Instructions and Rules

Site Rules

1. Our goal is to keep this web site free to registered, active users. We will rely on our sponsors help us keep it that way. To ensure that registered users are uploading details as well as downloading them:

a) A registered user will be required to upload ONE (1) DETAIL EVERY 60 DAYS to remain an ACTIVE member. This will ensure that the site remains fresh and relevant, and should allow for a large number of details to be posted in a short period of time.

b) A registered user can download a maximum of 5 details for every 1 detail that they upload.

2. Registration: Registration is FREE.

a) Firm Registration: If you are an AEC firm with multiple employees you will want to register on the site under only ONE name so that any individual in the company may upload and download details, and those details will count toward the company's upload requirement.

3. Account Status:

a) ACTIVE status: As long as the account is ACTIVE then they will continue to have full access to the site. If those minimums are not met then a user's account will revert to an INACTIVE status.

b) INACTIVE status: An account will be INACTIVE if their upload quota has not been met. When an account is INACTIVE details can no longer be downloaded from the site, but new details may be uploaded. By uploading new details the account will once again be returned to ACTIVE status.

c) GUEST status: if you have not registered on the site then you will be a GUEST. You can browse the site, but will not be able to upload or download details.

4. Our format for uploading details should ensure that details can be quickly and automatically posted to the site, and can be easily viewed and referenced, complete with descriptions and images describing the details, based on the industry standard 16 CSI specification sections, plus a few extra general sections. This may not be the "best" way to locate details that may encompass materials form several CSI sections.

5. Manufacturers and developers are free to advertise their own web sites that contain their own products and details, but they will not be allowed to submit their own proprietary details to the site. Participation on this site must be PEER TO PEER.

6. All details must be the sole property of the persons submitting them (no copyrighted material).

7. Advertisers will be able to advertise on our site's various PAGES, in the LINKS page, and eventually via targeted advertisements.

Instructions

In order to make the site as efficient and useful as possible the information that will be required for each “detail” upload is as follows:

1. Text submitted in English is a plus, but we do not want to exclude users from other countries.

2. ZIP File

a. Only a single .ZIP file will be accepted. The .ZIP file must contain at least the following:

b. A .DXF or .DWG drawing file (within the ZIP file, other CAD program formats are welcome in addition, but a .DXF or .DWG is required as a minimum).

c. If appropriate, a .TXT or .DOC text file describing any relevant information about the detail that you deem appropriate. This might include specific products, or things to watch out for.

d. If desired, photographs of installed conditions. Keep the file size of the pictures to a minimum to keep the ZIP file size compact.

3. CSI Section:

a. Because details usually involve materials from more than one CSI section you will have to determine which CSI section "Best" describes the detail. If you need examples of what goes where, you could try the McGraw-Hill Sweets Catalog web site: http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/sec.asp?TRACKID=&CID=127&DID=6010

4. Detail Title:

a. This is the title that will be shown while users are browsing the details, so make it as specific as possible.

5. Text Descriptions:

a. Short: This is the basic description that will be shown under your detail title while users are browsing the details, so make it as descriptive as possible.

b. Long: This can be a longer description that will be displayed when the user clicks on a detail. Prior to clicking on the ZIP file icon users will see the information about the detail, including the long description that you submit.

6. Thumbnail/Preview .JPG Image:

a. It must be a .JPG format. There is currently no maximum size limit, but 1MB+ files are discouraged. During Step 2 of the upload process a small JPG thumbnail will be created. It will be a common size with all other JPGs displayed on the site. By clicking on that thumbnail a larger window will pop up and display the JPG image at the original size that you submitted.

b. What is a Thumbnail/Preview? It is a small preview picture that will show visitors what your detail looks like. If you have a large or complicated detail you don't need to incluse the whole detail, or even all the lines or text. It's just a "snapshot" to give the viewer the general idea of what the detail is. Here is an example:

c. To save a .JPG bitmap image, with your CAD program open and the detail in the drawing window you can do any of the following:

i. Use the Print Screen button on your keyboard to capture your entire screen.

ii. Now paste the image into a graphics program (Paint, Paint Pro, Adobe Photoshop, etc.). Trim away all of the image except your CAD detail, then save it as .JPG image.

iii. Use a shareware program like SnagIt to capture your CAD detail (Input, Region): http://www.techsmith.com/download/snagittrial.asp)

iv. If you are still having trouble, please feel free to contact us at and we would be happy to try to help.

d. If you forget to upload a thumbnail image during the upload process, or are not prepared to do it at that moment, you can add the thumbnail LATER. Just go to the Download Details page, click on your detail, click on the ZIP file icon (as if you were going to download your own detail). Now you will see an option to Update Thumbnail. Click on it and follow the instructions. You will only see these options if YOU were the one that originally uploaded THAT detai.

Forums

The free ONLINE FORUM will provide an avenue for users to discuss details and other industry topics. Although the site will be unmoderated, it will be monitored for appropriate content. Users who continue to make unprofessional comments, threats or post other inappropriate content will be blocked from the site.

Statement of Liability

No detail submitted or downloaded can be guaranteed to be correct, appropriate or suitable for the task. This is a peer-to-peer site and by downloading any information from the site you do so at your own risk. It is up to you to determine the applicability and suitability of any detail or information. The AEC CAD Exchange is only a conduit for this information and cannot and will not be held responsible for any damages that might result from the application of any details or informatin obtained from the site. Likewise, all details and information submitted to this site is done so with not express or implied warranties as to its applicability or suitability for any purpose. Persons or entities who upload details and information to this site likewise cannot and will not be held responsible for any damages that might result from the application of any details or information uploaded to this site.