Onboarding Quick Start Links

Related Documents: Engineering Roles & Core Competencies Engineer Progression Framework Project Delivery Overview Glossary

Essential links and resources for new Engineering Department team members. Wondering how Engineer I → II works? Read the Engineer Progression Framework.

Training Videos

Rhino Setup

Templates and Resources

  • Rhino v8 (Tabloid layouts) template: Box.com Link
  • ’Gotham’ font family: Box.com Link
  • Rhino Grasshopper ‘CWK/DFW Engineering Toolkit’: Box.com Link
  • Required plugins: Box.com Link
  • Display modes (.ini files): Available in the Engineering Resources folder on Box
  • BOM Template: Available on Box (Engineering Resources)
  • WC Drawing Template: Available on Box (Engineering Resources)
  • PA Release Stamps: Available on Box (synced to Bluebeam stamps folder)

How do I install Rhino 8 and transfer settings from Rhino 7?

Use OptionsExport in Rhino 7 and OptionsImport in Rhino 8 to migrate your settings. You can also copy selected files from %AppData%\McNeel\Rhinoceros\<version>\settings. Note that some settings do not transfer across major versions — re-import display modes and verify plugin compatibility after migration.

How do I install required Rhino plugins via Package Manager?

Run PackageManager in Rhino 8. Install all required plugins from the department’s requirements list (see Box link above). The toolkit will fail to launch if required plugins are missing. Keep automatic plugin updates enabled unless IT directs otherwise.1

How do I set up Synapse for the Engineering Toolkit?

After installing Synapse via Package Manager, load Synapse RCP once: Rhino Options → Plug-ins → find Synapse RCP → right-click → Load Plug-in. The Synapse panel must be in the foreground before launching Grasshopper and opening the toolkit. See Engineering Toolkit (Setup) for full details.

How do I import the department’s custom display modes?

File → Properties → View → Display Modes → Import → select .ini files from the Engineering Resources folder on Box. Standard display modes:

Mode Use Case
Monochrome Plans, elevations, parallel details. Clean silhouette. May require raster output.
Arctic with Outlines Sections, isometrics, section details.
Pen Vector output, no hidden lines. Clean line drawings.
Technical Vector output with hidden lines (light gray). Use Bluebeam color processing for black visible lines.

Project-specific display modes live in 00_Lead_Project_Eng/_Shared_Display_Modes.

How do I install the Gotham font family?

Download from Box (see link above). Install system-wide (right-click → Install for all users).

How do I set up Bluebeam release stamps?

  1. Sync the stamps folder from Box (Engineering Team folder).
  2. In Bluebeam: Tools → Stamp → Change Stamp Folder → select the synced folder.
  3. Use Bluebeam grid snaps for alignment when placing stamps.
  4. Stamps are formatted for the “Production Notes” area (upper-right corner of the drawing template).

How do I configure Rhino backup and autosave settings for Box?

  • Turn off Rhino’s .bak sidecar backups if your workflow uses Box (avoids clutter).
  • Keep autosave on. Optionally relocate the autosave path.
  • Leave file locking enabled — it helps detect when another user has a file open.
Related: FE Workflow - Engineering Toolkit Usage Rhino Drafting and Layouts

Suggested Reading Order

A structured path through the wiki for new engineers. Adapt timing to your pace and role.

Week 1: Orientation & Context

  1. Engineering Manifesto — Department values and beliefs
  2. Engineering Roles — Understand your role and responsibilities
  3. Project Delivery Overview — How a project flows through Engineering
  4. Scheduling Chain — How dates drive operations
  5. Purchasing Signal Chain — What triggers material purchasing
  6. Glossary — Terms, codes, and acronyms (bookmark for reference)

Week 2: Tools & Environment

  1. This page (Onboarding Quick Start) — Complete all Rhino and Epicor setup
  2. Folder Structure — Where files live on Box
  3. Epicor Usage — Epicor overview and dashboards
  4. Multi-Site Operations — CWK/DFW site switching
  5. Time Entry — Toggl + Epicor time tracking

Week 3: Modeling & Standards

  1. Layer Organization — Layer structure and naming
  2. Material Modeling — Solid bodies, thickness, edgebanding
  3. Modeling Techniques — Scribes, Named Positions, referencing
  4. Reference Tables — File naming, cleanup commands, sheet sizes, drill sizes

Week 4: FE Workflow

  1. FE Getting Started — Assignments and project setup
  2. Design Engineering Phase — DE phase workflow
  3. Engineering Toolkit — Setup, drafting, and modeling tabs
  4. Part Naming — Naming conventions and toolkit usage
  5. Shipping Components — SC creation and export
  6. Takeoffs — Auto-BOM and nesting

Week 5+: Drafting, Release & Advanced

  1. Rhino Drafting Standards — Layout structure, sections, hatches, printing
  2. Submittal Review — Three-folder review cycle
  3. Material Transmittal — TRA log
  4. BOM Procedures — BOM validation and Epicor upload
  5. Approvals Process — PA approval workflow
  6. FE to PE Release — Checklist and release procedure
  7. Solid Wood Components — WC workflow
  8. Engineer Progression Framework — How advancement works

Important Links - Epicor

Epicor Access and Resources

Related: Epicor Usage in Engineering Time Entry

Engineering Department Calendar

Primary Troubleshooting Contacts

When you need help with specific systems or tools:

  • Epicor: @Fernando Saucedo
  • Rhino Template: @Gian Anovert
  • Microsoft Account: @JPMerc Support
  • GH Toolkit: @Caleb Marhoover

Microsoft Teams Channels

Engineering Channels

  • Engineering General: [Engineering General Engineering Microsoft Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3A5e5d7627034f431ab0e0fadd79d1cada%40thread.tacv2/Engineering%20General?groupId=f16aaf66-25cc-45e5-bbc2-a509084d3fef&tenantId=b628c2c4-2783-44e3-be45-7175c147108d&ngc=true)

Release Channels

  • FE to PE Releases: [FE to PE Releases Releases and Requests Microsoft Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3Af18e835cfa85453488440493f348b2cc%40thread.tacv2/FE%20to%20PE%20Releases?groupId=f7b33eed-e1f9-489d-82c9-072a70bfb5c1&tenantId=b628c2c4-2783-44e3-be45-7175c147108d)
  • PE to Shop Releases: [PE to Shop Releases Production Microsoft Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3A529a28ca1bfa4a65a06ddc54a9a7d3e6%40thread.tacv2/PE%20to%20Shop%20Releases?groupId=ab06ae12-f467-48d9-b9f8-e04ddc4d917a&tenantId=b628c2c4-2783-44e3-be45-7175c147108d&ngc=true)

Request Channels

  • Job Requests: [Job Requests Releases and Requests Microsoft Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3A3beb722a6dd343ec8deec4c5e9dc1e12%40thread.tacv2/Job%20Requests?groupId=f7b33eed-e1f9-489d-82c9-072a70bfb5c1&tenantId=b628c2c4-2783-44e3-be45-7175c147108d)
  • Part Requests: [Part Requests Releases and Requests Microsoft Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3Acb7a4d5df99e473d87f8555bd25a03f8%40thread.tacv2/Part%20Requests?groupId=f7b33eed-e1f9-489d-82c9-072a70bfb5c1&tenantId=b628c2c4-2783-44e3-be45-7175c147108d)

Epicor Channel

  • **Engineering Epicor (Kinetic Implementation)**: [Engineering Epicor (Kinetic Implementation) Microsoft Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3A7f519182095a41529623c7ae044979ac%40thread.tacv2/Engineering?groupId=4ce1955e-bf7b-4333-b81f-316330816b47&tenantId=b628c2c4-2783-44e3-be45-7175c147108d&ngc=true)

Microsoft Teams Apps

Related: Approvals Process

Box.com Setup

Box Drive Desktop Integration

Use Box Drive desktop integration to navigate through the directories:

Relocate Box Local File Path

In order for the whole team to share direct File Explorer links, we have adopted a custom C:\BoxSync\ path outside of the user home folder.

Configuration: This Box support article explains the process. Requires setting a Windows registry key: Configuring the Default Box Drive Folder Location (Windows Only)

Related: Folder Structure & File Management

Footnotes

  1. Source: Training Video — “Rhino 8 Kickoff Pt I” ↩

74 pages · 845 sections