.CAD / .dwg files

[pommy1]

Hi

Can anyone help me - I need to transfer some CAD files from my PC to Mac for future use. I am not sure which CAD application I will go for but when I do which file type (CAD or dwg or dxf) would be the best type to save the files as now?

Thank you.

 

[neilrobinson]

depends on the program, i use vectorworks and it reads both dwg and dxf if it remember right.

 

[fuzzwud]

perhaps, an ashlar vellum product such as Argon or Xenon or Cobalt? check it out at www.ashlar.com

there's a site specifically for mac cad related issues; they may recommend the best options for you.

www.architosh.com

 

[Macky-Mac]

save your files as dxf since you don't know what program you'll be using.....even adobe illustrator can open a dxf file

 

[big]

since media and space is sooo big now, save them in all the formats... then run and buy Powercadd by ENGSW.COM, they have a free trial version now, it is by far the best design studio EVER!!!!

 

[denm316]

Numerous people I work with use Power cadd as already suggested. They said it was was best App out of all they have tried.

 

[big]

Man yeah... it is by far the BEST. I have used them all too. The learning curve is the shortest, its intuitive to the Mac platform (ie, if you can run a Mac, you can run powercadd) and I believe it is the cheapest out there per seat, which if you ever hire someone, or several someones, this becomes very important.

however, you MUST get Wildtools and the DWG translator, these are so necessary to functionality its not even funny. Yeah, you can run basic powercadd, but those two add ons make the world of a difference.

 

[mischief]

Don't forget ArchiCAD.

Best CAD for those who know structures and best open-GL 3D modeling. Models are created realtime and it speaks DXF/DWG out of the box.

ArchiCAD by Graphisoft www.graphisoft.com

 

[big]

that's a great one for 3-D.. and plays well with others. I have yet to use it much, though I have seen what it can do, and some of the final drawings I've seen look real....

 

[mischief]

that's a great one for 3-D.. and plays well with others. I have yet to use it much, though I have seen what it can do, and some of the final drawings I've seen look real....

I spent 2 years drafting on it before I got sick of the work environment (in retrospect I should have stayed.)

The realtime modelling can show you hiccups in the plans (rooflines in particular) that would be a bitch to catch otherwise. Plus it's damn impressive to sit the client next to you and "napkin sketch" a rough house or do mods as fast as you can drag walls and click on the 3D window 😀 😎 .