Autocad

[fred johnson]

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]

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]

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.