Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 18, 2000 05:01pm | #1

   *
   This gets covered in here about every 2 weeks. Try searching the archives for info - there ought to be at least a hundred posts on the subject.

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   Guest_ | Jan 18, 2000 09:54pm | #2

   *It's also a subject that changes every 2 weeks (given the technology race and all).DS - "inexpensive", "easy to use" and "3D views of the exterior" are opposing factors in design software. One never seems to come without trade off in the other. The choice of answers to your search is going to depend on which factor you feel is most important.

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   Guest_ | Jan 19, 2000 05:00am | #3

   *dstrong

   These are just a "few" responses to your question. If you "click" the "search" button at the end, you'll get more. . .

   Keywords: cad Need Designing Software Advice! - MJ ReckerJan 18, 2000 11:59 amWhat is the best platform/software package for a small, custom fine furniture shop? Our clients are mostly builders and the homeowners directly (rarely architects). Currently, we design in Adobe Illustrator on a Macintosh (because I already know/have this) for concept approval only, and then shop drawings are done by hand (by the woodworker- he is computer illiterate)... Software for Basic Drawing - Bill ClerkJan 17, 2000 07:05 pmThat is not so complicated that it takes you 2 weeks to learn it and not so expensive that it takes 2 weeks pay to pay for it .I have tried Turbo Cad it seems quite complicated . Many things I have tried have been okay for but thay turn making a simple sketch a real pain . Hope to here some great suggestions . CAD Recommendation - dstrongJan 18, 2000 11:54 amI'm looking for an inexpensive and easy to use CAD program. I want to use it to evaluate kitchen addition/remodeling plans. 3D views of the exterior would be especially helpful... Question on which is best CAD program for furniture. #1 - Fred MatthewsJan 16, 2000 11:10 amTimothy: I run an old version of Autocad on a old 486 computer....actually it would run just as well on a 386. It is DOS based and basically does all I could ever need a CAD program for. Frankly, any program running in Windows only handicaps it and makes it run excruciatingly slow, IMO... Question on which is best CAD program for furniture. - Timothy James BrauerJan 16, 2000 11:10 amI am in a quandery as to the best CAD program for furniture design/construction. I now have V.1 of Turobo CAD and find that it does'nt preform well even following the tutorial. While studing in England I got to use Form Z and liked all of its attributes, i.e... Question on which is best CAD program for furniture. #1 - Donald C. BrownJan 15, 2000 06:03 pmTimothy- IntelliCAD 2000 is a full-featured 2D-3D program that is completely free from http://www.cadopia.com/ I just recently downloaded it and haven't done more than scan the features, but it looks like it has everything and is completely compatible with AutoCAD. System requirements are specified at the site, but they are pretty modest. There's also a 450-page genuine user's guide that is on a par with that supplied with AutoCAD LT for thoroughness and clarity of explanation... Question on which is best CAD program for furniture. - Timothy James BrauerJan 15, 2000 07:38 pmI am in a quandery as to the best CAD program for furniture design/construction. I now have V.1 of Turobo CAD and find that it does'nt preform well even following the tutorial. While studing in England I got to use Form Z and liked all of its attributes, i.e... Charging for design #20 - Adrian WilsonJan 13, 2000 07:09 amMike; you may be interested in the CADD shootout they do every year. All of the major packages send a team, and they race against each other to design a structure. http://www.architecturalcadd.com I think the most recent winner was Archicad (Autocad won't even play anymore, after ending up dead last at least once, maybe more... Negotiated Contracts with a builder #9 - Mike SmithJan 12, 2000 05:12 pm....Kathy...a negotiated contract is just that...the basis might be: "Cost Plus" "Time & Matls" "Cost Plus a fixed fee" The arbiter in the one I was discussing was the Architect who represented the Owner's interest. We used "Cost Plus fixed fee" we determined all of the estimated costs, solicited bids for subcontracts, assisted the Owner in selecting furnishings ,floor coverings, fistures and appliances, brought in all our subs who worked for US...in short we were the GC jsut like on any of our other jobs. All materials and subs were charged to the job as invoiced ... Negotiated Contracts with a builder #8 - Jim RJan 12, 2000 04:32 pmCentral Wisconsin actually (it is cold and snowing hard today - doesn't seem like heaven). This service is common in this area. The lumber yard I use (a locally owned business that caters to builders) has one designer that will draw up plans on her CAD program... Negotiated Contracts with a builder #4 - Jim RJan 12, 2000 01:23 pmIn my area all the local lumber yards have design departments that will take your rough plans (or even just your ideas) and draw up blueprints that can later be taken to builders for bids. They don't charge anything for the service as long as you buy your materials from them. They usually allow 3-4 revisions and often charge a nominal fee for additional revisions (just to put some limit on changes)... Charging for design #19 - jim "crazy legs" blodgettJan 12, 2000 10:09 pmMike - my only experience with CAD is 3D Home Architect but I was impressed with the speed of bein' able to choose and change all those components, like Nick was just sayin'. Now I'd like to find a program that will let me do structural drawings, but there must be one out there that has a selection menu for structural stuff too, like tjis, or joists, or trusses, or rafters. I guess your "Chief" is the big brother to my little 3D... Charging for design #18 - Mike SmithJan 12, 2000 06:04 pm....Nick . et all.. I signed up for your Vector works user group and now get their posts right along with my Chief Architect user group....I didn't realize that VW is the old MiniCad...just from watching the posts, it seems like it has the complextiy of AutoCad and a lot of the users are using add-ons like "Architect".. A MESSAGE FROM TAUNTON NEW MEDIA #2 - jim "crazy legs" blodgettJan 11, 2000 05:52 pmDavid - A couple things - First - I have visited several discussion boards that had a "forum moderator" for any specific section of that board. My opinion was that virtually all of them turned into an "Ask Gerald" type of thing. Even when the moderator showed enough restraint to stay out of the discussion for awhile, invariably, they jump in, lay down the "facts", and that's the end of that discussion... Charging for design #11 - DMLJan 11, 2000 09:36 amThanks for all the thoughtful responses to this post. What I've been doing is charging for design with the understanding that if they choose me as contractor for the job, they will be reimbursed for part of the design fee. For example, $500 design fee for a kitchen remodel (that includes changing windows and doors and relocating a laundry area to an adjoining room, then the clients get $200 back if they choose me as contractor...Click Search to look for more matching items.

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2. 
   dstrong | Jan 19, 2000 05:03am | #4

   *
   I'm looking for an inexpensive and easy to use CAD program. I want to use it to evaluate kitchen addition/remodeling plans. 3D views of the exterior would be especially helpful. Any suggestions?
   DS