Mac architecture software?

[macguymike]

I need to find some good architecture software for the Mac.

Anybody know where I could find a good program? Or at least a company that makes such a program?

[idea_hamster]

The Apple site has a "Made4Mac" (http://guide.apple.com/index.lasso) area that you can search in. My quick look turned up these, among others:

http://guide.apple.com/action.lasso?-database=macosguide&-layout=cgi_detail&-response=/ussearch/detail.html&prodkey=171&-search

http://guide.apple.com/action.lasso?-database=macosguide&-layout=cgi_detail&-response=/ussearch/detail.html&prodkey=46851&-search

Best of Luck!

[Sun Baked]

Somebody was saying something about VectorWorks awhile back...

or you can try checking out some of the stuff that comes up in

guide.apple.com

www.versiontracker.com

or even the search on VectorWorks/AutoCAD/etc will give you some past threads on CAD programs.

[tangerinedream]

I have used AutoCAD on Virtual PC w/ XP. This is sooooo far from an elegant solution... There are constant rumors revolving around AutoCAD being released for the mac, and petitions and blah blah blah... nothing seems to happen...

I bought a powerbook and then bought ArchiCAD- a student version can be had for $99- Be prepared to take a class on this- ArchiCAD is meant to be one of the very best cad packages around... I just haven't got the time or money to learn it. A very good friend of mine uses VectorWorks, and adores it... After learning and using AutoCAD, and then going to VectorWorks, he swears he will never go back (he talks about it like he's got a banjo-plucking-switcher commercial) :)

Sketch-Up is pretty good, it would like many more printing options, but it's good for a sketch (i prefer paper for that, but its cheap and easy to learn)

for more info on macs and cad look to www.architosh.com.

best of luck...
c

[joed]

I've used ArchiCAD for the past 6 years. And most of that has been on a mac. Only in the past year have I been using it on a PC!

I would hightley recommend it. It seems to be getting more popular now.

If you want to easily visualise your building, then ArchiCAD is the best. It's pretty easy to use.

Version 8 is pretty new, I know they've had a lot of problems but they have now release V3/R3 that fixes many of the bugs. Oh and it works in OSX.

If you've got any question, I'd be more than happy to help :)


James.

Melbourne, Australia

[Daveman Deluxe]

For what it's worth, AutoDesk (who makes AutoCAD) has expressed interest in a Mac version of AutoCAD and invited people to send email about their desire for such a product.

[etoiles]

I have not used any of those in a long time, but this is what I remember...maybe some architects can correct me if I am wrong.

FormZ: one of the best modeling(technical)/drafting software you can get for the mac. Pretty much lets you draw/build anything. Fantastic from 'rapid prototyping' to detailed final drawings/renderings. Definitely the way to go if you are more about representation than project planning ~$2000

Vectorworks: great 'integrated' package. 3D tools do not offer the same level of control as FormZ, but you get extra database/spreadsheet/workgroup stuff that can help with the workflow of an architectural firm. Very affordable (starting at ~$900)

ArchiCAD: 'The classic'. Pretty much a standard, but it might have lost some market share to Vectorworks (just an impression). Can be extremely powerful if you know what you are doing, but it also requires a bit more learning and planning. Drawing is not quite as 'immediate' as in other apps, but objects (walls, windows etc.) are pretty much parametric so you can easily change them without having to redraw everything. You also get database links that let you calculate material costs automatically and so on...
Great if you are working on 'real projects', but it is also one of the more expensive options ~$4000 (unless you are a student).

Hope this helps. Look out for student/demo versions first...