A.Craig Savage
responds: Your question is a good one because
it is important to correctly define what you want
to do with the CAD software before choosing the
package. By my definition, "low-tech" means simple
2-D drafting, not 3-D perspectives, not color
rendering, and certainly not generation of
materials lists and project schedules. Of course,
you can get these things in many CAD programs, but
there is a cost — and it’s not
just in money. It’s the time and effort
needed to master a complex program.
Having said that, both Macintosh and
IBM-compatible machines running Windows or OS/2
have a large assortment of 2-D CAD programs that
are easy to learn and use. I started on the Mac, so
I am partial to MacDraft by Innovative
Data Design (about $400). It’s now
available for Windows machines, as well, and is
very capable of turning out everything from shop
drawings to floor plans . Claris Draw
($250 to $400, depending on where you buy) is a
fine Mac CAD product with a Windows version on the
way. Aldus Corp (now Adobe Systems) makes
IntelliDraw (about $100 when ordered
direct from Adobe Systems). It truly is an
intelligent drawing and graphics package, requiring
a short learning curve. Finally,
AutoSketch from AutoDesk (from $130 to
$300) is another fine, simple-to-use drafting
package. Mastering it will help you to prepare for
the big (time-consuming) leap into AutoCAD
(about $3,800), should you decide that low-tech
drawings aren’t enough.
One last word of caution before you embark on
computer drawing programs (or any program for that
matter): Don’t get suckered into buying
more "power" than you need. It’s much
better to be able to use 80% of a program that
delivers 90% of what you need, than to be able to
use only 20% of a program that’s capable
of delivering 100% of what you need (but
can’t understand) .
Craig Savage is a builder in Carpinteria,
Calif., and publisher of Macintosh
Construction Forum and Window on
Construction newsletters.
Simple CAD Sources
Adobe Systems P.O. Box 6458 Salinas, CA 93912
800/642-3623
AutoDesk 111 McInnis Pkwy. San Rafael, CA 94903
800/228-3601
Claris Corp. 5201 Patrick Henry Dr. Santa Clara,
CA 95052 800/325-2747 or 408/987-7000
Innovative Data Design 1820-L Arnold Industrial
Way Concord, CA 94520 510/680-6818