ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Kristian,

We've moved over to AutoCAD, but when we did it we went through an
educational supplier - the cost differentials are incredible.  But you don't
just get AutoCAD, you get one of their platforms (AutoCAD architectural,
AutoCAD Inventor, etc.) that comes with the standard autocad.  If you are
interested I can check to see who we bought it through and what the cost
was.

However, in a previous life we used TurboCAD - which worked well and can
export to a format AutoCAD can read.  I also got the first version of
turboCAD (a slightly older version) for a mere $70.

Note that all format conversions (vectorworks, turbocad, autocad, etc.) can
be a bit problematic - because of the way each system handles "layering."
With a floor plan, if you are choosing a different package, just keep
everything in a single "layer," because if you don't then that's when people
have problems.

-William



William Katzman                   Now Renting Out
Director of Exhibits              Dinosaurs! (3,000 sq. ft. only $25k)
Catawba Science Center            Body Carnival (2250 sq. ft. only $15k)
www.catawbascience.org            Maze Mania (3,000 sq. ft. only $7.5k)
"The Magic of Learning, the Science of Fun" 
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kristian Anderson
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 9:25 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: CAD software

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

This one is for the exhibits folks!  With traveling exhibits we usually
get requests for floor plans, lighting grids, electrical, etc. in CAD
format.  Are most of you using AutoCad?  I know it's a bit on the pricey
side, but is it worth the investment or are there other packages some of
you are using?  Thanks!

 

Kristian Anderson

Director of Platforms and Experience Development

Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater

401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway

Des Moines, IA 50309

(515)274-6868 ext. 235

(515)274-3404 FAX

 

www.sciowa.org

 

P Please do not print this email unless it is absolutely necessary.
Spread environmental awareness.

 


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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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