Small Project Design

I've been using Vectorworks since 1990, when it was (unfortunately) called MiniCad. They have more bells and whistles than I could ever use, and I don't have to buy all of them if I don't want to, which is nice. I've used it in both 2D and 3D capacities, including their digital terrain modeling function, producing sets of con docs for all kinds of projects, and using it to map and generate a database to catalog the parts of a historic structure being rehabilitated. While they do have a very advanced rendering capacity (theatrical lighting folks use it), I haven't had occasion to use it.

One thing that I love about VW is that it is so flexible. There is a lot of duplication of functions so that you can do things in whatever way suits you best for a given project. I also teach Construction Documents to students who generally use either AutoCad or ArchiCad and they all complain about how rigid both programs are.

-------------------------------------------
Kate Svoboda-Spanbock AIA
Principal
HERE Design and Architecture
Los Angeles CA
-------------------------------------------

Like Kate, I have used VectorWorks since it was MiniCad. Also have used 2d and 3d features, but mostly 2d features. VW has more features than I normally use in my size projects, but I like all the features that I do use, including note data bases and creating schedules. I have never used ArchiCad and cannot comment either way about it. Up grade to VW are not cheap but not outrageous.

-------------------------------------------
Richard Wilken AIA
Architect-owner
R.B. Wilken-Architect
Pacific Palisades CA
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 03-02-2012 22:16
From: Kate Svoboda-Spanbock
Subject: Vectorworks or ArchiCad

I've been using Vectorworks since 1990, when it was (unfortunately) called MiniCad. They have more bells and whistles than I could ever use, and I don't have to buy all of them if I don't want to, which is nice. I've used it in both 2D and 3D capacities, including their digital terrain modeling function, producing sets of con docs for all kinds of projects, and using it to map and generate a database to catalog the parts of a historic structure being rehabilitated. While they do have a very advanced rendering capacity (theatrical lighting folks use it), I haven't had occasion to use it.

One thing that I love about VW is that it is so flexible. There is a lot of duplication of functions so that you can do things in whatever way suits you best for a given project. I also teach Construction Documents to students who generally use either AutoCad or ArchiCad and they all complain about how rigid both programs are.

-------------------------------------------
Kate Svoboda-Spanbock AIA
Principal
HERE Design and Architecture
Los Angeles CA
-------------------------------------------