Architectural CADD Consultants
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Help on Buying Appropriate CADD
Our primary service, and raison d'etre, is helping architects get design software appropriate for their firms. We find that there are many excellent CADD programs, but that there is frequently a mis-match with a particular firms level of expertise, the type of projects they do and how they prefer to work and the CADD software they are using (or thinking about buying). A common misconception is that any given one software is the best, or standard for everyone. Instead, certain CADD programs that may be ideal for one firm can be a real problem in another. It is unlikely that firm that designs freeform chapels like Corbu's Ronchamps would use the same software an one specializing in office interiors. Similarly, any given firm has people with different expertise and job functions - just as you need charcoal, AND pens, AND various types of pencils, different people or tasks (from space planning, through 3D concepts, and detail drafting, to plansmithing) may require different software. These points are all discussed extensively in our books (CADD and the Small Firm and Architectural CADD : A Resource Guide) but many firms need our expertise focused specifically on them to choose the right software (or the right mix of software).
Help on Buying Computer Hardware
Every week we save dozens of architects thousands of dollars on computer hardware purchases. Firms fax us quotes from various sources, and we let you know where you are over-buying (such as getting a video card for 16 million colors when the CADD software you are using supports only 256 colors) where you are under-buying (such as not getting something that will be needed in the next imminent version of your software) and where you are going wrong (such as NOT getting a Logitech mouse, or NOT getting the right kind of modem). We also keep track of the best prices currently of Macs, PowerPCs, Pentiums, and used equipment available from computer superstores, mail order, CADD venders, and so on. Also, depending on what CADD software you are using, there can be enormous benefits from buying from one vendor over another, and of course we will let you know. In some cases, for some machines, it is perfectly ok to buy older used and refurbished equipment (you would be shocked at how cheap !) in other cases it is not, and we can help you avoid the mistakes that could otherwise cost you thousands.
Web Page Design & Tutorial
We have designed dozens of Web sites and hundreds of pages for architectural firms, associations, and other businesses. We strongly believe that architects themselves should design their own Web sites, or at least know how to update them with their own information over time (rather than having to return to some outside Web designer service). Our approach is to do the initial design of your site with you right there, showing you the method and the easy tools. Most architects are very surprised at how easy and cheap this is to do (it usually takes less than 2 or 3 hours initially), and then turn around and end up designing sites for their own architectural clients as an added architectural service. Additionally, many architectural CADD programs can create a VRML file (virtual reality) ready for the Web, allowing their clients to use Netscape to walk through their designs (really sells projects!), and we will show you how to do that as well. Web sites are one of the best, easiest, and most reliable ways of sending drawings to consultants, engineers and collaborators - we will show you how.
Troubleshooting
We have a vast amount of experience troubleshooting CADD incompatibilities, file transfer issues (DWG, DXF), plotting problems, network conflicts, system crashes, and so on - gleaned from some 14 years of going office to office troubleshooting - and can even help your experts.
Online File Library
This is a special area for transferring files of current projects to Architectural CADD Consultants clients. These are usually 3D models we make for 2D AutoCAD offices.
Special Seminars
Every month we give special seminars on specific topics, at AIA Chapters, user groups, colleges, and in the offices of architectural firms. The seminars in the design offices can be customized to your office and the expertise your designers and production people have. Some of these seminars are also available on videotape.
Special Seminars Available :
Special One on One with Principals
Principals and designers frequently do not need (or want) to take classes and "get trained" in production CADD techniques. We frequently work with the muckymucks of offices with tight and busy schedules, and help them know just what they need to know of their offices CADD software - in particular, how to quick make a note change and plot out when everyone else in the office has left, how to review and redline drawings, and how to get 3D perspective views of the work in progress. There are also software modules (viewers and 3D modelers) specifically for design principals (that may be part of your existing CADD software or may be separate) that we can help you with. The most frequent comment we hear from our clients is "I feel like I am actually doing architecture for the first time in years".