Architectural CADD News by Software
  
Last Updated :  April   24, 2006

Autodesk ArchitecturalDesktop 2007
Autodesk Inc. = http://www.autodesk.com


Latest version : Autodesk ArchitecturalDesktop2007 --- (includes equivalent of AutoCAD 2007)
Web site : http://www.autodesk.com

Download the ADT Object Enabler for AutoCAD 2000 and ACAD 2002 (so you can see ADT objects in vanilla AutoCAD) at http://www.autodesk.com

Also check the news section for AutoCAD

Note from Architectural CADD : ArchitecturalDesktop is a version of AutoCAD for doing buildings, and includes special entities for walls, windows, stairs, etc. Since these entities do not exist in AutoCAD 14, 2000, 2000i, 2002, or even AutoCAD 2004, the biggest issue for architects, engineers, and interior designers using ADT is the incompatibility with those earlier versions of AutoCAD - what you gain - instant sections, instant pop in doors, roofs, etc., huge symbol libraries, and the ability to draw and model in minutes what takes AutoCAD users weeks - what you loose - compatibility with legacy AutoCAD users (which is frequently the whole reason to have AutoCAD in the first place).

The acquisition of Revit in 2002 is extremely important to the future of ArchitecturalDesktop, as is the development of the new sister program Autodesk ArchitecturalStudio, which also joined the family of Autodesk products in 2002.  The main complaints of ADT adopters has been the complexity of the interface (we have consulted for offices who are 3 year users of ADT who have yet to actually figure out how to get a proper section of their projects).  Autodesk knows this, and plans to change the ADT interface dramatically to simplify it.  Whether the plan is to adopt features from Revit and/or ArchStudio, or whether they simplify ADT by leaving out features that overlap with ArchStudio or Viz, or whether ArchitecturalDesktop may even get discontinued, is we believe, a mystery currently even to the developers at Autodesk.  Perhaps they are waiting to see how well Revit, ArchStudio, and ADT sell respectively, and waiting to see which has the best potential technologically.  Autodesk has announced that they plan to push the concept of 3D "model-centric building" to which other software currently under development  can be linked (for structural analysis, cost analysis, HVAC-duct-electrical-etc. design, energy analysis, code checking, etc.)  They have also said they plan no more "Object Enablers" for AutoCAD -- which means either AutoCAD itself would become a 3D parametric program with architecturally smart objects (meaning that it will no longer be compatible with older legacy AutoCAD versions like AutoCAD 14, AutoCAD 2000)  or they are thinking that AutoCAD becomes entirely seperate from the new growing 3D paradime (i.e. stays 2D lines)  which is very unlikely, or is discontinued altogether  -- i.e. AutoCAD becomes ArchitecturalDesktop.  You can see a full length article on this issue here -- The Future of AutoCAD


New in Autodesk ArchitecturalDesktop 2007

The same SketchUp 3D modeler as in AutoCAD 2007
An astounding ability to create a smart parametric 3D stair  from 2D  "linework"
3D interference checking   (for ductwork, structural)


Autodesk ArchitecturalDesktop3.3
notably this version adds :
floorslabs
better (easier) sections
pre-done building assemblies
Still notably NOT in ADT :
any kind of floor/stories ability (you still use xref workaround for buildings with more than 1 story)
note that the previously demonstrated ability - "walls from any polyline extrusion" dissapeared in the shipping version
Check out the mini-review in Cadence magazine AEC Tech News - Nov. 1. 2000

Please check out the review of AutoCAD ArchitecturalDesktop2 in Cadence Magazine by Geoffrey Moore Langdon, AIA, where we give ADT2 the highest rating the magazine has ever given out. We are very pleased that Autodesk has addressed our concerns for compatibility mentioned in the older comments below in their wonderful new version.

Review of ArchT add-on to AutoCAD
AutoCAD Architectural Desktop - in CADENCE magazine September 1998
Architectural Design Software : A Comparison of ArchiCAD, AllPlan, and AutoCAD

Special Articles on Incompatibilities of AutoCAD Architectural Desktop with AutoCAD

Autodesk Responds About the Controversial Issue
of Proprietary Objects Embedded into AutoCAD Drawings 

WARNING - Why any design office using AutoCAD 12 should discontinue use of it immediatly
Reasons why you definitely should upgrade to AutoCAD2000 or consider alternative CADD 

Notes from the IAI - International Alliance for Interoperability on IFC Classes 

CADD Statistics - What really is the percentage of AutoCAD users 

The AutoCAD AutoArchitect Windows Office
The AutoCAD Mac Office
Autodesk Software Piracy Settlements Surpass $35 Million in North America
AutoCAD 2000 sent to 20,000 beta users
AutoCAD add-ons
AutoCAD forums

Sellers of AutoCAD : (also see the complete list of worldwide dealers on the Autodesk web site)

Designers CADD Company ------ http://www.designerscadd.com
(Peter Bruckner) Cambridge MA --- (AutoCAD, ArchitecturalDesktop, ArchitecturalStudio, 3D StudioMax, Viz, Lightscape)

Consulting for Architects (CFA)  ----- http://www.cons4arch.com/BOS/bos.html
Boston, MA ------- (AutoCAD, ArchitecturalDesktop)

North American CAD ------- http://nacad.com   ----  http://www.cesplot.com
(AutoCAD LT, Plotters)

CADapult  ------ http://www.cadapult.net
Authorized AutoCAD dealer serving the Greater Philadelphia area

Robert McNeel and Associates  ---- http://www.mcneel.com
Scott Davidson -scottd@mcneel.com  -------  (AutoCAD, Accurender, Facade, Rhino)

Walter W. Fredrick Associates, Inc. ----  http://www.fredrick.com
Peabody, MA --- (AutoCAD, Plotters, Plotting Services, technical support)

Avatech Solutions  ------ http://www.avat.com/products/software
 (AutoCAD, etc.)


AutoCAD Drawing Viewers :

Kamel Software --- (AutoCAD Drawing Viewers)
Cimmetry Inc. --- (AutoCAD Drawing Viewers)
Cyco Inc. --- (AutoCAD Drawing Viewers)
Robert McNeel & Associates --- (AutoCAD Utilities, Accurender, Facade)
AutoCAD Shareware Clearinghouse


AutoCAD User Groups :

Autodesk User Group International (AUGI) --------------------- http://www.augi.com
AutoCAD SIG Washington DC ---------- http://www.cpcug.org/user/autocad
GBAUG - Greater Boston AutoCAD User Group ------  http://www.gbaug.org
BSA AutoCAD User Group ------------------ http://www.architects.org
ArchitecturalDesktop Group - Boston / NewYork
GLAUG - Great Lakes AutoCAD User Group - meetings  4th Thursday of the month -- Dale Batko <DBATKO@dt.smithgroup.com>

Extensive List of AutoCAD User Groups Worldwide  ---------   http://www.spaug.org/User_Groups.Html


AutoCAD Newsletters / Magazines / Ezines :

CADence Magazine  ---- http://www.cadenceweb.com
Articles, reviews, extremely extensive web site
 
Inside AutoCAD  ------ http://www.zdjournals.com/iac
AutoCAD tips, techniques

CADalyst Magazine  ---- http://www.cadonline.com
Articles, reviews


AutoCAD Learning Resources :

CAD Forum  -------   http://www.cad-forum.com
AutoCAD R13 Windows - Tutorial  -----  http://www.arch.unsw.edu.au/subjects/arch/comsem3/tut4/acadtut4.htm
Autodesk Training Center (at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston) ----  http://www.wit.edu/ATC.HTM
AutoCAD Tutorials   ----   http://www.wit.edu/ACADtut.htm
Autodesk Training Center at UNH/TSAS -------  http://www.atc.unh.edu/default.htm


AutoCAD Books :

Complete list of AutoCAD Books  ------  http://www.architecturalcadd.com/books2.html

"AutoCAD for Architectural Drawing" by Beverly and James Kirkpatrick
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0130802638/architecturalcad/ 


AutoCAD Utilities and Symbol Block Libraries :

CADsyst - AutoCAD Shareware ---- http://www.cadsyst.com
The purpose of CADsyst is to make AutoCAD work for you by the use of the hundreds of shareware, freeware and public domain files available as well as interact with users like you through the use of newsgroups, usergroups and message boards.

AutoCAD Utilities ----  http://www.cad-forum.com/shareware/index.asp

CAD Blocks -----  http://www.cadblocks.com

ObjectsOnline -----  http://www.objectsonline.com


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Older AutoCAD News :

Articles specific to AutoCAD 2002 and Autodesk ArchitecturalDesktop3.3

News about AutoCAD 2004
Return to Hot CADD News

For the very latest information and reviews, see the information on the new book

Architectural CADD - A Resource Guide