(basically your little indicator people are both standing on the floor and floating in space simultaneously)
I am able to choose which I see, which is kind of funny in some respects, off-putting in others :)
using 3d bases instead of just drawing,
I work with a lot of engineers and technical designers. The older ones that used to draw manually tend to have a better spatial awareness and understanding than those who grew on 3d only. They have a better imagination for the workings of something,. I think it is because they have had to think through the process originally, whereas the CAD programs do a lot of the thinking for you.
I'll take your word for it, I don't think I know any engineers or technical designers, I barely know other 3d artists, and the ones I do know have no problems whatsoever with spatial awareness or figuring out how things work XP
I think there is a difference in the way something is learned and remembered, physical training seems to change the perception.