Transitioning to CAD
CAD software can set you free to focus on what's really important - design.
By George Dixon
Computer-aided design (CAD) software is revolutionizing the way more and more interior design consultants work. Consider these scenarios, for example.
Need to change a multilayered set of drawings and get them to the client for approval? It's done and in the e-mail in minutes. Better yet, send a CD and let the client take a virtual tour of the new digs.
Want to show the designer crafting the light fixtures in Portugal for a restaurant in Portland what the space looks like? Snap a digital photo and then transmit it via cell phone and laptop computer so he can start working on the lights right away.
Prospective clients want to review your portfolio? Have them go to your Web site and look at relevant projects.
A decade ago computer-aided design programs were painfully expensive and equally painful to learn. But CAD programs have become increasingly user-friendly in recent years and have infiltrated a variety of professions beyond the original core technical groups of engineers and architects. Despite the feeling among some interior designers that clients might think less of a design that doesn't involve hours of laborious handiwork, more and more computer- savvy pros are using CAD programs to change the way they do business. And more and more techno-wise clients comfortable with the cyberworld welcome the opportunity to be involved in a project via CD, or e-mailed drawings and renderings. CAD also allows you to interface smoothly with architects and contractors. Best of all, CAD cuts down on human error and frees you up for the creative aspects of your work. As one CAD convert says, "It sure beats sitting and drafting and erasing for hours on end."
Essential Components
Professional programs should allow you to work in layers and work in three dimensions, both bottom-line requirements for interior design. "CAD Contenders" takes a look at six popular programs, and should give you a handle on what questions you need to ask in finding a program that provides the features you need and is compatible with your hardware and software. There are many more (check out www.dezinare.com/computer-software.html and www.cadinfonet.com). Some programs meet a specialized niche such as kitchen design or custom cabinet making. Most systems let you quickly sketch room dimensions and basics, such as window and door placement, and then add a variety of 3-D design elements, as well as specify surface patterns and provide some lighting effects.
Cost and Compatibility
The entry point for professional CAD software programs starts at about $250 and goes all the way up to nearly $4,000 for ArchiCAD, the most full-featured program. Just about any IBM-compatible PC - even those that cost $1,500 or less - can run a robust CAD program, but check on the minimum requirements of an individual program - many require a 486 microprocessor or better. Other programs are designed just for Macs; some offer two versions. Programs also require certain software, so make sure yours is compatible. You'll also need a CD-ROM drive and a certain amount of available memory on your hard drive - usually in the neighborhood of 25MB to 45MB.
User-Friendly
Most programs are easy enough to learn, but some offer one or two features essential for novice CAD users: heavy-duty training programs with training centers around the country and active user groups to answer questions online. Some developers also offer object libraries (collections of standard architectural and design features), macros (short programs that automate manual routines) and other "cadd-ons" (see below).
A few months from now when CAD has helped you impress your clients, improve your communications with other design and technical professionals, and increase your productivity, you might just unplug your pencil sharpener once and for all.
George Dixon is a writer and technical consultant who lives in Minneapolis.
"CADD-on" Options
Translation: a short program that others write to expand a software program's functionality. Third-party software developers have been active in developing cadd-on applications, including several dozen that offer plan symbols, wall coverings, window treatments, tiling and more. Check out www.world.std.com/~eshu/cheap.htm for "Cheap Tricks," hundreds of user-developed cadd-ons to DataCad, some costing as little as $5.
CAD Contenders
| Program/Cost | Special Features | Minimum Requirements | Notes | Info/Contact |
DecoTech $695 (add'l seats $300) | Scene, cabinet and pattern editors;animator, kitchen and bath library. Includesfrequently used objects, moves copies,rotates images. | IBM-compatible e486 PC, 486 or better; MS Windows 3.1, 3.11 or 95;CD-ROM drive; hard disk with 45MB free hard drive space. | Optional living room, extralibrary add-on. Price manager creates price lists; facilitates accurate estimates. | www.pulsarsoft.com info@pulsarsoft.com |
TurboCAD Pro V6 $295 | Internet palette with fast design resources/ideas; hyperlinks in drawings; inference technology, browser can be turned on or off. Improved hatching and intelligent self-healing walls; 3-D handle-based model rotation and scaling; automatic hidden line removal. | IBM-compatible PC with 486x/66 processor,16MB RAM, 25MB free space, VGA graphics card w/256 colors and 640 x 480 display; CD-ROM drive, Windows 95/98/NT. Microsoft-compatible mouse. Internet connection recommended. Requires a microphone (not included) sound blaster or Mwave audio system. Pentium 166 MHz Processor, 32MB RAM 4X CD-ROM drive. | Available in various languages including German, French and Japanese. | Available in various languages including German, French and Japanese. |
3D World 3.0 $249 | 3-D modeling, animation, real-time rendering. Lighting and viewing controls for a wide range of special effects. Virtual walk-through; Internet interactive. Quickdraw 3-D programs; Drag & Drop. Plug-in architecture makes it easy to add new features. Support QuickDraw 3D 1.5, plug-in renderers and QuickDraw accelerator cards. | Power Macintosh with CD-ROM System 7.1.2 or later; 16MB RAM for QuickDraw 3D; Drag & Drop Manager (built into System 7.5 or later). | Also comes complete with the Microspot Librarian Program (allows storage and retrieval). | Microspot USA Inc. 1756 Costa del Sol Boca Raton, FL 33432 Phone: (800) 622-7568 Microspot@microspot.com www.microspot.com |
SoftCAD .3D $850 | Terrain import and editing, 3-D text tool, enhanced animation and rendering features, surface texture management, file formats, and enhanced OpenGL navigation (walk-through modeling). Built-in 3-D text tools. File formats for furniture production software animation and large style libraries for kitchen cabinets, windows, etc. | Windows 95/98/NT, Pentium Processor, 32MB of RAM, 50MB free space, CD-ROM. | SoftCAD International 1460 Washington Blvd. Suite B-205 Concord, CA 94521 Phone: (800) SOFTCAD Voicemail: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-5858 | |
ArchiCAD 6.0 $3,995 | Team designers can share the link and create 2-D and 3-D output directly from the virtual building mode. Able to design and edit in 3-D. Documents and files can be produced directly from ArchiCAD with no additional software. Complete interior and exterior plans, sections, elevations, and architectural and construction details. Fly-through animation. Specific tool palette. | Windows 95/98/NT or Mac OS; Pentium, Pentium Pro & Pentium II compatible processor; Power Mac. 64MB RAM recommended. CD-ROM. 100MB free space. 256 color min./24-bit TrueColor recommended for video. All major plotters, printers, inkjet printers and digitizers can be used. | Graphisoft US Inc. 235 Kansas St. Suite 200 San Francisco, CA 94103 Phone: (800) 344-3468 Fax: (415) 703-9770 www.graphisoft.com | |
DataCAD 8.50 $995 | 2-D drafting and 3-D modeling; hatching tools; photo-realistic rendering and animation; more than 1,600 symbols; converts hard-line CAD drawings to "hand-drawn" look; estimator tracks costs; DC view option manipulates orientation or view instantly. | Windows 95/98/NT40 or later; 16MB memory for 95/98; 32MB preferable. 32MB memory for NT; 64MB preferable for full installation. CD-ROM. VGA or better resolution graphics card; 256 colors min. for using Quick Shader. Microsoft-compatible mouse or digitizer; 3-button mouse recommended. | Windows 95/98/NT40 or later; 16MB memory for 95/98; 32MB preferable. 32MB memory for NT; 64MB preferable for full installation. CD-ROM. VGA or better resolution graphics card; 256 colors min. for using Quick Shader. Microsoft-compatible mouse or digitizer; 3-button mouse recommended. | DataCAD, LLC 20 Tower Lane Avon, CT 06001 Phone: (800) 394-2231 www.datacad.com |
