DBUG OCTOBER 98 Meeting Notes
Geoff Langdon welcomed some 40 folks attending this DBUG meeting which was held for the first time at the
Chamberlayne School of Design at Mount Ida
College in Newton, Massachusetts. After making the round of introductions that showed
a good range of old and new faces, Geoff described how he has been teaching here since 1993 -- in part, because they
have the best equipment and software of any teaching facility in the Boston area. Not only do they have a full range of
CAD software (AutoCAD, Lightscape, 3D Studio, DataCAD, etc.) but also a T-1 connection to the Internet that allows
such niceties as downloading DataCAD 8.02 in under 10 seconds! In addition, in this facility, Geoff was able to demonstrate
on not one but two computer projection screens!
Geoff showed the group a videotape of a 3D model he had worked hard on over the summer with
Peter Bruckner (using AutoCAD 13, Lightscape & 3D
Studio) for a state of the art, prototype high-end Animal Clinic that is to be
franchised across the country. This client insisted on a high degree of detail BOTH inside and out (making it doubly difficult to
create an efficient model file) even so far as going out and finding the best 3D model dog they could find
($600 from Pet Studio!)
Neil Blanchard announced that Jan Gleysteen,
Architect was looking to hire a DataCAD "intern".
Evan Shu reminded everyone that next month's meeting would be the annual one at
Build Boston, so make sure to register in time to get the
free registration pass. Also that Geoff's 3D CAD
Shootout would be taking place that same day,
Wednesday 11/18 ) 10am-4pm in the same amphitheater, so come early and stay late! Geoff updated that there were currently 10 teams entered,
and something new this year would be "3 minute Vignette Interviews" where "special interest topics" (e.g. sample
production drawing) would be held for each team.
Ivan Bereznicki was on hand to report that the "death of AllPlan in the US"
was greatly exaggerated. Instead, they would go to system where interested buyers would be sent to one of two
demonstration offices, Richard Talbot on the West Coast, and
Ivan Bereznicki Associates on the East Coast.
Michael Tardif then announced to the group that he had just been named new
Director, Professional Practice for the American Institute of
Architects. He thanked DBUG for the experience and support that made
that appointment possible. In his new position, Michael will be overseeing the work and interaction of the 3 PIAs
(Professional Interest Areas) of Computer-Aided Practice, Practice
Management, and Specifications & Building
Technology. The AIA was looking to move the work of these PIAs more to the cutting edge of actual practice so that the AIA membership
would begin to look to PIAs for more leadership in these technological areas. He said he would welcome input from DBUG
and remain in touch with the group by both e-mail and continuing to come to as many user group meetings as he could.
The group gave Michael a warm round of applause and it's coveted
DBUG salute!
Gizmos on Parade
Geoff displayed his "moveable feast" of gizmos. They included 1) a
Zip Drive (parallel port version) for bringing
needed files to any PC computer for instant transfer; 2) a
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) Sharp Palm
Pilot with the ability to "beam" information directly to a computer station without any cable connection; 3)
a cell phone -- digital model representing a big advance in transmission quality; 4) a hand held
GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) system, where you can
tell exactly where your are in the world at any given moment (which came in handy in the fog during his summer excursions
up and down the East Coast in his sailboat!); 5) a
motion detector lock/alarm for guarding all his gizmos; and 6) a
Digital Memo Recorder (Nokia) so that he could record his ideas/things to do, etc. while driving or otherwise occupied. All
he needed now was that teeshirt that reads, "He who dies with the most toys . . . WINS!"
Project Specific Web Pages: Extranets
The meat of this DBUG session came in exploring a burgeoning new area construction project collaboration using
the Internet. Geoff noted that transferring files over the Internet via attached files was an often hit or miss proposition, but
that he had found the most reliable way to get a file was to download it from a web page. Because of this reliability plus
the flexibility of allowing anyone to get the file or info they need at any time or place in the world, new so-called
Extranets are being developed and offered, where project specific information, drawings, change orders, requests for information,
specifications, etc. would all be posted to a Project Specific Web Page.
These web pages could be designed and created on an individual firm basis quite easily, as Geoff demonstrated,
using Netscape Communicator's "free" downloadable add-on "Page Composer". This page could be set up with various
passwords for security among your team -- although Geoff noted that sometimes just the act of stating that a password was required
is enough to keep nosy away.
For larger firms and a greater need for organization, a number of outfits are now offering server space and
organizational assistance to set up these Extranets. Geoff showed us the set up at EVOLV and how
it is organized. Cost is currently $189/month per project. Another cheaper, more generic alternative is INVOLV where you
can get something similar for $25/month.
Survey of the Competition: a look at AutoCAD Architectural Desktop and ArchiCAD Teamwork
The advantages of being a renowned CAD guru, Geoff said, was that CAD software companies send him the latest that
they have to offer for him to review. He showed us a copy of "Beta #1" of
AutoCAD's Architectural Desktop (AAD lists
for $5,700). This yet to be released version is intended as an upgrade to AutoCAD 14. It supports some nice architectural
features in the walls/windows/doors/roof realm. For DataCAD eyes however, it is extremely heavy on the icons, with pop-up
menus cluttering up the screen everywhere.
The most controversial aspect of Architectural Desktop is its "incompatibility" with other versions of AutoCAD. Any
3D work done in AAD cannot be read by AutoCAD 14. You can get a special add-on viewer for AutoCAD 14 (but not for
12/13) that will let you "see" this 3D work but you cannot edit it in AutoCAD 14. AAD introduces new proprietary 3D objects
that are outside the realm of the DWG format -- obviously a return counter-punch at the OpenDWG alliance's attempt to
wrest control of the DWG format from AutoCAD.
This version is a big gamble for Autodesk. If they can get a large segment of their clientele to switch to AAD, they will
have won a big battle to keep control of the CAD market -- but if it's a bomb, then they could be up the creek without a paddle.
Geoff also tried to show us a bit of ArchiCAD for
Teamwork (essentially ArchiCAD 6). They have discontinued their "Pay
for Use" program as of 1999 -- but unfortunately, this program had problems loading up, so he wasn't able to show us much.
DataCAD Teaching Tip
Geoff cut short his lesson on how to teach DataCAD, but he did convey to us his philosophy that it was important NOT
to teach the neophyte the shortcuts in the beginning. The beauty of DataCAD he said, was that if you are trained in the
"long way", then you can never get lost in DataCAD but can find your way in and out of any menu or procedure almost entirely
with the mouse. While keyboard shortcuts are great for the power user, he recommended strongly that these be introduced
well down the road, so the new user does not get overly dependent on their use before the proper foundation has been laid.
Strategy for DataCAD to Win the 3D CAD Shootout
Geoff noted that the overwhelming trend in the latest versions of CAD software is to go "smart" with more and
more parametric routines (e.g. design any kind of stair you want by changing various menu parameters.) Ironically, the
problem with this approach is that there are many times when a designer would prefer his/her software to be "dumb" and just
draw what he/she wants to see, instead of trying 50 different variations of parametric alternatives before an acceptable one is
found (if any!) Geoff noted that right now, DataCAD actually enjoys an speed advantage because it has the capacity to be
"dumb" and let the drafter just draw. He suggested that if the DataCAD Team is "smart", then they will use this strategic advantage
to be "dumb" to separate their design and production from the competition.
"Be Dumb! Be Dumb! Be Dumb!" rose the rallying cry from the DBUG faithful.
With that, the DBUG meeting (of course now late into the night) adjourned having given the group the usual full feast of
food for thought!
-- Meeting Notes by Evan H. Shu, AIA
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