Function
/ Feature |
General
CAD |
SoftPlan |
| Text / Command Line.
|
Some programs rely
on keyboard commands to function. Requiring you to remember many key entry
commands. |
Not required as menus
are used for item selection. |
| X, Y & Z coordinates.
|
Some programs require
screen / global positioning for calculations. |
Not required as objects
have size & position information. |
| Automatic Generation.
|
Line draw programs
rarely generate without expensive add ons. |
Full automatic generation
of elevations, cross sections, material lists and 3D Images. |
| Specific Modes. |
Generally uses layers
to define modes if available. |
Has pre defined drawing,
floor, ceiling, roof, profile, site, electrical and interior modes. View
Modes. |
| Building Terminology.
|
Often uses CAD terms
rather than building terminology. |
SoftPlan calls components
by their correct building names, eg. joists, walls, beams etc. |
| Ease of use. |
Complex commands combined
with non-building items. |
SoftPlan has the shortest
learning curve in the industry. |
| Training. |
Expensive training
required, just to get a simple drawing. |
Nearly all of our happy
users have not required any training. Some have never opened the manual. |
| Material List. |
Often complex and time
consuming parameters need to be assigned to non-building items. |
With SoftPlan's intelligent
objects a material list is generated in seconds. SoftPlan is supplied setup
ready to produce a material list. |
| Manuals. |
Often brief, not supplied
at all or print your own from the CD. |
Fully printed, tutorial
style detailed manuals. |
| User Support. |
Paid user support contracts
or annual licence fees. |
Support is FREE for
a long as you are a SoftPlan user, via phone, fax or e-mail. |
| 3D Renderings. |
Often an add on module
or so difficult to use no one does. |
SoftPlan generates
full colour images with hundreds of textures as a by product of the floor
plan. |
| Specific drawing tools.
|
Quite often only lines
available, with offsets and fillets to be saved as items that represent
objects. |
Stairs, decking tools,
Autoroof, flooring systems and speed note libraries to name a few of the
specific tools that make SoftPlan a "Program that will build your business". |
| Ready for use. |
Many programs are supplied
with Imperial measurements, no drawing templates and require hours of work
before commencing a drawing. |
SoftPlan is provided
setup ready to use. Just install and draw. Sure you will want to change
settings, SoftPlan allows for complete customisation as you become familiar
with the software. |
| Drawing Methods. |
Exact dimensions required
upon initial entry, this restricts flexibility of design. |
SoftPlan allows you
to sketch the floor plan, dimension and edit. Your sketch becomes the final
drawing, a true design tool. |
| Integrated stand alone. |
Some programs are piggy
backed on to an engine, requiring updating of both programs that are not
always totally compatible. |
SoftPlan is a completely
stand alone, integrated program. All that is required is the operating system
and SoftPlan. |
| Printing / Plotting.
|
Some programs require
external printing and plotting programs. |
All printing or plotting
is handled from within SoftPlan. Printing to any scale on any size of paper.
(paper size is governed by printer capabilities) with complete control of
pen thickness and colour. |
| Program Costs. |
Programs at the lower
end of the scale maybe easy to use but are not capable of producing detailed
working drawings. Most of the programs in the upper end of the price range
will lack ease of use. |
SoftPlan however combines
ease of use with the ability to produce high quality detailed drawings,
material lists and 3D renderings at a realistic price.View
SoftPlan Price List. |
