This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to generate tree plans using computer-aided design software.

The unit applies to individuals who work in arboriculture and analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has produced plans using computer-aided design software and calculated and plotted tree protection zones (TPZ) for at least 20 trees and 10 encroachments across two different sites.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

confirmed project requirements for drawings

identified drawing requirements, purpose and scope, and confirmed with client

prepared computer-aided design (CAD) software ready for drawing, including:

prepared the computer desktop user interface

determined the layering strategy for components

identified and selected component libraries

selected text and dimension styles according to workplace style guide

selected line types and weights

selected hatch patterns and types

set up title blocks for drawing sizes

set up reference schedules

used two-dimensional (2D) CAD software program and functions to produce drawings using layers for different components. The tree protection CAD plan must contain:

TPZ

structural root zone (SRZ)

encroachments

imported digital text and drawing files from other software applications

scanned and saved documents in digital format for import into 2D CAD drawings

reviewed, edited and deleted incongruous elements

recorded notes to drawings

identified and applied dimensioning and scale to drawings

identified and applied tree symbols with precision. Drawing must provide the following differentiations:

trees to be retained

trees to be removed

trees to be transplanted

calculated areas of TPZ, SRZ and encroachments

checked the drawing for accuracy and quality

set page layout on printer, including:

scale

line weights

set print parameters for the printer, including:

page size and paper quality

output print quality (fast, draft, best)

created file storage directories according to workplace file management procedures

named and saved drawing files to file directories according to workplace file management procedures and naming convention

created drawing files and sent to external personnel for use in different software applications

created exportable files for CAD software and document readers.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

interpretations and planning of drawing needs for arboriculture projects, including:

types of drawings used in arboriculture

content and purpose of drawings

use of drawings and importance of accuracy

planning the design and drawing project

sources of information for drawing development, including:

project personnel

site visits and survey plans

digital images and aerial photography

basic principles of 2D CAD drawing, including:

2D CAD software programs available

CAD drawing tools

principles of layers and a layering strategy

CAD libraries and standard detail and components

selecting and using fonts and styles in business and drawings

selecting and setting dimension size and styles

line types, thickness and colour as a means to communicate and differentiate design elements

entering text and notations into CAD drawings

setting and maintaining accuracy in CAD drawings

basic tools and setup of a CAD drawing program, including:

preparing the CAD desktop and user interface

CAD drawing tools, their use and menu options

preparing page layout for drawing size

selecting hatch patterns, fill and colour

creating and using title blocks

use of style guides in maintaining quality and standards for organisations

adding, editing and changing CAD components in drawings, including:

drawing lines, shapes and polygons

editing and deleting lines, text and shapes

joining and breaking lines and shapes

adding and editing text

plotting and positioning trees and other symbols

entering and positioning dimensions

quality control check and document control

page layout and standard size paper, including:

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) paper sizes and use in Australia

standard file formats for drawings and file exchange between CAD software

standard file formats for conversion of drawings for document sharing

saving computer files, file directories and storage media, including:

methods of saving files

file retrieval and backup

importing and exporting files

organisational standards for naming, filing and file security

scanning and importing documents and graphics into CAD software

plan printers, plan plotters and printing requirements, including:

print page size

media type

print quality

calculating and plotting TPZ, SRZ and encroachments.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

two arboriculture work sites with trees as stipulated in the performance evidence, or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

resources, equipment and materials:

computer with 2D CAD software, symbols libraries for architecture and arboriculture

digital scanner

plan printers and/or plotters

specifications:

workplace safety policies and procedures for CAD drawing standards and file conventions

current drawing standards for page sizes and drawing conventions

relationships:

client.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Arboriculture (ARB)