Design Software That Works.
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Old 03-02-2007, 07:27 PM   #1
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Design Software That Works.

I would like to use some software program to design projects for my customers.
I would be using this software for basements, additions, second floor additions, decks.
Is there one software package that covers all or are there different ones?
What software do you guys use, what do you use it for and what do you like and dislike about it?

Thanks in advance.

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Old 03-02-2007, 08:59 PM   #2
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Re: Design Software That Works.

autocad
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Old 03-02-2007, 09:01 PM   #3
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Re: Design Software That Works.

autocad x2
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Old 03-02-2007, 09:29 PM   #4
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Re: Design Software That Works.

I'm a new Softplan user and so far am loving it. within a day or two you can be easily drawing very detailed floor plans. I'm still learning...haven't yet put together a full set of working drawings....but I'm close.

I also use autocad. Very powerful....just a little bit more of a learning curve to become really proficient with it.

Good Luck.


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Old 03-02-2007, 09:36 PM   #5
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Re: Design Software That Works.

What are the costs of these programs?
Could you do virtual tours?
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Old 03-02-2007, 10:57 PM   #6
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Re: Design Software That Works.

autocad is a drafting program plain and simple, it doesn't "do" anything per se, it just follows input from the user using standard drafting, and geometry concepts. Whereas these programs that "design" for you are inherently flawed in that they interpret inputs within the perameters of how the program was designed, not saying they are bad or anything like that, only if you want complete design control, precision, and something that you can work from and make an accurate cut list from autocad is the way to go. just my humble opinion
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Old 03-03-2007, 10:38 AM   #7
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Re: Design Software That Works.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bone Saw View Post
autocad is a drafting program plain and simple, it doesn't "do" anything per se, it just follows input from the user using standard drafting, and geometry concepts. Whereas these programs that "design" for you are inherently flawed in that they interpret inputs within the perameters of how the program was designed, not saying they are bad or anything like that, only if you want complete design control, precision, and something that you can work from and make an accurate cut list from autocad is the way to go. just my humble opinion
So this wouldnt work for 3-d rendering?
I would like to use the program for more of a presentation and this is what it could look like.
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Old 03-03-2007, 01:06 PM   #9
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Re: Design Software That Works.

auto cad here
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Old 03-04-2007, 08:01 AM   #10
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Re: Design Software That Works.

You can do 3D with Autocad but that is where the learning curve gets steep. I prefer Autocad over the other programs listed but mainly because it is accurate, you are drawing in real units in scale. As far as walk-throughs, never had a need for them. I show customers exterior elevations and floor plans. And don't give any of this to them unless you get the job, they just use your design and give it to other builders to try to cut down on the price.
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Old 03-04-2007, 09:49 AM   #11
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Re: Design Software That Works.

I use AutoCAD for all my detailed design work, but when a homeowner wants to see a visual picture of a kitchen, bathroom, basement or addition, I use Better Homes & Gardens Home Designer Pro. This allows walk-throughs and can create plan views from your 3-D designs. I believe this model also does decks and landscape design, but I've never used those features.
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Old 03-04-2007, 09:51 AM   #12
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Re: Design Software That Works.

Quote:
Originally Posted by michael084 View Post
You can do 3D with Autocad but that is where the learning curve gets steep.
you litterally took the words verbatim right out of my head[url]http://www.contractortalk.com/showpost.php?p=102106url]
Last edited by Bone Saw; 03-04-2007 at 09:58 AM.
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Old 03-04-2007, 10:20 AM   #13
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Re: Design Software That Works.

Having this guy here among us is gold, lets get that cad forum rolling with a tip of the day thread or something like that
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Old 03-04-2007, 11:41 AM   #14
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Re: Design Software That Works.

ArchiCAD.

Design in 2d, and it will produce 3d images.

It is all about BIM! "building information modeling"

Granted ArchiCAD is fairly expensive "$4500" it was well worth it for me, if you do a lot of design work for clients.

The learning curve is farily steep but once you get to know the ins and outs of it, it is a very amazing piece of software.
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Old 08-23-2009, 03:51 PM   #15
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Re: Design Software That Works.

Revit is the future of CAD
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Old 08-23-2009, 04:41 PM   #16
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Re: Design Software That Works.

And this thread is the past....2007
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Old 08-23-2009, 06:17 PM   #17
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Re: Design Software That Works.

yeah...if you are going to be learning something new anyway, go with something like Revit rather than autocad.

Despite autodesk's hard sell, it's a very cool program. I have switched from autocad to revit for the architectural portion of my 3d renderings. Also most architectural and engineering firms i work with are switching over.

It'll probably be the dominant software program for the next 7 years, 3 months.
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Old 08-23-2009, 06:18 PM   #18
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Re: Design Software That Works.

oh........it was an old post...

what's the smiley for dork?
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Old 08-23-2009, 08:15 PM   #19
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Re: Design Software That Works.

ooooh...dork....
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Old 08-23-2009, 11:03 PM   #20
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Re: Design Software That Works.

What about takes offs? Do you guys consider design software that "works" to be defined as being a tool that help you design and build, which means 1/2 the process is being able to do a design, but the other 1/2 is producing a take off.

Or are you doing the take off by hand?
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