- AutoCAD
- AutoLISP
- C#/.NET
- ObjectARX
- Navisworks
- Unity
- PROCAD
- AutoPLANT
Don Grout
AutoCAD Developer
403-660-5542
dongrout@yahoo.com
www.linkedin.com/in/dongrout
Technologies
Skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Adaptable, flexible, and quick to learn
- Effective team player and independent worker
Experience
AutoCAD Software Developer
Sole developer for PROCAD 2D, leading new feature development, legacy system maintenance, client-specific customization, software licensing (CrypKey), and installation workflows (InstallShield). Automated build and deployment processes using SourceSafe, developed SQL-driven 3D metadata tools for AutoCAD, and created an OpenGL-based 3D viewer to enhance component visualization. Improved drafting workflows by building custom dialogs, model templating systems, reporting tools, batch plotting automation, and overnight drawing cleanup operations. Designed AutoLISP and custom commands to standardize and accelerate drafting tasks across projects.
Later provided CAD customization and support services, including maintaining and configuring AutoCAD and third-party applications (PROCAD, Bentley AutoPlant, ProStructures), standardizing project environments, streamlining drafting workflows with custom commands and templates, automating nightly model updates for Navisworks integration, delivering user training sessions, writing detailed documentation, and managing software installations and updates across drafting teams.
Unity Apps Developer
Designed and implemented 3D home modeling features, enabling users to build custom houses with modular rooms. Developed intuitive wall creation/editing tools for straight, sloped, and curved walls, and improved door/window placement with drag-and-drop functionality. Updated UI for streamlined furniture browsing, integrating manufacturer catalogs into a user-friendly interface.
The Most Amazing...
Professional Roles
-
AutoCAD Software Developer
- Sole developer for PROCAD 2D, responsible for designing new features, maintaining legacy code, providing user support, and customizing solutions tailored to client needs through a secure keycode system.
- Managed licensing with CrypKey and installation workflows with InstallShield; automated builds and distribution by integrating SourceSafe versioning, compilation, and installer creation.
- Developed metadata-driven modeling tools to import and visualize SQL database components directly in AutoCAD, collaborating closely with the 3D piping software team.
- Created a standalone and AutoCAD-integrated 3D viewer using OpenGL, enhancing visualization of complex model components.
- Built a custom Open Drawing Dialog system to organize project files with visual previews, improving navigation across large drawing repositories.
- Designed model templating tools to copy previous projects, reposition models, and automatically update labels and tags for rapid project setup.
- Developed reporting tools capable of scanning hundreds of drawings and generating engineering reports from extracted data.
- Automated plotting processes by dynamically determining pen settings, page layouts, and inserting/removing client-specific stamps based on project metadata; included batch plotting support.
- Implemented an overnight processing system that cleaned models (purged unused layers, reset settings), generated updated Navisworks walkthroughs, and uploaded progress files to client FTP sites.
- Created a suite of custom AutoLISP and native commands to automate repetitive drafting tasks, improving efficiency and ensuring compatibility with future AutoCAD versions.
- Maintained a corporate block library with embedded placement rules to ensure all inserted elements complied with drafting standards for layer control and orientation.
-
AutoCAD Systems Management & Support
- Provided support for AutoCAD and third-party CAD applications such as PROCAD, Bentley AutoPlant, and ProStructures.
- Customized, configured, and maintained CAD systems to uphold consistent standards and settings across projects.
- Organized the CAD environment, including project folder structures and networked file systems.
- Standardized company-wide custom menus, layering systems, block libraries, and plotting procedures.
- Developed and maintained custom commands to streamline and simplify drafting workflows.
- Implemented a templating system to accelerate model creation for similar projects.
- Built an automated nightly system to clean AutoCAD models and generate updated Navisworks plant models.
- Designed and conducted training sessions on custom AutoCAD tools and workflows.
- Authored detailed documentation and work instructions to support end users and promote consistency.
- Installed and updated CAD software across drafting workstations.
-
AutoCAD Drafter
- Drafted cable tray, lighting, power, grounding, and MCC layouts in plan views, elevations, and detailed drawings for the Electrical Department.
- Provided drafting support for the Mechanical, Piping, Structural, and Geotechnical departments as needed.
- Maintained standard layering practices and utilized externally referenced (xref) drawings to ensure consistency across projects.
- Contributed to a range of unique projects, including hotel floor plans, dam cut-and-fill calculations, and optimizing cutting layouts for a faceted diamond-shaped roof.
- Performed precision calculations to determine the center of gravity for a container drop test, resulting in a successful balance on its corner before tipping as intended.
-
Graphical Interface Developer
- Modernized graphical user displays by converting legacy SCADA system screens to updated platforms.
- Imported old screens into Catalyst's Myriad application, retagged dynamic elements, and exported them to AutoCAD for cleanup and final translation into the OASyS DNA system.
- Developed tools to automate the process, including a screen-scanning utility that generated detailed reports and custom AutoCAD commands to streamline cleanup tasks.
- Implemented batch processing workflows to accelerate large-scale screen conversions and reduce manual effort.
Employment History
| UbiSim | |
|---|---|
| Unity VR Developer | Dec 2020 to Apr 2025 Montreal, QC (remote) |
| ICOM Productions | |
|---|---|
| Unity & Unreal VR Developer | May 2018 to Apr 2020 Calgary, AB |
| Picture This Today | |
|---|---|
| Unity Developer | Apr 2017 to Aug 2019 Victoria, BC (remote) |
| Integrated Geomatics | |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD Software Developer | Jan 2017 to Jun 2018 Calgary, AB |
| Accalia Accounting Ltd. | |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Windows Developer | Jun 2016 to Aug 2016 Calgary, AB |
| Vista-Mustang JV Corporation | |
|---|---|
| Website Developer | Nov 2015 to Feb 2018 Calgary, AB |
| Longhorn Geomatics Limited | |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD Software Developer | Nov 2015 Calgary, AB |
| Vista-Mustang JV Corporation | |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD Systems Management & Support, AutoCAD & Windows Software Developer, and Website Developer | Nov 2009 to Nov 2015 Calgary, AB |
| Wood Group Mustang / IMV Projects Inc. | |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD Systems Management & Support, and AutoCAD Software Developer | Dec 2007 to May 2009 Calgary, AB |
| Upside Engineering | |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD Systems Management & Support | Feb 2006 to Dec 2007 Calgary, AB |
| Cimarron Engineering | |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD Systems Management & Support | Oct 2005 to Jan 2006 Calgary, AB |
| Catalyst Realtime | |
|---|---|
| Graphical Interface Developer | Jan 2005 to Jul 2005 Calgary, AB |
| PROCAD Software | |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD Software Developer, and AutoCAD Systems Management & Support | Jul 1999 to Mar 2008 Calgary, AB |
| AGRA Monenco | |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD Drafter, and AutoCAD Systems Management & Support | May 1989 to Jul 1999 Saskatoon, SK |
Education History
| YouTube | |
|---|---|
| git-amend, Code Monkey & Jason Weimann | Ongoing Online |
| Unity Certified Professional: Programmer | |
|---|---|
| Unity Technologies | Oct 2020 Calgary, AB |
| Android Developer | |
|---|---|
| Udacity | Dec 2016 to Feb 2017 Online |
| Web Design for Everybody (Basics of Web Development and Coding) | |
|---|---|
| Coursera | Jul 2016 to Aug 2016 Online |
| Software Product Management | |
|---|---|
| Coursera | Feb 2016 to May 2016 Online |
| Programming Mobile Applications for Android Handheld Systems | |
|---|---|
| Coursera | Jul 2015 to Aug 2015 Online |
| Advanced ObjectARX | |
|---|---|
| Autodesk University | Oct 2004 San Francisco, CA |
| Computer Science Courses | |
|---|---|
| Athabasca University | Oct 1998 to Jun 2001 Calgary, AB |
| An Intro to Programming in C | |
|---|---|
| Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science & Technology | Oct 1992 to Dec 1992 Saskatoon, SK |
| Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing Engineering Technology | |
|---|---|
| Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science & Technology | Sept 1987 to May 1989 Saskatoon, SK |
Languages
- English (Fluent/Native)
- French (Beginner)
- Spanish (Beginner)