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Architectural CADD News by
Software
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Last Updated : June
29, 2006
AutoCAD 2007
Autodesk Inc. = http://www.autodesk.com
Latest version : AutoCAD 2007
Web site : http://www.autodesk.com
Online Forum : (there are many) see list at http://www.autodesk.com
Also see the News sections for Architectural Add-ons for AutoCAD
:
Autodesk ArchitecturalDesktop, ArchT,
PalladioX, ArchPro,
AP Design, Facade,
Bricsnet Architecturals, RealArchitect,
SmartArchitect, ArchiBus,
GeoCAD
Note from Architectural CADD : AutoCAD is the most widely used
microcomputer CADD used by many areas of engineering (with almost 18%
of
the total world CAD market (and over 70% of the Windows based
microcomputer
CAD market)). For 2D production drawings in the construction industry,
AutoCAD's native DWG file format (still a proprietary secret) and
AutoCAD's
DXF file format (their official transfer standard) are commonly
expected
- so that every single competitor must now have a "translator" of some
sort to read and write those file formats. AutoCAD is an enormously
powerful
generic (i.e. not architectural) 2D drafting CADD software, analogous
to
the "utility truck" of the industry. Since AutoCAD 13 (9 years ago) the
software has borrowed Spacial Technology's ACIS to achieve 3D modeling
abilities. As of 1998 there is now an architectural version of AutoCAD,
originally called AutoCAD ArchitecturalDesktop, which includes entities
for walls, windows, doors, etc. - these entities, however, are not
fully
compatible with other flavors of AutoCAD.
Comments from Architectural CADD : Probably one of the two most
powerful and comprehensive general purpose CADD programs available for
Microsoft Windows microcomputers (with MicroStation), with certainly
the
best and most extensive resources for training (books, schools,
consultants)
in the world. Many people, however, are happy doing 2D production
drafting
with their now 11 year old AutoCAD 12 copies, and the vast majority
(some
statistics say over 70%) still using AutoCAD 14 from 7 years ago. For
this
reason, and to spur sales of their architect-specific Autodesk
ArchitecturalDesktop3.3,
Autodesk discontinued AutoCAD 14 support and upgradeability as of Dec.
2001, essentially to force people to upgrade. A similar expiring
of AutoCAD 2000 support and upgradability is expected to be
announced
later in 2003.
New in AutoCAD 2007 :
Entirely new 3D modeling ability (very similar to how SketchUp
works)
New display modes - view a schematic conceptual with overshooting
squiggly lines (again like how SketchUp works)
Better file exchange with ArchitecturalDesktop 2007, and Revit Building
Note : Support and upgradability from AutoCAD 14 ended Dec.
2001. To "upgrade" from that version now would require buying a
whole
new licence for each station (circa $3500-$5000 depending on your
local CADD dealer). An alternative we recommend is to "rent"
AutoCAD
through one of their VIP subscription plans (which vary from as little
as $10 per day to as much as $1400 per year).
Click here for link to previous
information
on AutoCAD 2000i
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
Note that neither Architectural CADD Consultants, nor the Boston
Society
of Architects sell any CADD software of any kind
for purchaces, see the venders listed below.
Sellers of AutoCAD : (also see the complete list
of worldwide dealers on the Autodesk web site)
Designers CADD Company
(Peter
Bruckner) Cambridge MA ------- http://www.designerscadd.com
(AutoCAD, ArchitecturalDesktop, Revit, ArchitecturalStudio,
Viz, 3D Studio, Lightscape)
Consulting for Architects
(CFA)
Boston, MA ------------ http://www.cons4arch.com
--------------
http://www.cadstoreonline.com
(AutoCAD, ArchitecturalDesktop, Revit)
The CAD Store
------------------------
http://www.thecadstore.com
CADapult Greater
Philadelphia
area ------------- http://www.cadapult.net
Scott Davidson
-scottd@mcneel.com
----------- http://www.mcneel.com
Walter W. Fredrick Associates, Inc.
Peabody, MA ----------------------------
http://www.fredrick.com
Avatech Solutions
--------------------
http://www.avat.com
Utilities for AutoCAD
Kamel Software --- (AutoCAD
Drawing Viewers)
Cimmetry Inc. --- (AutoCAD
Drawing
Viewers)
Cyco Inc. --- (AutoCAD Drawing
Viewers)
Robert McNeel &
Associates
--- (AutoCAD Utilities, Accurender, Facade)
cadshareware.com -------
Roof Builder Tools for AutoCAD 14/2000 30 day trial ------
http://www.cadshareware.com
AutoCAD Shareware Clearinghouse
User Groups specific to AutoCAD
Autodesk User Group International
(AUGI)
--------------------- http://www.augi.com
GBAUG (Greater Boston AutoCAD User
Group)
--------------- http://www.gbaug.org
AutoCAD SIG Washington
DC ---------- http://www.cpcug.org/user/autocad
Great Lakes AutoCAD User Group GLAUG
Contact Dale Batko <DBATKO@dt.smithgroup.com>
for more info
North American CAD ------- (Refurbished
Plotters) ------------------------------------- http://nacad.com
Online Tutorials
AutoCAD
R13 Windows - Tutorial
www.CADD.bigstep.com
------------- http://www.CADD.bigstep.com
Redvector.com
----------------------
http://www.Redvector.com
"AutoCAD Tutorials"
Training Centers
Autodesk Training Center (at
Wentworth Institute)
Autodesk Training
Center
at UNH/TSAS
AutoCAD Specific Books
"AutoCAD for Architectural Drawing" by Beverly and James Kirkpatrick
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0130802638/architecturalcad
www.CADD.bigstep.com
--- Many AutoCAD Books---------- http://www.CADD.bigstep.com
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.
EasySite - Picture It in AutoCAD
3D Site Modeling and Visualization for architects, landscapers, and
AEC professionals.
EasySite for AutoCAD R14 and AutoCAD 2000. Based on high-end digital
terrain modeling concepts, EasySite is a new-technology 3D site
modeling
application, that is intended for AEC professionals who may not have
experience
with DTM, engineering, or 3D modeling applications.
EasySite liberates the creativity of architects, landscapers,
designers,
contractors, or any AEC professional allowing them to easily view a
site
model before, during or after the design stage. EasySite facilitates
conceptualization,
collaboration, and presentation by allowing anyone to 'picture their
projects'
quickly in AutoCAD.
Easy to learn, simple to use, and priced to be affordable, EasySite
is being introduced at a special temporary price of $229.
Nick Vasilieff
Third Party International
6246 SE Scott Drive
Portland, OR 97215 USA
PH: 503-230-7938, FX:503-230-9209, nickv@thirdpartyintl.com,
http://www.thirdpartyintl.com
CADlock
CADLock v3.2 (US$249) drawing file security software now supports
AutoCAD
2000. CADLock provides secure drawing files that may be password
protected,
and can be programmed to grant various levels of data access to
recipients.
http://www.cadlock.com/
drcauto
LT Toolkit 2000 with LISP (US$195) includes access to layer, color,
linetype and lineweight control, autoscaling of text and drafting
symbols,
a User Library Manager, and extended keyboard functionality. Written in
ObjectARX and LISP. Drcauto will enable LISP in AutoCAD LT 2000; the
LISP
API will become available to all LT 2000 users. http://www.drcauto.com
Also see the News sections for Architectural Add-ons for AutoCAD
:
Autodesk ArchitecturalDesktop, ArchT,
PalladioX, ArchPro,
AP Design, Facade,
Bricsnet Architecturals, RealArchitect,
SmartArchitect, ArchiBus,
GeoCAD
Return to Hot CADD News
For the very latest information and reviews, see the information on
the
new book
Architectural CADD - A
Resource
Guide