chief architect

[Eieio]

My design software of choice has been chief architect. I have been using it for over 5 years.

Overall I think it is a very well rounded software. If gives you the ability do design a wide variety of projects.

Does anyone use Chief for Designing?

If not what software are you using for Design work?

Is there another Design software that you would like to see reviewed?

[KitchenSync]

I couldn't imagine not using CA; I'm still using an older version and can't wait to get the latest. The clients love the drawings and I say they help close the deal.

I also use SoftPlan but mostly for line drawings when I'm getting carried away with tile layouts.

[Eieio]

I am using x1 which is a huge improvement over earlier versions I will upgrade to x2 by Christmas.

I have tried about everything out there and thought it was the best package out of all the offerings.

Ever heard of Envisioneer?

[KitchenSync]

I knew it! The version I don't have is always the better version!

Never heard of Envisioneer, now I have to look it up...

[MPDesign]

I use Chief X1, have had it since the release. I started using Chief back in 1997 in my remodeling business! It started selling jobs immediately! People were blown away with the 3d :D

Now I love to design full time for other contractors and home owners!

Plus the fun part is doing high quality renders exporting to Artlantis Studio 2.
:)

[Eieio]

I use Chief X1, have had it since the release. I started using Chief back in 1997 in my remodeling business! It started selling jobs immediately! People were blown away with the 3d :D

Now I love to design full time for other contractors and home owners!

Plus the fun part is doing high quality renders exporting to Artlantis Studio 2.
:)

Have you tried any other programs that are on the market or just CA?

[fez-head]

I am using x1 which is a huge improvement over earlier versions I will upgrade to x2 by Christmas.

I have tried about everything out there and thought it was the best package out of all the offerings.

Ever heard of Envisioneer?


I have just looked at envisioner - but never tried it. We are looking for 3-D design of decks, porches, retaining walls and basement finish outs. After looking at Premier basements web site I am fired up about selling using 3-D.

What are your thoughts on it?

[Eieio]

I have just looked at envisioner - but never tried it. We are looking for 3-D design of decks, porches, retaining walls and basement finish outs. After looking at Premier basements web site I am fired up about selling using 3-D.

What are your thoughts on it?

I did a demo of it when it first came out on the market and it had potential.

I have followed it for about 2 years and the improvements they made seem to make it a worthy candidate now for consideration

I think they are in the big leagues now and the price point is not bad at all,

They got smart and added a few flavors of it and it now links to a few estimating softwares.

I would like to try it again to see first hand the improvements that they made, it has gotten good reviews on a few other forums.

There is a 30 day trial I will probably down load it and play around with it

[fez-head]

I did a demo of it when it first came out on the market and it had potential.

I have followed it for about 2 years and the improvements they made seem to make it a worthy candidate now for consideration

I think they are in the big leagues now and the price point is not bad at all,

They got smart and added a few flavors of it and it now links to a few estimating softwares.

I would like to try it again to see first hand the improvements that they made, it has gotten good reviews on a few other forums.

There is a 30 day trial I will probably down load it and play around with it


I wonder if it will jive with Xactimate?

[Eieio]

UDA TEchnologies

Buildercost Systems

CAD Estimator

PrioSoft

ProEst

QuickBooks

Sage Master Builder

WinEstimator

TakeOff Plus
------------------------

List of products that can be used to estimate with it

[lawndart]

How hard is the learning curve on CA? I've heard many others on CT praising that program.

[Eieio]

How hard is the learning curve on CA? I've heard many others on CT praising that program.

It is not hard you will have the basics in a week. The details are what take time and that is where the learning comes in.

I drew up construction documents for a basement in 2 weeks after buying it.

The initial set up of the software is important and once tweaked along the way the work becomes easier but you find yourself getting obsessed with the details

[WarriorWithWood]

If you use the training program, you'll have it down pretty good by the first month. That's how long it took me, but I was producing simple projects the first week like Rory said.

If you buy the program BUY THE TRAINING DISKS, I can't stress that enough.

[Eieio]

If you use the training program, you'll have it down pretty good by the first month. That's how long it took me, but I was producing simple projects the first week like Rory said.

If you buy the program BUY THE TRAINING DISKS, I can't stress that enough.

After a year or so of using it. I took a training seminar for Chief and it connected the dots for me big time. Best money ever spent

[Winchester]

How much is CA?

[Eieio]

How much is CA?

there are a few different options for pricing a decent version is about 2k

[WarriorWithWood]

How much is CA?

http://www.chiefarchitect.com/shop/pricing.html#full

2195.00

[Winchester]

Hmmm... I wonder if they can do payment plans.

I wanted to get Decktools too...

$4k in software :mad2: