[CITY DECKS INC]

Hi Guys, anybody use this yet or something similar. I do not want to anything expensive with constant on going expensive updates and hassles.
I usually make a sketch I know old school right … and send off to my designer for cad plans and permits. I was looking to play with a design and materials list software so I can come up with new designs and consolidate a step or two. I don't do renderings unless they want to pay for it.

http://www.trexdeckworks.com/store/item/trex-deckworks-plug-in

Thanks again in advance for your time.

Yanni
www.citydecksinc.com

 

[rotarex]

I know the poster boy for this "trex" and he uses this software.

Yes its amazing product, easy learning curve.
but you will still have to cough up about $4500 and when doing blueprints for permit, it will still have to be done in CAD
it wont auto give you footing and beam locations either

but from drawings to 3d is really fast

conclusion

once your good at sktchup and i mean really good. for a god dam free software it will do the same

 

[ScipioAfricanus]

I am sure this is the "plug-in" for VectorWorks software.
I think VectorWorks is about $3 or 4k to begin with.
I would not classify VectorWorks as having an easy learning curve.

I am having a hell of a time figuring it out, Vector works that is.
I work with a lot of software for building, Chief Architect, Revit, AutoCad, TurboCad even on occasion SolidBuilder.
Maybe it is just me but VectorWorks is the most difficult to figure out.

Sorry Mike, still plugging away at learning it.

Andy.

 

[EthanB]

For quick mock ups for customers I haven't seen anything that beats Realtime Landscape Architect. Look up some of Clemen's old posts to see how awesome it can be.

I rough out the design in RTA and then do the plans in Sketchup PRO. If the customer want's the detailed 3D of the deck then I do it in Sketchup PRO and make a movie, for a design fee.

 

[rotarex]

I am sure this is the "plug-in" for VectorWorks software.
I think VectorWorks is about $3 or 4k to begin with.
I would not classify VectorWorks as having an easy learning curve.

I am having a hell of a time figuring it out, Vector works that is.
I work with a lot of software for building, Chief Architect, Revit, AutoCad, TurboCad even on occasion SolidBuilder.
Maybe it is just me but VectorWorks is the most difficult to figure out.

Sorry Mike, still plugging away at learning it.

Andy.

i downloaded Chief 3 times, and had it loaned to me for 2 years and every time i try to use it i just couldn't understand it.

Vectorworks on the other hand was close enough to sketchup for me that i caught on but not worth the money

 

[EthanB]

Here's a thread where Clemens(and others) strut their stuff a bit with some of the software. http://www.contractortalk.com/f50/decktools-vs-113995/

Robert and Kent both do some amazing stuff with Sketchup rendered in Kerkythea but I think it's probably a bit more time consuming than RLA.

 

[CITY DECKS INC]

Thanks Ethan. Very helpful.

 

[EthanB]

I actually mocked up two deck designs for the same property last night. It took about 1 hour to rough them in and then I would normally spend another 1/2 hour gussying up the one I want them to buy:whistling with nice accessories and planting. I was still on the old version of RLA so I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade to 2013 so I'll probably have to spend a bit more time familiarizing myself with that before I finish these two.

Doing the same thing in Sketchup would have taken me around 3-4 hours and then I'd either have to render it in Kerkythea(which my laptop can't handle) or just export isometric images, which don't look as sharp as RLA.

They both have really good walkthrough functions, by the way. So you can send a walkthrough video of a larger project to a customer. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to set it up and there's about ZERO chance any other contractor would ever do it for them. I don't do it to close the deal as I usually have a handshake before I get that far in the design process but I've found that showing them the video of the LAST project I did it for is still a great sales tool.

 

[CITY DECKS INC]

I actually mocked up two deck designs for the same property last night. It took about 1 hour to rough them in and then I would normally spend another 1/2 hour gussying up the one I want them to buy:whistling with nice accessories and planting. I was still on the old version of RLA so I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade to 2013 so I'll probably have to spend a bit more time familiarizing myself with that before I finish these two.

Doing the same thing in Sketchup would have taken me around 3-4 hours and then I'd either have to render it in Kerkythea(which my laptop can't handle) or just export isometric images, which don't look as sharp as RLA.

They both have really good walkthrough functions, by the way. So you can send a walkthrough video of a larger project to a customer. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to set it up and there's about ZERO chance any other contractor would ever do it for them. I don't do it to close the deal as I usually have a handshake before I get that far in the design process but I've found that showing them the video of the LAST project I did it for is still a great sales tool.

I sell all of my deals from reputation and sketch in note book in front of them. No design available until contract is signed and deposit in hand which includes base deck model and line items on the bells and whistles. I make it like a chinese menu. Pick and choose whatever you want.

 

[EthanB]

I sell all of my deals from reputation and sketch in note book in front of them. No design available until contract is signed and deposit in hand with includes base deck model and line items on the bells and whistles. I make it like a chinese menu. Pick and choose whatever you want.

I don't think there could be a more compelling argument for picking a specialty and doing it better than anyone else.:clap:

 

[CITY DECKS INC]

I don't think there could be a more compelling argument for picking a specialty and doing it better than anyone else.:clap:

I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you Sir!

 

[Calidecks]

Yes I own Deckworks software, it was very expensive, fortunately I was able to use 1500 dollars Trex gave me from my marketing funds. I think the total cost was over 3000.00. It's a very good program but it's not an easy one.

 

[Calidecks]

I know the poster boy for this "trex" and he uses this software. Yes its amazing product, easy learning curve. but you will still have to cough up about $4500 and when doing blueprints for permit, it will still have to be done in CAD it wont auto give you footing and beam locations either but from drawings to 3d is really fast conclusion once your good at sktchup and i mean really good. for a god dam free software it will do the same

Yes it will give you footing locations, as well as beams, posts, stairs, it will also give you dimensions for permits. That is if you have the Deckworks plugin for the Vectorworks platform.

 

[Calidecks]

I am sure this is the "plug-in" for VectorWorks software. I think VectorWorks is about $3 or 4k to begin with. I would not classify VectorWorks as having an easy learning curve. I am having a hell of a time figuring it out, Vector works that is. I work with a lot of software for building, Chief Architect, Revit, AutoCad, TurboCad even on occasion SolidBuilder. Maybe it is just me but VectorWorks is the most difficult to figure out. Sorry Mike, still plugging away at learning it. Andy.

No worries Andy, I'm just glad to know it wasn't just me.