Hi Otto,
This is a hard one as it really depends a lot on how you use the software.
The versions are not dramatically different, although at first appearance the interface is, as the
toolbar buttons are about twice the size. They seem to take up a lot of room but you get used to it and the V12 ones now look small.
There are a few new features like
wall footings, but if you are not worried what is under the floor slab then they may not be any practical use to you. Also new are
shutters and quoining but again depending on the style of houses you are involved with, these also may be of limited use. There is a new tool called
surfaces which enables you to put floors, ceilings and roofs anywhere and set them at an angle. With this you can add an odd angle into a roof for example and set it to meld into the roof. The roof too can be
split into surfaces, so you could for example have different types of textures on different slopes.
One thing that is very useful is the right click, "
convet to members". (I don't think this was in V12 -I am 2,500 miles away from home at the moment so I can't check). This is ideal for installing such things as guttering or special cornices. You can use the Layout tools to trace the perimeter of the roof for example, then right click and Convent to Members. Select a member, or create one (eg guttering - see image) and the layout line will become a continuous gutter properly mitred on the corners. While still selected you just elevate it to the right height and drag to position exactly if necessary - the corners will stay joined. These "Members" (timber, steel beams etc) can also be right clicked to made to
attach to a slope (eg the roof or ceiling) and they will snap to the same angle. These Members have their own
design tool so you can make up a piece of timber or steel to any shape you want and it becomes part of your catalogue. (see the image of a shaped cornice)
Also very useful it the ability to
import and export BIM files. These are ideal for sharing object with others as they transfer not only the object in an editable form but also the textures and anything else needed for the object. Many manufacturers now produce BIM files of their products so they can be imported and become part of your catalogue.
There are some other
viewing options (isometric and elevations), a
framed ceiling and additional
text options (adding room volume, perimiter distance etc). There are a few other things too - see this post
http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php?action=post;msg=3817;topic=800.0;sesc=e24a40c81a9b7592f450fce275e0ef7d.
Depending how you use TFP you will need to evaluate whether these things are useful to you.
624 was the first release of V14 and 637 was the second. The 662 patch just brings both of these to the current version. It fixes a number of issues (some of which weren't in V12) and adds a few print and help options. If you do upgrade to V14 it would certainly be advantageous to apply the patch, unless the V14 you get is already ...662. These patches cannot be applied to V12.
Hope that was some help.
Allan
