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osx-addict
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 18
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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 Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 2:51 pm Post subject: Powercadd/CAD newbie questions.. |
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Hi all.. I've not actually purchased PC yet, and hence have no idea what kind of manual /documentation comes with it.... To that end, I was wondering if there are any sort of tutorials available on the web or in the provided documentation. I'm still in the evaluation stages and have tried (and liked to some degree) Sketchup (great tutorials and very easy to use), and have played around a bit with PC so far.
In my case, I'll initially be using it to help with some remodelling tasks for our current home -- moving walls, layouts, etc. I will also use whatever product I choose to help redesign some yards as well... I'm not an achitect by any means, but want to be able to use it to do rough layouts/designs to give an idea of how something will look, etc.
After looking at many pieces of work that people have done with PC, I'm certain it is more than capable of what I want, but I'm wondering how much of a learning curve there is with this product.
I've also looking at VectorWorks (a bit more expensive) but haven't had any contact with their sales people yet (they've not bothed to respond to my email -- not a particularly good sign I think -- unless the SPAM trap got it for some reason).. Anyway, if any of you long/short time users of PowerCadd can comment on learning curves, tutorials, etc that would be great!
Thanks in advance!
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Mike C
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 119
Location: Greensboro, NC
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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There is documentation for PowerCADD in PDF format that can be downloaded from the same page as the Demo.
If you have specific questions you can call Paul Lohr here at 336-299-4843
Mike Cleveland
Engineered Software |
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Bill Stanley
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 315
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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I’m sorry about the salutation but I didn’t know your name.
For one skilled in drafting the get started time is less than half a day.
The manual can be downloaded from the web site.
Paul Lohr is available to answer demo questions by phone (336 299 4843). There is NO TELEPHONE HELL at Engineered Software! Likely we are out of step with the rest of the world.
Derek put together a very good tool palette demo or tutorial, which can be found at the following link. Be sure to click on each tool so the animation can be seen. Thanks Derek.
http://www.rosegill.com/Bullpen/pcwthelp/pc2kwt6help.html
Thanks.
Bill Stanley |
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osx-addict
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 18
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Mike,
Thanks for the very prompt reply. I was not aware that the documentation was right there on the site in front of me (more or less). I didn't notice it listed under the update binary portion.. Perhaps it might be a nice idea for newbies like me to have a link in the demo box for the documentation as well. Regardless, I'll do some light reading when I get home (8->
-- Rick |
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huc
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 658
Location: ::caddpower.com:: (Aurora, CO)
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 3:30 pm Post subject: chapter 2 |
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make sure to review chapter 2 of the PDF manual
it'll cover the critical fundamentals |
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JohnMorse
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 291
Location: Birmingham, AL
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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The PowerCADD manual includes exercises after each chapter which are very helpful in getting accustomed to how the program environment works.
You might also get a lot of tips from the Bullpen which showcases, among other things, screen shots of users' workspace and various helpful essays on individual topics such as .DWG translation and plotting. |
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osx-addict
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 18
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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Boy you all are very fast with the replies! I was just nosing around the Bullpen which looks like it has some interesting materials on it (and some great screen shots!)... I'll check all of this out as well as paying close attention to chapter 2 of the PDF manual!
Thanks!
-- Rick |
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huc
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 658
Location: ::caddpower.com:: (Aurora, CO)
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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shameless self promotion:
You may find the caddpower.com answer archive worth visiting. There are a variety of posts organized by category for various aspects of PowerCADD. Many posts include step by step 'how to' instructions, some also include brief video animations. Given there are about 150 unique articles in the Answer Archive section of the site, the Search field may be your best friend 
The most important question to ask is 'how do I do..." --- not ''can I do..."
And remember there are typically several ways to do a given task.
oh yeah - have fun! 
Cheers
Brian |
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osx-addict
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 18
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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huc,
Thanks for the info.. I think I hit the jackpot with your latest post.. Demos, hints, etc.. Mmm.. Good stuff.. Thanks!
-- Rick |
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huc
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 658
Location: ::caddpower.com:: (Aurora, CO)
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| Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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| osx-addict wrote: | | Thanks for the info.. I think I hit the jackpot with your latest post.. Demos, hints, etc.. Mmm.. Good stuff.. Thanks! |
Rick
You're welcome - if you find a particular item useful - a click on an advertiser link is a 'toll free' way to say 'thanks'  LOL
Cheers
Brian |
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osx-addict
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 18
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 11:10 pm Post subject: Yikes.. I can't get the first Snapping Exercise going... |
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Ok.. I'm on page 2-30 in the manual and I can't seem to get PowerCadd to behave on my Powerbook 15" Titanium running Panther 10.3.3...
When I follow the instructions in the exercise, it says to hold down the "E" key and then move the mouse to anywhere on the "P" line.. Well, I find that when I hold down the "E" key (or any of the other dynamic snap keys), the mouse becomes almost unusable -- it is very jumpy and frequently won't move at all.. This is using the built-in touch-sensitive trackpad -- NOT an external mouse.
Am I missing something, or do I need to use a "real" mouse to get this to behave? I find the current setup almost impossible and certainly impossible to do detailed alignments of simple lines, since they jump to places they aren't wanted. Any comments are appreciated!
-- Rick |
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huc
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 658
Location: ::caddpower.com:: (Aurora, CO)
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| Posted: Sat May 01, 2004 8:01 am Post subject: |
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Rick
Drawing with a real mouse our tablet and stylus will be easier. However, the track pad does/should work.
Try checking Apple menu> System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Trackpad
Given my hands of stone typing skills I normally have the Ignore Accidental Trackpad Input box checked ON. When ON drawing with the track pad in PCadd can feel awkward and sticky or jumpy
Try turning "Ignore Accidental Trackpad Input" = OFF. When I need to draw with the trackpad, I find that improves the feel considerably.
Hope that helps
Brian |
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osx-addict
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 18
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Posted: Sat May 01, 2004 10:48 am Post subject: |
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Brian,
You solved my problem.. I've now got all checkboxes unchecked in the trackpad preferences.. I'll continue with my lessons now. Thanks again!
-- Rick |
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