Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 11, 2004 06:36am | #1

   Dave,

   SP is primarily a residential structure program. The basic CAD tools are one of the weak parts of the program. for something like furniture design, I would use my Turbocad. In SP, I can throw to gether a set of shelves or whatever and save it as a 3D synbol but an accurate 2D draft can be easier with other programs, and I wouldn't even attempt it if it had Queen Anne legs etc.

   creating and saving those symbols is not a feature of the Lite version as far as I know.

   The softlist portion is almost TOO accurate. If you draw it, it will be included in the list. You have to fiddle with the formulas because out of the box, it will give you a cut list instead of total number of 2x4s for instance. Try going to the lumberyard to price out 79 2x4 x 29-5/8".

   Another thing is when drawing an element, you can select whether or not to include it in softlist. Suppose I am doing an addition and need to draw the existing house first. I certainly don't want all the existing parts added to my materials list, so I would uncheck the add box.

   You also have to remember to draw every detail if you will be totally relying on softlist for estimating and buying. For instance, I have to go into the flooring mode and draw the carpet, the vinyl, the hardwood, the tile, instead of simply noting on the floorplan, "Hardwood floor, 3/4". I have to go to the interior mode to draw the crown molding, chairrail, etc. I go to ceiling mode to draw the ceiling and the ceiling joists. In roof mode, if i want gutters list3ed in softlist, I need to be sure to indicate which roof edges get the gutters.

   one thing I don't think it does, is to list the length of romex needed, or pipe for the water. It will list the fixtures drawn but not the runs to and from.

   It presents in a spreadsheet type format and you can do more than I have thought to learn with that, as far as editing pricing and built in markups.

   I have been more accurate with Softlist for new construction whern I do that, but I do more remodeling and adjusting things throughout the job so I don't try to use it for remo work.

   Is it worth it? I can't say enough about investing in the right tools. It is one of the best architectural tools out there. But is it right for you? If you want to do a lot more cabinet and furniture work, there are probably better programs for you.

   Do you want a lot of 3D renderings for presentation? SP is great in this area.

    

    

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

1. 
   dotto | Mar 11, 2004 02:32pm | #2

   Piffin,

   Thanks for the reply.  I do more finished basements and bathrooms than anything.  Recently decks and enclosed porches seem to be the hot item (it is tax time after all).  It seems like the program can easily handle these types of jobs.  And my Demo is for v.10.

   I could see how SoftList can require some getting used to.  I saw another post you had with an attached drawing.  It's the post were the HO was having trouble with a door.  Your picture showed how the studs supporting the header may be falling in between two joists causing the door to rack.  How long does a drawing like that take.  I use PUNCH! Home Architect v18, and even a drawing like that attachment would be a chore.  I wonder if the summer interns didn't do the programs editing capabilities.

   While I'm inquiring, with the CAD tools, does SoftPlan do well with showing details like ledger board attachments for decks, concrete piers, cornice/overhang details, etc.?

   I just did an estimate to remodel a basement at a local church, and just doing the floor plan took a while with PUNCH!  Perhaps the investment in a better program/tool would pay for itself.

   Again, Thanks for the info.Dave Otto -- Otto Construction -- PA

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 11, 2004 02:54pm | #3

   Holy Cow Man! version ten is ancient history, like a child playing with crayons compared to the power and features of V12.

   I started with v9 and skipped ten because it didn't really add much for features and tools. The main thing ten did was to make nine work better under Windows op systems.

   I upgraded to eleven and now twelve and am totally happy with each. I've never used a more bug free program on my PC. There are a few bugs reported here and there, but my understanding of those is that they are primarily someone not having the patience to learn the way to do a thing or expecting it to do something it was not designed for, like reading your mind.

   The drawing you inquired about-

   I just went into fioles to find in their sample drawings for lessons, a house that looked like it could have a floorplan creating a similar problem. Got it on the second house I openned. I drew a section at the suspect location and erased superfluos elements, then created a GIF of the screen and posted it. Probably ten minutes for the whole deal. 

    

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

2. 
   Piffin | Mar 11, 2004 02:59pm | #4

   I just noticed a few more Q's

   I have to get out to the job now but will answer more later, maybe with samples. Short answer is yes, It does it fine and easy.

   Call them or download the demo for V12 from the website. Actually, most of the stuff is there on the site which they recently updated. Even so, the program is much better than their web designer. 

    

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