DataCAD     

 

Frequently Asked Questions

page 2 of 4  

Q: What are DataCAD’s advantages in the educational market?
A: Today instructors have a variety of Architectural CAD packages to choose from. The following are key advantages that place DataCAD above all of its competitors in the educational market:

  • Full-Commercial Version Software at Academic Prices
  • Short Learning Curve
  • No Annual Subscription Fee
  • DataCAD is a complete architectural CAD solution: 2D Drafting, 3D Modeling, and Photorealistic Rendering and Animation
  • Includes o2c Object Viewer – a 3D visualization tool to manipulate completed rendered drawings!
  • Powerful professional level macro functions included such as the 3D stairs macro, or the automated 3D framing macro.
  • Includes automatic dimensioning & automatic door insertion
  • Includes OpenGL® shader enhancements for shadow caption, color mapping, and more
  • Includes the DXF/DWG drawing translators to import/export AutoCAD® files

Q: In what ways does industry use DataCAD?
A: DataCAD is used by over 250,000 architectural design professionals worldwide. DataCAD is used by architects allowing them to draft, edit, and prepare precision construction documents. Architects use DataCAD to put themselves ahead of their competition by presenting clients with 3D modeling and photorealistic rendered images of the final project. DataCAD is also used by contractors where they can download DataCAD to their portable computer and take it right to their building site. It has special features to help increase productivity and improve quality. For example, DataCAD’s built-in FrameIt utility automates 3D framing for floors, walls and roofs. You actually see the software "walk around" building walls, and locate stair, door, window, and skylight openings.
Once the job is done, you can output a file containing the bill of materials, including a complete list of "board feet" for framing members.

DataCAD is listed as the second most-widely used software by registered architects according to a recent American Institute of Architects (AIA) firm survey!

Q: What is “o2c?”?
A: o2c is an acronym for Objects to See, a three-dimensional file format that is optimized for Internet-based communication. o2c_Interactive! allows you to edit materials and textures, batch process photorealistic images, and publish to the Web as an HTML file for presentation. Unique to o2c_Interactive! is the ability to save and recall multiple schemes so instructors and students can visualize various material finishes.

Instructors and students can send o2c files as e-mail attachments or embed them into Word, PowerPoint, or HTML documents. DataCAD 10 exports 3D models directly to o2c format. Users of any CADD program can convert either 3D DXF or DWG files to o2c format via DataCAD. A freely-distributable version of o2c Object Viewer, and o2c_2Go!, allows instructors and students to view presentations and walk through rendered models.

Previous Page : Next Page