On 4/21/2017 2:19 AM,
wrote:
On Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 4:36:29 PM UTC-5, Leon wrote:
FWIW I copy part of my drawing to a blank area and move the parts
apart for reference/clarification.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lcb112...posted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lcb112...posted-public/
OK, now see... that's what he needs. First, thanks on his behalf
(and mine) for taking the time to write out a detailed reply. If he
could generate those drawings for cabinets (which occasionally he
builds them for an install) he could speed up his production XX
times. He has to do the work to figure out the start dimensions
anyway, so why not let the program finalize all measurements,
modifications, and generate the drawings to exact scale?
Plus, Swing showed me that he could design and offset gable when
designing a roof profile that would incredibly measure the correct
pitch angle (in degrees) for the main rafters! How cool is that? He
had a couple of adds on his that he showed me, but with my knowledge
of framing (and my handy span table book) I could design a roof
structure in minutes, and best of all, let the client see a drawing
of my work. Another sidebar... I don't design anything but small
structural objects these days as the litigious society we live in
precludes me from doing so without a State license. One small
mistake or the perception of a mistake and it would be off to court
for me "playing engineer". Clients pay for the engineer, he stamps
the drawing, and Robert builds as directed.
However, that certainly doesn't nullify the tremendous utility value
of a good drawing. Thanks again, I will pass this on (again).
Robert
Now keep this is mind. Swingman uses the Pro version and that will set
you back 7~8 hundred dollars. I use the free version and it takes a bit
longer to modify a component. And in an environment where time is money
you want to modify as quickly as possible.
If I were doing this for a living, I would be using the pro version.
But you know what I do this for. ;~)
The pro version offers many enhancements that Swingman uses. For
instance the cabinet should fit a certain space and you find out the
cabinet needs to be a different size. I have to modify certain
elements, Swingman, I think, only has to change the properties of the
cabinet. The pro version uses "dynamic" components that can change much
more quickly if needed. The free version only uses "normal" components.
With dynamic components only certain pieces/components will change size.
To confuse matters even more, LOL, Lets say you are drawing a cabinet
door used from measurements in the field. Make the separate pieces of
the cabinet into components and finally make all of those components
into a single component called a door.
With dynamic components when you modify the "door" component the width
of the rails and stiles may stay the same but their lengths may change.
All in all I would advise for your friend to start with the free version
and upgrade to the pro version as he becomes proficient with the program
and his productivity/demand increases.