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How Goes It Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 393	Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:19 am    Post subject: It's happening. http://ax.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fax.itunes.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewSoftware%253Fid%253D298053937%2526mt%253D8 But this company's interface still looks funky to me. I absolutely believe, that CAD on the iPhone can be done a whole lot better than what is shown at the above URL. And that's what I'm working on. And it's also being done, to some extent, by a large and significant CAD company -- http://labs.solidworks.com/Blog/Blog.aspx?post=21 Alfred, I plan to send you this abbreviated (very) manual, when I get further on. Hope you're interested. Steve
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Alfred Scott Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 749 Location: Richmond, VA	Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:09 pm    Post subject: Steve, Are we on the same planet? Get a pencil. Alfred
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patrickm Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 399 Location: santa barbara, ca	Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:30 am    Post subject: patrickm wrote: I just saw this at MacWorld's web site -- a construction calculator for the iPhone. Seems like some iPhone software is heading in the right direction. http://www.macworld.com/article/136856/2008/11/inchcalc.html?lsrc=rss_main I also just saw this HP41cx calculator emulator: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=289068865&mt=8 I still use the HP41cv that I received as a present when I graduated in 1983, particularly the structural analysis program module, which I use to engineer simple beams, along with a number of other simple programs that I've written for engineering concrete beams, hankinson's formula, etc. Apparently, there is a way to download programs to this iPhone app. If so, this is definitely of interest to me and might be the straw that breaks Santa's back and entices me to buy myself a Christmas present (although I might wait until after MacWorld, just in case there's something new announced).
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Alfred Scott Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 749 Location: Richmond, VA	Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:11 am    Post subject: It's a free country and everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but I'd like to offer a contrary view. I'm a big fan of HP RPN calculators and refuse to use anything else. But they are also complicated with an enormous number of functions that are crammed into a very compact display. I only use a small number of the functions. Good as they are, HP calculators suffer from feature-itis. So as a practice project for getting to know about Cocoa programming, I started work on an RPN calculator. It is, admittedly a training exercise only, but I looked at what is on my HP 32S and wrote down a list of what I wanted to see on my RPN calculator. It's a very limited number of functions, standard math stuff, 1/x, y to the x, x-y swap, etc. So for me, the simplicity is the most important thing, and it's more important to get rid of the extra features I don't want as it is to have the thing working at all. And the display on a hand-held calculator is one thing and what you create on a computer or iPhone is another. I don't see the value in recreating 'yesterday', when you can have simpler and easier-to-read buttons and displays. So I advocate a complete re-think of what an RPN calculator should be and you should start with the problems you are trying to solve. I went through a similar process when it came time to create on-screen rulers and protractors in WildTools. There's no reason to rotate the text because of the direction of the ruler. The main length read-out should be large and legible. The ruler should read from the starting point to the end point, etc. I don't know where all this leads with an RPN calculator, but I like what Apple has done with the design of their calculators, except that I would want to make it even simpler (what is M+?) and always RPN. Alfred
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patrickm Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 399 Location: santa barbara, ca	Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:31 am    Post subject: Basically, Alfred, I agree with you. The problem I have is that I don't have the time or knowledge to create an iPhone app that would suit my needs. I only use 5% of my HP41cv's features (likewise, 5% of my brain's features), but I know how to quickly get to what I need. I'd love a simpler option for an RPN calculator emulator, but what I really want is some simple structural analysis software that I can run on an iPhone. (I did register as an iPhone software developer and watched the first couple of introductory videos with a sinking feeling, and my first impression is that developing an iPhone app is way over my head and I already have enough to do with keeping up with building code changes, trying to have a life, etc.) cheers, patrick
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pbacot Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 959 Location: Northern California	Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:35 am    Post subject: Alfred, Perhaps a calculator can have different features, like externals, you don't have to load them all or there can be sets, or custom sets, for different uses. I like what Apple did with the basic iPhone calculator. Turning it on it's side and getting the expanded version on turning the iPhone sideways is really cool. Peter _________________ Peter B
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pbacot Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 959 Location: Northern California	Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:44 am    Post subject: Alfred, Perhaps a calculator can have different features, like externals, you don't have to load them all or there can be sets, or custom sets, for different uses. I like what Apple did with the basic iPhone calculator. Getting the expanded version on turning the iPhone sideways is really cool. Peter _________________ Peter B
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Alfred Scott Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 749 Location: Richmond, VA	Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:01 am    Post subject: Cocoa programming is very difficult to learn, but once you have learned it, then suddenly things become very easy. It's also good for your brain to learn new things. If you search in the AppStore, you can find lots of RPN calculators. One of them, which is free, is by Tausendstern.com and you can go to their website and get the source code for this, which you can then twiddle to make it work your own way. While the calculator is free, they do charge a moderate amount for the source code. Alfred
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Damon Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Vancouver, BC	Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:57 pm    Post subject: iPhone drawing This topic seems to have become a bit of Cerberus; the head with the biggest bite, however, is Alfred's statement that he has stopped development for Wild Tools (see his post, 14 Nov 08, pg. 1). The apparently poor response from ENGSW on issues such as the appallingly high 2.0X zooming factor (which practically sends me screaming from the room) as well as some other points, are well summarized by Greg (also 14 Nov. 08, pg. 2). I want and need ENGSW to be responsive to us all, and that includes the independent developers. We are customers to be sure, but also users who tend to feel strongly dedicated to the software we use. And in my opinion, WildTOOLS is nearly an essential addition to PowerCADD. I can't believe that there are many PowerCADD users who would give up WildTOOLS once they have used it/ them. I believe that the majority of PowerCADD users have continued to use PowerCADD because WildTOOLS adds such tremendous facility and grace to the solid foundation of PowerCADD. And there is competition. Without WildTOOLS continuing to develop with PowerCADD, I will be seriously considering switching to another cadd program. Overt the last five or eight years, here in Vancouver, many firms have moved from PowerCADD to VectorWorks. I have not, but I need the best available tools to be part of PowerCADD to make staying with PowerCADD the best choice. I think I have swerved off topic as well. But that appears to be the state of this thread. BTW, the puppy-sized head is CADD on the iPhone or iTouch; seriously, get a stone tablet and a chisel. Or a pencil. I don't trust designers who can't draw. _________________ Damon "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." Oscar Wilde
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How Goes It Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 393	Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:24 pm    Post subject: Re: iPhone drawing Damon wrote: seriously, get a stone tablet and a chisel. Or a pencil. I don't trust designers who can't draw. Yeah for basic concepts --- sure pencil can work out great. But I see no need to flesh out all design by hand. It's a whole lot easier to Move Points using CAD, then it is to erase and redraw by hand. And at times, I like to do the design in 3D, then move to 2D for the contract docs. Using 3D CAD allows me the freedom to look at my project from all angles during the design process. And if you're looking for your designer to give you wonderful hand drawn conceptual renderings, elevations, or what not --- well that just isn't what I would picture to be iPhone CAD's purpose. I've been doing surveys with my laptops for years and that's worked out to my benefit. So there certainly is an argument for 'small & portable CAD', as with a possible handheld device. As far as not trusting someone who can't draw --- what's to trust if you have an inferior design done in pencil?! I.E., it ain't the medium. But if you really want to use a stone tablet , you might want to steer clear of some granite, or at least store your tablets outside. http://www.physorg.com/news142184239.html Steve
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Alfred Scott Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 749 Location: Richmond, VA	Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:50 am    Post subject: From what I'm seeing, some of the most innovative software is being written for the iPhone and you have to look around at this stuff to really see what people are doing. A good example is some music software, see the movies at www.moocowmusic.com Alfred
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beppeabresh Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 3	Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:13 pm    Post subject: cadTouch I'm an architect, this morning I got to the site with the client. He wanted to know if there was enough room for a kitchen, so I measured the space and draw it precisely with my iPhone using cadTouch R2. Well I was still not believing myself when it calculated the pavement's area in a blast. Then I noticed that 150 sq.feet wasn't enough for that kitchen, so I used the new EDIT tool to move some walls here and there and got a way to enlarge that kitchen on the fly, I mailed those drawings right from the iPhone to the construction foreman's PC. So, maybe CAD won't ever replace a sheet of paper and a pencil in pure design terms, but it will surely boost your performance on site being able to solve complex problems right there. Take a look at this videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9k_Ptvgh1c http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=298053937&mt=8
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O-Archy Joined: 18 Sep 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Victor, Idaho	Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:06 pm    Post subject: Well, that's encouraging news... I too am a fan of the RPN HP41cv, yes it suffers from feature-itis, and yes we only use around 5% of our capacity in the cranium... The I-phone has sooo much potential and when a testimonial such as beppeabresh comes around, it is good news. I'll check out cadtouch to supplement the 5% upstairs! _________________ "If the city is one of humankinds greatest achievements, it's uncontrolled evolution also can lead to desecration of both nature and the human spirit" -M.G. Marcus-1979
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pbacot Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 959 Location: Northern California	Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:39 am    Post subject: I'm not sure the iPhone would figure in here, but I recently did detailed as-builts for hotel rooms on my laptop, while in the rooms. This situation gave me the opportunity to sit at a desk and complete the drawings without interruption, so I would be sure to have them ready to distribute the next day. On a separate thread someone was talking about using iPhone GPS for surveying. Of course it is not accurate, but apparently software is being made to produce drawings of the GPS. I would consider using that in a rough layout of a site (trees etc.) for design purposes, as I usually end up having to do with a tape, prior to, or instead, of a real survey. Combining with on-site drawing would be helpful. Linking PCADD with a Disto would be my preference. Of course I lack a Disto at this point. _________________ Peter B
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ftribel Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 295 Location: Paris, France	Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:02 pm    Post subject: Sketching with the iphone ? The best way : - take a pencil and an paper, sketch on it - take a picture with your phone - send by mail Faster than sketching with that small display and this big finger !
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