HELP ON CAD PROGRAM BEST ONE OUT THERE

[ROGERL]

Hello, Looking at cad program which is the best one out there?Been looking around mainly 2d res. house plans. Thanks, Roger

[csintexas]

2D? -why would you want that?

[phansford]

What platform are you using.... Mac or Windows. That will guide some of the advice you get. I use PowerCADD which is Mac-based only. It is a very powerful 2D CAD program. Cost is about $1,000 per seat.

However, Chris makes a good point. CAD is moving away from 2D.... slowly but surely. Faster in some quarters.

Now - most programs are headed toward supporting BIM (Building Information Modeling). These programs are not based on drawing lines and circles, but are object-based. You can embed information into the objects that can be passed through to subconsultants and contractors.

You can typically still draft in 2D, but the program is also taking that information and building a 3D model of the building.

If you insert a window, you can enter the manufacturer's name, model number, glass type, R-value, mini-blinds, casing style and so on. The program will typically collect this information and develop your schedules and so forth. If you remove a window or change it, the program picks it up and changed not only the plan, but elevations and other places it appears.

There could seriously be a time in the near future where very few people are using 2D CAD.

Check out some of the video demonstrations at Vectorworks There are a number of programs you can choose from. Maybe Chris will post which program he uses. He is a residential designer and is producing some quality documents with his program.