|
Architectural CADD News by Software |
updated Aug. 1, 2001
DataCAD
DataCAD and DataCAD Plus reviews
Here are direct links to recent DataCAD and DataCAD Plus reviews, awards, and articles that have appeared online.
Review of DataCAD 8 for Windows95 - in CADENCE magazine August 1998
The DataCAD Office 5/95
CAD Systems 12/00 - Easy Professional CADD -- (DataCAD 9 Review) = http://www.cadsystems.com/software/0010_datacad9.html
CADENCE 11/00 - CAD Options --- (DataCAD Plus Review) =http://www.cadenceweb.com/2000/1100/cadoptions1100.html
CADENCE - Show Stopper Winners at A/E/C Systems 2000 -- (DataCAD Plus Award) = http://www.cadenceweb.com/news/archive/aecssawards.html
CADALYST 06/00 - Design Spotlight, CAD Spectrum -- (DataCAD User Story) = http://www.cadonline.com/spectrum/spotlight/0600dspot/0600dspot.htm
CAD Systems 03/00 - Architect envisions an integrated design world -- (DataCAD User Story) = http://www.cadsystems.com/profiles/0003f01.html
CADinfo.net -- DataCAD vs. AutoCAD in Academia: is it David vs. Goliath? -- (Article) = http://www.cadinfo.net/editorial/datavsauto.htm
Design/Build Business -- "Smart" House Plans Fuel Growth for Ohio Homebuilder -- (DataCAD User Story) = http://216.167.42.40/0700/features/ohio.htm
Design/Build Business -- Corporate Remodel Utilizes 3D CAD -- (DataCAD User Story) = http://216.167.42.40/1298/projects/cad.htm
Design/Build Business -- Small Design Firm Wins Big With CAD -- (DataCAD User Story) = http://216.167.42.40/0999/projects/cad.htm
CADALYST 11/99 - Design for the New Millennium -- (Feature Story) = http://www.cadalyst.com/features/millennium/index.html
http://www.cadalyst.com/features/millennium/madura.html
CADALYST 10/99 - CADALYST Labs -- (DataCAD 8.5 Review) = http://www.cadalyst.com/reviews/software/cad/1099data/1099data.htm
CAD Systems 04/99 - "Reliving the Past: Archaeological Sites Brought -- to Life Through CAD and Virtual Reality" -- (Article) = http://www.cadsystems.com/profiles/9904f06.html
CAD Systems 11/98 - DataCAD 8 -- (DataCAD 8 Review) = http://www.cadsystems.com/software/9811f05.html
eWeek 11/98 - DataCAD targets Autodesk's gaps -- (DataCAD 8.05 Review) = http://www.zdnet.com/products/stories/reviews/0,4161,358648,00.html
CADENCE 08/98 - Feature Review -- (DataCAD 8 Review) = http://www.cadenceweb.com/1998/0898/featurereview0898.html
From: Becky Stevens <becky.stevens@virtualmarketing-pr.com>
Subject: Windows Magazine online reviews DataCAD 8.05
WINDOWS Magazine online features a review of DataCAD 8.05 vs. ArchiCAD on their web site, http://www.winmag.com
It is the fifth item down on the lead page, Online Extra: Design Buildings Better With CAD The powerful, complex and expensive ArchiCAD faces off against the more affordable, yet strong DataCAD in our head-to-head software review.
Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2000
From: "Denis Schmiedeke" <deneke@provide.net>
Subject: DBUG> The Architectural Record Review
DEBUGGERS, last week in this Forum we got a brief alert about the AR review on CAD packages. The bit on DataCAD was particularly damaging, in my view. But you be the judge; here's the complete review:
"Staging a comeback DataCAD 8.5, DataCAD LLC
In the early days of DOS-based PCs, DataCAD's keyboard shortcuts and special macro commands made it a standout for architectural productivity. There was even a time when DataCAD bore the imprimatur of the AIA. But a succession of managerial and ownership transitions and shifting marketing strategies paralyzed product development during the crucial transition from DOS to Windows. With version 8.5, DataCAD is staging a comeback.
DataCAD, as the name implies, was an early adopter of linkages between drawing elements and external data, such as a bill of materials. Though not as sophisticated as the drawing and data links in newer object CAD programs, the links in DataCAD serve the needs of nearly 200,000 registered users. Similarly, the user interface emphasizes convenience and speed in 2-D drafting because that's what users tell the developers they want, even though quick and easy 3-D is available in the package.
The plethora of task-specific tools and commands cluttering the screen interface and the underlying code is problematic. It's confusing to novice users and unwieldy for the program developers. DataCAD is, however, still the best low-cost, full-featured tool for architectural drawing." by Jerry Laiserin, FAIA; page 188, Architectural Record 03.00, in Software reviews, Six new packages.......
Note : The concensus in the DataCAD DBUG forum in April 2000 on the above review is that the reviewer confused DataCAD with its arch-rival back in 1986 called DrawBase (now owned by Graphisoft (of ArchiCAD fame)) which had strong data-links for a DOS program (and DataCAD never had a Bill of Materials until recent Windows versions). The company actually cites over 290,000 currently registered users, and DataCAD has one of the cleanest screen interfaces in the industry. We would agree that the distribution of the features in several different areas and macros is confusing to new users.