Browse Forums Kitchen Corner Re: Kitchen Design Software ? 15May 06, 2007 8:15 pm Hi Charles -
I draft everything on a CAD programme called vectorworks. You can import textures like timbers and stone - as a simple jpeg file. You can add colour, dimensions and draw at scale. It is great for construction drawings and to colour up elevations and plans for client presentations. I'm currently using version 11 - but I believe they've released a version 12. Let me know how you go. Re: Kitchen Design Software ? 16May 06, 2007 9:15 pm Vectorworks is a very "ground up" (as opposed to "top down") based package similar to the other big names such as AutoCad, SketchUp et cetera.
One of the big advantages of these programs is the complete flexibility offered by being able to create a unique design with relative ease, although creating an original layout each time can be a bit time consuming. What they are not good for is producing quick presentations of variations on a theme of, say, a standard catalogue of cabinetry as supplied by a particular manufacturer or a style of cabinets conforming to a set of given parameters; accompanied by quick colour renderings (especially perspectives) along with cutting lists and costings. I draw up kitchen plans and elevations using vector based CAD on a daily basis, and having a block library doesn't help when there are so many variables which influence each singular layout. I can and do use AutoCad, Vectorworks, SketchUp and ProEngineer along with a number of variations on the theme of proprietary cabinet design packages. As I stated previously, we too are considering the move into a proprietary cabinet package that is purpose designed to specify and quantify as well as quickly provide an accurate estimate for cabinetry layouts. The software we are looking at is like many others whose advantages are that one can quickly throw down a floorplan from which elevations and perspectives, featuring full colour and texture mapping, can be generated. Everything is pretty much "drag and drop" which, while not exactly high end CAD, can save a lot of time and repetition. The really attractive aspect of this sort of package, besides being completely parametric, is that they are normally set up to conform to a specific manufacturers catalogue/ standards as well as being able to provide accurate costings for a variety of brand name materials (such as Laminex) depending on how well the programme is set up in the first place. This enables one to generate quick and visually dramatic presentations for a potential client. For "one of" work you can't go past the total flexibility of eng drawing packages such as Vectorworks or AutoCAD...but if you are doing a lot of layouts featuring simailar cabinetry you will definitely benefit from a more specialised piece of software. The attached illustration was generated using a professional version of SketchUp (I chose not to colour this particluar file), but I would hate to have to go through the effort it takes for each individual quote I write. Cheers, Earl Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Kitchen Design Software ? 17May 07, 2007 3:16 pm I agree -
sketch up s a great tool! You have the flexibility of scanning a plan (this could be something you have previously hand drawn) and importing it into Sketch up - to build your model up off plan. There is also a free version of Sketch up available to download from the internet - if you wanted to give it a trial period. All the best. Re: Kitchen Design Software ? 19May 07, 2007 4:05 pm Hey,
I know I'm not Kylie...but here it is anyway... http://sketchup.google.com/ Have lotsa fun, because this is an awesome package. Cheers, Earl Our Bondi Greenwall was impressive from day one with advanced lush plants to provide a wow factor to this recently renovated living area. The boundary was less than 1… 0 15303 Thank you so much for the effort. We will use it to talk with builder. We also had idea of building duplex instead and seeking suggest ions. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=106744 11 13843 |