Simple, effective CAD package that looks great

This effective and intuitive CAD platform enables me to produce architectural drawings for clients with ease. I can produce incredibly detailed construction drawings that are both readable and informative and enable contractors, clients and any other 3rd party to understand exactly what is being proposed or changed.

Pros

2D tools are simple and intuitive - I have taught complete novices very quickly how to use the tools and produce great looking Architectural drawings. Can be set up so it is as easy as drawing on a drawing board (I.e. you draw to scale on a piece of paper (no silly model space/paper space like AutoCAD)). Colours, hatched, patterns and opacity all allow you to produce beautiful architectural drawings that are easy to understand and interpret. With tailoring shortcuts it is also very quick to use - I can produce drawings twice as fast as other employees on AutoCAD. Has options for 3D and BIM modelling (although I have only used it minimally as I prefer the freedom of drawing with simple lines). System for backing up data and saves is great and has saved my skin often when I could of lost days worth of work.

Cons

Has had issues with iOS updates in the past and time has been wasted waiting for patches. Very occasionally crashes for bizarre reasons.

With this program planners and public planners can design, create and model landscapes and urban pla

It is a software that, unlike others, works with real data from the geographic coordinates of the site, which allows a real study of what is going to be represented, allows connectivity with other formats to be able to import files among other advantages.

Pros

This software allows me to manage the design in all its phases, from the design or initial idea, to the presentations. It uses the data of the site, accepting the geographic information systems. It allows the modeling of the land and study of slopes. You can create floor plans with natural elements, as it has a library with green areas, trees, plants and other elements such as pavement and walls. Files are imported and exchanged with other programs and formats such as DXF, DWG or DWF. From the models I can make rendes that I can take them to other formats such as pdf, jpg, tif, among others.

Cons

It requires a PC with a good ram memory capacity (from 4 to 8 GB) and a 64 bit processor since in computers with lower capacities it tends to perform the functions in a slow way. The graphics card must be of high performance, in otherwise the rendering of images will be limited.

14 years using Vectorworks. Never used a CAD/Bim system before this.

Can do it all for small to medium sized studios....really a delightful program to use!

Pros

This does everything....2-d drawings and 3-d modeling, landscape, lighting and site design, interiors, great renderings plus all of my office graphics. The graphic capabilities are awesome from sketch to OpenGL, hidden line and fully rendered

Cons

Not enough local users to share this program. This is a must have program for small to medium sized Mac-based firms...affordable and capable of handling just about anything you can throw at it!

One of the best additions to our workflow because it has increased our efficiency dramatically.

Pros

Building high quality visual models across different platforms always meant having to sacrifice somewhere along the design process. But with Vectorworks Architect, we didn't have to sacrifice anything. We're able to create data-rich designs anywhere, using multiple different operating systems with ease.

Cons

At times, syncing between the two main operating systems used in our office seemed slow. Thankfully, the helpful support helped us come to the conclusion that the delays in data transfer were because of our network connection, and not the application itself. Vectorworks Architect itself never seemed to fail us.

Vectorworks is out go to for any project

Pros

I love how detailed this product is. It has every item we use on any project and we are able to print these cad files off in big blueprints to take onsite. The ability to accurately see items in the space is game changing for clients

Cons

The early updates prove to be less than useful. I'd rather have a program for two years that works than spend six months beta testing the software

Drawings that will impress your colleagues.

Pros

Vectorworks is great for sticklers and perfectionists. You have a great degree of control. The preview of the drawing you are working on in the program is exactly what gets printed so you can fine tune without exporting to PDF multiple times.

Cons

Because of the limited use of this program in some markets, collaborating with others can be difficult.

Quick, powerful and concise communication tool

Pros

Vectorworks can do a lot without getting in the way. It's easy to customize the tools to allow you to work the way that you want to work.

With the powerful visualization features, it's easy to communicate highly-technical concepts to self-described non-technical people. In theatre and event production, this is an indispensable asset.

And the best part is that the initial sketch can be transformed into the fully realized design drawings further saving time.

Cons

The only con I can think of is that the price can be cost prohibitive for freelancers just starting out. If you're able to afford to make the investment, it should pay off pretty quickly.

Vectorworks makes CAD designing interesting!

Pros

The flexibility of the software, combined with the deep catalogue of available 3D objects makes Vectorworks a powerhouse! It's capable of creating not only awesome top down CAD designs, but beautiful artistic renderings of your creations. Vectorworks lets you get out what you're willing to put in.

Cons

Vectorworks can take a decent amount of time to get intimately familiar with. There's plenty of classes and videos available to help you along your way, but there is certainly a skill cap to this software that requires professional knowledge to get the most out of it. It's not difficult to learn, but the skill cap is high to get the most out of it.

Vectorworks to the rescue

Pros

The amount of detail this software has is game changing. to be able to truly go into 3d and view true dimensions is so great

Cons

The price is steep but it’s one of the best apps you can use. Can be hard to use but with a little training it’s easy to use

Powerful CAD and 3D software for Mac

Pros

A very comprehensive suite of CAD tools for designers and architects. Everything you need to conceptualize and create architectural designs right through to final approval drawings. Powerful 3D tools with decent rendering capabilities. Best CAD solution for Mac. Inexpensive.

Cons

Complicated and feature-rich, requires a level of training and skill to properly utilize it to its potential. Difficult transition from AutoCAD.

Some good features but let down by bugs and half finished elements. No go for BIM.

Shame as this could be a great software, yet after using it for years it just doesn't seem to be as complete a software as you would expect in 2018. Go for another, such as industry standard Revit.

Pros

2D Drawing is fine, basic 3D work is also fine. Classes and layers system is generally a good way of working. I like the clean appearance of the workspace.

Cons

Half implemented and half finished features. The software advertises itself as being compatible with BIM projects, but the 3D modelling and parametric 'smart' tools are buggy and unfinished, and many tools are way behind other software (i.e. Revit). Support is not great even when paid for.