I used to use Drafix CAD, first the DOS versions, then the Windows
version. When I went looking later for something to do what you are
looking to do, I ended up with the same product, but now sold by
Autodesk as QuickCAD. Turns out Autodesk, the AutoCAD folks, purchased
the Drafix software to bring out as an entry product for AutoCAD,
replacing the less competent one they had designed themselves. I don't
know if or how it is available now, but I like it pretty well. The
program is so small and fast that I think it was probably coded in
assembler; the exact opposite of MS and other bloatware. As you would
expect, it reads and writes AutoCAD format files, so anything you do is
prettey universally accessable.
BTW, you don't create lots of copies, you create multiple layers with
the different floors, systems, etc. on them and can make whatever combo
you want visible for view/printing at any time. This is how all proper
CAD software works. That way, all interrelated revisions are kept
coordinated. If you move a wall, you can see where it has gone while
working on the electrical layer to reflect the revision, for example.
Many years ago I laid out some remodels of offices in a big old
converted warehouse. In the first couple jobs, problems cropped up
during construction where lengths of walls would be off a few inches,
etc. When I used CAD software on the next one, rather than tracing paper
over the official drawings from engineering, I had already done so much
changing in prior jobs that I measured out the existing walls, only to
find when I entered everything into the program, that the official
drawings had the big concrete columns in the wrong places! For years,
they had been referrencing everything to these columns, whose spacing
was just a couple of inches apiece off and the outer walls, whose
distance in one direction from the columns was off about a foot.
Moose
Garth Wood wrote:
Well, forgive me, but this is the only mailing list I belong to that
appears to have a greater-than-background-noise proportion of
intelligent people lurking on it, so I thought I'd solicit some
advice/opinions.
I'm in the midst of preparing to completely re-build two rooms in my
partially-developed basement, and I'm looking for a Windows-based CAD
program that will allow me, with a minimum of pain, to sketch out what
I'm doing (I need the ability to create many copies, variously
annotated with electrical, HVAC, etc.). I'd prefer a package that I
could buy over the Internet, since physical purchases of software are
really hit-and-miss. I've been looking at a couple of contenders, but
I'm hesitant to purchase without any idea of what it's like.
Anybody use such beasts? Any recommendations? All input greatly
appreciated.
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