lsid wrote:
i am going to work on another project but i really need help in deciding what cad program to use to be more time efficient..
is there a multi-user ( archicad +vectorworks or autocad), who can share with me how you use your program.
I have used ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, Microstation, speedikon, DataCAD, Vectorworks, etc... and I have found that none of the others is as quick to produce the building model and full documentation as ArchiCAD.
my dilemma is ; i find using autocad to generate 2d plans is faster than using archicad but i find easier to use archicad for 3d model. what i did in my last project is to draw 2d in one layer in autocad and export it to archicad where i draw over the lines with the tools to generate 3d. Somehow, i found it to be time-consuming......
any ideas>
version 7 on xphome
It's no wonder you found it time consuming. It sounds like you're using ArchiCAD as if you were doing 3D in AutoCAD; i.e. drawing the plan first and then creating a model from it. You need to take the time to learn to start with the model in ArchiCAD. If you think of it as just drawing plans it can seem slower, but when you build the model properly you are actually creating all the plans, sections, elevations and 3D views simultaneously while also keeping them all coordinated.
I have also trained many AutoCAD users to use ArchiCAD, and once they've understood how the tools work (particularly the snaps, locks & constrains) most have agreed that ArchiCAD is actually faster for drafting than AutoCAD. The problem with changing CAD programs is always that they all have different patterns and work flows. This is particularly true when going from flatland to a building modeler.
