Replies

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Apr 11, 2004 07:54pm | #1

   intuitive, detailed and easy to use  Those are mutually exclusive demands.  There are many discussions here about just this subject.  See if you can do a search for "cad" or "softplan" either of which should provide hours of reading.  If you can stretch your budget to $1000 there are 2 or 3 programs that would meet your needs.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   Piffin | Apr 11, 2004 08:19pm | #2

   There are several old threads in the archives that would be worth you while to read.

   A more thorough description of the type projects you plan to use it for would be helpfull for purposes of discussion too. Do you expect to be doing 3D work or just want a 2d drafting program?

   Professional programs will need you to up your budget to a minimum of $750 on up to about three grand, IMO.

   While you are thinking about budjet, remember to budget your time investment in learning the program as well. Spending a hundred frustrating hours to learn a cheaper program that doesn't meet your needs means you will end up needing to unlearn and relearn much as well as finally ending up spending more to get the program you really need.

   For 2D, you'll be loking at Turbocad Pro and Autocad Lite, both close to your budget

   For real 3D design programs, You'll be looking at Softplan, Chief Architect, and Vectorworks. Both chief and SP have Lite versions that you can upgrade from later without having to re-learn new commands. noit sure, but I think Vectorworks lets you buy their program in modules so as not to have to buy the whole bag of tricks at one time.

   Al three get regular use by builders, and all three have their proponents.

   BTW, Welcome to Breaktime.

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   JohnSprung | Apr 12, 2004 10:56pm | #4

   > For 2D, you'll be loking at Turbocad Pro and Autocad Lite, both close to your budget

   I used TurboCad for years, going back to version 1.something.  I even beta tested versions 6 and 7.  Then I switched to AutoCad LT, which has a vastly superior user interface, especially for the things you spend most of your time on.  It takes fewer mouse clicks in LT to do the same things mainly because you don't have to go to menus and change modes all the time.  And they're better about fixing bugs in ACad than Turbo.  Between those two, it's no contest.

   -- J.S.

    

3. 
   gdavis62 | Apr 11, 2004 09:15pm | #3

   I use Cadkey 97, fully 3D wireframe with excellent rendering capabilities.  A couple examples are attached.

   Someone is selling a copy of the program along with all documentation, right now on eBay.  Closes in a few days, current bid under $10.

   You will spend at least a 40 hour workweek getting through the learning curve so you can start working.

   If I was doing just houseplan work and wanting renderings, I would go for something like Chief Architect, but it's cost is over your budget.

   I like Cadkey because it does a great job for me in furniture and cabinetry work, designing pieces, jigs and fixtures, and figuring cutting schemes.  Chief Architect or another one of the dedicated building design packages won't do that for me.