OSX CAD software

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HISTORY
We are a 2 man commercial interior design company in Canada. We are devoted MAC users for drafting and all other uses of the computer. We use on a daily basis CLARIS CAD, a drafting program no longer supported. It will also not operate on any system newer than 9.0 As we are using G3’s we are concerned that if we make upgrades to new hardware and thus OSX we will not be able to access our old files. The nature of this posting is to ask for HELP.

THE PROBLEM:
We bought into PCs last year because we were looking for a drafting program that could also easily produce some 3D modelling. We bought Chief Architect but are not using it as it is really too complicated for what we need and the learning curve seems impossible. We are also NOT happy in the PC world ( we think you understand that one). We are willing to sell the software and the hardware and move forward.

THE GOAL
We would like to stay with Macs and are looking for a combination drafting and modelling program that is intuitive or at least is not over-designed for our needs. We need to import many of our old Claris CAD files into some program to be able to access them and work on them with a new application running on OSX. We also own Mini CAD for Mac and have to use that now to convert Claris drawings into other exportable formats.

THE PLEA FOR HELP
Does anyone have suggestions for how we can move forward without having to start all over again re-drafting all those plans and details we have created. Is there a wonderful drafting / design program for OSX that would also be able to import files from 8.6 and 9.1?

SUGGESTIONS/ SOLUTIONS WELCOME


With thanks

The Canucks

 

[Macky-Mac]

you say you have Minicad and are using it to convert files now.....so why don't you look at the current version of that product? It changed ownership a few years ago and is now called VectorWorks. I use VectorWorks myself and I find it to be a pretty good program.

VectorWorks

if that doesn't appeal to you, go to Apple.com, make your way to the "Made4Mac" page and do a search in the software section.....you'll find other programs for you to consider

 

[mherz]

I can only second that. I find Vectorworks an excellent programme, especially for 2d work, it is not too complicated, not too technical and slightly more graphics-oriented than other cad programs like ArchiCad. If you are looking into 3d design and 3d modelling go for Form-Z. Vectorworks has 3d capabilities, but this is not its strong side.

 

[mcadam]

Hello

I agree with the 2 first guys - I find vectorworks relatively easy to both learn and use... And formZ for more intuitive 3D modelling. I don't use them so much, but all mac architects (and students) that I know seem to use that combination.

I found this place a while ago:
http://architosh.com/

And their forum:
http://architoshforums.forest.net/

They might be more helpful. There's a lot of specific information about this subject.

A

 

[AdamZ]

Also use Vectorworks, I will never touch AutoCad again if I can help it. Probably why I can't find a job. I have produced very nice 3d renderings with it, but it also outputs to Cinema 4D which is a really nice graphics program.

 

[gwuMACaddict]

not to flog the crap out of this already dead horse, but vectorworks is about the only way to go on a mac...

really wish they would support pro e and pro mechanica...