topic Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage in Modeling

StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 00:06:21 GMT

Anyone using StairBuilder 3 from CadImage that would like to comment on the product? I'm about to purchase and would like to get a quick opinion or two.

Thanks,

Mark Hendricks

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Seiss Wagner — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 04:57:43 GMT

MARK -

I used StairBuilder from Theometric before it was purchased by Cadimage and found it vastly superior to the stair builder in ArchiCAD. Having said that, I should also tell you that I upgraded DoorWindow builder, also a previous Theometric product, from Cadimage in the beginning of January. After upgrading, DoorWindow builder crashed ArchiCAD each and every time I entered a value into the objects height dialog. I emailed Cadimage three or four times over several weeks and never received a reply.

Because I had no backup copy of the previous version of DoorWindow builder I was forced to use Graphisoft's door window objects found in the new Special Edition library and found them to pretty flexible, the only bug being that I was not able to make a dry wall return to the jamb without faking the jamb extension dialog by entering a very tiny value just above zero.

I would suggest that you take a look at the ArchiStair plug-in by Cigraph. They seem to be a very reputable company of componet software. I have not yet used ArchiStair, however, I will shortly, on the current project I just spoke of.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Rakela Raul — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 16:29:10 GMT

a friend not in this forum uses stair builder version dont know from cadimage or the old owner and according to him , the archistair from cigraph is not a match for stair builder.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 01:15:49 GMT

I haven't used the CadImage Stairbuilder but I do have the Cigraph ArchiStair product. This is alot more flexible than the out of the can graphisoft stair tool and can produce very competent typical carpentry stairs. Anything really architectural like exposed steel stringers with folded timber treads and risers will challenge it. You really have to look at what you are going to produce with the tool.

Incidentally I do have the CadImage Door & Window builder and I find the a very useful object and in fact it is the only door and window object I use, it is that good. If the CadImage Stairmaker is anything like D&W it should be very good also. One comment I have to make though is that the interface can be quite daunting, so many options, the interface in the Cigraph product is very simple, large and colourful and takes no time to figure out.

To Seiss Wagner, I too went from an old version of D&W from Theometric to the latest (v3.5 r15 for PC) from CadImage and everything is fine, it has never caused a crash or lock up. I'm sorry to hear you haven't heard from them. They are my local supplier based here in Auckland NZ and they are very helpful. When did you send your e-mail, downunder we usually have a long break from Christmas to the middle of January for the summer holidays. I know they are back now, try contacting Campbell Yule directly, campbell@cadimage.co.nz.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Seiss Wagner — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 02:56:07 GMT

BREWER -

My upgrade version is (v3.5 r15b Mac) yours is for the PC, that maybe the difference. I checked my emails "sent" and I emailed cadimage support on Jan 6 and agian on Jan 21. Having not received a reply from support, I emailed Cambell on Jan 24. Still no reply. However, on your advice, I will attempt to email Cambell once again as he has always been responsive in the past. I first began using DoorWindow builder with version 2.01 and have always liked it.

I also like StairBuilder. Having never used ArchiStair, I would like to stay with StairBuilder, but I worry about meeting project deadlines if I can't get support.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 03:17:11 GMT

Seiss,

I just called Campbell (local call) and talked to him personally. He did receive your e-mails and forwarded them onto the author of the D&Wbuilder to investigate, apparently the problem has popped up before with other users. He apologises for the lack of feedback and has told me that he will look into your case personally, so I'd expect a reply soon. He couldn't tell me they had a fix, lets hope so, I know what deadlines are like and when the computer crashes it drives you insane <profanities galore>.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Seiss Wagner — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 04:56:27 GMT

BREWER -

Thanks for the help, and yes, I did just receive an email from Campbell and shortly thereafter from Joshua, with a new file. Unfortunately, after re-installing DoorWindow Builder it crashed the system as before. I hope the bug will be found soon and the problem resolved.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 21:12:03 GMT

Seiss,

I did forward with the purchase of Stair Builder however, I am disappointed with the product. While there are more railing and newel style choices I find they do not clean up well at all. When tied into a "U" shaped landing., stringers will not plumb cut properly either. Also. I could not find a way to turn the rails of on various segments (unless I missed something in my 8 hour session of trying out each tool individually and check the results in 3-D) The documentation was sparse in the PDF manual. I hope I haven't wasted $149.00. ArchiStair offers a demo of their product so here I go again!!

Thanks,

Mark Hendricks

PS. The I also purchased the Rapid Detailer and Accessory Pack which perform very well

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Haneef Tayob — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 13:43:33 GMT

What I like about Stairbuilder is that its an editable gdl object and not a plug in, which means I could use it in future versions of archicad (provided the crashing problem you mention is sorted out) without being forced to upgrade. I'm not sure if they're linking their product to a hardware lock (the one I'm using is not linked to any hardware lock). If they are, then this point of not relying on updates won't apply.

I haven't used Archistair, but have always heard of them being reputable, so in fairness, there shouldn't be a major problem with support and upgrades on the Cigraph product.

As mentioned often, both products are however superior to the built in stairmaker.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 11:23:12 GMT

Has anyone else got experience of using Stair Builder 3 particularly for traditional timber stairs with newel posts, winders etc. I have tried ArchiStair but it is not written around timber stair construction.

I want to be able to produce stairs similar to the attched manufacturer's drawing.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Bruce — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:38:31 GMT

Go Revit!

It's stairbuilder equivalent is FAR superior. I cringe every time I have to create a stair in ArchiCAD. I just hate it because every single tool available is inadequate. When will Graphisoft address this issue?

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

TomWaltz — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:42:31 GMT

Bruce wrote:
Go Revit!

It's stairbuilder equivalent is FAR superior. I cringe every time I have to create a stair in ArchiCAD. I just hate it because every single tool available is inadequate. When will Graphisoft address this issue?

I wouldn't hold my breath.....

The stair object I tinker with once in a while will probably be done and for sale before then.... and I would not expect that to be within 12 months!

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Bruce — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:57:28 GMT

Well, they should

If I was starting up my own practice I would probably go for Revit - and one of the main reasons is its stair builder.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 05:48:24 GMT

Bruce wrote:
Well, they should

If I was starting up my own practice I would probably go for Revit - and one of the main reasons is its stair builder.

There's been a lot of talk. Perhaps if they take my advice on the assembly editor we'll see some real action.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Bruce — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:05:28 GMT

We can live in hope.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Haneef Tayob — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 13:10:02 GMT

Haneef wrote:
What I like about Stairbuilder is that its an editable gdl object and not a plug in, which means I could use it in future versions of archicad

I was wrong about not having to upgrade .
I am having problems using my old version of StairBuilder & WindowBuilder in ArchiCad10. I haven't been able to upgrade them as yet.
Now I remember why I'm not a fan of plug-ins and add-ons.

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Gerald Hoffman — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 17:25:07 GMT

Haneef,

I don't use Stairbuilder so I can't speak about it but I do use Door & Window builder and Cadimage has provided a free upgrade for it although I notice that their site is down again today. They seem to be having problems lately.

Cheers,

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:36:42 GMT

Using StairBuilder v10.1 with AC10 build 1010, and having trouble with the following:
2D pen colours - there seems to be no way to modify travel arrow colour
3D pen colours - can't alter any, problems with balustrade pen colour being big fat light blue colour (pen 50 which in my current pen sets is 1.5mm thick)
Bottom rail to balusters - want one above the stair pitch line and landings but no settings appear to work (top rail below handrail is fine)
Newel extensions - not trimming correctly or consistantly (one side different to the other
Arrow on landing - I have a simple one-flight stair with L-shaped landing at top. I do not want to display the arrow on the landing
Stringer (channel) does not return around landing
Would like to alter landing return width (i.e. different width return than main stair width) but cannot.
Are there solutions to any of these that I am overlooking? This is the first time I have used StairBuilder. I think it is a nice product, but for these problems. If any SB users can advise, I would appreciate it.

Cheers

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Bruce — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:59:16 GMT

Yes, those are problems. Cadimage are working on a new release that will hopefully resolve these issues.

To work around a couple of the issues:

- I found I had to turn off the objects pens and choose one pen under Floor Plan and Section.
- If you have the stringer turned off, the newel will still trim to the base as if it was there. To work around, turn the stringer on, set depth to 0, turn off. The newels should trim properly now (mostly).

Re: StairBuilder 3 from CadImage

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 21:31:53 GMT

Thanks Bruce, that's Super.

Took your advice with the pen colour, and turned the arrow off and drew a line for the flight only.

Good to hear they're working on a new release. I'll keep my eye out for it.

Cheers