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Thread ID: 86555	2008-01-20 21:51:00	Any one use floorplan/map software?	rob_on_guitar (4196)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
632288	2008-01-21 20:41:00	Yea, i just read through all the tutorials, makes sense and is quite user friendly when you figure out what does what.	rob_on_guitar (4196)
632289	2008-01-21 21:39:00	I rather like Draft Choice by Trius. It is a 2d CAD program with a pretty easy operation, It allows layering, symbols etc and many other standard CAD features. PM me if you want an evaluation copy. Couldn't agree more. I think I have tried just about every CAD program there is including many no longer in circulation but none touches DCWIN (Draft Choice) for clarity, speed, simplicity, and professional results. I have used it for hundreds of drawings both professionally and privately - its good even where only text is wanted and great for flow diagrams. Its only bug bear is that it is limited to the 8.3 file names (for some reason Trius refuse to update it). But if you use something like Windows Commander to access the drawing then you can use long file names. Being retired now I am trying to learn Turbo Cad because its more powerful. But what a job. Whereas I have successfully taught complete novices to use DCWIN in only an hour or so - plus telephone back up of course. However I will look at the other program mentioned already and report back. Tom	Thomas01 (317)
632290	2008-01-21 21:53:00	Thanks Tom, will keep an eye out for your opinion. So far i find it relatively easy to use.	rob_on_guitar (4196)
632291	2008-01-21 22:32:00	I came across CAD Std when I asked for advice on Press F1. At the time I was looking for something free/low cost to try out. I've actually got Dad's copy of Auto Cad here but haven't bothered loading it as: a. It could be about 10 years old b. CAD Std does all I need so I don't fancy the learning curve c. The computer is running out of room and needs a major overhaul before loading anything new	Mercury (1316)
632292	2008-01-22 01:22:00	DraftChoice is a little smaller than Auto Cad, you can put the whole thing (including a few symbol libraries, the manual, and some sample drawings) on a floppy disk - it is only about 1.2 MB initially. Naturally enough, on anything above a P I it is fairly quick. Runs on XP very happily. Alas, Trius no longer sell it, but it is available with a bit of chasing around the net. Even serial numbers are available. It is from the old school of programming that emphasised small and quick instead of the bloated things that appear to be standard lately. ;)	R2x1 (4628)
632293	2008-01-22 02:28:00	DraftChoice is a little smaller than Auto Cad, you can put the whole thing (including a few symbol libraries, the manual, and some sample drawings) on a floppy disk - it is only about 1 . 2 MB initially . Naturally enough, on anything above a P I it is fairly quick . Runs on XP very happily . Alas, Trius no longer sell it, but it is available with a bit of chasing around the net . Even serial numbers are available . It is from the old school of programming that emphasised small and quick instead of the bloated things that appear to be standard lately . ;) Summed it up beautifully . I have tried Cad Std now and realised that I have tried it before . Unfortunately my notes on it vanished somewhere with my DOS, WIn95, and Old files etc . Not that they would be of any use now . When I last tried Cad Std it was a hopeless mess compared with Draft Choice . But it has changed, and in some ways I reckon it is now not only comparable to DC but in some ways better (the long file names for instance) . Draft Choice I really liked but it is a little unstable and setting up the correct paper sizes at first a little tricky . From what I have seen in CS though I much prefer the DC way of moving things around . CS appears poor here . I also wonder how useful CS will be if I wanted to put furniture in a floor plan and then move it around, rotate, and scale it etc . However I will give CS the benefit of my vast experience and remarkable ability and really try it out to see if it does the job . Obviously we do need a replacement for Draft Choice now . But wasn't it nice being able to put it, together with clients drawings, on one single floppy! Tom	Thomas01 (317)
632294	2008-01-22 05:07:00	My drafting these days consists of the odd deck, new bathroom, occasional floor plan for obscure uses etc and there hasn't been much of it lately - although a deck will be coming up shortly. From what I remember the answer is to draw up the furniture in separate drawings then insert them at the appropriate points. For example, draw up the dining room table and six chairs in one drawing then drop them as one unit in the right place. This unit can then be moved to suit. I can't remember how scaling them works - would have to go back to the instructions.	Mercury (1316)
632295	2008-01-22 05:16:00	One other point. A couple of months ago I drew up a floor plan of a smallish unit that fitted nicely on an A4 piece of paper. Great, could print it without fishing out Dad's A3 printer, finding the drivers etc Only thing is that as someone will be using it for presentation I wanted to give him not only the paper copy but a soft copy too so he could use it how he liked. Converting it to .pdf it rescaled it slightly to fit the paper.	Mercury (1316)
632296	2008-01-22 22:09:00	Cool looks like I have a few choices . Basically Im doing building lay outs, camera placements, card reader placements, diagrams for showing control panels/inputs etc . Work gave me visio but its horrible . Down with Visio! :p	rob_on_guitar (4196)
632297	2008-01-23 01:59:00	My drafting these days consists of the odd deck, new bathroom, occasional floor plan for obscure uses etc and there hasn't been much of it lately - although a deck will be coming up shortly. From what I remember the answer is to draw up the furniture in separate drawings then insert them at the appropriate points. For example, draw up the dining room table and six chairs in one drawing then drop them as one unit in the right place. This unit can then be moved to suit. I can't remember how scaling them works - would have to go back to the instructions. Yes this is where Cad Std seems to fall down badly. I haven't got into the program properly yet but as far as I can see there is no access to a symbol library which strikes me as amazing. Having to import another drawing to get a piece of furniture into a room is unbelievably clumsy. In DCWIN I just simply access "symbols" and am presented with a list ie furniture, plumbing, electrical, building etc. I select one and immediately get shown umpteen thumbnails of lots of whatever I am asking for. They can easily be entered - scaled - moved - rotated - copied. Tell me I have got it wrong - CAD Std couldn't be so bad in this respect surely. I am still going to learn more about the program whatever. Tom	Thomas01 (317)
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