toddb@sail.labs.tek.com (toddb) (02/19/91)
We are considering building a home and I would like to do (most of) the architecture layout.
I have a Mac II with plenty of disk and a 1024x768x8 bit display. I also have access at work
to a Mac II/fx, several high-end workstations, and scads of professional video equipment.
Here's what I know. I've read several articles and reviews in MacUser and MacWorld about 2-d
and 3-d cad packages. In general they all seem to recommend one of two approaches:
- Spend a bundle and get everything you need in a professional package like
ArchiCad or Architrion II ($3k - $5k)
- Mix and match smaller packages to get the same result
I prefer the latter because it is in my price range ( < $1,000). The requirement for
architecture have three parts, drafting, bill-of-materials (BOM) and illustration. Claris
Cad 2.0 gets the nod for drafting, but is weak in BOM (although it will export tab-delimited
fields for use with other programs). Blueprint (by Graphsoft) is strong in BOM but is only
adequate for drafting.
For illustration, a couple of reviews said that Dreams (by Innovative Data Design) was
the best, allowing you to easily build a visual model of your prospective home.
In others DynaPerspective (by DynaWare) was said to be the best because it allowed
3d fly-through.
I bought DesignCad 2.3 because it looked like it was able to provide all three. It seems
that it can (actually BOM is due in the next release -- about 6 weeks). I've been able
to get the 3-d fly-through to work as well as the drafting, but it has very serious
problems with the user interface, and a variety of fatal errors. The company has
been cooperative, but I'm about to give up and pay the 20% restocking charge.
Has anyone ever done this? What packages did you use? I was hoping for a testimonial
that confirms one of these paths. Reply to me directly and I will summarize.
---------------
internet: toddb@sail.labs.tek.com c--Q Q
US: Todd Brunhoff; Video and Electronic Systems Lab; `
Tektronix, Inc.; Box 500 MS 50-321, Beaverton OR 97077 -
Phone: (503) 627-1121