Sound familiar?
- The manufacturer wants a STEP file and all you have is a sketch on paper
- Your only copy of an old part drawing is a faded scan nobody can edit
- The laser cutter keeps asking for a 'clean DXF' and you are not sure what that means
- You have a product idea but no way to show a factory what it should look like
- Quotes come back wildly different because the drawing leaves too much open to interpretation
- Your in-house engineer is overloaded and the drawing backlog keeps growing
Key facts
- CAD design time is £45 an hour + VAT; defined jobs get a fixed quote first
- Files delivered in the formats your supplier asks for: DWG, DXF, STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ, 3MF and PDF
- Engineering drawings laid out to BS 8888 and the ISO 128 series, first angle projection unless you need third
- Parametric 3D models with a clean feature tree, so later changes are quick
- Work done remotely from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, for clients across the UK
- dijitul has been trading since 2006
What our CAD design service covers
CAD (computer-aided design) is how an idea becomes something a workshop, factory or builder can make without guessing. At dijitul media we handle the whole range of everyday CAD work for small manufacturers, fabricators, inventors, product start-ups and property businesses. Each area has its own page with more detail:
- 2D CAD drafting: layouts, schematics and redrawn sketches as DWG and DXF.
- 3D CAD modelling: parts and assemblies, exported as STEP for your supplier.
- Technical drawings: dimensioned, toleranced manufacturing drawings to BS 8888.
- Product design: from first sketch to a prototype-ready model.
- Sheet metal and fabrication drawings: bend data, flat patterns and weld drawings.
- Design for 3D printing: models built around FDM, SLA or SLS limits.
- 3D rendering and visualisation: realistic images before anything is made.
- Floor plans: clear plans for estate agents, landlords and fit-outs.
- CAD conversion: PDFs, scans and paper drawings turned into editable CAD.
File formats: which one does your supplier need?
The wrong file format is the most common reason a CAD job stalls. Here is what each format is for, so you can tell us what the person at the other end has asked for.
| Format | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| DWG | AutoCAD's native 2D and 3D drawing format | Drawings for architects, builders and engineers |
| DXF | Open exchange format for 2D geometry | Laser, plasma, waterjet and CNC router cutting |
| STEP (.stp) | Neutral 3D solid format (ISO 10303) | Sending 3D parts to machine shops and toolmakers |
| IGES (.igs) | Older neutral format, good with surfaces | Legacy systems that cannot read STEP |
| STL | Triangle mesh with no units or colour | 3D printing |
| 3MF | Modern print format that keeps units, colour and settings | 3D printing where STL loses information |
| OBJ | Mesh with texture support | Visualisation, games, AR and some printing |
A STEP file carries real solid geometry, so a machinist can measure and program from it. An STL is only a surface of triangles: fine for printing, poor for machining or editing. If you are unsure, ask your supplier for their preferred format and version, and we will export to match.
Standards we draw to
UK manufacturing drawings normally follow BS 8888, the British framework standard for technical product documentation. The current edition, BS 8888:2020 (according to BSI), points to the ISO standards behind it, including the ISO 128 series for line types, views and sections. In practice that means consistent line weights, correctly placed section views, a projection symbol in the title block, stated general tolerances and clear revision control.
UK and European drawings usually use first angle projection; North American suppliers expect third angle. Both are valid as long as the symbol is shown, and getting it wrong mirrors your views, so tell us if your parts are being made overseas. Where a fit or a flat face really matters, we add geometric tolerancing (GD&T) rather than tightening every dimension, because tight tolerances everywhere just raise the price of every part.
How a CAD job works with dijitul
- Send what you have. Sketches, photos, measurements, an old drawing, a competitor sample or a supplier's request. Email works, or use our quote form.
- We agree the output. Which files, which standard, which units, and what the drawing must control. For a defined job you get a fixed price; open-ended work is booked at £45 an hour + VAT.
- We model and draw. You get PDFs or screenshots to check at sensible points, not a surprise at the end.
- Hand-over. Native and neutral files, named and revision-numbered so you and your supplier always know which is current.
Read more about how we work.
What CAD design costs
All CAD work at dijitul media is charged at £45 an hour + VAT. A single simple bracket drawing may take an hour or two; a multi-part product assembly with a drawing pack takes much longer. When the brief is clear, we quote a fixed price instead, so you know the total before we start. Supplier-ready files are included; 3D printing, prototyping and manufacture are not, and are paid to your chosen supplier. See all our prices.
If you are a manufacturer looking for wider help with brochures, datasheets and product photos as well as drawings, see design for manufacturers.
What you get
- Native CAD files plus neutral exports (STEP AP214 or AP242, IGES on request)
- 2D drawings as DWG and DXF, with a dimensioned PDF for checking and sign-off
- Flat patterns as 1:1 DXF for laser, plasma or waterjet cutting
- STL or 3MF files for 3D printing
- Rendered images as PNG or JPG for sales and approval
- A revision-controlled drawing set with your title block
How it works and what it costs
Logos from £150, brochures from £295, photography from £295 a half day and CAD at £45 an hour, all + VAT. You get a fixed price before we start.
Tell us the brief
What it is for, who will see it, where it will be used and any examples you like. Rough is fine.
Fixed price
We confirm the price and what you get, in writing, before any work starts.
First designs
We design, shoot or model it and share the first version for your comments.
Refine
We make the changes, check every detail, and prepare the files properly for print, web or manufacture.
Final files
You get the finished files in the formats you need, ready for your printer, website, social channels or manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does CAD design cost in the UK?
dijitul media charges £45 an hour + VAT for 2D and 3D CAD work. For a clearly defined job, such as a set of part drawings or a flat pattern, we give you a fixed quote first, so the price does not move unless the brief changes.
Which CAD software do you use?
We work in industry-standard tools and deliver files that open in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Fusion, Inventor, SketchUp and most CAM software. What matters more is the export format: tell us whether your supplier wants DWG, DXF, STEP, IGES, STL or 3MF and which version, and we will match it.
Can you work from a hand sketch?
Yes. A sketch with key dimensions, a few photos and a note of what the part attaches to is often enough. Where something is missing or does not add up, we ask rather than guess, because a wrong assumption on a drawing becomes a wrong part in the workshop.
Do you work with clients outside Nottinghamshire?
Yes. dijitul is based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, but CAD work is done remotely, so location makes no difference. Files, sketches and mark-ups move by email, and we can talk through a drawing on a video call or by phone on 01623 650333.
Who owns the CAD files?
Once the job is paid, the files we create for you are yours to use, change and send to any supplier. We hand over native files as well as neutral exports, so you are not tied to us for future changes. We agree this in writing before starting.
Will you sign an NDA?
Yes. Many product and engineering clients ask for a non-disclosure agreement before sharing an idea, and that is sensible. Send yours over, or ask us for a simple mutual NDA, and we will sign it before you send any confidential drawings.
Related
Get a fixed price
Send a rough brief. You'll know exactly what it costs before we start.