It was great to see our group growing again with new members. Apparently DataCAD 11
has been quite a success in attracting new users. Over two dozen people braved the trek
out west (just off 495) in a predicted ice storm to see the new architectural firm of
Michael Smith, Brian Howland and Stephen Preble. Mike, who littcrally wrote the book
about DataCAD, likes to test the beta versions as DataCAD LLC is developing them, and
so has been working with DataCAD 11 for a good long time. Interestingly though, he did
say they still use a mix of DataCAD 10 and DataCAD 11.

New way of doing LineTypes and Hatch Patterns

Mike went over how, in improving how you can add custom linetypes and hatch patterns,
DataCAD LLC has changed the whole proceedure you go through to add new ones. With
a presentation flair worthy of Madura, he created a “Manny Snyderman” linetype, to show
how easy and versatile this feature is. He developed an excellent eight pages of handouts
on these topics Rather than mail out an extra 8 pages, we are posting these at the links below:

• Linetypes in DataCAD 11.01
• Hatching in DataCAD 11.01
• New Site Modeling Tools in DataCAD 11

New 3D Site Modeling

DataCAD 11 has a TIN Modeler (triangular irregular network) which is a sophisticated
technique for modeling sites very realistically. Additionally, there is a freeform 3D knife
tool that allows for creating roadways, sidewalks, and flattened sites, which will also do
cut and fill calculations. This site tool can automatically generate contour lines from a DD
site or surveyors points, and conversely will create a smooth model from contour lines.
Again, Mike wrote a great 3 page handout detailing all this, which we have included in the link above.
 
 

-- Geoffrey Moore Langdon