Comments on: About Paul The CAD

By: Paul The CAD

Paul The CAD — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:58:13 +0000

Lauren,

The rule is that you can load it on more than one machine, as long as that license is only being used on one machine at a time.

Paul

By: Paul The CAD

Paul The CAD — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:55:15 +0000

Nicholas,

Go to paulthecad.co.uk/shop/regtcd15.php.

Paul

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:13:38 +0000

Hi I’ve just got a TurboCAD Deluxe 18 and wandered how many people you can use it?
Thanx

By: Nicholas

Nicholas — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:29:40 +0000

Hi there, I have just bought a copy of PC Utilities (issue 143). The attached CD with the magazine has a free full version of TurboCad 15 delux. I would like to install this program, however the magazine advises that I need to connect to your website where I can register the product and receive a validation code.
I can’t find a spot on your site where this can be done, can you please advise how I can get the required validation code?

I look forward to your response

Best regards

Nicholas

By: Niels

Niels — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:06:33 +0000

Thanks Paul – are you saying Sketchup Pro is significantly different on Mac?

Alos do you offer Sketchup Pro only training days?

Thanks.

By: Paul The CAD

Paul The CAD — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:27:34 +0000

I do run training days where we create a 2D plan in the morning with TurboCAD and take that into SketchUp in the afternoon to create a 3D picture.
I don’t run any training for the Mac version, it is quite different from the PC version, although I do have training CDs.

Paul

By: Niels

Niels — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:55:12 +0000

…sorry, meant to say that I’m Mac based – TurboCad 6 for Mac would seem to be significantly different (inferior?) to TurboCad Platuinum for Windows – another reason for my leaning towards Sketchup. Also notice that the training days all seem to be for TurboCad rather than Sketchup?

By: Niels

Niels — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:10:43 +0000

Many thanks for your suggestions Paul. I’m expecting this kitchen/bathroom planning to be a bit of a minor sideline for me, perhaps one a month from my client. I think buying the whole caboodle may be prohibitive in terms of cost and returns – and I’d be concerned at the complexity and confusion trying to learn 2 different 3D packages at together.
The relative simplicity of Sketchup and less steep learning curve is appealing and Shaderlight looks excellent. Winchester is only a couple of hours away, so the training may be handy.
I will contact the client and see whether they have any preference.
Many thanks,
Niels

By: Paul The CAD

Paul The CAD — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:23:02 +0000

Neils,
Either Google SketchUp or TurboCAD professional would do the job. I used to work in publishing and used Photoshop, Quark and Illustrator, (although I always preferred Freehand), so I do understand your level of understanding.
A CAD package is quite a bit different from a drawing package, although the 2D aspects would not be too difficult for you to learn. The 3D aspects are a steeper learning curve and certainly can’t be learnt just playing around with the package. However,I do have some good training books with video training films. The best way to learn is to buy these and then when you have some idea of how it works, booking a day’s training here in Winchester.
TurboCAD would take longer to learn than SketchUp, but give you more control over the design process, for example unusual shapes would be easier to produce when you have learnt the package.
On the other hand SketchUp will get you up and going fast. Taking 2D plans and turning them into 3D representations is easy and there are excellent training films on YouTube by Aidan Chopra. The 3D warehouse is full of ‘props’ for the illustrations, all sorts of furniture is available. If you want high quality photo rendering, then I’d suggest Shaderlight as the best value for money.
Ideally the bundle of TurboCAD Professional Platinum and SketchUp Professional would give you everything you could possibly need. When you buy the two you get the training books and Shaderlight thrown in for free, you can even come on a training day in Winchester gratis.
Paul

By: Niels

Niels — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:22:39 +0000

Hi Paul,
I’m a graphic desgner and illustrator, used to working with the likes of Quark, Illustrator and Photoshop.
I’ve been asked to produce illustrations for a building contractor, specifically kitchens and bathrooms.
So my query is, what software would you recommend for producing good quality 3D rendered presentation illustrations, specifically for kitchens and bathrooms?
I have no experience of 3D CAD and work on a Mac (OSX 10.5). Relative simplicity of use would be nice, though I guess I would also need to draw specific finishing details, handles etc and have access to colours,materials and textures.
Look forward to hearing your receommendations.
Niels