We are starting a new modular home factory in the Pacific Northwest. Thus, we have researched several 3D CAD/CAM software packages and the obvious leaders are Dietrich's and hsbCAD. Please share your experiences....good and bad about each.
Thanks for you help!
Chad
I cannot say much about hsbCAD, so with Dietrich's you can do everything you need for your job. There are many useful structures within the buildings, it's very easy to set some filters to get all special results that you want. You find the same way of working in each part of the program, so when you've got it once, you can do the same way in the other parts.
You construct walls and ceilings as if they were 2D, but they are immediately integrated into the 3D model. With only one click you get an OpenGL-view, this will be a perfect optical control of your work.
The list of features would be much longer than this monitor, and I do like each of them.
When you once work with Dietrich's, you have no need to look for another building software!
I hope my English was not too bad.
I don't have much experience with HSB, but I used Cadwork at my old job and now own a copy of Dietrichs (and am very happy with the switch).
The main draw I see towards HSB would be the familiarity with the AutoCAD environment, which most of us know quite well. However, Dietrich's is so easy to become productive quickly on (just hours for standard style frames) that it doesn't really matter. I am constantly wishing their were more Dietrich's style commands in options in AutoCAD when I have to go back and use it now.
I would think sticking to a software written specifically for timber construction by those in the industry would be the way to go (HSB seems to be the Swiss Army Knife approach?)
Joe
Great feedback guys. Thank you.
Have you worked with Dietrich's to expand the capability of their software? We will be doing full modular production with closed timber framed walls. Therefore, we will need to model the exact locations of wiring, plumbing, HVAC & insulation. Do you see any issues with putting these features into 3D? How about exterior details or interior cabinets and things?
Best Regards and Thanks again for the candid comments,
Chad
