Replies

1. 
   K._Swalwell | Feb 09, 1999 03:41pm | #1

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   I have been using Chief Architect (www.chiefarch.com) for about 6 years now working on our first building project.

   It is expensive compared to the <$100 titles that have flooded the market but the capabilities are there and it works well. I would recommend that if you are a home owner and not into the the building profession that you look at 3D Home Architect Deluxe by Broderbund (www.broderbund.com). It uses licensed code from Chief Architect. Basically the same package (minus some extras) as Chief for about 10% of the price!!! Either title works very well.

2. 
   Guest_ | Feb 21, 1999 08:34am | #2

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   Vectorworks, by Diehlgraphsoft (www.diehlgraphsoft.com)

   This program is essentially version 8.0 of Minicad. I just bought it and think it's extremely good, especially considering the price. (best price about $500 at http://www.firstsource.com)

   I'm not impressed with the user's manual and the online help, but overall I'm very pleased. 18 months of free tech support, if you need it.

3. 
   Jay_Malaspino | Feb 23, 1999 07:35am | #3

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   Chris,

   I have been looking into purchasing Vectorworks and since I saw your post I thought I would ask if you bought the program from the link you gave or did you get it direct from Diehl? The price at Firstsource is less that Diehl. Is it a full version with tech support? Seems weird to be almost $140 less. Did you get Renderworks or did you opt just for Vectorworks?
   Thanks,
   Jay Malaspino

1. 
   Tom_Laing | Feb 23, 1999 11:04pm | #4

   *Larry,You didn't mention if you're looking for a professional grade program or something less. There's an incredible range of programs out there, and I've found it was as much as impossible to find out what a particular program can do without just using it for a while. Most of the more powerful programs are going to have quite a learning curve, which you'd want to avoid if you're only using it for a project or two. Chief Architect used to have a full functioning demo available, but most the other demo disks are more along the line of glorified slide shows....they show the end results, but not what it took to get there. Many vendors exhibit at builder trade shows. If you're near a large city, that might be a good way to see the results. I use a program called Solidbuilder, which builds in 3-D and actually frames the entire building, complicated roofs and all, then gives you a report of every stick. It's made just for light construction, and is infinitely customizable for the way you frame. Problem is, it ain't cheap.Tom Laing

4. 
   Guest_ | Feb 24, 1999 01:10am | #5

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   Jay, yes I purchased the Vectorworks/Renderworks bundled at FirstSource.com. It was the cheapest price of all the mail-order software catalogs. It is the full version with full tech support and original warrantee. I've already used tech support via email and was completely satisfied by the quick 24-hour response.

   -Chris

5. 
   Jay_Malaspino | Feb 25, 1999 02:45am | #6

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   Chris,

   This is a link to a Minicad/Vectorworks forum. I subscribe to the forum and posts come as e-mail I don't have to go to the site to read posts. There are about 20-50 posts per day. If you have a question someone will help. the link is peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/minicad-l.html

6. 
   LARRY_SCHAMBERGER | Feb 25, 1999 07:18am | #7

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   LOOKING FOR SOFTWARE THAT DESIGNS
   BUILDINGS AND DOES AUTO FRAMING FOR
   WALLS ALL TYPES OF ROOFS AND A COMPLETE
   MATERIALS PLEASE REPLY TO
   [email protected]