Design software - do you use it? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

J F · 03-11-2008, 02:45 PM

Just experimenting with trying to turn some of our design layout pages to jpg files.

Someone had posted a question on the finish carpentry regarding software to design cabinets/bookcases.

I posted a few pdf files of some examples, but I know they can be a pita compared to just viewing attached photos...not sure how the quality will be on these.

We use Chief Architect, and love it...most of the time when it's not driving me nuts.

J

J F · 03-11-2008, 02:48 PM

Some more shots from within the floor plan:

J F · 03-11-2008, 02:49 PM

Bar area:

J F · 03-11-2008, 02:51 PM

More bar drawings:

J F · 03-11-2008, 02:53 PM

Hall and stairway drawings:

J F · 03-11-2008, 03:02 PM

Here's what we started with initially (yeah, should have posted these first...sue me

).

J F · 03-11-2008, 03:20 PM

The above drawings are a project we're currently working on (design only at this phase).

Here's a previous project:

J F · 03-11-2008, 03:23 PM

Closer finished shot:

SelfContract · 03-11-2008, 03:26 PM

Impressive space/lighting simulation.

I have latest version X11.5 but way too lazy to learn & use at spare time. Shame on me!

J F · 03-11-2008, 03:36 PM

Yeah, it definitely takes a good amount of time to learn, I've been using it for about 5 years now and still learn something new on every drawing I do.

When we orginally started with it. I would set aside time each week to practice...usually around 15-20 hrs a week...nights and weekends mostly.

We only do interior work, so I don't even use half the capabilities of the program.

But, it's a great tool for communicating with potential clients.

Now, did you drop $2,000-2,500 on it...and not taking the time to learn it...baaaaad. But I understand too...there's always a million other things to do.

J

SelfContract · 03-11-2008, 03:50 PM

No, I did not buy/spend it, someone lend it to me for learning while on job designing for him something. It's too complex but I will try to learn later (if I had time & not too lazy on this net again). Congrats on your hard work, keep up!

J F · 03-11-2008, 04:04 PM

Thanks man...believe me, if I can do it, just about anyone can.

J

ddb maine · 03-11-2008, 05:25 PM

I use Vectorworks which looks very very similar to chief. Same lighting/shading/texture. I also use sketchUp which is helpful because it is alot less detailed and very easy to use, I can alter designs right in the client meetings so they have an immediate idea of what changes they are making. From what I hear the latest Autocad is 3d nightmare for a drafter. Wonderful results, way to much time involved.

Nice work though I spent 4 years studying architectural engineering, and went through ALOT of design courses, I know how long that stuff takes to make right.

J F · 03-11-2008, 05:51 PM

Thanks ddb. I've been meaning to get to sketchup as well. I downloaded....about 6 months ago

I actually scheduled a Sat/Sun to sit down (in Jan.) and start giving it a shot, but of course ended up doing something else....slacker.

Over on the jlc finish carpentry forum there are a few guys who do some really cool stuff with sketchup.

J

ddb maine · 03-12-2008, 05:26 PM

If you can use a cad program of any level with 3 dimensions Sketch up is a breeze, its like ms paint with three dimensions. The better textures and items you get the more realistic it gets. I've found keeping it simple is sometimes the best way especially when youve got clients. Some get it , some are just baffled you can make such things and forgot that your talking about their house. It's based in an X-Y-Z axis and snaps to them, enter in distances. Really good interface too, theres alot more than the tools they give you icons for. Definately recommend it. I have secured several jobs with it simply because the client completely undstands the concepts your trying to get across, and you can let them move it around and look at things. it doesnt need to refresh, which might be the only downfall, but only if you go in and do window trim, railings, doorknobs... you get the point. there is a wireframe mode same as others but Ive never made a file large enough to lag. Also I should mention I use a Mac, so it might be slightly different than pc. but for graphics and rendering there is no comparison to a mac.

J F · 03-13-2008, 02:55 PM

Cool, thanks for the info

...now I just gotta get of my butt and spend some time with it.

J

**framerman** · 03-13-2008, 03:26 PM

Those don't look too bad really. I wonder if they have a rendering plug in that will help improve the pictures like VRay for SketchUp. I personally use Revit and find most things great about it, then it has it's drawbacks just like any program does. If there was a perfect one, then we'd all use it right?

This guy here is Revit with Viz/VRay, so I cheated a little. The rendering engine blows in Revit for what I want it to look like. Not nearly finished though, lots more work on the design to do.

**framerman** · 03-13-2008, 03:32 PM

oops dbl post

J F · 03-13-2008, 04:00 PM

That looks great man!

Chief Architect uses POV-ray...I rarely use the raytrace though...one, I haven't spent the necessary time learning about lighting (and there's a lot to learn) and two, a good raytrace can take hours and hours, and I'm impatient.

The above shots I posted were renders w/shadows on most of them...it does a serviceable job in a fraction of the time.

J

Rick2008 · 03-23-2008, 08:45 AM

If anyone is in need of professional drafting services, please get in touch with me. I have over 15 years of experience and can get work back to you quickly.