Custom Residential Architects Network

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Custom Residential Architects Network .
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I currently field measure and document existing floor plans for remodels using a laptop and AutoCAD LT which I use as a base file to build a Revit model. I am thinking of switching to an iPad with AutoCAD 360. What tools do others use for documenting field conditions?

Thank you in advance for your comments.

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Alan Kanter AIA
Alan Kanter Architect
Aptos CA
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I still use graph paper, a black pen for the building, and a red pen for dimensions. I find it much quicker to get in and out of the job site and then transfer that into an ArchiCAD model when I get back to the office. Many of these "in town" houses that we renovate are total disasters and I'd never bring a laptop in them. 

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Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2013 15:06
From: Alan Kanter
Subject: AutoCAD 360?

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Custom Residential Architects Network .
-------------------------------------------
I currently field measure and document existing floor plans for remodels using a laptop and AutoCAD LT which I use as a base file to build a Revit model. I am thinking of switching to an iPad with AutoCAD 360. What tools do others use for documenting field conditions?

Thank you in advance for your comments.

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Alan Kanter AIA
Alan Kanter Architect
Aptos CA
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I agree with Eric...much faster with paper and pen/pencil. tricky conditions can be easily sketched, or photographed, for back in office review.

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W. Douglas Gilpin, Jr. FAIA

W. Douglas Gilpin, Jr. FAIA - Architect, PLC
Charlottesville, VA and Block Island, RI
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2013 17:35
From: Eric Rawlings
Subject: AutoCAD 360?

I still use graph paper, a black pen for the building, and a red pen for dimensions. I find it much quicker to get in and out of the job site and then transfer that into an ArchiCAD model when I get back to the office. Many of these "in town" houses that we renovate are total disasters and I'd never bring a laptop in them. 

-------------------------------------------
Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2013 15:06
From: Alan Kanter
Subject: AutoCAD 360?

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Custom Residential Architects Network .
-------------------------------------------
I currently field measure and document existing floor plans for remodels using a laptop and AutoCAD LT which I use as a base file to build a Revit model. I am thinking of switching to an iPad with AutoCAD 360. What tools do others use for documenting field conditions?

Thank you in advance for your comments.

-------------------------------------------
Alan Kanter AIA
Alan Kanter Architect
Aptos CA
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I go with one person, we sketch rooms and make notes of supply and return, power, lights, t stats, anything that is easy to see. Then one person rights and one measures on the room sketches. This is pretty efficient . The one writing inputs the math into Auto Cad. If we get survey before hand we can close the perimeter and enlarge the sketch for our sketch plans. In some cases we have the realtor plan of rooms, I have found them not to be too helpful, they never show Winodws and doors. Just as easy to sketch when we arrive. Another help is hooking the tape and taking photos of the tape as one crosses the exterior points. You have to love the 35 foot super Max. We count Rick and siding, so our drawings show the correct number of brick and bards. Relations hips of the parts are accurate.. Trim boards show up in plan and are accurate in plan too. ------------------------------------------- Donald Duffy AIA Don Duffy Architecture Charlotte NC -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 09-30-2013 17:35 From: Eric Rawlings Subject: AutoCAD 360? I still use graph paper, a black pen for the building, and a red pen for dimensions. I find it much quicker to get in and out of the job site and then transfer that into an ArchiCAD model when I get back to the office. Many of these "in town" houses that we renovate are total disasters and I'd never bring a laptop in them. ------------------------------------------- Eric Rawlings AIA Owner Rawlings Design, Inc. Decatur GA -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 09-28-2013 15:06 From: Alan Kanter Subject: AutoCAD 360? This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Custom Residential Architects Network . ------------------------------------------- I currently field measure and document existing floor plans for remodels using a laptop and AutoCAD LT which I use as a base file to build a Revit model. I am thinking of switching to an iPad with AutoCAD 360. What tools do others use for documenting field conditions? Thank you in advance for your comments. ------------------------------------------- Alan Kanter AIA Alan Kanter Architect Aptos CA -------------------------------------------

A couple of essential tools:

1) A laser distance measuring device. I like (and use) the Disto E7400x, but the important feature for me is the "Smart Horizontal Mode" which allows measuring over the tops of obstructions.

2) The 11x17 Accu-Line drawing grid (www.accu-line.com) which allows you to draw very straight lines freehand.

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Richard Morrison, Architect-Interior Designer
Redwood City CA

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Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2013 17:35
From: Eric Rawlings
Subject: AutoCAD 360?

I still use graph paper, a black pen for the building, and a red pen for dimensions. I find it much quicker to get in and out of the job site and then transfer that into an ArchiCAD model when I get back to the office. Many of these "in town" houses that we renovate are total disasters and I'd never bring a laptop in them. 

-------------------------------------------
Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2013 15:06
From: Alan Kanter
Subject: AutoCAD 360?

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Custom Residential Architects Network .
-------------------------------------------
I currently field measure and document existing floor plans for remodels using a laptop and AutoCAD LT which I use as a base file to build a Revit model. I am thinking of switching to an iPad with AutoCAD 360. What tools do others use for documenting field conditions?

Thank you in advance for your comments.

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Alan Kanter AIA
Alan Kanter Architect
Aptos CA
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Alan,

you should check out these two apps:

http://www.orthograph.net/
http://www.redstickcad.com/index.html

Both are designed for surveying sites on an iPad. I'm more familiar with Orthograph as it has deeper connections to ArchiCAD, which is what i use. But I know it can export to a whole variety of platforms. I think of all the solutions it is pushing the hardest to be BIM-based & focused.

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Jared Banks AIA
Newton MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2013 15:06
From: Alan Kanter
Subject: AutoCAD 360?

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Custom Residential Architects Network .
-------------------------------------------
I currently field measure and document existing floor plans for remodels using a laptop and AutoCAD LT which I use as a base file to build a Revit model. I am thinking of switching to an iPad with AutoCAD 360. What tools do others use for documenting field conditions?

Thank you in advance for your comments.

-------------------------------------------
Alan Kanter AIA
Alan Kanter Architect
Aptos CA
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