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