PCadd Viewer Application?

[GaryV]

I have a situation where a lot of my colleagues are non-cad users such as project managers and other functional staff that could greatly benefit from viewing current or archived PCadd drawings. These reside on a Server running OSX Server.

While I know that we could create PDFs for all these files, we have over 400 stores and this will not cut it. I was just wondering if there might be any demand for a PCadd viewer app similar to the AC#D equivalents (like Voloviewer) for these kinds of situations. (I am not offering to write such a program as I have no expertise but was curious about the need first then we could talk to ES about the execution if a deman existed.)

Ideally I would want this to be cross platform as most of the folks in my organization are on the "Windoze" OS. The app would allow viewing only, zooming, panning, and printing but no data manipulation.

It seems that the functionality is there already on the Mac side...it would simply be a stripped down version of PCadd. However, writing it for the PC user may be more difficult...I am just not sure how difficult. Ideally it would be free but of course I know the likelihood of this. However, getting PC into the mainstream may warrant such a sacrifice and then maybe even a PC version of PCadd (although I don't care if this happens and I bet Bill and Alfred are opposed and understandably so) could occur if desired. Although I love the attention we get as Mac-only clients, I wonder from theri perspective about getting about expanding oout of this tight of a niche market (CAD then Mac, both niches in and of themselves).

Just a thought. I am probably the exception rather than the rule as I understand in an Architectural or other design offices there would only be the need for the full version. I am just wondering if this could lead to being able to submit electronic permit sets or plan check sets for clients using the viewer we could provide which would save the time of having to output as a PDF each time.

Just a thought about something that would help me. Any other thoughts out there, pro or con?

-Gary

[Mr E]

Gary

For the Mac side:

Download the demo, strip it down to what you feel "they" would only need as a viewer, "repackage it", and send it to them.

For the Darkside:

There has been many other "voices" looking for th same, but it becomes an issue of compatibility - ie which version of M$ Windoze is it needed to be compatible with?

Unfortunately "The Devil is the Details" and accordingly pdf is the most portable/compatible. .

[JohnMorse]

Would it be easier to create a script or macro in Acrobat that would find and convert PCadd drawings from a designated folder in a reliable way into PDF's for viewing and printing? I can see a lot of obstacles to automation (different sheet sizes and sheet setups), but they may be easier to overcome than programming a unique viewer application that would be installed on varying platforms - especially if layers have really arrived in the PDF format.

[ms]

We routinely post jpegs on our web site and send clients a link. They view the drawing in a browser. It's a no muss, no fuss situation, with no additional software installation for the clients.

This works nicely as people know how to use email and are comfortable with browsers. It's an additional step here, but there are many good FTP programs to make it a little easier.

ms

[JaemiS]

Hi Gary,

I work for Autodesk. I have a solution for you. Reply back to my e-mail with your contact info and I would love to help you out!

Jaemi.swope@autodesk.com

Jaemi

[GaryV]

Hey Michael.

JPEGS are fine for loose visualization schematic stuff but for large sheets with dimension, notes, and details it would seem the absence of zooming would be a limiting factor. The resolution would blow out if you got in tight unless your image was huge from a resolution standpoint.

Seems like there should be another option. Maybe some sort of batching of pdfs is the only way to go (although I am not convinced that will work either).

BTW, the autodesk option / comment above was a dead end.

[Bo]

"Seems like there should be another option. Maybe some sort of batching of pdfs is the only way to go (although I am not convinced that will work either)."

I personally think a Viewer which is supported by EngSW is needed, though I realize that means putting manpower on the job to do it, and then make it cross platform. It seems like Viewers are a part of the production process many CAD vendors have embraced to make the work readily avaialble to the general user without allowing the file to be changed and yet allowing the general user to zoom in, add comments, etc.

I seem to recall that EngSW had a viewer at the beginning of the first processor switch process in the Mid 90s, so I know they have looked at such a beast.

Suspect the $s are where the issue hangs.

Bo

[patrickm]

I just had some clients download the Windows version of the SketchUp viewer and they were able to manipulate the views of a model that I had emailed to them.

A similar viewer for PowerCadd would be greatly appreciated (in OS9, OSX, and Windows versions, naturally!).

[GaryV]

[Bill Stanley]

Gary, the subject is a complicated and expensive issue involving man-years of effort and I simply don’t have any sound byte answers. If you would like to take a whack at it a development kit will be furnished.

Bill Stanley

[GaryV]

[cr]

[GaryV]