What process did you go through picking this program? Did you look at any
others? ctb
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Callan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 3:26 PM
Subject: Re: [BP] Surprised again


> I'm not sure that the program has fewer options.  It seems to be
> capable of anything I want to do and a whole lot that I don't want to
> do...now.  Without some way to filter its capabilities, I had a
> difficult time learning the program and became hopelessly confused.
> This was in an earlier version where the "Architect" features had not
> been separated from the basic program.  That version belonged to a
> former employer, and I lost its use.  I think it was a good thing.
>
> Placing windows, doors and so forth individually is not problem.  I
> prefer that method.  The tool, "Move" is very useful for that.
> Eyeballing works fine, and the "smart points" or whatever they are
> called help too.
>
> I should note that I'm creating models to illustrate conditions and
> explain the building.  I haven't tried any construction documents yet.
> But when I do create construction documents, I still try to illustrate
> existing conditions and to define the problem and the acceptable
> solutions.  I don't think I've done much work that was so simple that I
> could tell the trades person to do as I direct without any thinking or
> calculating on his/her part.  Certainly, my best work was not done that
> way.
>
> I have no regrets.  Except I wish I'd dived in sooner.
>
> -jc
>
>
>
> On Mar 21, 2004, at 1:49 PM, creighton wrote:
>
> > well I guess just like any program, the simpler it is to use the less
> > options you have. I guess that's only if the simplification consists
> > of the
> > program doing things for you. Templates, objects and so on. As you
> > suggest
> > starting with the basic bones would be a good idea. One thing that
> > worried
> > me was a icon on the test version sent me that allowed automatic
> > insertion
> > of clouds.
> >  It reminds me of the trend of buildings to be designed around catalogs
> > instead of the balance achieved pre 1850 when buildings were designed
> > as an
> > entirety. Look at any window catalog and you will see wildly unbalanced
> > buildings.
> >     So I worry about a program telling me that I'm not on 16" centers
> > or
> > have improperly dimensioned lumber. It doesn't seem that's a problem
> > with
> > this program as you see it.ctb
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "John Callan" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 12:15 PM
> > Subject: Re: [BP] Surprised again
> >
> >
> >> So far the restrictions are self imposed.  There are parts of the
> >> program I have not yet mastered.  I am aware of them, and go back and
> >> learn more about how they work when I decide I need them.  Drawing in
> >> 3D from the start is a real good thing.
> >>
> >> I did not buy the "Architect" package.  The basic package has the
> >> basic
> >> parts of buildings (walls, floors, roofs, windows, doors, light,
> >> etc.),
> >> as well as the basic tools for creating 3D and 2D shapes and objects.
> >> Learning within these limitations was a good thing.  There's a real
> >> clarity that comes from mastering the basics.
> >>
> >> I plan to purchase the Architecture package sometime soon.  Now that I
> >> have a basic understanding of what the program does with the data I
> >> input, a few short cuts for tedious things and a larger collection of
> >> plug-in objects and symbols would be nice.  If I'd had them earlier, I
> >> think they would have been confusing.
> >>
> >> What kind of restrictions did you have in mind?
> >>
> >> -jc
> >>
> >>
> >> On Mar 21, 2004, at 10:55 AM, creighton wrote:
> >>
> >>> do you find vector works restricts you in any way? ctb
> >>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>> From: "John Callan" <[log in to unmask]>
> >>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >>> Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 11:36 AM
> >>> Subject: Re: [BP] Surprised again
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> I'm using VectorWorks.
> >>>>
> >>>> I have had very little experience with AutoCAD, and like most
> >>>> "standard" programs, I found it had no other feature of any import.
> >>>> Since I tend not to work in standard ways, or on standard buildings,
> >>>> being the standard is not a compelling argument.
> >>>>
> >>>> -jc
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On Mar 21, 2004, at 9:31 AM, creighton wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Very interesting , and timely. Are you using AutoCAD? I've Been
> >>>>> toying
> >>>>> with
> >>>>> AutoCAD 14 for two years without really applying myself. I recently
> >>>>> decided
> >>>>> to get on it, but first review the other programs out there (
> >>>>> vector
> >>>>> works,
> >>>>> softbuild, softplan) So far these seem to be ok for cookie cutter
> >>>>> houses,
> >>>>> but not for restoration work. Your experience, anyone else out
> >>>>> there
> >>>>> have
> >>>>> something to check out before I commit? Unfortunately I am stuck
> >>>>> with
> >>>>> windows.creighton
> >>>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>>>> From: "John Callan" <[log in to unmask]>
> >>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >>>>> Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2004 11:19 PM
> >>>>> Subject: [BP] Surprised again
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I have been drawing two historic buildings in my CADD program.
> >>>>>> The
> >>>>>> nature of the program is such that 3D is just how it works, or at
> >>>>>> least
> >>>>>> how I have learned it.  As I was drawing the building today, in
> >>>>>> order
> >>>>>> to study it and know it better, in its original construction, I
> >>>>>> realized that I was not only seeing things that have not been seen
> >>>>>> in
> >>>>>> a
> >>>>>> long time, but things that may have never been seen before.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> CADD drawing does amazing things, like defy gravity and the laws
> >>>>>> of
> >>>>>> physics.  Two things CAN occupy the same space at the same time.
> >>>>>> I
> >>>>>> was
> >>>>>> drawing in a storage system that had been placed up against a
> >>>>>> counter.
> >>>>>> I never questioned it before, but when that sucker popped up in
> >>>>>> 3D,
> >>>>>> it
> >>>>>> was a surprise to me.  Must have been a surprise to the inspector
> >>>>>> on
> >>>>>> the job too!
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> The 3D views help to confirm that what I think is going on really
> >>>>>> is
> >>>>>> going on.  That's great for an insecure guy like me.  Builds
> >>>>>> confidence.  I do think in 3D pretty much all the time and pretty
> >>>>>> effectively, but it is such a relief to have my minds eye view of
> >>>>>> the
> >>>>>> world confirmed.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Cool.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> -jc
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> --
> >>>>>> To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> >>>>>> uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
> >>>>>> <http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> >>>>> uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
> >>>>> <http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> --
> >>>> To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> >>>> uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
> >>>> <http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> >>> uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
> >>> <http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
> >>>
> >>
> >> --
> >> To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> >> uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
> >> <http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
> >>
> >
> > --
> > To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> > uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
> > <http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
> >
>
> --
> To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
> <http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>

--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>