V14 Released - anyone tried it yet?

[Allan Chesney]

It seems the rumoured V14 is out now - on the IMSI Design website.

Anyone tried it yet?
First impressions?

The green tools sound interesting, especially for me being in the electricity retail industry with all sorts of energy efficiency targets.
 
Allan

[rgathje]

  So where is the new V14? I went to IMSI's site and don't see anything for V14. Would be interested to see what they have done with it. Can you put a link up? Thank you.

[Allan Chesney]

There is an image and link on the IMSI Design home page, but the product details are here http://www.imsidesign.com/Products/TurboFLOORPLAN/HomeandLandscapePro/tabid/1144/Default.aspx.

It does not actually name it as V14, except on the link to the free trial, but the whole presentation is completely different with lists of new features etc.(wonder what happened to V13?).

Allan

[Voodooman]

Hi

Not like IMSI not to blow there own trumpet.

Bizarre that it can import Punch!!!!!

I ask my self 'who' and 'why'...... 

Regards

Peter

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Peter,

The Punch import sounds like an add-in to Punch so it can export a compatable life (if I am reading it correctly) although it specifically calls them 'drawings'. I wonder if that only means a more elaborate traceable image?  Either way I suspect the idea may be to convert Punch users over.  Presumably it would make the change more pallitable and from what I have heard they have a few disgruntled users, (but then most programs have some!).  I have never used Punch so can't comment on that.

Allan

[rgathje]

  I have a copy of Punch because I am into model railroading. In punch I can create a building and tell it HO, N or O and it will scale it to the right size. Then it will print out the exploded building with textures. I cut it out put it together and I can have any type of building I need. I don't think it will help to move it to TFP for what I use it for.

[Allan Chesney]

I suspect you are probably right. Seems you have a specialised use that it it caters for. TurboFLOORPLAN is mainly for creating walkthroughs and rendering photorealistic images of the buildings and landscape with varying lighting conditions.

V12 of TFP does not have the railway scaling options that you refer to or an exploded model for printing and putting together as you describe. I don't know about V14 yet of course but they are certainly not listed on the website as new features.

Allan

[kbatton]

Downloaded the program on Friday. Most of the obvious changes are cosmedic to the user interface, but some of the changes are pretty powerful. I'm liking some of the additions such as changing the properties on groups of similar items rather than each wall or item individually. The ability to convert the roof surfaces to individual framed wall like structure seems very promising. For those trying to use the program for stuctual drawings the is now the choice of framing for load bearing or other types of walls. (Not positive on how acurate yet). The only issue I have is frequent crashes. I have run TFP H&L Pro for about 9 months with very little problems even with acceleration on. I have tried turning acceleration off with no real improvement. I will work on pinpointing the issues causing the crashes to see if either it is operator error (opps) or if I can find a work around.

 1st example of the cause of consistant crashes - curving a wall that meets unsimilar walls.

[Voodooman]

I will download it and give it a try.

I used to own Envisioneer (the big brother to TFP).  It was great for modelling but useless for 2D drawings.

I am tempted to use TFP for modelling and the free 2D CAD thingy they've released DoubleCad XT 


Peter

[jjocsak]

It seems the rumoured V14 is out now - on the IMSI Design website.

Anyone tried it yet?
First impressions?

The green tools sound interesting, especially for me being in the electricity retail industry with all sorts of energy efficiency targets.
 
Allan

Hey Allan, I noticed that during the install they showcased one of your renderings. Congratulations.

Jeff

[Allan Chesney]

Thanks Jeff,

Actually that particular image was probably the most basic of the ones they had to choose from, but was more "Domestic" I suppose than many of the others. Most of my work is of more commercial types of buildings and TFP no doubt has more house design users, hence the use of that one.  There is another image used on the page describing the Delux version (I think that must be new, don't recall it before) and there is one of an office building used when during the installation process of V14.

Maybe some of the others will pop up elsewhere.

Allan

[jjocsak]

I'm not quite sure how to go about this but, the upgrade price from Ver.12 > Ver. 14 is $69.95.
I emailed them and that's what they told me.
I can't find it on their site so you probably will have to call.

Jeff

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Jeff,

Previously owners of the program have received an email with a promotional code to use during the purchase.  I notice that there is a field to enter the promotional code so it looks like the provision is there.  The release is very new and the website is apparently still in the process of being updated as it in some places it is still showing V12 and the comparison chart showing the differences between versions, does not seem to relate to V14 and does not include the Delux version.  I don't think the Delux existed before did it?  (Slots between the Pro and Interiors in price).  It will probably become clearer in coming days.

Allan

[jjocsak]

It is becoming clearer. They emailed me back with this info:

You'll need to give us a call to place this order.
 
Bruce Phinney

Direct Sales Supervisor

IMSI Design LLC

25 Leveroni Court

Novato CA 94949

1-800-833-8082 Ext. 8097

Jeff

[taliesin]

Bought and downloaded V.14.  The original serial number that was assigned with the purchase acknowledgement and receipt did not work.  Customer service eventually sent another SN and activation code, which did allow the install.  Once I had the installation wizard downloaded, and began the install process, I choose the default directory setting for the location of the program files.  However, the first time that I opened the program, it went berserk. After clicking through a couple of "can't find this or that file", it finally opened, but could not find the catalog files.  So, I had to find the needed files and move them to the same directory where the rest of the program was installed.  Why it would install some files in one place and others in yet another is rather odd.

Overall, the changes and added features look promising and interesting.  However, I don't know that I will get much chance to explore them for now.  I am alarmed at how often it shut downs under the simplest of efforts. It has given me an "Envisioneer has encountered a problem and must now shut down" five times now.  For example: tried entering a break in the roof - it closed down; tried to enter the desired distance between two walls - it closed down; tried using the new analyze tools - it shut down; tried to change the size of a double-hung window - it closed down; and I cannot remember the other instance.  Very annoying.

Thank goodness V.12 is still installed on my computer.  I won't be relying on V.14 for my current project.  I assume ImsiDesign will be fixing these bugs and giving us an update?!?