Correct me if I'm wrong but I think PLM/PDM are storing the CAD model as "CAD databases" (basically the proprietary file-format) in a Data-Vault. So while not all CAD data is being stored in those files (meta-data for example) those old file-fomats are still in use I think.
TBH I don't have a great understanding of how the PLM systems store CAD data.
What you describe sounds about right, though. I think in some cases it really is just the original CAD file, as a binary blob, in a database, with metadata stored with it. In some cases it's more complicated, though.
Catia's V6 "3D Experience" system, for example, saves to their database by default, but allows exporting to Catia V5's CATPart/CATProduct format, or STEP, for data exchange. The catch is that some of the newer features in V6 don't exist in V5 and aren't fully supported by CATPart/CATProduct, so they have a way to export those bits "as result" instead of saving the full dataset - basically decoupling it from the parameters and inputs that created it and giving a BREP blob. In most cases the exported parts can be editted in V5 and sent back to V6, but the "as result" parts can't be.
It's different for every CAD vendor, though. A nebuluous mess of vendor lock-in and proprietary data formats.
I don't know what the regulations are in the UK, but in many European countries, building a house isn't just about knowing how to build a house, it's also about knowing all the DIN requirements. These are necessary for insurance to pay out if something happens to your house. Let's take a simple example: You're wiring your house. Because of a mistake, the house burns down.
Insurance: “Okay sir, who did the electrical wiring?
you: “Me”.
Insurance: “Are you a professional?
you: “No"
Insurance: “Have you had your work certified by a third party?"
you: “Do my buddies count?”
insurance: "Have a good day sir"
There may never be a problem and you may have figured out everything that's required to get your butt covered (good for you in this case), but the fact is that a lot of people don't know about these things, do their own thing and get royally screwed if there's a problem and, God forbid, someone gets hurt.
I suspect that in any of the big cities in America you can't just buy a plot and start building, for exactly the same reasons. See also the complexities of CA fire insurance.
Interesting. I have the exact opposite experience. Being a Junior developper in france is hard right now. The profession got a lot of traction from the average french guy and not only nerds. In 2020 - 2022 Many training centers were teaching coding to people who were out of work because their industry was affected by covid (in France, studies are often free of charge and, in many cases, are even paid for by the government if you're working on your employability, so there's virtually no risk). This has led to an overload of junior developers on the market who aren't needed. I've given training courses for Dev-web-mobile and concepteur and I can tell you that out of 50 people, 5 have found a job. I also know a lot of masters students who want to find an alternance (work-study program) and can't find anything.
Meanwhile, I have 10 years' experience and am called 3 times a week by headhunters when I upload my updated CV to a job search platform.
I do agree that they want cheap people though. They rarely offer me more than 43k (which is ok in france in the region I live in but really not stunning either). I have friends that earn 70k-80k (really good in france) and they get called by headhunters for similar position but for 40k, its silly.
before tax. Employer costs for 43000 is about 60000. (So employer brut salary + Occupational injury and disease contributions, Unemployment contributions, Health care contributions, Family allowance contributions, retirement contributions)
