Hiya;
I’m new here but not to building or design. I am thinking about returning to school to formally study architecture and was looking for some input as to the state of the union reguarding cad programs. I supposedly learned on Autocad about 10 years ago but never really liked the way it worked or for that matter staring at a computer screen so I have been pencil and papering it ever since.
Vectorworks, Chief Architect and Autocad seem to be the names that came up when I seached the archives. I have probably missed some others but I am still early in my research phase.
Any feedback, comments, reviews, etc… would be appreciated.
Cheers Greg
Replies
Aloha Greg,
If you learned on AutoCAD ten years ago, it has improved A LOT since then. (And I couldn't think of a program that needed it more!) It has become much more user friendly and most of the bigger suppliers have drop down menus you can add to your AutoCAD program. When I need a Simpson strong tie fitting, it is right there on the menu. Click and it is in the drawing. Same for windows and doors. I use the same brands that are available from the local suppliers so the contractors are able to get the specified materials without having to wait to have them ordered and shipped in.
AutoCAD isn't all that easy to learn, but it is the one every other program has to work with, so you may as well stick with it if you've already got some of the learning curve done.
AutoCAD LT is only 2D, but if you are going to be printing out the results, then 2D is adequate. I have an old AutoCAD 2000 and rarely use the 3D capabilities in it.
We've been doing a bath house remodel here at home and it has been rather jolly to draw everything up, dimension it in AutoCAD, cut the materials and then have them fit perfectly. I wouldn't recommed it for most remodels, though, unless your draftsperson can do a lot of field measuring.
A hui hou,
Cathy
Hi Cathy;
Thanks for the feedback. I recognize that I was hoping someone would say "Oh XYZ software is much easier to learn and just as good..." I can only dream "eh".
There is a relatively close community college that offers Acad so perhaps I will start there.
Cheers Greg
I would recommend ArchiCAD - the first truly 3-D modeling and parametric program, later imitated by Revit, quite successfuly, and now owned by AutoDesk.
You can check it out at:
http://www.graphisoftus.com
If you are starting out start with a program that has broad capabilities. AutoCAD is used by more people than any other, but mostly for 2-D.
The future is in BIM -Building information Management and 3-D modeling.
Fairly easy to use and intuitive.
For residential work, plenty of people are switching to Softplan because it is so much easier and better
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
You'll probably find that AutoCad is almost the "standard" in most architectural firms.
Hi, I'm a carpenter, not an architect, but I have been doing design for years. I use Turbocad. It is a lot cheaper than Autocad. I recently recommended it to a pro draftsman, who was used to working with Microstation. When he quit his job with an engineering firm and went on his own, he bought into Turbocad, and saved about 90%.
As far as Autocad being standard, I often get files sent in DXF(Drawing exchange format)or DWG(Autocad) format and Turbocad is able to work with these files.
I completely agree, Goldenboy. I'm probably going to go to TurboCad or something else pretty soon, myself. I need more 3D power than AutoCad LT gives me, and I'm not ready to pop for the full blown ACAD - lol. I'm a former engineer and my drawings make perfect sense to me but customers have a problem "seeing" my designs.
However, any time someone says they want to learn a CAD program so they can get a job with an engineering or architechural company, I recommend ACAD - it's pretty much a standard everywhere.
I appreciate your comments reguarding your cad program of choice.I haven't looked into that one yet so thanks for the lead.
Cheers