Spent a whole day drafting a 3D model of a shed, only to find the client wanted a 2D sketch.

Got a call from a guy in Tacoma who said he needed full plans for a backyard shed. I spent eight hours in SolidWorks, got all the details perfect. Sent him the files and he called back confused, saying he just wanted a simple pencil drawing on graph paper to show his HOA. He said, 'I thought you drafters just drew lines.' Ever have a client completely misunderstand what you do?

3 comments

3 Comments

wendy6741mo ago

Understand the client's point of view here. They likely have no idea what software like SolidWorks even is, and just needed a simple picture for a permit. The fault lies in not having a clear talk about the deliverable before starting. Sethc12's client with the coloring book comment shows this is a common gap in understanding. It's our job to ask the right questions upfront to avoid wasted work. Assuming they need a full 3D model is just as much a mistake as them assuming we only draw lines. Better communication would have saved that whole day.

sethc121mo ago

My last client thought 3D modeling was just fancy coloring books.

matthew_owens919d ago

Man that hits home. I had a client ask me to "move a wall" in a 3D render like it was a sticker. They wanted it done in five minutes for free. Another one got the final files and called them "the pretty pictures," asking where the real blueprints were. It's like they see the shiny final image and have no clue about the math and structure underneath.