why AutoCAD??

frankly speaking i am on on the verge of kicking out AutoCAD from my office after i have used Rhino, 3DSMAX and specially sketchup.

Just wondering before "i totally reject the idea of using AutoCAD anymore for architectural purposes"..what are the reasons i should prefer AutoCAD over skecthup, ArchiCAD and rhino?

now with new version, i see AutoCAD has started working directly in 3D after collaborating with DISCREET.

no doubt AutoCAD is versatile software and very good 2D drafting tool.

With all due respect to AutoCAD FANS!

frankly speaking i am on on the verge of kicking out AutoCAD from my office after i have used Rhino, 3DSMAX and specially sketchup.

 

Just wondering before "i totally reject the idea of using AutoCAD anymore for architectural purposes"..what are the reasons i should prefer AutoCAD over skecthup, ArchiCAD and rhino?

 

now with new version, i see AutoCAD has started working directly in 3D after collaborating with DISCREET.

 

no doubt AutoCAD is versatile software and very good 2D drafting tool.

 

With all due respect to AutoCAD FANS!

Well, let's remember that AutoDesk owns Discreet There was no doubt that we would see Max's render engine in AutoCAD at some point. I agree with most of your points. If i had to buy software for my own business I would get SketchUp, Rhino3D and AutoCAD LT w/ the LT Max ToolKit and still be in less than one seat of AutoCAD. Rhino is hard to beat for 3D modeling much like SU is the best for roughing out ideas and conceptual models however AutoCAD is the winner hands down for 2D drafting power. Sometimes you just need a good 2D package. I feel that each one has a good toolset for a specific task. A good worker/mechanic always has more than one tool in his toolbox

frankly speaking i am on on the verge of kicking out AutoCAD from my office after i have used Rhino, 3DSMAX and specially sketchup.

 

Just wondering before "i totally reject the idea of using AutoCAD anymore for architectural purposes"..what are the reasons i should prefer AutoCAD over skecthup, ArchiCAD and rhino?

 

now with new version, i see AutoCAD has started working directly in 3D after collaborating with DISCREET.

 

no doubt AutoCAD is versatile software and very good 2D drafting tool.

 

With all due respect to AutoCAD FANS!

You have to remember that just because you hear the term "architectural" doesn't mean AutoCAD goes with it - at least not anymore. AutoCAD can do it all, yes, but nowadays effeciency/ease of use is coming into play a lot more.

but think of this... in my line of work what tool is better than AutoCAD when it comes to creating flat piece drawings, laser cut/waterjet cut and then molded into place to become something? There's nothing out there that is. Some say Inventor, but i say no. From what i know there's hundreds, probably thousands of applications AutoCAD could be used for.... but as the years go by programs get smarter and better, and continuously molding upward with users doing less and the programs doing more. but when you want 100% control over certain applications and compatibility with other companies, like my company does, then AutoCAD is for you.

To each his own.....

I think you are right to question the use of AutoCAD, everyone should review their tools from time-to-time. But I agree with the others, for 2D drafting and compatibility, there's nothing to touch AutoCAD. In the last 5 years, AutoCAD 2D has changed dramatically and all the development effort has gone into making AutoCAD more efficient to work with in 2D. At the same time, Autodesk have neglected the 3D aspect of the product. During the same period we have seen the rise of some exceptional new 3D tools like SketchUp and Rhino. With AutoCAD 2007, it's clear that Autodesk understand that their recent neglect of 3D has allowed others to come into the field. My guess is that they'll be working very hard to close those gaps over the next few years. My prediction is that the next 2-3 versions of AutoCAD will include major improvements in 3D.

I think you are right to question the use of AutoCAD, everyone should review their tools from time-to-time. But I agree with the others, for 2D drafting and compatibility, there's nothing to touch AutoCAD. In the last 5 years, AutoCAD 2D has changed dramatically and all the development effort has gone into making AutoCAD more efficient to work with in 2D. At the same time, Autodesk have neglected the 3D aspect of the product. During the same period we have seen the rise of some exceptional new 3D tools like SketchUp and Rhino. With AutoCAD 2007, it's clear that Autodesk understand that their recent neglect of 3D has allowed others to come into the field. My guess is that they'll be working very hard to close those gaps over the next few years. My prediction is that the next 2-3 versions of AutoCAD will include major improvements in 3D.

Amen brotha.

well! if i have to use AutoCAD for only 2D drafting and jump on to sketchup and rhino for 3D jobs, thats not fair! i cannot wait till the time Autodesk understands that "this is a 3D world"

I may only invest in AutoCAD LT and not AutoCAD full version for that reason, but why invest only for 2D when other software give you more than 2D in the same price or even lesser!

AutoCAD is ready with pyramids and helix now in 2007 version! before that it was an embarrasing situation for me when students used to ask me about creation of pyramids and helix in AutoCAD!

i cannot wait till the time Autodesk understands that "this is a 3D world"

this world isn't exactly a 3D world, not 100% and never will it be when it comes to certain applications. in my line of work, we require 2D prints and it'll stay that way. when you have new construction of a building, and you have 30 different contractors doing everything from HVAC/Excavating/Plumbing/Electrical/Foundation/etc etc etc.... i can keep going. You'll get prints that are 300 pages think at D-sized, there's no way you can make that in 3D and be effecient, lol. once again you need to understand what exactly the line of work you're going to do and make a desicion if AutoCAD is right for you :-)

if you're just showing off 3D views of new construction or designs, then there's better out there, yes.

we require 2D prints and it'll stay that way. when you have new construction of a building, and you have 30 different contractors doing everything from HVAC/Excavating/Plumbing/Electrical/Foundation/etc etc etc.... i can keep going. You'll get prints that are 300 pages think at D-sized, there's no way you can make that in 3D and be effecient, lol. once again you need to understand what exactly the line of work you're going to do and make a desicion if AutoCAD is right for you

I totally agree

for all those 2D applications i have already said i am with AutoCAD LT.

but for the same price (of LT), i can have 3D also included inpackage!

I TOTALLY DISAGREE

just you wait till you see Rhinoceros 4

Just wondering before "i totally reject the idea of using AutoCAD anymore for architectural purposes"..what are the reasons i should prefer AutoCAD over skecthup, ArchiCAD and rhino?

Well, to begin with you should be comparing apples with apples and oranges with oranges.

I assume from the name that Archicad is some kind of architectural program ?

Sketchup, I've never used but from screenshots again, I assume some kind of architectural program.

Rhino ? isn't that a nurbs modeller or something, I'm not completely sure but I know it's in the same vein as 3DS Max & Viz.

So as far as I can see you are trying to compare a general drafting package with 2 architectural packages and a solid modeller. How can you compare these fairly against each other ?

Now, let me see, ... I've designed trains in Autocad, I've designed buses in Autocad. I've used Max to create animations and renderings of those vehicles.

I wonder how I would have got on if I'd tried to use Sketchup or Archicad to design those vehicles ?

If you are going to compare an Autodesk product against specialised software I would suggest that you compare ADT or Architectural desltop or whatever Autodesk's architectural package is called against them. At least compare like for like, then maybe the comparison will have some meaning.

Maybe you should reject AutoCAD and then go and buy the correct tool for the job.

On the plus side: AutoCAD can be programmed by the user to fit his/her needs and add-on packages give it unique functionality depending on the discipline.

On the minus side: The cost! Jeez, for the number of seats AutoDesk has sold, one would think the cost of the full package would have come down some 20 years later. No, it just keeps climbing! And now with yearly upgrades (so they say) if you don't become a "subscriber" your version of AutoCAD becomes "outdated" before you've had a chance to really master it. Remember, your employer pays you to be productive.

no no

I am more comparing GMO apples to regular apples

I am serious about this being so new that not many people know except the v3 owners who beta test and there is very few I have ever found outside of mcneels own newsgroup where it developed.

anything that can be done in autocad can be done in rhinoceros 4 but more is how i feel.

this world isn't exactly a 3D world, not 100% and never will it be when it comes to certain applications. in my line of work, we require 2D prints and it'll stay that way. when you have new construction of a building, and you have 30 different contractors doing everything from HVAC/Excavating/Plumbing/Electrical/Foundation/etc etc etc.... i can keep going. You'll get prints that are 300 pages think at D-sized, there's no way you can make that in 3D and be effecient, lol. once again you need to understand what exactly the line of work you're going to do and make a desicion if AutoCAD is right for you :-)

 

if you're just showing off 3D views of new construction or designs, then there's better out there, yes.

This world is very much 3D, i've lost count the number of times i've been supervising installations and the electrical has gotton in the way of the fire sprinkler system which then in turn interferes with the HVAC. if the building companies went 3D with the whole building and services design, you could check for interferences before the project starts, then you wouldn't blow the budget or the timeline, let alone your rep. Use a parametric 3D modeller like SW and Acad will hardly even be a blip on the radar. Sure, its more expensive, but it far outweighs the stuff ups

and about nothing is as good at 3d or as affordable as...

no no

I am more comparing GMO apples to regular apples

 

anything that can be done in autocad can be done in rhinoceros 4 but more is how i feel.

what's GMO apple when it's at home ?

Anything that can be done in AutoCAD can be done in may more programs and vice versa. What does that prove ? I could do a drawing in MS Paint, but I wouldn't want to.

I choose AutoCAD because it gives me the flexibility I need.

I create my own tools within AutoCAD when I need something it doesn't do out of the box.

I have several different programming languages to chose from.

There is a wide user base out there and very useful forums if I need asistance.

we use AutoCAD as our workload dictates the use of contract draughtsmen from time to time. We sometimes struggle to find one proficient in AutoCAD. I daren't think what the situation would be if we had to find one proficient in something less standard.

I work for a small specialty chemical company. Our welding/fabrication/piping departments all rely upon 2D drawings to build off of. However, we've recently started incorporating 3D views. If there are questions regarding designs we invite them into the CAD department and do a little "show and tell". Once they have seen the tank, platform or header in 3D they usually "get the picture". It's amazing how many questions can be answered without resorting to words.

Will we ever build entirely from 3D? Who's to say? The future is what we design it to be.

I haven't heard anyone mention this part yet: If an arch company decides to use something different from autocad, how does digital format compatability issues with consultants work out?

I haven't heard anyone mention this part yet: If an arch company decides to use something different from autocad, how does digital format compatability issues with consultants work out?

It doesn't work out. I can just see it now, telling our clients: "Yah, we don't use autocad anymore, we use rhino to create our drawings." The response would be: "Oh, really, well we don't use you as our consultant anymore, we use somebody else." Autocad is the industry standard. Most of the clients we deal with, specifically state in the contract that all work will be done in Autocad .dwg format for compatibility among all consultants. We couldn't switch even if we wanted to. And we don't.

It doesn't work out. I can just see it now, telling our clients: "Yah, we don't use autocad anymore, we use rhino to create our drawings." The response would be: "Oh, really, well we don't use you as our consultant anymore, we use somebody else." Autocad is the industry standard. Most of the clients we deal with, specifically state in the contract that all work will be done in Autocad .dwg format for compatibility among all consultants. We couldn't switch even if we wanted to. And we don't.

Pretty much the same here. Sometimes we are asked to provide the drawings in Microstation which we convert with a program or sub out. We have just won one contract where we will need to use InTools (or whatever it's called this month) but the client is buying us a copy for the duration of the project. We will have to see how that works - hopefully "InTools" will appear on my CV at the end of it. :wink: