2001	The 6th Designers 3D CAD Challenge for Architectural CADD Systems 2001 Challenge of the Architectural CADD Cup

3D CADD Design Software

>Too bad that this competition only applies to people who can do 3D CADD. Any hope that this competition could be made a little more open?

>Nick Francis

Reply:

The first thing I do in my CADD 1 class, is show people how they can download, and use, for free, DesignWorkshop - an incredibly intuitive 3D CADD modeler.

We usually spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour (max.) learning it, then I ask them to do their current design projects in 3D CADD. Usually that same day they are producing virtual reality walk throughs of their designs.

It is not that I am so great at teaching, though I would like to think at least some of it is me, but also that DesignWorkshop is a great thing.

I like to make designers aware that there is another entirely different architectural CADD software that should ALSO be in every design office, regardless of what they use for 2D production drafting - and that is Schematic Design 3D Modeling Software. The best of these - DesignWorkshop, SketchUp, MegaCADD, and ModelShop are all almost ridiculously easy to learn, and anyone can master any of them within an hour, and I always recommend them for all those busy firm principals and designers who otherwise wouldn't want a "CADD" system on their desk. There are other, rather complex and detailed softwares in this category too such as FormZ and 3D Studio - both of which require extensive training - but are incredibly flexible.

In the other category of design software - architectural CADD software - again 3D modeling is not even an issue of "knowing", as 3D models are automatically generated absurdly easily as you develop "floorplans". Many 2D CADD production oriented AutoCAD using offices do supplement their offices with ArchiCAD or ChiefArchitect specifically for 3D visualization purposes, because they really can get "instant 3D". Both ArchiCAD and ChiefArchitect are professional level CADD software, though, and so it takes about 1 or 2 days to learn them fully, far less than learning traditional 2D drafting software like AutoCAD, but, you are right, there is learning involved.

I frequently hear the "there's no such thing as instant 3D" line from longtime CADD users, there most certainly is, and I go about demonstrating it all the time to experienced AutoCAD users, who are very happily surprised.

This is why I also include that free working version of DesignWorkshop, among several other CADD demonstration programs with the CD of my book Architectural CADD: A Resource Guide to Design and Production Software Appropriate for Architects.

To do schematic design for this Design Challenge, we anticipate that something like DesignWorkshop would be perfect. It can be downloaded righ now, for free, from http://www.artifice.com learned in minutes, and produce rendered results (check out all the buildings they did with it on http://www.greatbuildings.com).