PACMan3000
Vectorworks for Mac
One of the standard refrains of Windows Fanboys, besides the shout of "Games," is the idea that Apple is just not a great platform for engineers or architects. They say this not knowing of course that OS X has several CAD programs including ArchiCAD, BRL-CAD (used by the U.S. military), ViaCAD, TurboCAD, PowerCADD, Sketchup and Vectorworks, which is a standard in Europe.
The standard here in the U.S. is the Windows based CAD program known as AutoCAD.
Opinions on the advantages of Vectorworks versus AutoCAD vary, but there seems to be a consensus with architects that Vectorworks has a more fluid workflow than AutoCAD. While AutoCAD relies on building drawings one line at a time by entering text commands, Vectorworks relies more heavily on icons. Vectorworks also allows work in 2D and 3D using the same interface and same tools.
Vectorworks also provides a "SmartCursor" that snaps onto virtually any significant geometric feature, streamling the process of generating a design from basic geometric shapes.
It is true that AutoCAD created the standard DWG and DXF file formats, but just like Final Cut Pro and Avid, Vectorworks competes with AutoCAD on price.
A full version of AutoCAD will cost you over $4000, while Vectorworks, even a version that comes bundled with Renderworks, will cost you no more than $2,600, depending on the version.
Here's how the prices work out for major versions.
Vectorworks Architect: $1,819 (with Renderworks: $2,179)
Vectorworks Landmark: $1,639 (with Renderworks : $1,999)
Vectorworks Spotlight: $1,639 (with Renderworks: $1,999)
Vectorworks Machine Design: $1,639 (with RenderWorks: $1,999)
*Vectorworks Designer 2010: $2,269 (with RenderWorks: $2,555)
(*Designer includes Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Machine Design)
AutoCAD: $3,995.00.
AutoCAD Architecture: $4,995.00
AutoCAD Civil: $4,995.00
AutoCAD Mechanical: $4,495.00
The biggest advantage obviously, is that Vectorworks offers a version called Designer, which bundles all four versions of Vectorworks into one big package. And while you might have to buy something like 3D Studio Max Design ($3,495) to get extra functionality for 3D rendering in AutoCAD, Vectorworks can be bundled with its 3D engine, Renderworks, for less than $500.
There is also something to be said by the fact that, unlike AutoCAD, Vectorworks is not limited to one platform. It works on both Windows and OS X.
Related Links:
VectorWorks
ArchiCAD
www.graphisoft.com/products/archicad/
PowerCADD
ViaCAD
AutoCAD
Sketchup
Vectorworks for Mac
One of the standard refrains of Windows Fanboys, besides the shout of "Games," is the idea that Apple is just not a great platform for engineers or architects. They say this not knowing of course that OS X has several CAD programs including ArchiCAD, BRL-CAD (used by the U.S. military), ViaCAD, TurboCAD, PowerCADD, Sketchup and Vectorworks, which is a standard in Europe.
The standard here in the U.S. is the Windows based CAD program known as AutoCAD.
Opinions on the advantages of Vectorworks versus AutoCAD vary, but there seems to be a consensus with architects that Vectorworks has a more fluid workflow than AutoCAD. While AutoCAD relies on building drawings one line at a time by entering text commands, Vectorworks relies more heavily on icons. Vectorworks also allows work in 2D and 3D using the same interface and same tools.
Vectorworks also provides a "SmartCursor" that snaps onto virtually any significant geometric feature, streamling the process of generating a design from basic geometric shapes.
It is true that AutoCAD created the standard DWG and DXF file formats, but just like Final Cut Pro and Avid, Vectorworks competes with AutoCAD on price.
A full version of AutoCAD will cost you over $4000, while Vectorworks, even a version that comes bundled with Renderworks, will cost you no more than $2,600, depending on the version.
Here's how the prices work out for major versions.
Vectorworks Architect: $1,819 (with Renderworks: $2,179)
Vectorworks Landmark: $1,639 (with Renderworks : $1,999)
Vectorworks Spotlight: $1,639 (with Renderworks: $1,999)
Vectorworks Machine Design: $1,639 (with RenderWorks: $1,999)
*Vectorworks Designer 2010: $2,269 (with RenderWorks: $2,555)
(*Designer includes Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Machine Design)
AutoCAD: $3,995.00.
AutoCAD Architecture: $4,995.00
AutoCAD Civil: $4,995.00
AutoCAD Mechanical: $4,495.00
The biggest advantage obviously, is that Vectorworks offers a version called Designer, which bundles all four versions of Vectorworks into one big package. And while you might have to buy something like 3D Studio Max Design ($3,495) to get extra functionality for 3D rendering in AutoCAD, Vectorworks can be bundled with its 3D engine, Renderworks, for less than $500.
There is also something to be said by the fact that, unlike AutoCAD, Vectorworks is not limited to one platform. It works on both Windows and OS X.
Related Links:
VectorWorks
ArchiCAD
www.graphisoft.com/products/archicad/
PowerCADD
ViaCAD
AutoCAD
Sketchup