Autocad

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fred johnson
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:31 pm

Autocad

Post by fred johnson » Tue Jan 03, 2023 3:40 pm

There are some times where AutoCAD is the software of choice so I am investing in AutoCAD Lt in addition to Vectorworks Architect 2023. I have used AutoCAD since Release 14 and Vectorworks since MiniCad so both are no problem for me. Vectorworks also reads both SketchUp and Revit files. I will evaluate the next version of PC/WT and decide if I will be using that also.

johncruet48
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2019 2:49 pm

Re: Autocad

Post by johncruet48 » Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:08 pm

VW Architect is a great program. That is why I re-invested in it. I've had this program since 1996 when it was MiniCAD. Sketchup has become a subscription application, so I'll sign into it once I obtain my new desktop. I have tried in earnest to check out other programs. AutoCad posed scaling problems for me, despite my taking online courses to try to make it work. I'm especially not liking the way it handles text in dimensions. It's unintuitive as all heck. I tried MacDraft, RealCADD, and, lately, Morpholio Trace, which runs only on my iPad. Also, I still seek out a drawing program that is at least half as robust as PowerCADD, for my iPad. Each of the drawing programs I tried lacks something significant, as compared to even PowerCADD without WildTools. For my practice, AutoCAD is never a software of choice. I've thrived all these years, and prospered, without AutoCAD. Translators seemed to do the trick. For me, what works is PowerCADD, VectorWorks Architect, and, soon, the latest Sketchup.

fred johnson
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:31 pm

Re: Autocad

Post by fred johnson » Fri Jan 06, 2023 5:06 pm

I don't mind AC although its not my software of choice, all of the engineers use it so I just prepare base initial base drawings for them them then dfx into VWA. Autodesk recommends using dfx instead of dwg and I have had no translation problems. Over the years since Rel 14 I've learned quite a few tricks and shortcuts so AC it very usable for me. VWA 11 incorporated the viewport stuff like AC but I find AC's viewport/sheet implementation a bit easier to use but VW's offers more features.
I seldom use VWA viewports unless I have created a model, which I find cumbersome with renovation projects. I use multiple sheets / files and then combine into one pdf file using Preview.

fred johnson
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:31 pm

Re: Autocad

Post by fred johnson » Mon Sep 25, 2023 5:45 pm

I installed QCAD Professional as an alternative to AutoCAD Lt, it seems to be able to do most everything ACL does and should meet my needs for
a .dwg/ dfx open/use/save package. I will use this to mainly open AutoCAD files from engineers and to check VW translations into AutoCAD sent to engineers.

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bellarchitect
Posts: 81
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 8:18 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Autocad

Post by bellarchitect » Wed Sep 27, 2023 4:43 pm

You can also try this:

Re: UPDATED DWG translator
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Post by rjpotter » Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:42 am

ODA File Converter is easy to use and saves DWGs etc to a format PCadd can open.

PC 9.1.11 includes ODA in the Utilities folder.

We usually select R12 Binary DXF for the output.

fred johnson
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:31 pm

Re: Autocad

Post by fred johnson » Thu Sep 28, 2023 5:45 pm

My 2023 Vectorworks architect has an excellent .dwg translator.
QCAD is only $40 and using it solves the translation issues, it does have many AutoCAD Lite features and can be used for initial floor plans to be sent to engineers for their use as backgrounds for their work.

PeterKona
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat May 08, 2021 12:15 am

Re: Autocad

Post by PeterKona » Sun Feb 18, 2024 12:32 am

johncruet48 wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:08 pm
I tried MacDraft, RealCADD, and, lately, Morpholio Trace, which runs only on my iPad.
Hi John, What was your result with RealCADD? The interface looks a lot like PowerCADD. The website looks suspiciously out of date (so I would be concerned it's not being developed any longer).
Last edited by PeterKona on Tue Feb 20, 2024 12:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

Eric Pousse
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed May 05, 2021 1:19 pm

Re: Autocad

Post by Eric Pousse » Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:58 am

Sorry for my website, PeterKona.
I am the developer of RealCADD.

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