File Naming system

To keep your project and project files organized a good file naming system in essential. Here is the system I have used for my office. I have revised and refined it specifically for architectural projects but I have applied it to the my graphic design work.

The system is based on having two types of drawing files on a project, Composite drawing files sometimes refereed to sheet files and Reference Drawing Files. It is also based on using Autodesk AutoCad software. I have used a variation of this system for AutoDesk Revit as well as Sketch-up.

Composite files are the files that are typically plotted or printed out. These are the files where the drawing sheet is composed. It will have the notes and dimensions as well as the graphic content of a drawing. The graphic content may be referenced from a reference file.

The reference files are where the graphic information is drawn. Typically notes and dimensions are not on these files.

The following is a guide to organize your file naming.

Composite drawing files – aabbc000.xxx (.xxx=file extension)

aa = Project abbreviations derive from project title or client
Abbreviate names to three letter combinations.
(Record must be kept of what abbreviations mean.)
bb = Last 2 digits of project number
or
aabb = 4 digit project number
aa = last two digits of the year
bb = Last 2 digits of project number
c = Drawing group

A = architectural
C = Civil
E = Electrical
M = Mechanical
S = Structural
L = Landscape/Site
F = Furnishing
Q = Equipment
K=Kitchen Process

Reference drawing files - aabbcc00.xxx
aa & bb same as composite
cc = group

si = Site base
fp = floor plan base
elev=elevation base
sec=section base
gr = structural grid
cp = ceiling plan
ff = furniture
eq = equipment