However, for each project we evaluate the most appropriate software given the project criteria, starting information, and the needed endproducts. We frequently show the firms who hire us how we do it so that they can do it for themselves the next time - kind of works us out of a job, but we still get plenty of work, possibly partly because of this approach. Thus, we are happy to do the modeling in, say, your VectorWorks, or your old AutoCAD 14, or even your new Autodesk ArchitecturalDesktop2005 and Revit, and show you all our tips and techniques along the way if you wish.

Going from paper scans into a usable format in CADD is not automatic - the key being the term "usable" as auto-trace programs do exist. The best way, though, is to use a "CAD-Overlay" approach, where a draftsman essentially draws the drawing from scratch - but with the scan image immediatly underneath for reference.

The CAD-Overlay approach has proven itself many times over a number of alternatives, and is the primary approach in most Scan-to-CAD vectorization service companies. CAD Overlay is also the name of an add-on program to AutoCAD which started the whole paradime. We typically use AutoCAD 2004 to do such work. We also now use this technique with ArchiCAD and DataCAD. We find that this approach is particularly valuable if there are a lot of curves in the drawing - such as site contours.

What makes our Scan-toCAD services stand out from the - sizable - competition, is that we, as architects who know a variety of CADD programs, can give you a drawing with your file/layer/pen standards in your particular CADD program, with usable objects in your particular smart architectural CADD software - such as ArchitecturalDesktop, DataCAD, ArchiCAD, and so on.