed among you will notice the one institution that was losing money that couldn't talk about it much - hospitals. 99 knows this especially well - elective procedures and outpatient treatment visits provide a significant amount of revenues for hospitals. So when they went into crisis mode for the pandemic, we knew the other shoe would drop.

They're under the same pressures of business to return to normal function. Adding the responsibility to maintain safety of guests, staff and patients...along with issues of renegotiating contracts with vendors and unions for unionized employees, is going to get even more complicated.

Here, all Covid cases must be treated at govnt hospitals. They are best equipped as the main frontline. From test to ICU treatments, it's free. Private hospital cannot treat Covid patients, but they can offer testings, for a fee around US$95. All positive cases are transferred to the GH.
I was in the GH today for an appointment that I had postponed nemerous times. Definitely very few outpatients. People are afraid to visit clinics, that's understandable.

note the Xs!!

 

[raycpl]

As more shops are reopening, just a casual observation of which business drew the longest queue? I'll skip the most obvious one, ie. markets and supermarket.
1. Pawn shop. 2. Post Office and 3rd. Cake & Baking supplier
I guess it's true, everyone has become a baker during CMO/lockdown. A check on social media kinda confirms that.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Here, all Covid cases must be treated at govnt hospitals. They are best equipped as the main frontline. From test to ICU treatments, it's free. Private hospital cannot treat Covid patients, but they can offer testings, for a fee around US$95. All positive cases are transferred to the GH.
I was in the GH today for an appointment that I had postponed nemerous times. Definitely very few outpatients. People are afraid to visit clinics, that's understandable.

note the Xs!!

Where I work will have some version of this. The primary care offices have been open in limited capacity throughout the pandemic, so they will get up to speed quicker than specialty care.

Hospital was bleeding money from the lack of outpatient care and elective procedures + paying for COVID-19 costs (e.g. Temporary facility mods to treat pts, increasing PPE, etc). It was more than just the typical treatment costs via insurance.

Gonna be a serious show the next few months.

 

[fatclue_98]

The term engineer has been degrading for a few decades now.

In Canada (USA?) Garbage men are called 'sanitary engineers', not entirely sure what they engineer.

The term used in IT is a tough one. There are engineers in IT. It's just become too generalised.

There needs to be standards of what it means to be an engineer. In Canada to be considered an electrical engineer you to take a test. It's a standards/law test.

In Australia/UK in order to be classified as an engineer you need to work at least four years in the industry. To become certified you have to pass tests.

Unfortunately the term engineer is become blasē so people who feel they're engineers just use it.

I told you to tell them you was in sanitation not a sanitarium.

 

[fatclue_98]

As I indicated. There's nothing wrong with coding in general just majority of people who use AutoCAD don't code

With the influx of specialised software you don't need to code. No company really wants to spend the money on specialised code either. They rather just buy what they need.

Craft workers (trades) always give engineers a hard time. It's part of the job. Everywhere. Most think you have no practical skills. In truth a lot of younger engineers (and some older) come out of university completely clueless.

When I was in the UK the young engineers weren't going to site (no idea why but probably to do with safety) so a large portion of them had zero idea of the size of things because they've only seen stuff on a screen. Things in real life are more impressive. In the past most companies would send the young engineers to site for both the experience and because they were cheaper.

Nothing beats having practical experience really.

I for one do not revel in making engineers look foolish because I understand they’re chasing deadlines and QC usually goes out the window. As you mentioned, some engineers don’t grasp the scope of what they design - the proverbial 10 lbs. of s**t in a 5 lb. bag.

What gets me going is when they try to argue that their design is perfect and how dare a proletarian challenge him. Like Nature Boy Ric Flair would say “Now we go to school”.

 

[fatclue_98]

Good thing this pandemic isn’t Avian Flu. Gotta love Miami sometimes.

 

[Rose640]

The term engineer has been degrading for a few decades now.

In Canada (USA?) Garbage men are called 'sanitary engineers', not entirely sure what they engineer.

The term used in IT is a tough one. There are engineers in IT. It's just become too generalised.

There needs to be standards of what it means to be an engineer. In Canada to be considered an electrical engineer you to take a test. It's a standards/law test.

In Australia/UK in order to be classified as an engineer you need to work at least four years in the industry. To become certified you have to pass tests.

Unfortunately the term engineer is become blasē so people who feel they're engineers just use it.

There are engineers in IT, but it's certainly not a guy who connects my router. But you get it.

There are laws, but it still doesn't stop people from giving themselves tittles they haven't deserved.

And yeah, I've seen the sanitary engineer one.

I think it has to do with employers trying to raise morale and stuff. But it's poorely done.

 

[N_LaRUE]

I for one do not revel in making engineers look foolish because I understand they’re chasing deadlines and QC usually goes out the window. As you mentioned, some engineers don’t grasp the scope of what they design - the proverbial 10 lbs. of s**t in a 5 lb. bag.

What gets me going is when they try to argue that their design is perfect and how dare a proletarian challenge him. Like Nature Boy Ric Flair would say “Now we go to school”.

I understand all too well the idea of fitting everything in a shoe box then wondering why it didn't fit as expected...

My favourite has to be the over engineering I've seen. It's a new trend. Not sure it's strong enough add 10% , still not sure? 20%

No idea where that came from. Seen it all over the place.

Oddly the current project I'm on is a weird combination. Over engineered structure (huge footings and beams, like 1970s style), under engineered concrete floor. I kid you not. This floor is holding several hundred tonnes of equipment as well.

The building is a right pain too for an electrical building. Haven't seen anything like it since the 1970s... The company who designed it has no concept of modern concrete design. Especially in industrial design.

Don't get me started on why we're using concrete...

 

[N_LaRUE]

There are engineers in IT, but it's certainly not a guy who connects my router. But you get it.

There are laws, but it still doesn't stop people from giving themselves tittles they haven't deserved.

And yeah, I've seen the sanitary engineer one.

I think it has to do with employers trying to raise morale and stuff. But it's poorely done.

I never bought that idea of moral. You're either an engineer and know what that means or you're not.

As for the IT field they've been very loose with the engineer label. It's irritated me for some time. I even have a certificate (year course) in IT network engineering. Nothing like my engineering course that's for sure. Not much maths outside the IP conversion.

Engineering is knowing standards, specifications and the law connected to those. It's very important. That's on top of theory, practicality and knowledge.

Engineering is also about cost savings. It's a large part of the job these days. Everyone wants things done cheaper but still perfect.