Hi, I'm a 55 year old architectural consultant with 30 years experience in residential architectural design such as new houses, flats, nursing homes, extensions, loft conversions etc etc. I still draw the old fashioned way ie by hand with a drawing board! I would really like to learn CAD. what are the views on the best software, Autocad LT or Vectorworks? I can just about navigate myself around a computer but no real passion for it. What do you reckon would be the best? No need for 3D stuff. should I just stick with the drawing board? also, no interest in distance learning, would have to be 1 2 1. Thanks
Before you spend any money, it's best to make sure it's the right direction for you. As such, downloading a copy of Draftsight is probably the way forward: DraftSight - Free* CAD software for your DWG files - Dassault Systèmes It's made by Dassault Systemes -makers of Catia & Solidworks- so you know this is a high quality product. It opens dwg files made in Autocad, so client continuity is not a problem. As a draftsman who transitioned from old skool to CAD to 3D pro, I think it has all the funcionality you will ever need. Suffice to say I think it rocks......good luck!
Hi Chris, I have worked with a few architects / design teams over the years and they seem to use autocad. AutoCAD lt is under £1000 so a cheaper option and still has all of the functions of a full cad it just doesn't do 3d. I would also make sure that they are compatible with other programmes - ie auto cad does dwg and dxf. I would suggest you ring around and ask what software people use. I have done this before, they seem quite helpful. I'm sure you would get to grips with it eventually, although colleges might run courses - if you are anywhere near Selby I'd teach you myself - for a small fee. Good luck! And well done for taking that step I would think there are not many folk out there who do it by hand. What you will find is that making amendments can be done with great ease! Claire
