Technology in Architectural Practice

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  • 1.  Changing from PC to MAC

    Posted 03-28-2013 09:13 AM

    My firm of 2 is considering changing from PC to MACs. All of our archived drawings are either autocad or Revit. Can anyone who has made this change give me some advice on the potential pitfalls? If you made this change was it worth it?



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    Linna Frederick FAIA
    Principal
    Frederick & Frederick Architects
    Beaufort SC
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  • 2.  RE:Changing from PC to MAC

    Posted 03-29-2013 05:39 PM
    Convert all of your Revit files to IFC files and you should be in great shape.

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    Willard Williams AIA
    Walker Warner Architects
    San Francisco CA
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  • 3.  RE:Changing from PC to MAC

    Posted 03-29-2013 06:11 PM
    We work on Mac's and use VMware Fusion to create a Windows "virtual" PC on our Mac to use AutoCAD Architecture 2013.  I don't really use Windows for anything but AutoCAD and flip between the "PC" and Mac without problems.

    The only warning to this setup is you cannot have enough RAM in your Mac.  When I purchased my last iMac, I only bought 8Gb of RAM installed.  I've just ordered replacement memory for 16Gb, the max capacity for this iMac; surprisingly inexpensive.

    We have long considered moving to a natively based Mac CAD program of some sort, but have been on Subscription with our Autodesk products and reluctant to move.  However, the transition from 2012 to 2013 was ... difficult, so we may not renew our 'Subscription' and move on.  We looked at Archicad a few years ago because it works on a Mac or PC's.

    Revit unfortunately is still Windows only.  I'm told it will also run as I'm running AutoCAD currently, but I'm not sure I see the point.  If I'm going to make a change and re-learn, it might as well be on native Mac software.  And I'm discovering it may be easier to work with consultants Archicad to AutoCAD than Revit to AutoCAD.

    Still haven't reached a decision on software, but the Mac hardware works great and if you don't mind maintaining the Mac plus a Windows machine (in the Mac), I can't recommend it enough.  Mac's work like a computer should.  Good luck.

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    R. Coco AIA
    Architect
    Coco & Coco
    Midland TX
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