> How do you like VectorWorks? We are considering migrating to the Mac

 platform, if OSX is as good as it looks.

 I'm currently using Autocad 14 on Win 98. Don't like it much -- unintuitive,
 complicated.

 Jon Lauter

 > Rotary Power Marine Corporation

James Russell wrote:

Hi all:

        I had never drawn a line (!) before taking 3 ACAD courses
(R12-R13 Win9x). Then I found GenericCAD (Mac OS) since I couldn't
aford ACAD. I used it alot (and still
do) - it's only 2D but simple and fairly fast on the 10 year-old box
I had. Not enough command key combos for any speed but it was only
$10...

        I bought an only 6 year-old machine and got VectorWorks at
the student rate. I had been busily forgetting the tiny bit of
drafting that I knew until getting my Cozy plans.
With the airplane as a motivator, I have been learning VectorWorks a
little. I looked at all
the Mac CAD packages priced within reason and VW seemed the most
general purpose.

                http://www.nemetschek.net/vectorworks/index.html

        It is modern, 2D/3D, geared towards network use, the company
has been bought by a German firm, and they said they'll ship a Carbon
version 60 days after OS X final ships. My only issue is that it
seems oriented towards architects but there is support for mechanical
stuff, too. I'm on the steep part of the learning curve so take these
comments with that in mind.  It seems to open .dxfs OK and will save
for export to R11-R14. Of course, this mailist has has been a real
education in file portability! (And a lot of engineering, too!)
        My buddy hasn't returned my ACAD R14 CD yet (bum!) so I can't compare
the two programs currently, just via 4 year-old memories.

        The Mac platform is so much easier to use and support than
WinXX - drivers
are a non-issue, the hardware is well made, and OS X with protected
memory will fix
the major Mac issue with crashes. I always ask people if they want to
build a shovel or
get the ditch dug - there's less shovel building with Macs.

        I started with a IBM PC w/ 2 5.25" drives in 1982 (PC-DOS
1.0?), got a Mac 128k in 1984, and use Macs daily. I'm getting my
MCSE, MCDBA, and A+ certs (only 3 more tests...) so I have a NT
server and a Dell laptop. Sorry this is so long! Contact me
offlist if you want to: <fshort@flash.net>

Regards,
James

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Date: Tue, 3 Jan 1995 05:38:02 -0600

To: Paul <rotaryeng@earthlink.net>
From: James Russell <fshort@flash.net>
Subject: Re: What CAD program.

I think your PC clock went kablewie James.

Paul Lamar
 
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