Re: [OT] Mac CAD software
Re: [OT] Mac CAD software
- Subject: Re: [OT] Mac CAD software
- From: Mark Butcher <email@hidden>
- Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2004 14:40:10 -0700
Bill
I presume you want 3D capability & DWG/DXF import/export. The 3 I can
think of all have this, plus cross-platform compatability, customizable
interface, comprehensive manuals and around the same price range. I
think they're all excellent, it just depends what you're looking for.
I used VectorWorks (previously MiniCAD) for years. It's a great
all-rounder with excellent 2D tools, good 3D tools, plug-ins, very
powerful scripting language (based on Pascal), parametrics, large
symbols library covering every sort of discipline, and built in
spreadsheet & database capability. VectorWorks does have crude
AppleScript support in the form of 'do script...' and then a Pascal
command/script in a string. For the features you get, it's incredible
value. <http://www.nemetschek.net/>
However, I didn't get on with aspects of the interface, and changed to
Ashlar Vellum's Argon, which suits me better, but lacks many of
VectorWorks features. Argon is primarily a 3D modeller, but is plenty
competent enough at full engineering drawings. I much prefer Argon's
consistency and ease of use. <http://www.ashlar-vellum.com/>
As you say, another alternative is Ashlar Vellum's Graphite, which as
you probably know, is primarily a drafting package. I just preferred
Argon.
Both Graphite and Argon are full 3D environment, and consequently
require prodigious amounts of RAM, and generally screaming hot
hardware. VectorWorks is a 2D/3D hybrid, which has much more modest
requirements. However, if you do big 3D stuff in VectorWorks, you'll
still want the screaming hot hardware.
Feel free to ask me stuff off-list.
Another interesting, but basic 3D app is Sketch-Up.
<http://www.sketchup.com/>
MarkB
On Oct 16, 2004, at 9:54 AM, Bill Briggs wrote:
Thought I'd ask this here since this is a pretty geeky subgroup of the
Mac using world. Anyone have any experience of or opinions about the
best Mac OS X compatible CAD software. I'm thinking toward the
Engineering CAD side, not the creative 3D rendering of monsters side.
It looks like Ashlar Vellum's product Graphite is one such product,
but I couldn't seem to find anything else that looked like AutoCAD for
the PC (which is what we have at work).
Anyone?
- web
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