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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 531
Location: SW Ohio
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 Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:01 am Post subject: PowerCADD, File Sizes, and Hardware |
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Instead of hijacking an existing thread, I thought I would post my questions/thoughts here.
There is been a lot of talk about hardware and PC - in particular, the forthcoming PC8. Quite honestly - these types of conversations concern me.....
| jasonlocher wrote: | | a question about hardware. Many of us are going to have to update our hardware to run the new powercadd 8. A very important factor, especially concerning price, is: will powercadd 8 benefit from multiple processors, or will it even use more than one processor? If not, I see no reason to update workstations to mac pro quads, and firms will be able to save substantial amounts of money by just getting imacs. |
| Alfred Scott wrote: | Jason,
We will have more information in time about hardware and PC8. The graphics card and graphics memory is important. Multiple processors are used to a limited extent. You get dual processors in all current machines, so anything beyond that will not do anything for you.
Alfred |
| jasonlocher wrote: | so a dual core imac with maxed out ram and vid card will run the same as an 8 core mac pro.
good to know. |
| Alfred Scott wrote: | Jason,
Maybe but I doubt it. My experience is that the consumer-level machines just do not match up to the pro-level machines. This has nothing to do with PowerCADD. It's just that the total package of how the machine is designed makes a lot of difference. There are a ton of factors, but I think you get what you pay for.
Alfred |
Now reading that makes me think I am going to spend $8K on a new Mac Pro loaded with processors/vid cards and ram ........ Which means I'll move to a new CAD program. but then we hear from John..... and I feel better.
| John Cruet wrote: | | phansford wrote: | | The issue really isn't processor speed, but video card (The 2.2 has a 128 SRAM card and the 2.4 has a 256 SRAM Card). |
I run a MacBook Pro with a 128 SRAM video card, running a beta of PC8, and it seems to run lightning fast.
However, if you can afford a machine with a 256 or 512 SRAM video card, I say go for it. |
BTW - I have my new MacBook Pro (10.5.1) with the 256 vid card (John, Thanks for the advice) and it seems to be running PC 6 and Sketchup very nicely ...... according to my assistant who is using the machine...... what's wrong with that picture 
So we all wait with beaded breath for the unveiling of PC8 and what hardware is really going to run the program.
HOWEVER..... from what I can tell - file size is a big factor in performance. People are complaining about redraw - a problem I have very little experience. Some people do extensive rendering and complain about speed.
Overall performance seems relative to how you are using PC. Some folks use it for CAD and rendering. I myself try to keep rendering in PC limited - or if I render - I create a whole new file and keep one file strickly as a construction document.
I also try to keep my files sizes small. I keep information spread over several files (Plans, Elevations, Sections,Schedules). I don't want to have an entire project in one file and then have that single file get corrupted, lost, incorrectly saved or copied and then lose the entire project. So my files typically are under 1 MB. Depending on hatch patterns and color rendering - files can grow to 2-4 MB (but those are rendering or schematics never construction docs)
So I am curious....... Can we answer the following questions:
a. How big is your firm? How many people?
b. Do you have CAD standards? What do they address?
c. Do you try to control file size? Why? How?
d. Briefly explain how you use PC - Strictly CAD, CAD and Rendering, if you use another program for rendering - what program and what size are those files?
Now when I tell my Mac Reseller that my CAD files are rarely over 1.0 MB (Pages being the exception - lots of project photos - those files get big) - he just smiles...... So many others are doing graphic design (Photoshop) and so on and have 100 MB files. So I realize I may be the exception to the rule.
I guess my point being - and correct me if I am wrong - is the hardware requirements to run PC (any version) is really based on how you use it. So alot of the talk about hardware and PC8 will centered on individual users and how they use the program. |
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Alfred Scott
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 633
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:09 am Post subject: |
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Patrick,
You're going to be just fine. Turn off the worries!
Alfred |
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 531
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:31 am Post subject: |
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Alfred -
I think so too and I think its due to how I use PC. I read all of the problems people have with over the years..... I <knock on wood> have never had those problems or there is nothing I can't work out on my own.
I will tell you the one issue I currently have with the Leopard machine.... it can find the Epson C86 printer that is "usb shared" and Bonjour can't find it..... This seems to be an issue of having the other two machines using 10.3.9........ but it can find the networked HP Designjet - which is the important thing.
But I am still interested in how others are using the program and if they have CAD standards and how they developed them. |
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pbacot
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 844
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: |
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(Do others find they have to login at the forum every time these days, it saves my data and I check the box, no good...)
a. 1
b. Standards Yes, KISS. addressing layer/ sheet setup, line weights, dash etc. Try to keep an eye for .dwg sharing with others.
c. No file size limit. My files contain whatever sheets I find convenient for work flow. I use custom hatches and occasional images, occasional high polygon elements. I think a CADD should be able to handle that and work at usable speed. In PC 6 I don't think the file size is the issue but the redraw of objects that are visible. I can load the file with custom hatches (example 7 MB) but if the hatches are turned off the drawing is only as slow as other files.
What concerns me in speed is the pause in response of tools. Unless you slow down, you trip over the computer--it can happen in an empty file. Of course redraw slowdown will make me think twice about using fancy hatches.
"and it seems to be running PC 6 and Sketchup very nicely ...... according to my assistant who is using the machine"
It's hard to make a decision about speed of the software if you are not using it yourself all day. Also depends on the speed of the user. If you used PC v.4, subsequent versions will be slow, no matter what. If you don't know better, it is probably fast enough.
Is it a Ferrari or a Dodge Colt? Personally I don't know what a Ferrari feels like. My first time in a Jaguar was eye-opening though.
_________________
Peter B |
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 531
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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I guess I should answer my own questions.
a. One with the occasional assistant. However, with my boys older now, I am looking to expand my business with my hopes to be a 4-5 person firm including myself.
b. I had some standards that I typically give my assistants. However, with the desire to grow, I am rewriting my standards. I am trying to standardize files, layers, line weights, where information is to be placed (by page and by type of plan/detail), and what drawings (deliverables) are to be included (as a minimum) for each service phase.
c. As stated before - file size is a concern in protecting information from damage, loss, and so on. So I have developed standards for file types and what information is to be in each type of file. I am more concerned that the deliverable out of my office are uniform in both quality and appearance. I worked in too many firms were each person did their own thing and the wheel was being reinvented too often.
So this really is also about CAD standards. FWIW - I presently have about 4-6 files typically per project Title Sheet and Specifications, Plans, Exterior Elevations, Interior Details, Sections/Details, Schedules.
d. I think I explained this earlier - but I limit rendering within PC. But I use PC for a lot of things other than straight CAD work. I do charts, diagramming and so on for reports in PC.
And yeah Pete - I need to get on that new machine myself and run it hard as only I can. No one works the machine harder than those of us who own them. (in most cases) Plus its a cool machine. |
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