n the community of 3 dimensional modelling, are Shop
Drawings still used? Absolutely! There isn't any a different way to effectively transfer information on the design/detail end for the shop floor. Some Fabrication Shops are using a lot more 'robotic' capabilities, but they are few and far between. There are machines out there that may of course cut, drill, weld and prep virtually anything, but very little is effective at assembling. Assuming that this continues there will also be a need for a
Drawing detailer/designer. Shop Drawing and detailing has evolved a lot over the past 20 years. It used to be an 'art' form using drafting tables, electric pencil sharpeners and shavings brushes. Right now it's the computer mouse along with a monitor and higher powered software such as Auto CAD, Tekla Structures, SDS2, Auto Desk Revit, Auto Desk Inventor and every other Auto Desk product.