2d drafting and presentaion software?

[Khader]

Hi Everyone:

I work for a small architects firm. I spend 7 hours a day trying to make architecture drawings look good in auto cad. Most of the time I am using Autocad 2007 LT.We are mostly doing 2d space layout.

We draw everything line by line which make editing so time consuming.
I find this program so ineffective and ugly.

Then I discovered Sketchup which I find so easy and intuitive and. But at the end of the day to do construction documents I still need Auto Cad..( I wish sketch up layout was better)

My question is Do you people know a simple 2D drafting software that lets you draw walls partitions windows doors some furniture. Which I can export to Cad or to Sketch up and then do the 3d work. I visited all the links the at http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/sh...&highlight=cad.

Most of these software are too complicated and expensive.
I discovered this beta version of this unfinished software. I am thinking of a program like this http://www.mavericksplan.com/maveric...ricksPlan2.jpg

I love to be part of a team that is designing a program for architects. That is simple and practical. ( I don't know how to right a software but I know what architects need)

Please if any one out there has a solution please let us know!!

Thanks

Khader

[mikem oz]

If purchase cost is more important to you than productivity (and therefore value for money) HighDesign could be a viable option. Reasonably capable at a relatively low cost: http://www.ilexsoft.com/highdesign/

VectorWorks (2D + 3D) or PowerCADD (2D only) would be far better options though.

[euro_z]

just stick with autocad, if you learn all the commands by typing it is very fast to produce 2d drawings, much faster than sketchup!
plus you can import autocad drawings into sketchup if you want to make 3d models

[mikem oz]

http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/sh...?t=5091&page=1

Lists most of the architectural programs available.

[nicholas]

If purchase cost is more important to you than productivity (and therefore value for money) HighDesign could be a viable option. Reasonably capable at a relatively low cost: http://www.ilexsoft.com/highdesign/

VectorWorks (2D + 3D) or PowerCADD (2D only) would be far better options though.

Why is vector works better than high design...? (considering high design)

[tdmc]

I don't think High Design is 3d

[SWANK-E]

Why is vector works better than high design...? (considering high design)

you get what you pay for.
i would consider vectorworks architect if i had the mula

[joHanneum Z]

it`s true "mula" and then vectorworks.

>Plan sample vectorworks architect as PDFhttp://download2.nemetschek.net/www_...mm_PlanSet.pdf
>9MB>Link!
- btw. what is "mula"?

[takesh h]

I had some mula to spare, so I bought VectorWorks Architect last week (ex-AutoCad user). Man, I will never look back!

[nicholas]

Fantastic; will wait for the mula to arrive.

[nicholas]

- btw. what is "mula"?

Cold hard cash.

[2kemon]

High Design looks pretty close to the "intuitive type software" I'm generally looking for, but I guess it's exclusively for MAC?

EDIT
Just browsed for some 2D CAD applications, since I'm missing a favourite myself.
I found this free CAD software, that seems pretty capable.

http://www.ugs.com/products/velocity/solidedge/free2d/

Besides Solid Edge 2D i found a few others worth looking into.
I primarily used the links already posted on ppb in a survey.

A9tech (don't know much, but looks interesting)
ArchlineXP (would really like to hear someones experience - looks great!)
ProgeCAD SMART (a soon available FREE CAD software)
IdeCAD (don't know much, but looks interesting)
Autosketch (seems very good)
CADtools (neat plugin for illustrator)