►Making the switch from Vectorworks to AutoCAD

[Robwan]

Hi guys

 

I used vw's at university mainly doing my architecture degree and i'm pretty fluent at it.

 

I need to learn autocad though as well now (for getting jobs etc)

 

I started messing about on it and luckily a lot of it is similar to vw and i already feel quite at home it, so its prob just a case of fiddling around for a week or so.

However i just wondered whether anyone has any key important tips for switching over e.g things which i must do...or shall i just crack on and get used to it?

cheers!

 

p.s sorry if this has already been asked before, i did a search but couldn't find anything specific to mine

[ReMark]

Why AutoCAD and not one of the vertical products more suitable to architectural work?

 

My first suggestion would be to create a template that has everything you need to start working immediately such as text and dimension style, layers, title block and border, units, etc. A big time saver.

[Robwan]

oh yea its autocad architecture im using i forgot to mention so it is focused more on that lol.

 

What exactly are the 'vertical products' i tried searching for them, but couldn't find what they really are specifically?

 

Thanks for tips about the template, thats a good shout, ill get on that

[ReMark]

AutoCAD Architecture would be one example of an AutoCAD vertical product. Vertical products add discipline-specific content to the AutoCAD base. Other examples would be AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Electrical.

[tzframpton]

If you're going into the architectural trade then learning AutoCAD would be helpful, but I would really put 90% or more of your efforts into learning Revit Architecture instead. AutoCAD is being phased out very quickly as the program of choice and Revit is being used more and more, especially with new generations of designers and engineers and more especially with the use of BIM, VDC, and IPD (BIM=Building Information Modeling, VDC=Virtual Design & Construction, IPD=Integrated Project Delivery).

[Robwan]

Ok thanks guys for the help, i appreciate it. and yea thats a good point about revit etc. During uni i had a pretty quick work flow using sketchup to make a detailed model, then i was able to get literally get all the plans sections, elevations etc from that (dwg export)....plus lots of nice renders with vray hehe. These were curvey organic shapes too so it helped, but sketchup lacks in power which is a downside and packages like revit seem to be taking over since they literally do everything lol.

[JD Mather]

If you are still a student you can get free 3-yr learning licenses for these products at http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity

[tzframpton]

Don't confuse Revit Architecture for just being a 3D tool because it's not... it's an architectural building design tool as a whole. Parametric 3D modeling is a major part of it, but you also use the information side of the program for the engineering data of the building as well, such as R Values for walls when you do space loads, or geographic location details for LEED, etc. These are all the things you have to do as an architect anyways but now the once manual process is now being adopted in with the program bringing everything to you in one package.