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Architectural CADD News by Software |
DataCAD
Page 2
updated August 8, 2000
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Visit the link above to download FREE DataCAD enhancements. We've just added a complete set of DataCAD CHR and AutoCAD SHX equivalent fonts sets developed by Randy Jack of CAD Technologies http://www.ismi.net/~rjack/cadtech and more of his fonts can be purchased from http://world.std.com/~eshu/ctw/ctwf.htm#markA You'll also find 15 new macros originally developed by David Burwell of J.B. CAD Services.
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Shadow macro that is useful for our purposes and easy to use. dhShadow.
This is produced by dhSoftware. The firm is run by David Henderson and operates out of the Blue Mountains (Katoomba I think.) David is contactable on:
You could go to his website at:
He has a number of macros which may interest you. Some of these when set up using shortcut keys become second nature as part of the application.
How to learn RenderizeLive
1. Download the excellent article from DataCAD LLC on RL; 9 pages with illustrations. Written by Rick Morse
2. Buy the book: 'The Renderize Live Project Book' by Dr Leonard O Nasman. Essential reading because the tutorial in RL is by a graphic artist but the book uses a DataCAD model.You build the model ( a small cottage) and then you learn how to add colours, textures, lights and then animate it all. From Tech Ed Concepts, Concord, N H, ph 800-338-2238
3. Attend a RL course by Nick Pyner of Australia - he is doing at least one in the USA soon; maybe he could do others. If you attend a course (as I have just done) , you get the above book, supplimentary notes, a CD with the above model and various textures ,etc and you do everything on your pc. Highly recommended. Contact him on npyner@tig.com.au
4. Prepare a 3D model in DataCAD. Switch on only layers needed for model, ie no text, or any items which will not been seen in render or animation. Think carefully here - you can't add it later. You would have to start all over again. Save in 2D ortho as a DXF file through File/ Export/DXF. Toggle Auto on, Begin, set path and Save. Open Renderize Live, File/Load Object; select DXF file as saved above and thru selected path. Open. Change 'Set By Level' from 0 to 1. ('Level names', which are your layer names, are now highlighted). Delete layer 0. Toggle 'Layer On' in both 'Create Materials From' and 'Create Objects From' boxes. Toggle ON the lower 4 options, Select 'Read'. Image should show in display area as a wire frame model Have fun! Richard Beard
Datacad dwg to bitmap image
Recently, an architect I'm working for wanted me to send a set of drawings to her client via e-mail. She was concerned that it not be easy to plot or edit the drawings. These 24x36 drawings all used MSP extensively, and I use the single file method, i.e. all the drawings sheets are in a single Datacad file.
The final solution was to convert the drawings to bitmap images, and this is how I did it:
1. Plot to HPGL2 file using Datacad for dos.
2. Convert the HPGL2 file to PCX bitmap using PrintGL.
3. Convert the PCX file to a 2-colour GIF using Paintshop Pro.
Some experimentation is required in PrintGL to get the image size right. For 'output format' select ZSoft PCX b/w h,v dpi: nnn,nnn
where nnn is the desired dpi resolution. It is necessary to play around with the dpi to get an image of the desired size and clarity. The resulting image has to be large enough to read the text and dimensions, yet not so large that the file size becomes cumbersome for e-mail and viewing. For the drawings I sent, I ended up using 420,420 dpi. This resulted in a bitmap image that was around 4600x2600 pixels. When converted to GIF, the files ranged from 140k to 200k which is not too bad for emailing.
It was also necessary, under 'plotter' in PrintGL, to reduce the internal dpi to 762 from the default 1016 in order to get 36" wide plot files to turn out. The default 1016 will work for plots up to 32" wide. Anything larger and the plot starts to 'wrap around' itself.
The net result of all this is to be able to send an image of the drawing which is legible, preserves the MSP layout, can be viewed by just about any client who uses a computer, but is impractical to edit. It's not the be-all, end-all of transmitting review drawings, but another option that's available. It worked in this case, for this client, and for this architect. From: "David Billo" <dbillo@telos.ca>
From: Michael Smith <wmitrop@tiac.net>
Rotating details in MSP
<<< I've tried clip cubing my detail, then going to the plotter menu, clicking on ROTATE and setting it to 90 degrees I've gotta be missing something simple here..... >>>
DCAD and MSP do not support the rotation of clip cubes. I hope someday (soon!) it will. While they're at it, a clip "fence" would be nice, but that's another story...
You can only rotate non-clip cube details prior to placing them in MSP:
1. Display the detail you want in your drawing window.
2. Do a ReCalc just to be sure there are no stray entities you did not
know about.
3. Select "Plotter/Rotate", then select the rotation angle.
4. Select "MltLyout/Layout" The bounding box will display rotated.
5. Place the detail
6. Name the detail.
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 1999
From: "John Rowan" <jr@archserv.freeserve.co.uk>
Subject: Re: DBUG> ARCON
- ----- Original Message -----
From: TOMOLA
Sent: Wednesday 02 June 1999
Subject: DBUG> ARCON
> In all the talk about Spirit, I did not see anyone asking what I thought would be obvious questions: what kind of memory and processor does it take.
I suspect the same as DataCad
80486 or Pentium (recommended) 100 MHz
16 MB 32 (recommended)
500 MB hard disk (2 GB recommended)
120 MB free for installation
15" Monitor 800x600 17-21" 1280 x 1024 recommended
The better the system, better the performance.
>Can it read DCAD drawings and vice versa?
Drawings are saved as *.DC6 - only need to change extension to DC5 to read
>Do these programs look the least bit alike,
In most respects, I would say identical
> Was there a DOS version of Spirit?
I nave been a user since 4.5 through 5 and 6 all in DOS
>How long has IT been in Windows?
In the UK since V8 launched in September 98
> I surmise it is a very different animal and the idea of incorporating of =
> Sprit features will be slow going--- I think Mike Smith was guessing 3 =
> years in one post. Would not surprise me.
Up to version 5 Dos, I could use all the DCAL macros available.
I have been lead to believe that a lot of the enhancements DataCAD has
received over previous years, are in fact Spirit features and vice versa
> As basically a 2D document producer who uses 3D rarely, I think the best =
> feature in the ARCON package is the smart-sections. I see the potential =
> there in the other features, but I do not like the ---I say DO NOT =
> LIKE--- the format.
> Anybody else tried it?
Download it and tried it. Note that the Demo version 3.1 is Arcon and not
Arcon+
Arcon looks to be aimed at Joe Public, Arcon+ more towards the professional.
I suspect that a lot of DataCad users (including me, a Spirit user) are
confused with MB Software, Spirit and Arcon.
In the UK we have an English translation of the German product 8.03. This is
the first release of the Windows 95/98/NT program which is not a full 32 bit
program (cut & paste, bmp, etc. can not be used)
In Germany they have V9 in use, as I understand, a full 32 bit program, in
the UK we are still waiting for the translation.
Arcon is not a part of the Spirit package and does not integrate with it. We
have Fresco as a rendering package which is now a bit long in the tooth.
The UK English version of Spirit is only available in the UK
to quote Andrea of Spirit AEC Software Technology Ltd. the UK supplier (not
a part of SoftTech GmbH)
"Try emailing softTECH and ask them for updated info about where those of
you from outside the UK can purchase SPIRIT. - Nice to see so many of you
are so keen. I'm sorry that I can't help too much - I'd love to sell it to you, but
contractual agreements don't allow me to!
softTECH or DATACAD LLC should be able to guide you through to the correct route.
What I would like to see is a complete intregration of DataCAD, Spirit and
Arcon+ into one package. John Rowan, Lincoln UK
*******************************
Date: Wed, 02 Jun 1999
From: rick@datacad.com (Richard Morse)
Subject: Re: DBUG> ARCON
<<< In all the talk about Spirit, I did not see anyone asking what I thought would be obvious questions: what kind of memory and processor does it take. >>>
Spirit's requirements are similar if not identical to DataCAD's. I would recommend a minimum of a Pentium II 200 with 64MB RAM and 500MB of free disk space
<<< Can it read DCAD drawings and vice versa? >>>
The two can share each other's files to a large degree. Symbol files simply need to be renamed from SM3 to SM6, and layer files from LY6 to LYR. Drawing files can be renamed from DC6 to DC5, but you will have problems if you use the Spirit ZAC system as DataCAD will not recognize these entity types.
<<< Do these programs look the least bit alike? >>>
At first glance they appear identical.
<<< is the common code so transformed they are cannot even be distant cousins anymore? >>>
They share the same origins and core code
<<< Was there a DOS version of Spirit? >>>
Yes. Spirit originates from the licensing of DataCAD code by softTECH circa version 2.
<<< How long has IT been in Windows? >>>
About a year earlier than DataCAD, both programs were ported independently of each other using the same toolkit, Borland Delphi.
<<< I surmise it is a very different animal and the idea of incorporating of Sprit features will be slow going--- I think Mike Smith was guessing 3 years in one post. Would not surprise me. >>>
This is the danger of wild speculation, as it is absolutely not the case. The similarities and common origin of the programs will allow rapid exchange of resources between the two companies.
I had the opportunity to use Spirit, AKA DataCAD-Spirit in the '99 CADD Shootout. My familiarity with DataCAD allowed me to learn Spirit in a very short amount of time. One of the first things I did with the program was to customize the keyboard shortcuts and create my own icon toolbars for some of the new Spirit functions. 90% of my custom keyboard macros worked without modification, and the others simply required some adjusting to compensate for the slightly different menu structure in some areas of Spirit. While the icon toolbar format is completely different from DataCAD's, I was able to figure it out in about 10 minutes. The bottom line is that if you know DataCAD well, you already know the majority of Spirit. The remainder is the new functionality Spirit brings to the DataCAD user. One of the most exciting of these is the ZAC (Zone-Associated Construction) modeling/drawing system, which allows the user to rapidly generate plans, sections and 3D models. ZAC uses intelligent walls, window and door elements. Windows and door may be freely moved between walls, even from straight to curved. 3D Roofs are also very easy to generate from the defined walls. We used ZAC in the Shootout to create one of the most ambitious design solutions. While we were disappointed that one of our computers prevented us from finishing, the model we did create in less than three hours is both testimony to the power of the ZAC system and our team captain, Jim Horecka's design ability. Look for a rendering and Jim's sketch on our web site soon.
<<< As basically a 2D document producer who uses 3D rarely, I think the best feature in the ARCON package is the smart-sections. I see the potential there in the other features, but I do not like the ---I say DO NOT LIKE--- the format. >>>
ARCON offers a very easy to use visualization tool for pre-design and client presentation. It is not geared towards production drawing, but rather to the design process. It truly is a tool that anyone can use, and does not require prior CAD training. Nonetheless, it is a very powerful tool in the hands of an architect, and allows for export to DataCAD or Spirit for the Construction Document phase. Also, the ARCON demo you are using may be version 3. The current version is version 4.0, and I do not believe it is available in English yet. Based on the reaction of attendees at the A/E/C show in L.A., ARCON will make a very big splash when it debuts. It's rendering capabilities, ease of use, and animated object-based elements were nothing short of jaw-dropping to those who saw it. Rick Morse
DBUG> DataCAD in academia
<<< the debate taking place here in over DataCAD versus AutoCAD. Doubtlessly there are many others teaching DataCAD in academia. Let's invite them to express their opinions of why they chose to teach DataCAD and what their views might be between the architectural functionality of both programs, if indeed they really know......What say you teacherly types out there? >>>
As many of you already know, I have been involved with setting up CADD instruction at 9 colleges as well as several training centers. For programs with 18 year old type students who need to go out there and get a job - I HAVE to teach them AutoCAD at least somewhere along the way. Not to do so would be irresponsible, and either they, their parents, or the administration would eventually come screeming back saying we taught them "the wrong" software. Similarly, though, pick any of 6 or 7 flavors of AutoCAD and you will have the same problem - i.e. even a supposedly up-to-date training center teaching AutoCAD 14 is going to have former students bewildered when they find themselves in any of the vast majority of AutoCAD 12 offices, or ones using AutoArchitect or ArchT (which many long term users still call "Ketiv") or ArchiBus, or, after a hiatus, are lost trying to use, say ArchitecturalDesktop on top of ACAD2001 or somesuch.
For the schools, choosing any one CADD software to teach is a loose loose proposition. Regardless of what they teach it will be superceeded by other software or future versions, and, as we all know, the vast majority of real offices actually lag behind a version or two (or three). My approach to this problem is not to teach one program (which makes the student entrench, and start looking at a limited scope of job prospects), but to teach at least three - always. Three, because human nature, people, always reluctant to learn the second one, will primerily just find faults (and hate) the second one. Having taught this stuff for now some 15 years and started students with every combination and then gone to every other combination this attitude is universal (and yes you do know AutoCAD users who "tried" DataCAD and hated it). Once the students get to their 3rd CADD package, again, almost universally, their attitudes change, mainly for the positive, about all three products, though they usually have preferences. (About 5% will actually prefer AutoCAD, about 25% will prefer ArchiCAD, and, usually some 70% will like DataCAD the best - and yes I do surveys all the time.) I personally find that when I can start a class with DataCAD first, then expose them to several weeks of AutoCAD and then ArchiCAD/MiniCAD/etc (pick one), that those classes learn the fastest, go the furthest, pick up what they need of AutoCAD faster, and write better reviews of the courses.
Whether high school, or college, or training center, they are
already
confronted by the nightmarish black hole of costs - that every computer
system in their labs MUST be replaced at minimum every 3.5 years, so,
when
fighting for funds with other departments, the cost of upgrading,
maintaining,
or switching CADD software is even worse. Administrators and potential
instructors
like inexpensive CADD software licence fees, since it it is feasable
(without
a special meeting of the Board) and, because it HAS a COST, someone
must
be accountable and be hired to teach it - i.e. software that comes in
free
is frequently ignored an instant shelfware. The best process is that
when
a company such as DataCAD LLC finds an advocate willing to teach and an
amenable school is to, at least officially, call it a Grant or
Fellowship,
consisting of special training for the potential faculty and the
software,
all of which makes the faculty happy and look good, makes the
administration
happy and look good, and so on. Thus you are not lowering the cost, you
are not giving it away, you are awarding Grants to schools who have
demonstrated
that it will be taught properly - everyone wins. Geoffrey Moore
Langdon,
AIA