Who this is for
Engineering, manufacturing, AEC, IT, and operations buyers with CAD-adjacent workflow debt.
CAD Guardian LLC
Founder-led consulting for Autodesk, Revit, Inventor, Vault, AutoCAD, MicroStation, SolidWorks, PDM/PLM, and the workflow software that keeps drawings, data, and production moving.
In short
CAD Guardian is the implementation path when CAD, PDM, BIM, manufacturing, or engineering data workflows need a scoped fix from someone who can diagnose, build, document, and hand off.
Buyer shortcut
CAD Guardian is not a staffing lane. It is the founder-led consulting path for scoped diagnosis, automation, modernization, and handoff around real engineering systems.
Engineering, manufacturing, AEC, IT, and operations buyers with CAD-adjacent workflow debt.
Manual drawing updates, brittle CAD data, PDM/PLM handoff friction, desktop tool debt, and unclear ownership.
Service lanes, sanitized case studies, process model, and platform-specific automation pages.
Send the blocked workflow, systems involved, users affected, and the decision date for discovery.
Operating model
CAD Guardian should not feel like a gallery of technical fragments. It should help a buyer name the workflow boundary, choose a service lane, understand the delivery process, and decide whether a scoped discovery is worth funding.
Boundary
01CAD, PDM, BIM, manufacturing, desktop software, and data handoff issues are framed as operating problems first.
OpenService
02Start with automation, platform modernization, data movement, governance, or implementation rescue instead of a vague consulting inquiry.
OpenProof
03Case studies and proof routes show capability patterns without exposing private client files, drawings, or source material.
OpenHandoff
04Discovery, implementation, acceptance criteria, documentation, and handoff stay visible from the first conversation.
Open$165/hr
Consulting rate · 24% avg cost savings vs agencies
7+
Enterprise CAD/workflow modernizations
24%
Average cost reduction for clients
Explore CAD Guardian
Buyer lane
This lane exists for Autodesk, MicroStation, SolidWorks, CAD workflow, .NET modernization, and engineering systems buyers who need scope, delivery control, proof, and handoff clarity.
Shared promise
Architecture, code, rollout, and handoff stay accountable to one operator.
TSmithCode.ai
Recruiters and hiring managers
Business-partner positioning, resume, proof, video evidence, compensation posture, availability, and a direct leadership-fit path.
Separate business motion. Use this path only when the opportunity is not the current lane.
CAD Guardian LLC
Engineering and IT buyers
Autodesk, MicroStation, SolidWorks, CAD workflow, .NET desktop modernization, and engineering systems delivered in bounded phases.
Proof note
CAD Guardian LLC applies Autodesk, MicroStation, SolidWorks, and .NET automation through the lens of real conveyor and material-handling drawing-package work: drawings, BOMs, DXF/fabrication outputs, chutes, guarding, support frames, carriers, induction lanes, revisions, metadata, and manufacturing handoff all have to stay trustworthy when software starts moving faster.
Generic workflow map
Drawing package
Conveyor module
Carrier / chute
Guarding / frame
BOM metadata
DXF output
Revision check
Manufacturing handoff
Automation boundary
Derived diagram only: no raw drawings, title blocks, customer names, part numbers, dimensions, or source thumbnails.
Fast-start automation
If the full system feels too broad, start with one practical automation lane. Each option is designed to prove fit, expose risk, and create a useful artifact before a bigger CAD Guardian build.
Lane 01
AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks, or MicroStation automation with brittle API calls, scripts, drawings, exports, BOMs, or deployment dependencies that need triage.
Lane 02
Model, metadata, workbook, and production fields need a first reliable handoff path.
Lane 03
Repeat DWG, IDW, SLDDRW, DGN, PDF, DXF, STEP-style packages still depend on manual open, update, export, rename, and folder work.
Lane 04
Sheet-metal or component exports need assembly traversal, naming rules, and validation checks.
Lane 05
Product families need parameter rules, feature control, title-block updates, or job-specific CAD packaging.
Lane 06
Configurator, quote, BOM, drawing, label, project folder, and shop handoff steps are disconnected.
Lane 07
Excel tables, labels, print ranges, and BOM merges still create avoidable manual work.
Lane 08
Internal WinForms/WPF/CAD add-in tools need safer release, update, feature-toggle, versioning, dependency, and support workflows.
“The person designing the system is the person building it.”
Where to start
Name the AutoCAD, Inventor, Vault, SolidWorks, MicroStation, CAD plugin, AI workflow, desktop app, or data system creating production drag.
Buyer gate 02Choose the closest service lane, then use discovery to turn it into a bounded phase plan.
Buyer gate 03Review how discovery, implementation, weekly reporting, and handoff stay controlled.
Buyer gate 04Check case studies and receipts before starting the inquiry.
Platform breadth
The best fit is CAD automation, data movement, and modernization where AutoCAD, Inventor, Vault, SolidWorks, MicroStation, .NET, SQL, ERP, PDM/PLM, and deployment dependencies have to be scoped together without pretending every host works the same way.
AutoCAD .NET API, AutoLISP modernization, DWG/DXF workflows, title blocks, attributes, standards, and structured-data-to-drawing automation.
Dependencies: C#/.NET, AutoLISP, ObjectARX-adjacent concepts, MSI/MSIX/ClickOnce deployment, SQL/API inputs, drawing test fixtures.
Inventor API, iLogic, parameters, iProperties, assemblies, drawings, BOMs, Pack-and-Go, Content Center, Vault/ADMS governance, lifecycle states, categories, and property controls.
Dependencies: Inventor/Vault SDKs, job processor boundaries, SQL/ERP/BI integration, PDM metadata, Content Center libraries, upgrade rehearsals.
SolidWorks parts, assemblies, drawings, templates, custom properties, drawing archive/search friction, PDM readiness, BOM/DXF/PDF/STEP-style handoff, and manufacturing request intake.
Dependencies: SolidWorks API feasibility, PDM rules, drawing templates, product metadata, ERP/product-data mappings, C#/.NET or VBA where appropriate.
MicroStation workflow modernization, DGN/DWG handoff, CAD standards, plugin migration, document-control boundaries, and ProjectWise-adjacent operating context.
Dependencies: Host-adapter architecture, legacy plugin review, data extraction, file standards, ProjectWise-adjacent metadata, deployment and validation plans.
Cybersecurity posture
CAD Guardian treats security, privacy, and client-source boundaries as part of the project scope: not a policy page afterthought and not something left until production handoff.
Use scoped repo, test-data, CAD, Vault/PDM, SQL, ERP, and cloud access. Prefer MFA/RBAC, named owners, and environment separation before production changes.
Do not publish raw drawings, customer records, part numbers, source paths, connection strings, screenshots, or proprietary business rules. Public proof is sanitized and aggregate.
Treat secrets, dependencies, browser/API input validation, audit logs, CI checks, and deployment rollback as part of the engineering scope, not cleanup after the build.
AI-assisted work stays bounded by client-approved data rules. Private source material, credentials, and proprietary drawings are not sent into tools without an explicit approved boundary.
Get Started
We assess mutual fit, scope the problem, and deliver a written go/no-go recommendation. No commitment beyond this call. Rate applies: $165/hr for approved engagements.
Discovery Call
$50 · 30 minutes. We assess mutual fit, scope the problem, and deliver a written go/no-go recommendation. No commitment beyond this.
Scope & Pricing
You receive a clear proposal with fixed scope, timeline, pricing, and success criteria — a document your team can evaluate internally.
Contract
Simple MSA + Order Form. No multi-year lock-ins. Timelines and deliverables live in a shared project tracker, not buried in legal.
Kickoff & Delivery
Shared roadmap with task owners, weekly check-ins, and a named point of contact. I project-manage delivery the same way I would an internal priority.
Best-Fit Engagements
Move plugins, add-ins, or tooling from one CAD host to another without losing feature parity or disrupting production workflows.
Upgrade Inventor, AutoCAD, MicroStation, or SolidWorks-adjacent add-ins to current API surfaces, resolve version drift, and eliminate compatibility failures that stall deployments.
Solve the "BIM Manager Bottleneck" through robust Revit API automation, C#/.NET Add-ins, parametric data auditing, and enterprise BIM data orchestration.
Extract common UI elements — dialogs, panels, converters, behaviors — into a shared assembly so multiple CAD hosts reuse one tested codebase.
Restructure legacy desktop applications so your team can ship features faster without breaking the workflows your users depend on.
Build rule-driven configurators that enforce engineering standards at the point of design — reducing review cycles and downstream rework.
Automate data extraction from AutoCAD, Inventor, Vault, SolidWorks, MicroStation, CAD models, drawings, and metadata into structured outputs — BOMs, Excel, PDF, DXF, STEP-style handoff, or downstream system feeds.
Modernize drawing request workflows, product metadata, CAD library planning, PDM readiness, archive lookup, and shop-floor reporting without exposing private drawings or product details.
Modernize the path between Inventor models, CAD configurators, quote/RFQ workflows, BOMs, drawing packages, PDFs, DXFs, labels, project folders, lifecycle status, and production handoff without exposing proprietary product logic.
Automate lifecycle transitions, approval routing, and data sync between Vault, PLM, ERP, and reporting systems.
Identify and resolve structural debt — tangled dependencies, missing seams, brittle integrations — before adding features or onboarding more developers.
Map where AI can help, who benefits, what context it needs, which tools it may call, and how outputs will be reviewed before they influence engineering decisions.
Assess access, credentials, data sensitivity, dependency risk, deployment boundaries, and auditability before automation touches CAD files, Vault/PDM records, ERP data, or production workflows.
Migrate from .NET Framework to .NET 8/9 with production-safe sequencing, phased rollout, and zero-downtime cutover planning.
What You Receive
System inventory, risk map, and prioritized recommendation deck your team can act on immediately.
Documented assessment of current boundaries, dependencies, and structural debt with a clear path forward.
A practical map of source data, permissions, retrieval/context, tool access, logs, evaluation checks, and acceptance proof needed before AI-assisted workflow automation can be trusted.
Functional, tested code delivered in bounded sprints — not a months-long black box.
Reusable UI assemblies and shared libraries separated from host-specific code with clean interfaces.
Production-grade code that integrates with your existing CI/CD pipeline, branching strategy, and review process.
Documented risk register with severity, likelihood, and recommended mitigations — updated each sprint.
Clear notes on least-privilege access, private-data handling, secrets, dependency risk, AI-use boundaries, audit logs, and what cannot be published or automated without approval.
Architecture decision records, deployment guides, and operational runbooks your team can maintain independently.
Every milestone includes explicit acceptance criteria, demo, and sign-off before the next phase begins.
Shared project tracker, weekly status reports, and demo cadence — no surprises at delivery.
Capability Stack
CAD Guardian is positioned for the problems that sit between engineering tools, enterprise data, and production teams that cannot pause while software gets rebuilt.
AutoCAD .NET/AutoLISP, Inventor API/iLogic, Vault/ADMS, APS/ACC, MicroStation, SolidWorks API/PDM readiness, add-ins, commands, jobs, and metadata workflows.
WPF/XAML, shared UI assemblies, desktop modernization, and operator-safe screens.
SQL, ERP, PLM/PDM, Power BI, MES/SCADA-context reporting, DWG/DXF/PDF/STEP-style handoff, file generation, exports, and validation routines.
Workflow evidence, retrieval context, permissions, model/tool boundaries, logs, evaluation checks, and reviewable artifacts.
ACC, Forma, Revit/Civil 3D context, Teamcenter/Windchill readiness, document control, permissions, and standards.
Least-privilege access, MFA/RBAC where available, secret hygiene, private-data minimization, audit logs, rollback planning, and approved AI-use boundaries.
Discovery, phased scope, weekly demos, acceptance criteria, and handoff packages.
How We Engage
Paid discovery call to assess mutual fit, understand the real problem, and deliver a written go/no-go recommendation.
Clear proposal with fixed scope, timeline, pricing, and success criteria — a document your team can evaluate internally.
Simple MSA + Order Form. Shared roadmap with task owners, named point of contact, and agreed cadence from day one.
Architecture-led delivery in bounded sprints. Working software increments with demos at each milestone.
Weekly check-ins, decision logs, and risk updates keep stakeholders aligned without meetings that could have been emails.
Acceptance sign-off, documentation package, clean boundaries, and a recommendation for next phase — or a clean exit.
Proof Router
Consulting buyers should not have to read every case study. Start from the system pressure, then open the proof route closest to the first engagement you want CAD Guardian to scope.
Inventor API, CAD configurators, BOMs, PDFs, DXFs, labels, or deployment support
Use when the buyer needs proof that CAD automation can span model parameters, iProperties, assembly traversal, BOM classification, drawing packages, Excel outputs, labels, and handoff.
Best proof
Architectural manufacturing software
Drawing requests, product metadata, PDM readiness, archive search, or shop-floor reporting
Use when the buyer needs confidence that the automation strategy understands real drafting queues, drawing standards, product data, and production-support workflows.
Best proof
Manufacturing CAD + product data
AutoLISP, AutoCAD add-ins, legacy .NET tools, platform-specific APIs, or modernization risk
Use when the buyer needs a safe path through CAD-hosted software, shared UI boundaries, technical debt, runtime validation, and owner-ready handoff.
Best proof
CAD automation modernization
Vault governance, lifecycle states, metadata drift, permissions, or recurring operational errors
Use when the buyer needs proof that workflow automation can reduce repeat issues through governance, property control, lifecycle discipline, and handoff runbooks.
Best proof
Vault and governance receipts
Teamcenter, Windchill, PLM/PDM, engineering change, EBOM/MBOM, UAT, or hypercare readiness
Use when the buyer needs source-system inventory, document control, revision/lifecycle risk, representative workflow tests, and adoption planning before platform rollout.
Best proof
PLM transformation readiness
ACC, BIM 360, Forma, Revit/Civil 3D context, ProjectWise-adjacent records, permissions, or CADD/BIM standards
Use when the buyer needs platform administration, document management, permissions, standards, and migration governance instead of modeling support.
Best proof
AEC/BIM platform administration
Revit API, C#/.NET Add-ins, Dynamo-to-Ribbon migration, BIM data auditing, or sheet setup automation
Use when the buyer needs to solve the "BIM Manager Bottleneck" through robust Revit API automation, automated documentation, and intelligent data orchestration.
Best proof
Revit automation & BIM data
Power BI, MES, ERP, SCADA-context data, production dashboards, OEE-style metrics, or shop-floor reports
Use when the buyer needs CAD, BOM, SQL, ERP/MES context, source ownership, and production reporting to agree before dashboards scale.
Best proof
Manufacturing IT data automation
Proof Signals
Delivered multi-host CAD plugin architecture supporting Inventor and AutoCAD from a single shared UI assembly.
Scoped SolidWorks, AutoCAD, DraftSight, PDM readiness, drawing request, and ERP/product-data automation from real manufacturing CAD queues.
Designed CAD-host boundaries so AutoCAD, Inventor, MicroStation, and SolidWorks-adjacent work can share logic where it is safe and split host APIs where necessary.
Executed phased .NET Framework to .NET 8 migration for production desktop applications without downtime.
Built adapter-based plugin systems that decouple host-specific API calls from shared business logic.
Architected data extraction pipelines from Vault and Inventor into structured reporting and ERP feeds.
Handled private CAD and manufacturing proof as sanitized patterns only: no raw drawings, customer records, source paths, credentials, or proprietary logic in public artifacts.
Designed and shipped standards configurators that reduced engineering review cycles by eliminating non-conforming designs at the point of entry.
Modernized legacy WPF applications with incremental refactoring — no rip-and-replace, no production disruption.
Why CAD Guardian
No hand-off gap. The person designing the system is the person building it. Decisions stick because they are grounded in implementation reality.
AutoCAD, Inventor, Vault, SolidWorks, MicroStation, WPF/XAML, .NET, SQL, ERP, PDM/PLM, and manufacturing handoff — not academic familiarity, but production experience inside real enterprise environments.
Scoped milestones, explicit acceptance criteria, weekly cadence, security/privacy boundaries, and a decision log. Enterprise-safe process without enterprise overhead.
You work directly with the principal. No account manager layer, no junior hand-off, no bait-and-switch.
Every project is structured so you can stop, expand, or redirect after each phase. No lock-in. No sunk-cost traps.
FAQ
FAQ
High-stakes modernization, CAD-hosted workflow tooling, desktop application renewal, Autodesk, MicroStation, SolidWorks, and integration work where architecture and implementation need to stay in the same hands.
Yes. Most engagements start inside an existing codebase. I work with your branching strategy, CI pipeline, and review process — not around them.
Absolutely. Incremental modernization is the default posture. The goal is bounded wins that keep production running, not a high-risk rip-and-replace.
Yes. Most projects begin with a scoped discovery or bounded first sprint. Each phase has its own deliverables and acceptance criteria. You are never locked into the next phase.
That is the core value proposition. Architecture-led delivery means the person designing the system is the same person building it — no hand-off gap.
Weekly check-ins, a shared project tracker, and demo cadence keep stakeholders aligned. At close-out, you receive documentation, clean boundaries, and a handoff package your team can extend.
Yes. AutoCAD, Inventor, and Vault are core strengths, and SolidWorks and MicroStation are also in scope when the engagement is software automation, plugin modernization, data extraction, BOM/model workflow, PDM readiness, host migration, or .NET integration rather than drafting-only support.
CAD Guardian scopes security and privacy before implementation: least-privilege access, MFA/RBAC where available, no secrets in code, sanitized proof, dependency awareness, input validation, audit logs, rollback planning, and clear rules for whether AI tools may touch client material.
Yes. Public case studies and proof blocks use sanitized patterns only. Raw CAD files, drawings, title blocks, customer records, order data, part numbers, server paths, connection strings, screenshots, and proprietary logic stay out of public content and are handled only inside the agreed engagement boundary.
AI is an accelerator, not the owner. CAD Guardian uses best-fit cloud and local model workflows where they help with research, code scaffolding, test generation, documentation, media or artifact preparation, and workflow reasoning. Architecture, data access, validation, acceptance criteria, and handoff remain human-led.
Useful intelligence needs clean source data, retrieval context, permissions, tool access, logs, evaluation checks, and outputs people can inspect. The model is only one part of the system.
Remote-first by default. All delivery is managed through shared project tooling with documented cadence. On-site visits can be arranged for kickoffs or critical milestones when justified.
That is normal. The paid discovery call exists specifically to turn a rough idea into a clear go/no-go recommendation with enough structure to move forward or walk away confidently.
Start with a paid discovery call. You get a written go/no-go recommendation — no commitment beyond that.
Services
Process
Revit