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[davmor+]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me:

1. What is the current/latest version of Cadsoft Build?
2. Can you still buy or upgrade to Build?
3. what about AP Design? (is this a Cadsoft product?)
4. Is there general info on these products anywhere on the web?

For a company with lots of old AP Design files, are they compatible with Envisioneer?

thanks

[FynrDzynr]

G'day Davmor!
Don't have time to address rumours or conspiracy theories but . .

1. What is the current/latest version of Cadsoft Build?

afaik, 7.2

2. Can you still buy or upgrade to Build?

eBay or privately maybe. Just make sure you get the appropriate dongle.

3. what about AP Design? (is this a Cadsoft product?)

Yes, originally called AutoPlan (launched here in Queensland in the mid80's I believe) until Autodesk decided they wanted a monopoly on the prefix . . . last version was 12.2 afaik. By then it had been translated into 6 or 7 languages, I believe. It harnessed the power of AutoCAD specifically for 3D architectural design & documentation. Users had to have a licensed copy of Acad for it to run. I recall reading a review in Cadence or Cadalyst that stated that Brian's layer management tools were by far the best they'd ever seen. (although it's 20yo technology, it still leaves Env's View Filter for dead . . . )
Then in the mid90's Autodesk licensed the AutoCAD engine to Cadsoft, enabling Cadsoft to market Build! - a standalone programme that offered many of the features enjoyed by AP users.

4. Is there general info on these products anywhere on the web?

Very little these days. Cadsoft seems to have tried to erase it from memory. Even a quick search of cadalyst.com gave few results but
http://www.cadsoft1.com/pdf/Cadsoft%20Upgrade.pdf
http://www.cadsoft.com/software_updates.php#3
I don't think anything has been done on either programme since mid-2004
 

For a company with lots of old AP Design files, are they compatible with Envisioneer?

You'll be able to open the 3D CAD models (dwg format) in Env but won't be able to extract any of the intelligence that's embedded. They could export all the layouts to individual dwg files then import them onto worksheets but again, no intelligence & making changes to a standard design for each client will be tedious & time consuming. There was talk of producing a migration manual to encourage AP/Build users to move to Env but . . . .
Merv

[davmor+]

thanks so much for the comprehensive reply... it fills in some "gaps".

I guess there is not really a migration path that is ideal.  appreciate your time though.

...davmor

[FynrDzynr]

Here's an archive of the page Cadsoft had on Build back in Feb 2007
http://web.archive.org/web/20070202011820/www.cadsoft.com/prod_build.html
and the page on APDesign . . . . .
http://web.archive.org/web/20070203172755/www.cadsoft.com/prod_apdesign.html

[QK9394]

Hi everyone,

Do Cadsoft built v7.2 and AP design 12.2 were still their latest version?

Are they discontinued.

Do the user still happy to use them which were published at 2006?

I have hear some people still like to use them instead of envisioneer and said they are better in framing and detail, is it correct?

Do they work fine in Window Vista and 7?

Can they work in 64 bit window?

Thanks

 

[FynrDzynr]

G'day!
If you're familiar with AP/Build & someone's giving away their programme (including hardware lock) by all means consider it worthwhile.
If, however, you need to learn to use the programme I believe you're better investing your time in Envisioneer.

Do Cadsoft built v7.2 and AP design 12.2 were still their latest version?
Are they discontinued.

Yes

Do the user still happy to use them which were published at 2006?
I have hear some people still like to use them instead of Envisioneer and said they are better in framing and detail, is it correct?

My personal opinion is that Envisioneer is rapidly closing the gap. However, there's still no bracing module (still in development apparently) Currently Site/Terrain (coming soon according to Brad) doesn't come close to matching AP/Build. Brick veneer construction still doesn't show a different sized opening in veneer to that in frame . . . Many powerful editing tools haven't been matched yet but the number of them is regularly decreasing . . . .

Do they work fine in Window Vista and 7?
Can they work in 64 bit window?

Appears to be running fine here with XPMode in Win7 Pro64.
I said "appears" because these days I spend precious little time in Build & am unable to confirm that everything works as it should - it's an extremely powerful programme with many features that most users seldom use . . .
Merv