What¦s the best CAD product and ver

What´s the best CAD product and version to easily draw beams, columns & plates. Steel reinf & forms (in 2D).

 

[zuardy]

Hi,
for 2D design problem, the AutoCAD from Autodesk is very powerfull and easy to use. The current version is 2000 or may be 2002, sorry I have only tested the 2000 and migrated to Pro/Engineer, that is more suitable for 3D design. If you want to automate your design intents, AutoCAD provides AutoLISP (like MACRO language) and C++ Application Programming Interface, so it is very nice for you.

Good luck

 

[MadMango]

I've been using SolidWorks since '96 for 3d design. For 2d work, I would think you are better off with AutoCAD, or AutoCAD LT (if they still make that). One has to wonder you are not trying to go the 3d route?

If you are looking for simple and cheap/free 2d packages, may I suggest giving this site a browse:

http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm

"Happy the Hare at morning for she is ignorant to the Hunter's waking thoughts."

 

[AJUK]

I swear by TurboCAD, it has the same functionality (and more) as AutoCAD 2002 but is 10% of the price. If you visit their site you can also download a fully functional 2D only version for free that I think also reads and writes dwg files.

 

My special tks to: Zuardy, MadMango and AJUK.

Sorry. I express INcorrectly my question:

What´s the best CAD product and version to easily draw beams, columns & plates. Steel reinf & forms (in 2D).

I asked about CAD to USE in 2D (planar drawings) of Beams, Columns, Plates, Reinf & Forms drawings.

In this 5 kinds of applications, I asked: What´s the best CAD to use (in reinf concrete design). Right.

Tks, sorry about my incorrect message.

Old horse war. Louis.

 

[zuardy]

Hi Old Horse,
If you only need to draw beams, coloumns, plates, etc, then most of 2D CAD programs can assist you well, especially AutoCAD, it is mainly used in civil engineering adn architec. I have seen many cranes and elevators were designed with AutoCAD.
If you have concerning to automate your design later, it means you jaust only give some design change for your previous design and the CAD should give you this result, then AutoCAD is the answer, it has AutoLISP and C++ Application Programming Interface (API), that you can costumize it.
I hope, this would make it clearer for you.

regards

 

[AJUK]

Ols Horse - Louis

Most RC detailing is generated from design programs such as Masterseries or CADS but there are add on packages to AC and stand alone detailing suites.

Try these links: -

http://www.masterseries.co.uk/

http://www.cads.co.uk/front.htm

http://www.nemetschek.com/

http://www.multisuite.com/welcome.html

Hope these help.