Replies

1. 
   RW | Apr 20, 2003 11:19am | #1

   Or IBM. I'm lookin too. Did a search, where the heck do you come up with the ducats for Chief? I'm not lookin for the Red Light renovation in Bangkok, just addiditions, baths, garages, you know, the simpler stuff.

   Yeah yeah, grab a square anna pencil . . .

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

1. 
   NOTRIX1 | Apr 20, 2003 06:17pm | #2

   Here's some thing I found:

   http://www.apple.com/education/hed/academia/creative/architecture.html

   I just downloaded a trial vertion of DenebaCad here:

   http://www.deneba.com/products/denebacad2/default.html

   Take a night class and your eligible for student rates and it's $250 at http://www.gradware.com. Not sure otherwise. I still haven't figured it out yet so I can't comment on it but looks straight forward.

   HTH

   N

1. 
   mmoogie | Apr 20, 2003 06:30pm | #3

   Additions, decks, garages, kitchens...

   If you want the design work to really look like what you want to build, you're gonna have to pop for a program that gives you real control over things like windows, doors, cabinets, complex roofs, split-level situations, attic situations, etc.

   That means Vectorworks, Chief, Softplan or some similarly expensive program if you want to do 3D, and I don't know who woudn't want to do it in 3D, especially for the clients' sake. Student discount is the way to go if you kow anyone who is in school.

   If all you want to do is 2D I think MacDraft is still around in some iteration.

   Try the web site http://www.architosh.com for all things Macintosh and architecture related.

   Steve

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Apr 21, 2003 04:22pm | #7

   Steven -

   Thanks for mentioning the Architosh site.

   Just what the doctor ordered.

   Been wanting to dabble in CAD and never got around to spending time with a copy of MiniCad 6 that I've had for several years. (Way over my novice head.)

   I would like to get a jump start on the rudimentary steps such as learning symbols and basic drafting first before venturing into Vectorworks.

   Any suggestions on books, etc. that stands out in your mind ?

   I have considered a drafting class at the community college but would be nice if it can be self-taught. (3 young boys at home...)

   Thanks,

   Alan

1. 
   BillHartmann | Apr 21, 2003 05:27pm | #8

   Ashlar Vellum used to have out a stripped down version of their cad that was available for about $100.

   But it now appears that all they have is high end 3d modeling stuff.

   http://www.ashlar.com/

2. 
   mmoogie | Apr 23, 2003 10:10pm | #9

   Alan,

   It does help to know some of the drafting conventions first. I had a drafting class and a perspective drafting class when I was briefly enrolled in architecture school. Don't really know where to point you for books about drafting, but Janice Kent has an aftermarket book for Vectorworks and does seminars at major cities periodically.

   I was lost learning Minicad till I got her aftermarket book. It used to be called the mini-manual, but it changed names long ago to I don't know what.

   Steve

   Edited 4/23/2003 3:14:59 PM ET by STEVENZERBY

   Edited 4/23/2003 3:16:18 PM ET by STEVENZERBY

3. 
   mmoogie | Apr 23, 2003 10:12pm | #10

   Here's a downloadable demo of MacDraft. I know nothing about the product.

   http://www.microspot.co.uk/product_pages/macdraft_detail.html

   Steve

2. 
   CloudHidden | Apr 20, 2003 07:43pm | #4

   >I just downloaded a trial vertion of DenebaCad here:

   Caution. I used to use that. They haven't upgraded it in years, yet won't admit they have no plans to do so. "We don't preannounce products" etc. Well, they also aren't announcing if it's a dead product that they're just carrying along to milk the occasional sale from. Not built for OSX, looooong after others have been brought up to date. No meaningful forum for support. Left that one for VectorWorks (pricier but better in ALL regards) and not looking back.

1. 
   NOTRIX1 | Apr 20, 2003 07:54pm | #5

   Thanks I noticed that after I tried it. I'm still OS9 but not for long. Next OSX I'll upgrade for keeps.

   How about this one:http://www.macdraft.com/md_info.html

   Looks simple enough and at $300 full vertion not too bad. It's OSX compatible-Jaguar at least. Like I said i just want to be able to get some deck designs and simple kitchen remodels on paper easy. maybe some cabinet designs. For now anyway.

   Thanks

   N

1. 
   CloudHidden | Apr 20, 2003 09:37pm | #6

   I was familiar with MacDraft from its earliest days as a competitor to MacDraw. Haven't followed it recently be/c I have more extreme needs, including all the 3D stuff. PowerCAD is also used by some.