Looking for stair design software - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

StairJunkie · 06-23-2008, 04:59 PM

Hi guys,

A few people have been requesting shop drawings from a computer for some stairs bids. We're looking into possibly getting some kind of software and we will need to if we want to bid on an upcoming job; builder is requiring it.

I've stumbled on three possible choices...
FlightMaster Professional - $5,600 http://www.stairsoftware.com/
StairBiz - not sure about price - http://www.stair.biz/
Compass Stair Design - not sure about price - http://www.ersystech.com/products/compass.htm

Just wondering if anyone has worked with those and what do you think?
Any other recommendations for something we could use would be great! I would be the one using the software; I'm fairly computer literate with knowledge in many programs from office to photoshop for example; and I'm willing to learn.

Thanks in advance.

**framerman** · 06-27-2008, 05:29 PM

Those would be modeling type softwares. I would've never thought that the stair industry would make their own CAD software. Those all look really good and it sounds like any one of those would benefit your needs.

I would also take a look at Inventor, though it's not specifically made for stairs, it will definitely do what you want. You would be able to export for your clients as well as give a cnc operation what they need for the complicated sets that are curved for example.

Same goes for SolidWorks.

mickeyco · 06-27-2008, 05:48 PM

Here's a few more:

http://www.stairvision.com/

http://boole.club.fr/english/stairdesigner_eng.php

There are also 3rd party modules for many CAD programs (even the cheaper CAD programs sometimes have stair modules, some are pretty good).

I tried the two above that I linked to, they seem okay but were more than I need, now I have an old custom made program that works for me, I don't do anything fancy.

.

StairJunkie · 07-01-2008, 03:24 PM

Man, the software sure is expensive. StairDesigner is the cheapest at $1850, around $8-9K for stairbiz and staircon.

After more research it seems Compass ND is the best. Yet to receive a price quote but guessing that's around $10K as well.

I was wondering if drawings such as these (from the Compass ND site) http://www.ersystech.com/products/co...20Freeform.htm are possible with other CAD programs that wouldn't cost so much?

Those programs seem to do everything such as design the stair then send to a cnc and some keep track of billing and customer contact management.

Right now we just need to be able to design the staircase and a cutting list/bill of materials needed would be a plus.

Anyone heard about Alibre CAD software? They seem to have something specific for woodworkers and at $1,095.00 + $30 for a manual it doesn't sound like it'll break the bank.
http://www.alibre.com/products/wood/...esign_wood.asp

Deadhead Derek · 12-14-2008, 04:07 PM

you can sure buy a hell of a drafting table for the cost of those programs if you are just drawing stairs IMO

Aggie67 · 12-17-2008, 05:07 PM

I do my own stair and structural drawings in AutoCad. Once you do one drawing, every job after that is cut and paste and a little playing around. I'm supposing they want their stairs to fit, and that's why it has to be in CAD. But their short list probably has something to do with file compatibility with what they use. Good luck choosing one. My experience with such choices has been consistent: you never end up using it as often as you think, so it's better to slide the price into the estimate so it's covered as a job cost, not a business expense. Tough to do that in this scenario, though.

stairman · 02-20-2009, 11:07 PM

I use stairbiz & love it. I dont believe you have to buy the full version, just the modules you want. Email John or Darrin, and ask them about it.

Buckknekkid · 03-10-2009, 05:35 PM

Autocad I whipped up a drawing in an hour for multiple rises and runs

ScipioAfricanus · 03-10-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Autocad I whipped up a drawing in an hour for multiple rises and runs[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg[/IMG]

Well are you going to share?

Andy.

ScipioAfricanus · 03-10-2009, 06:48 PM

Wow. That Compass software is sweet. I whipped this up in Chief Architect In abut 15 min. The Compass could probably do a lot better.
Although Chief is not a staircase specific software I think it did a pretty good job.

Andy.

ejti · 03-20-2009, 06:26 AM

Hi everyone I been using StairDesigner with Autocad for sometime now the 2 work very well together and I've set up a blog to give more info on using them together.
My blog is called stairdesignsoftware dot net (I'm new so I can't post urls)
I don't do simple stairs so most other software was either to expensive or not adapted.
To see a few stairs that I make my professional website is called ntdesigns dot org
Hope that this is useful to you.

StairJunkie · 03-28-2009, 08:07 PM

What would be the prices on some of the software you guys suggested? I've seen a few people use chief architect, is the material list exact or can you edit in some extra just in case? can you custom create some stair parts, say change the standard dimensions for nosing or another part on some special jobs. can you plug in different part styles to use? learning curve?

also, has anyone found google's sketchup useful for detailed stair designs?

thanks