I need to updated my cad software (AutoCad 2005) But before I do that I wanted to look and see if there is a better choice. So I was wondering what the rest of you might be using.

Chief Architect, bro. If you are doing house plans, there ain't no better.

I use AutoCad LT and in my opinion it is the best for 2d drawing. However, if you need 3d, then it's terrible. I use Chief Architect 9.5 for 3d and it works well.

I participate in the Fine Homebuilding forum 'Breaktime' and there is a lot of discussion there about 3d software. Chief and SoftPlan seem to be the leading contenders, and you could probably do well to select one based on price or whatever parameter suits you. You might want to go to Breaktime and do some research.

I am also currntly using AutoCad Lt 2004 and I was looking at upgrading to AcadCad Lt 2005 but I wanted to investigate other software. Took Gene advise and was sent a demo of Cheif Architect but did not like the quality or the out put of there drawing verse the quality that I currently put out with AutoCad Lt, but I only used it for 1 hour so I'll give it a few weeks of checking it out before my final opinion. I'll take a look at Softplan also looking at Architectural Desktop I've used Revit in the past and didn't like having a subscription to any software. Hopefully other will comment about the software they use too!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Eric,

Eric,
Are you an architect or full time designer? Autodesk offers Architectural Desktop 2005 (build on AutoCAD) & Revit. Both are model based software solutions.

Dennis

I'm a full time Residential Designer. I use to use Architectural Desktop and Revit back about 4 years ago when I worked at a large architectural Firm. Back then they did'nt seem as intuitive as some of today cad program. Plus for a small residential design firm there quite expensive. I guess I was just interested in seeing what the rest of the residential architects and designer are using.

Anyone try using SketchUp 4.0 software for working with there clients? I'm looking at buying it. And wondered what the rest of you might think of it?

I would suggest looking at SoftPlan, I use it and it is great for residential design. Chief Architect is not even in the same class as SoftPlan.

Why do you say Cheif Architect is not even in the same class as Softplan. What is missing from Cheif, what versions are you comparing? I am very curious about your foundation for this statement, I ask because I'm about to purchase Cheif and have been using Cheif for the past 6+ years.

Greetings Everyone,

All right! My first post!

Eric, I also am a residential designer and came from an AutoCAD background. I have read many posts on multiple sites praising other software for drawings, but I still think the best out there still is ACAD. LT seems to do all you really need in residential design drawings so the 3d leaves you a little flat. This is where your instincts lead you in the right direction! I have used SketchUp for about a year now and I have never, ever seen a computer program actually CHANGE the way that I think about computer aided design.

I am a true proponent of the drafting board, trace paper and a good set of Prismacolors, but for modifying drawings and getting a set out the door, you can't top the fluidity of CAD. As for 3d, SketchUp handles those 2d dwgs flawlessly and creating a 3d model is simple as push/pull! Plus, using the program more and more makes you spend more time in design rather than trying to work details out in CAD. Combine this with impressing your current clients, securing prospective jobs, and producing an awesome professional portfolio is another added bonus!!

Long story short, forget trying to learn a new 2d drafting program. Until they make something as easy as SketchUp in the CAD market it will always be difficult for us ACAD guys to break out of the box! Go to the SketchUp website and get the tutorials and give yourself the 8 hours of learning the program. It is so intuitive to use, plus it is fun to implement in your own work!

Good Luck!

Eric

Chief Architect is obscenely buggy. Especially their latest version. I have bought it and am not happy. I think it has potential but if you are proficient in another program stick with it.

To check out what current users are saying about the program go to chieftalk. You can find it from the A.R.T. Chief Architect web site.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned ArchiCAD. It is a bigger investment than some of those other, but in my experience, has been more than worth it. Easy, enjoyable and accurate. And now they've released a Residential package! Check it out at ArchiCAD Residential

OK Pros,

I would love your help. My husband and I own a few homes, (both in Santa Cruz and San Jose) one needs a 2nd story, 1 a complete rebuild, one remodeling. A new guest house is in the works too. I am obsessive about trying to fit my needs/spaces into a basic plan as a start for a discussion with an architect. I draw on grid paper to scale and it is getting old. I would love to find some affordable software, hopefully that allows for 3D viewing as well, so that I can work back and forth with an architect more quickly and efficiently until we are happy with the basics, and then they can take over to make those awesome additions and enhancements that I am not clever enough to think of. Any recommendations (and a rough price if you know it) for a simple program that would save me time, and also be compatible with what the architect could/would want to use, to allow us to send email files back and forth as we show eachother ideas and proposed changes? I don't want to eliminate their job from the process, and I may sound like the nightmare client, but I am not really!

Jenny,

I use Chief Architect, which will read files from the current Better Homes and Gardens home design software. Go to http://www.chiefarchitect.com and click on the "consumers" link in the upper right hand corner. They have different grades, from around $60 to $500. I know I can read the files from the $60 one, but I don't know if you could then read files I edited. I do know that if you get the $500 version, files can go back and forth. I just completed a project this way and it worked marvelously. You'll find that doing floor plans is easy, and that there's a pretty steep learning curve for a homeowner to do roofs. Feel free to write me directly. I'm sure my client would speak with you about this process if you want. I've just registered here in the Professionals Directory, but it won't show up for a couple of days. In the meantime, I'm at 603-686-5199 or http://www.artform.biz.

Wendy

I have been a long time user of VectorWorks this is a high-end cad program, capable of explicit architectural drawings!www.miller-post-beam.com

Is anyone familiar with the Argos program called Vertex? I have used that program in the past as an employee for a design builder and am now going into business for myself. The problem is Vertex is a very expensive CAD program ($9000+ for a user key) Does anyone know if there is another lesser expensive program out there that uses the old cartesian coordiate method of drawing with 3d modelling and BOMs? I have looked into Softplan and Chief Architect and tho they seem like they would be very easy to use, I would prefer a program similar to Vertex. Thanks.- Patti

Patti, check out Nemetscheks website go to www.nemetschek.net

quote:

Originally posted by patti:
Is anyone familiar with the Argos program called Vertex? I have used that program in the past as an employee for a design builder and am now going into business for myself. The problem is Vertex is a very expensive CAD program ($9000+ for a user key) Does anyone know if there is another lesser expensive program out there that uses the old cartesian coordiate method of drawing with 3d modelling and BOMs? I have looked into Softplan and Chief Architect and tho they seem like they would be very easy to use, I would prefer a program similar to Vertex. Thanks.- Patti

Ive used AutoCAD, and Architectural Desktop in the past. Before that I used DataCAD, and have switched back again. I've played with sketch-up and will probably pick that up for preliminary work, because it is so easy to sketch in 3d. The 3d in DataCAD is fairly easy, but noone wants to pay for the extra time.

I currently use autocad lt 2006 and Chief Architect 10.0. I draw my plans in chief due to the fact how quick and easy to manipulate. Then I export to autocad Lt because the fine detail work seems faster in auto cad. Between the two programs I'm extremely happy with the blue prints I draw.

I can't compare it with other software, but I have been using Chief Architect for quite a few years...I think I started with Chief 6.

I haven't had too many problems with it...on the whole, it is pretty stable and easy to use, although I have fought a bit with dormers.

I have gotten great support from them, too (Barryvale was my original supplier).