Ixv:
Look at a bunch of plans built with different building materials, and for many different purposes and types of structures. Study them to try to understand why it was done that way. Look at plans done by well respected engineers and engineering firms. Look at plans done by engineers who you know, ask to see them and explain what you are wanting to learn. Ask them if they would be willing to help you understand the reasoning behind details you have questions about. Come to them with well thought out questions, don’t waste their time, and don’t ask the same question more than once. Look at plans from various age periods, plans will reflect codes and building methods and knowledge of the period, and show some of the progression of our profession. Older plans may not always be better than today’s plans in every way, but you might be treated to the real art of drafting, detailing and lettering from an era when computers didn’t poop out everything.