DataCAD Reviews & Product Details

It's ease of use and customization have made it really user friendly. The programming team always is willing to help and listen to customer feedback and suggestions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The rendering and 3D modeling aspects of the program have lagged behind industry & client expectations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

DataCad is NOT 3rd party software mounted atop a base software. DataCad is designed by and for Architects so works great for Structural Engineers because our goals are similar. With minor adaptations like using wide walls for roads DatCad works for Civil Engineering drawing. DataCad has lots of flexibility and usefulness for me. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I think it will come but being able to do BIM projects will be worthwhile. I have trouble learning all of the features of DataCad because I don't have a reason to use them all. Being able to draw in DataCad and directly transfer those drawing models to a structural analysis program would be stupendous. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Intuitive interface, flexibility, ease of use. System doesn't force a user to conform to hardwired formats and operations, allows innovation in presentation of information as well as in preparation of documents for construction. It offers a somewhat limited smart object 3D capability, but what is has is adequate for modeling even complex buildings, and it can produce impressive rendered images for presentation. But its real strength is in the business of getting lines on paper that communicate to the construction team the overall design intent and the details that make a building out of an idea. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Learning curve for those used to other CAD systems, though most find the transition relatively painless. I don't dislike the smart object 3D capabilities, I just wish it could do a few things it doesn't. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like its logical ease of use along with its ability to do any task I need. You don't need much support in Data Cad but when you do, the team at Data Cad are a great help. I like the fact that they are continuously sending out new features and add-ons to improve productivity while keeping the price at the same rate. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Honestly, there is not much I dislike. I have used many of the other major CAD programs in the past and I still prefer Data Cad by far. If there is a dislike, it would be that some tasks can be performed in several different ways and it is up to you to find the best that suits you. Some tasks are just not explained in detail from Datacad at times. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

1. Robust and flexible allowing ideas to be developed from basic 2D or 3D sketch designs through to complete detailed construction documentation drawings, 2. Suitable for small projects through to larger, more complex projects including high rise buildings, residential, office, hospitality, shopping malls, medical, educational and institutional projects etc. and will allow users to work either in the same office or collaboratively across the country or around the world using file sharing options back to a master file(s), 3. Includes a variety of design output techniques for presentation, either as electronic drawings or animated/user-controlled 3D project models. It also includes a large number of file import/export options allowing projects to be shared with consultants and clients, 4. Strong user-control over most entities or objects within a drawing file, allowing users the ability to personalize their drawings and ensure drawings 'read' correctly with good line weight definition and other techniques associated with traditional construction documentation, 5. Work can be done in either 2D, 3D or parametric 3D/2D and includes a host of powerful tools to streamline the transition from concept to developed design to construction drawings, 6. Is straight forward to use and operate without the complexities associated with full BIM sofwares. DataCAD's flexible approach allows projects to use a combination of entities, objects and techniques to create the output drawings. This allows users the option of either modelling a full virtual 3D model to extract the 2D documentation, or create a less detailed 3D model then progress the 2D output views to completion, 7. The software doesn't 'expire' each year requiring a forced payment to be able to open a drawing. Upgrading is optional, and the affordability makes renewing the license a no-brainer! 8. DataCAD has been around for over 35 years which reflects on its wide user-base satisfaction and industry acceptance, 9. Has a good user-support network and public Forum, 10. It's enjoyable to use! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

1. Development in the parametric objects/entities has been slow, 2. Scope for improvement in the editing of 3D objects/entities and view settings, Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The tools are pretty intuitive and the menu system gives you immediate access to its capabilities. Training time for new hires was negligible. Using it to the best of its capabilities took longer to learn but people were typically productive within a day or two. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recent improvements to DataCAD have made its capabilities less transparent. There are keyboard shortcuts required to access some of its functions whereas previously it was all available from 2 menus with further nested menus beneath. Improvements that have been made recently seem to be tweaks aimed primarily at long time users. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Functionality like an architect thinks. Learning curve and ease of use to get great end results are the best. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Nothing. I have been a part of the beta testing teams for program improvements for a number of years. The DataCAD team just keeps improving the functionality and abilities of the program. After using DataCAD for the past 35 years, it is still so much fun to create 2D and 3D drawings and designs using it that I don't want to retire. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I started drawing by hand in 1967 with a sharp pencil, straight edge, compass, multiple angles, etc. From there I advanced to a drafting machine (faster but some accuracy lost in the nature of the mechanical arm). In 1983, I started my own home planning design firm and worked with the traditional tools until 1994, when I became aware of DataCad. I purchased DataCad 5 on 3 1/2" disks on 5/2/1994, for $149.95 and hired an employee to learn it at a work station next to my drawing board. I forced myself to learn the CAD drafting by teaching that employee, and there were many questions so I had to learn it well. Over the years I have watched the AutoCad/Autodesk crowd become slaves to their software to such an extent that I have occasionally wondered who is working for whom. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I didn't dive deep into DataCad's 3D capabilities because I kept my computer hardware investment to a minimum. If the 3D had not been so memory intense and time consuming when it was first offered, I would have enjoyed getting to know it better. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The program was designed with Architects and Engineers in mind as the primary users. The symbol and built in walls/doors/windows make drafting simple and easy for inexperienced and experienced CAD users. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Not much to dislike, the program is very versatile, it lets you modify a lot and make custom settings. The only time I am annoyed is due to user error when I hit the wrong button or short cut. The 3d portion of the program is there, but it is not as refined (or "Smart") as the many other CAD options that are available. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I have been with DataCad since it's inception. I like the 2D drawing that is design specifically for Architectural drafting. I like the fact that it's ready to use right out of the box and not having to buy add-on's for the program to work. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Nothing. It meets and exceeds all expectations. 3D is improving with each generation. This may be an issue for some users but I send my 3D rendering out so it does not impact my eng use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.