Turbocad LTE v4 or DesignCAD 3D Max v22?

[mocky]

Hello mates,

first of all sorry for the long time I not visit the forum but my wife and my son and my work dont let me much time for hobby.

The question is simply: Which is better?, with what I can do object more compatibles for TFP?, pros and cons?, learning curve?

I maybe will buy one of them.
Thx for your help and sorry for my english.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Mocky,

I am not the one to answer this question and I know others may have a very different view but I will honestly express my personal thoughts from my limited experience with these programs .....

From my perspective it all depends on how long you can spend on the learning curve.  I have tried many times to use TurboCAD and given up every time, as the learning curve (for me) was just too great.  If you are used to typical CAD programs, you may be OK with either of them but if you are like me and particularly if you have time constraints, then I personally think that the learning curve is huge, especially if you are teaching yourself.

What sort of things did you want to make? Almost everyting can be made in TFP itself, simply by putting various shapes together (essentially as you would in TurboCAD or DesignCAD although the latter has more predefined shapes I think). I have been using TFP for about 15 years (almost daily) and, other than 3D trees, I have been able to make everything I needed within TFP. See these posts if you haven't already: http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,1130.0.html and http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,315.0.html.

You also need to consider the effect that importing lots of other objects can have on TFP. Some have imported many object to their catalogue or model and run into PC memory problems, as imported files can be quite large and slow everything down. My personal motto is the import the barest minimum.

I suppose what I am saying is, if you have time problems and can't afford what, to me, is a big learning curve, then I would consider just making what you want in TFP, where there is virtually no learning curve - if you already know the program and have the imagination to make what you need.

As to the difference between the two CAD programs you mention, I will have to leave that to someone else, who really knows them, to answer. I did look at DesignCAD once, years ago, and I suspect of the two it would be the easiest to learn but that was only just the impression I got. Both are excellent programs but it depends on what you want to make and the time you have available to learn to use them. You may actually find that TFP can do everything you need.

Just my opinon for what it is worth. 

Allan

[Jack Zimmer]

Hi Mocky,

You state 'limited time' and use as a hobby, both of these alone are a good reason to get TFPlan. It is relatively easy to get a grasp of but is powerful enough that you can spend years expanding on your expertise with the program.

It also imports Sketchup files along with dxf and 3ds files.

What that means is you can find many premade objects in Google Warehouse. Just about anything you can imagine. They are free. This would be the best solution for you based on your time / use constraints.

Google Warehouse Link

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/   

If you have to make your own 3D objects, you can do as Allan states and manipulate the various tools in TFPlan to create an object. You could use Sketchup free version itself or TurboCAD Deluxe which has 3D modeling tools.

Deluxe Link

http://www.turbocad.com/TurboCAD/TurboCADWindows/TurboCADDeluxe19/tabid/1869/Default.aspx 

Jack

[mocky]

Thx to both,

I asked that because  IMSI send (almost to me) a promotional mail (about back to school) and I think to consider the offer.

[Jack Zimmer]

Hi Mocky,

It does say that Design Cad will export to DXF which 'may' open properly in TFPlan. I'm more comfortable with a program that saves to 3DS or SKP.

Jack

[Mike1158]

Have you thought of doublecad, another IMSIdesign product and it has a free version.  I also has the dxf file save ability.

http://www.doublecad.com/Products/DoubleCADXTv3/tabid/1100/Default.aspx

[mocky]

Oh Mike, seems very similar to Turbocad LTE, thx for the info.