Hotel renovations

[flrenovations]

Hello,

 

I'm trying to help my family with a hotel renovations company. We would like to begin using CAD software to assist in creating digital layouts for furniture and fixture placements and design. I know absolutely nothing about CAD and I don't know where to begin.

 

I would like recommendations on which software would best fit our needs along with any books to assist in the learning process.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Dana W]

It sounds like you want interior design software. I don't know much about it but there are good packages out there. the professional level programs can cost anywhere from a few hundred to over $12,000.00 US.

 

There are free programs out there, but they seem to concentrate on residential room design and landscaping.

 

Since I don't know how deep into this you want to go right now, here is a link to a product by AutoDesk which is free. it is called Homestyler. I haven't tried it, but you can trust Autodesk as much as, or more than the rest. You can at least get your feet wet, even though this stuff is residential in nature, and see what is available at the upper level of the free stuff.

[Dana W]

If you want to go to some really comprehensive design and construction software, AutoDesk Revit is probably the Ferrari of the industry. The learning curve is about as steep as the price, in that it may take a couple of college intensity classes to operate the program, and a year or more of constant work to become efficient. Who knows, it may be what you need to do with your life. Hell, somebody gotta do it.

[ReMark]

First you'll need access to CAD drawings for the hotels you are going to be renovating or do you expect to be doing those as well?

[bradw]

My prior career was in Hotels, and now my firm does Interior Design. We are full service with Residential and small luxury hotels and boutique hotels (Hospitality/corporate) The software we use for data management, proposals, purchasing, accounting etc. is "Studio IT". This, with AutoCAD is the foundation of everything we do. Like the previous poster suggested, do you already have plans, or working with architect who has the as-built plans? Or, perhaps will you be creating these yourself? Lots of questions for you before really being of help, feel free to post here - I'm a Newbie to the posting forums as well.

 

I have lots of advice about both Studio IT and with AutoCAD depending on your needs/application. I am fairly new to AutoCAD, but think I can at least put things in perspective for you. Let me know if I can assist!

[flrenovations]

Hello everyone. I really appreciate all of the help and replies.

 

To answer your question, we will be making the drawings ourselves. I have been looking at something called Delta Midnight. It is supposed to be one of the easiest CAD programs to use. Does this sound like something I should look further in to? We will not be working with an architect.

[flrenovations]

Hello everyone. I really appreciate all of the help and replies.

 

To answer your question, we will be making the drawings ourselves. I have been looking at something called Delta Midnight. It is supposed to be one of the easiest CAD programs to use. Does this sound like something I should look further in to? We will not be working with an architect.

[bradw]

could you please share with me; how many rooms does the hotel have? How many room types? Will there be public spaces too? Which ones? and could you please give some clarification as to how much/where there will be remodleing vs. furnishings (FF&E) design work? thanks!

[flrenovations]

It's not just one hotel. I was actually asked to learn how we can use CAD for future projects. The hotels do vary in size and it's mostly FF&E.

[flrenovations]

There will be public spaces as well.

[bradw]

I did not realize this was your family's business! They must already have local sources for people who can draft in CAD, and they should be your first choice in learning CAD. You will then need to learn AutoCAD - it's the way the world communicates design. Take a class, work with CAD, take another class, and join forums like these. It's the only way that I would recommend for you. Good luck!

[flrenovations]

Okay thanks a bunch.

[flrenovations]

http://www.cadinstitute.org/fundamentals.htm

 

Has anyone heard of these courses?

 

Do you think learning the fundamentals of AutoCAD will be a good start? I would hate to waste time and money if it's not going to be something I can use. Is there a difference between CAD and AutoCAD?

[tzframpton]

If you are serious about this, I would recommend the Revit LT Suite, which gives you both the AutoCAD and Revit platforms and known to be the industry standard. You can use online training, or find a local training facility with a local reseller, or buy recommended books and give it a go yourself in your own time. Either way you go, you can and should use this forum for assistance as the people who volunteer their time here provide invaluable information and knowledge.

[Dana W]

Is there a difference between CAD and AutoCAD?

CAD or CADD is an acronym for Computer Aided Design/Drafting. AutoCad is a brand name for a program that does CAD. There are those who think that AutoCad is little more than electronic paper. They are right, of course.

[ReMark]

I took a 3D course through the CAD Institute.

 

Do a search of this site on the following "Murrary State" then check out some of the threads. Like anything else you are thinking of purchasing when you look for reviews you'll see everything from noteworthy praise to outright condemnation. While my experience was fairly good other people will regale you with horror stories. The final decision rests with you.

 

If it were me I would first see if there is a local authorized AutoDesk reseller in the immediate area that offers a basic introductory class to AutoCAD. A typical course could run you several hundred dollars and last five days at 7-8 hours per day. Classes tend to be small and the teachers knowledgeable. Should you not find one then the next place I'd look would be a local community college. The price may be similar or slightly higher due to fees and the cost of your book(s). Courses range from 8 to 12 weeks, classes tend to be twice a week, and the shorter the time span the longer the class will be. For example I took an eight week course that meet for four hours per night / two nights per week.

 

No community colleges nearby then you're faced with a problem. You can go the "online" route (warning: stay away from Penn-Foster), purchase an AutoCAD course on DVD, or buy a book and start reading. With any and all methods of learning mentioned if you have questions you can always come here and ask. We'll do our best to answer them.

 

Is that enough choices for you?

 

BTW...don't forget the tutorials here at CADTutor and at the MYCADSITE website for which you will find a link to under the "Links" heading at the top of this webpage.

 

Good luck and happy cadding.

 

Oh, one last thing: There is no crying in CAD.

Edited March 21, 2014 by ReMark

[flrenovations]

Lol ReMark! I gave it a go last night with a tutorial I found on building a hotel suite. Honestly, I wanted to pull my hair out! What the heck is a construction line??? Where do I find one? It was crazy but I felt good finally figuring out different commands. I will definitely buy a book as well as take online courses. I found some very inexpensive ones on UDEMY, although I am not sure that I will go that route. Thank you very much for you input. I am happy to have found this site.

[ReMark]

Construction lines can be either Rays or XLines. Tell you the truth, I don't use them. But if you check your Help file you'll get a definition of each.