ARCHITECT: HOW TO MERGE SEVERAL .PDF FILES INTO A SINGLE .PDF FILE WITH MANY PAGES

by Kosi Emmanuel Chukwujindu

Architects in dealing with distant clients are often requested to send and receive drawings through or over the internet. these drawings may be pictures, .dwg or .pdf files. pdiles are however the most widely used formats for several reasons. This is due to its light weight, versatility, non-edit-ability (in some cases). Compared to the .dwg, .jpeg or any other file formats,  the .pdf file format has come to be known as the business file format.

This post is dedicated to teach the Architect how to convert a CAD drawing (.dwg) file into a  .pdf file as well as how to merge these .pdf files into one in case this is required.

Lesson 1: How to save a drawing from AutoCad as .pdf

Step 1: Open the drawing file on your AutoCad workspace.

Step 2: go to file - print - under plotter select .dwg to .pdf plotter (How to install PDF plotter) if its not found in your list of plotters.

Step 3: select desired paper size iI.e a4, a 3 or other.

Step 4: using the window tool marquee the drawing from your model workspace and cluck preview to see how it is positioned on paper.

Step 5: click OK and set save folder for the new .PDF file. You may repeat the process to create several sheets of your drawing eg floorplan, elevation, sections e.t.c.

LESSON 2: HOW TO MERGE MULTIPLE .PDF FILES INTO ONE WITH MANY PAGES

Once you have finished saving those different drawings as different .PDF files, you can either send them individually or merge them into one .PDF file. This has the advantage that the mail you will be sending to your client will be compact and scrollable as against the open- view-close, open - view - close .....method of viewing single .pdf files.

Step1: (dont laugh) please dont bother touring the web scavenging for apps that promise the whole world and deliver nothing. Just download an app called "PDF merger" (from playstore) on your android phone. You may also find it under the name "PDF Utils"

Step 2: once you have this simple but very efficient app installed on your desktop you can copy all the  pdf files to your phone using your usb cable.

Step 3: open the app interface and add the files which you need to merge and click merge.

Step 4: specify the file name and save location.

Step 5: you are done!

PROJECT ARCHITECT - RESOLVING STAFF CONFLICTS ON SITE

by Kosi Emmanuel Chukwujindu

SAT. 21-02-15

Today there was a fight at the site. An Ibo worker fell out with an Hausa worker. The Ibo worker was working on the site for the first time after a long while. He was brought in by the site foreman. He was asked to construct the form work for one roof beam in the fourth line because our resident carpenter was absent on that day.  The Hausa worker was a mason; one of our most loyal. He would do whatever he was asked to do with smiles and never complained about anything other than wage related issues.

He was rounding off his block work, when the counting supervisor came to record his work. The Ibo man who had finished his roof-beam, and so was feeling good about himself came over and joined in counting the blocks. Jos, as the Hausa guy was popularly called, asked him to please not count his blocks as it was not his duty. He had no right to count blocks, there was a designated supervisor who handled that. The Ibo man, failed to listen and in fact insisted on doing the same. This led to a rough exchange of abuses, and ignited a bloody fight between the two.

AUTOCAD 2014; WORKSPACE SWITCHING

by kosi Emmanuel Chukwujindu

Launching the new AUTOCAD 2014 interface was a great experience. it looked and felt fresh. I hadn't used a latest version software recently. my last was autocad 2012 but I had to revert to 2010, when I experienced some sluggishness in paning and zooming functions...smh!

Just YEsterday, my Autocad 2010 wont open. When I tried, it displayed the following error message:

"the application has failed to start because its side by side configuration is incorrect. please see the application event log or.....bla bla bla!!"

I hadnt used the app in a long while, so I was thrown off when I saw this. But as usual I went online, Thanks to google, I found some Autocad user forum where someone suggested the solution could be uninstalling and re-installing a program called microsoft  c++ redistributable. I ran this by my local system administrator, he didnt know anything about it, rather he advised me to simply install AUTO CAD 2014 and do my work.

AUTOCAD 2014 - Autocad Classic Workspace

When we eventually did, the first time screen looked strange. I was uncomfortable with the new positions of the tools. I loved my previous classic workspace back at 2010. I had a bit of trouble finding the switch. but I did and here above is a  screenshot from my beautiful Autocad 2014-classic workspace. I think it looks amazing!! The red circle near the down right corner in the image points to where YOU can also find and switch yours.

ARCHITECT?...HAS YOUR HP PAVILION G6 KEYBOARD STOPPED WORKING?

by Kosi Emmanuel Chukwujindu 

HP-PAVILLION G6, KEYPAD LOCKED

might sound funny but, it happened to me.  first I thought it was a joke, I tried typing  harder, till i was hitting the keys hard and it still wasn't working. Then it occured to me there was a problem. 

what was it? 

someone had been trying out wrong passwords on the system which apparently locked the keyboard as a defense mechanism - The day before , I had left my PC in the care of a neighbor who was visiting with his younger brother. In my absence, the kid was the culprit.

I went online and found a gracious blog where the problem had been solved and documented. I tried it exactly how it was prescribed and it worked. 

click here for information on how to solve "HP PAVILION G6 KEYBOARD STOPPED WORKING" problem.

NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAM - ARCHITECT

by Kosi Emmanuel Chukwujindu

from right: Geometrix studio head aikay,kosi, anele, mamman salaudeen

The one year national youth service program NYSC - is an initiative by the federal government of Nigeria to help integrate graduates of the country into the workforce. It requires the graduate to serve the nation under any parastatal of the government at a state other  than that of his origin for a period of 12 months. This interstate arrangement ensures that young people from different ethnic backgrounds mix-up, exchange and learn social values.

Asides this sociological dimension, there is also an economic implication to this. During the service year,  the young graduates are subjected to rigorous enterpreneur training programs which aim at imbibing the need to be self employed as a remedy to the un-employment rocking the nation. 

For graduates of Architecture, who want to pursue a career in the field, the service year is a time to gain relevant experience in the profession. One should endeavour to get into an insightful Architecture firm where he can build a future after the service year.

I was attatched to Geometrix consultants and builders ltd. Abuja during my service year. It was a very educating experience. I had the opprtunity to participate in two MAJOR projects The first is the ENSIBUM market; Enugu where I took active part in the design stage, presentation, and now the construction. The second is the Oranto international hotel project Enugu. This particular project afforded me the opportunity to meet a very influential politial figure - Chief Dr. Arthur Eze. He was interested in investing in the hospitality industry and Geometrix was priviledged to be his consultants. with guidance of my principal consultant Arc Uche J. Uche, I developed the initial deaign concept and produced the renderings for the presentation. I accompanied him to the said presentation and am still involved in its construction as the assistant project cordinator.

Generally, my service year was full of  enlightening experiences. I attended a lot of meetings  with my principal and some alone. I collaborated with project Engineers on site, surveyors and artisans. The pay was argood. I also started my own: MealsWorth Restaurant & Bar. and I thank almighty God for all this, I know his hand is in my sucess and he has more in store for me.

For the younger ones coming up  and planning to make a good time out of their service year, I say be dilligent, keep working smart, and trust in God. he wont fail you!