Source Controlled Drawing: A Step-by-Step Guide

For engineering projects requiring precision and collaboration, Git, the distributed version control system, offers robust solutions for managing digital assets. Autodesk AutoCAD, a leading CAD software suite, generates complex drawing files which now can be efficiently tracked. This step-by-step guide explains how source controlled drawing can streamline workflows, particularly in sectors regulated by organizations such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ensuring adherence to standards and revision control. Implementing source controlled drawing allows design teams to manage drawings, models, and project documentation from initial concept through final delivery.

Crafting a Comprehensive "Source Controlled Drawing: A Step-by-Step Guide" Article

To effectively guide readers through implementing source control for drawings, a well-structured article is paramount. The goal is to make the process accessible, repeatable, and beneficial, regardless of the user’s current familiarity with source control systems or drawing software.

The article should flow logically, starting with the ‘why’ before delving into the ‘how’. Here’s a suggested structure:

1. Introduction: Understanding the Need for Source Controlled Drawings

   • Begin by clearly defining "Source Controlled Drawing." Explain that it is the practice of managing drawing files using a version control system (VCS), much like software developers manage code.
   • Highlight the problems inherent in managing drawings without source control. Examples include:
     • Accidental overwriting of files
     • Difficulty in reverting to previous versions
     • Lack of audit trail
     • Challenges in collaboration
     • Inability to track changes efficiently
   • Introduce the benefits of adopting source control, focusing on tangible improvements like:
     • Enhanced Collaboration: Multiple users working concurrently without conflicts.
     • Version History: Complete record of changes, enabling easy rollback.
     • Reduced Errors: Minimizing data loss and corruption.
     • Improved Auditability: Clear understanding of who made what changes and when.
     • Simplified Disaster Recovery: Quick restoration of drawings in case of system failures.
   • Briefly mention the tools commonly used for source controlling drawings. Example: Git, SVN.

2. Choosing the Right Source Control System

   • Discuss different types of source control systems (e.g., centralized vs. distributed). Briefly explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
   • List popular source control systems suitable for drawings. This may include:
     • Git (with platforms like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)
     • Subversion (SVN)
     • Perforce
   • Outline factors to consider when selecting a system:
     • Ease of use for non-developers.
     • Integration with existing CAD/Drawing software.
     • Scalability for future growth.
     • Cost and licensing.

   • Provide a comparison table highlighting key features and considerations of different systems.

     Feature	Git	Subversion (SVN)	Perforce
     Type	Distributed	Centralized	Centralized/Distributed Hybrid
     Complexity	Higher initial learning curve	Simpler initial setup	More complex configuration
     Offline Access	Full offline access	Limited offline access	Limited offline access
     Branching	Excellent branching and merging support	Branching is supported, but more complex	Strong branching capabilities
     Scalability	Highly scalable	Scalable, but can have limitations	Designed for large-scale projects
     Use Cases	Wide range of projects	Smaller to medium-sized projects	Large projects with complex workflows

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Source Control for Drawings

   • Step 1: Install and Configure the Chosen System.
     • Provide links to official documentation for installing the selected source control system (e.g., Git, SVN).
     • Explain basic configuration steps, such as setting up user accounts and repositories.
   • Step 2: Create a Repository for Your Drawings.
     • Demonstrate how to create a new repository (repo) within the source control system.
     • Emphasize the importance of choosing a descriptive and relevant repository name.
   • Step 3: Add Your Drawings to the Repository.
     • Explain how to "add" existing drawing files to the repository.
     • Highlight the concept of staging files before committing them.
     • Demonstrate command-line or GUI client commands for adding files. For Git, this would be git add . (to add all files in the current directory).
   • Step 4: Commit Your Changes.
     • Explain what a "commit" is (a snapshot of changes).
     • Stress the importance of writing clear and concise commit messages that describe the changes made.
     • Show how to commit using command-line or GUI clients. For Git, this would be git commit -m "Descriptive commit message".
   • Step 5: Push Your Changes to the Remote Repository (if applicable).
     • Explain the difference between a local and remote repository.
     • Show how to "push" local commits to the remote repository (e.g., on GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket).
     • For Git, this would be git push origin main (or master if using an older repository).
   • Step 6: Basic Workflow – Making Changes and Committing.
     • Describe the typical workflow for making changes to drawings:
       1. Pull the latest version from the repository.
       2. Make necessary changes to the drawing file.
       3. Add the modified file to the staging area.
       4. Commit the changes with a descriptive message.
       5. Push the changes to the remote repository.

4. Best Practices for Source Controlling Drawings

   • File Naming Conventions: Establish a consistent and logical naming convention for drawing files to facilitate easy identification and retrieval.
   • Directory Structure: Organize drawings into a clear and hierarchical directory structure within the repository.
   • Commit Frequency: Encourage frequent, small commits with descriptive messages, rather than large, infrequent commits.
   • Ignoring Unnecessary Files: Use .gitignore (in Git) or similar mechanisms to exclude temporary files, backup files, and other non-essential files from the repository.
   • Branching Strategy: Implement a branching strategy (e.g., Gitflow) to manage different versions, features, and releases of drawings effectively.
   • Collaboration Guidelines: Define clear guidelines for collaboration, including how to handle conflicts, review changes, and merge branches.
   • Large File Storage: Address handling of large drawing files by explaining the use of Git LFS (Large File Storage) or similar solutions when the standard Git functionality is insufficient.

5. Working with Different Drawing File Formats

   • Discuss the challenges of source controlling various drawing file formats (e.g., DWG, DXF, SVG).
   • Explain how to configure source control systems to handle binary files efficiently.
   • Mention tools or techniques for previewing drawing files directly within the source control system or related platforms.

6. Advanced Topics (Optional)

   • Automated workflows using Git hooks or CI/CD pipelines for drawing validation or other tasks.
   • Integration with Project Management Systems.
   • Handling of external references (XREFs) in CAD drawings.
   • Security considerations for source controlling sensitive drawings.

So, give source controlled drawing a shot! It might seem a little daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Plus, no more accidentally overwriting your best work, right? Happy drawing!