CompuServe Thread

#Cad Programs

3 messages in this thread
#132052From: Tom BarkerFeb 14, 1994 12:31 AM
Hi Ken, You didn't mention in any of your posts what kind of drafting and designing you were doing? I have been using XCAD products in my Architectural design business since 1989. The current version that I use is called GFX-CAD3000. This is a very solid 2d and 3d design system. If you have specific questions perhaps you could refer to the November issue of AmigaWorld. I have a review of GFX-CAD3000 in that mag! I would also like to inform you of the XPRESS newsletter, The Amiga CAD newsletter that is now published by Bob Miller- Rhees of Bainbridge Island, WA. Cost is $15 per year for 4 issues with an optional disk for $5 that includes lots of CAD goodies! The address is: XPRESS NEWSLETTER Bob Miller-Rhees 8231 NE Paulanna Lane Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 The first issue was excellent and disscussed all the current Amiga Cad choices, as well a tutorial on transfering CAD files between the PC and the Amiga. See if you can read the AmigaWorld article and I'll look forward to further posts. Creating meaningful architecture…….with the Amiga……………… Tom Barker
#132096From: Ken IversenFeb 14, 1994 8:15 AM
Tom; <<You didn't mention in any of your posts what kind of drafting and designing you were doing? >> I design restaurants and corporate cafeterias as a food service consultant. Most of my work is done in 2d. My office has a program designed for my industry for 3d translations with extensive libraries of equipment info (AutoMate). My primary function is to create the initial space plan and develop the concept. Our in-house draftsmen do the rest of the detailing with my supervision. The program I need would need to be able to export to AutoCad 12 and occasionally import (although this is less important). So far the only programs I've seen which have this ability and are designed for architectural type drafting are GFX-CAD3000 and DynaCadd. I read your article in Amiga World, in fact it is what inspired me to convert from PC to the Amiga for this work. I am much more comfortable with the Amiga environment. I downloaded the demos of both DynaCad and GFX-CAD3000 from AmigaArts (I think? or perhaps here on AmigaUser). The problem I had with GFX-CAD3000 is that it was a self-running demo and as such didn't allow me the oppurtunity to get hands on experience. It certainly looks impressive and your article strongly supported it but the lack of hands on made me reluctant to spend the $800 to purchase the program. The DynaCadd demo allowed hands on and it was very comfortable to use. I think I'm going to buy DynaCadd for now and see if it works ok for me. If not I'll spring for the big bucks and get the full GFX-CAD3000 package. With luck perhaps the manuf. of GFX-CAD3000 will upload a hands on crippled version so I can give it a try. I suspect the more I get into this the more program I'm going to want. I appreciate your response and also the info on the Xpress newsletter. I am sending them a letter as soon as I finish typing this. Thanks! Ken
#132128From: Peter JonesFeb 14, 1994 3:34 PM
Tom, XCAD is now available on Unix, Pcs and Sun systems as well. I am about to do a review of it on a Sun Sparc workstation for a Belgian magazine, Having reviewed it on the Amiga a couple of years ago. Pete Jones, flying on AutoPilot from Brussels, Belgium