Comments on: Mac@Work Series: Part 4 – Disadvantages

By: Hans

Hans — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:31:26 +0000

The “majority” of design and architect firms use AutoCAD because students were taught at university AutoCAD , small firms also use bootleg copies of AutoCAD, which is not possible with Vectorworks. I have used in my professional life AutoCAD, Microstation, Vectorworks. AutoCAD are for draftsman, Vectorworks are for people who design.

By: obeechi

obeechi — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:35:30 +0000

What about Google SketchUp? It’s not really for CAD but can be used that way… its free flowing, and free cost… unless you want / need the Pro version for 500 dollars which adds a 2D layout program.

By: Korey Jerome

Korey Jerome — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:16:00 +0000

I spoke to the people who sell vectorworks and they do not have a 2D only drawing program that is equal to AutoCad LT. They only have the 2D / 3D program for $1200. That is triple the price of AutoCad LT. Any more suggestions?

By: Korey Jerome

Korey Jerome — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:58:50 +0000

Scott:
Remember that this is my experience of Mac@Work and i had not found anything equal to Autocad. That is one of the great things about this series is that people give input and share and we all benefit. That being said I’m interested in learning more about vectorworks. Their examples are impressive in 3D and 2D. I’m having a hard time finding a comparable program to Autocad LT which is the version that I use. The cheapest version I could find is well over $1,000. I’ll spend some more time investigating and learning about this program. Thank you for sharing. If you have more information about a version in the Autocad LT price range that would be very helpful.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:11:26 +0000

Dean: The “majority” of users still use autocad because it would involve switching platforms.

I did one of the classroom sessions with Netmeschek / Revolve in Toronto, and most of the people in the room were from Architecture firms, and by the end of the 3 days (basic + intermediate) they said they’d be going back to the office, re-training everyone, and suggesting a complete replacement of the antiquated copies of autocad they were running (upgrading was cost-prohibitive for the work they were doing)

… Sure, Autocad is the “standard”, but since vectorworks can read, save and import/export to the “standard”, why wouldn’t you want to make the switch?

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:08:40 +0000

“The biggest disadvantage for me is the lack of compatibility with windows applications that dont have an alternative on the Mac platform. One of these programs I use a couple times per week is Autocad.”

… article research FAIL.

Vectorworks is superior to Autocad in ALL aspects, and was originally written for the MAC.

Oh, and did I mention cheaper?

By: Nadyne Mielke

Nadyne Mielke — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:13:08 +0000

What are your top five Exchange requests for Entourage? I’d love to know.

Nadyne Mielke, user experience researcher in MacBU

By: Dean

Dean — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:07:02 +0000

Sorry but Vectorworks is not even close to the power of Autocad. The large majority of drafters and architects use Autocad and i hope it comes to the mac because the mac platform is very weak in engineering applications compared to win.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:24:44 +0000

Vectorworks is far superior to Autocad and is available for Mac.

By: CS

CS — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:31:56 +0000

Bootcamp. Then you have the best of both worlds.

By: Khürt Williams

Khürt Williams — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:10:01 +0000

“biggest disadvantage for me is the lack of compatibility with windows applications that dont have an alternative on the Mac platform.”

There are lots of very good OS X apps that are not available for Windows.

“Apple needs to alleviate some of the fear from users and IT staff by having better instructions and more knowledge available when we run into an issue.”

Why should they? The Mac is personal computer not a business computer. Business computers (and the Windows OS) are designed around business requirements of “cheap” and “good enough”. That why they suck.

By: Korey Jerome

Korey Jerome — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:14:14 +0000

Gand,
That worked perfectly. I didn’t see that little drop down that allowed me to select all applications. Thats a great tip. Thank you.

By: Gand

Gand — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:43:08 +0000

To associate a file to an application: ctrl click+Open with > to see which apps can open a file. Chose “Other…”, then enable “Recommended applications” or “All applications”. Check “Always Open With” option. Choose your application and click on “Open” button. You can do it for multiple files selected once.

By: Vik89

Vik89 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:07:19 +0000

Security is a good topic, I think.. It would be interesting if you could cover not only the “virus aspect” but also some deeper security facts of both systems… Thanks, and… good piece, although I didn’t enjoy it much as the previous, due to the fact that I actually use my Mac at University and not at work so I don’t have these problems, but anyway… keep up