DataCAD Reviews & Product Details

First and foremost it is a very user friendly program that has a very short learning curve. Since my clients can understand the drawings better in 3d I now draw everything in the 3d mode which I can then model in O2C or in Sketchup. I have tried some of the other programs and found them to be much harder to learn and to use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

There is not much to dislike about Datacad. Technical support is fabulous. The only drawback is that some formats of other programs do not always or cannot translate into Datacad. It would also be great if Datacad was able to import pdf files and automatically turn them into usable cad files. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

DataCAD will do just about everything a residential and light commercial designer could ask for in 3d fashion. Lets face it, CAD programs are nothing but a expensive pencil. Which is why I feel DataCAD offers your best bang for your buck! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I have used other CAD programs AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, TurboCAD. And I have taken some serious test drives on several others, Rivet, Floor Plan, Soft Plan, Chief Architect. And yes, there are some pretty nice features in each and every one of these CAD programs (some that I would love to have). However each time I feel I want to make a switch it comes down to expense. DataCAD still does what I need for a respectable price. Ok, there is some comfort level that goes along with this decision. However, please keep in mind that I have made major CAD program switches, and I can honestly say. Each switch, and each CAD program comes with it's own set of issues. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I prefer DataCAD over other CAD programs because of the ease of using it, plus I believe I can draw faster with it as well. It is user friendly, and the tech support is also wonderful when I need it (which is rare). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I am pretty satisfied with the program; i don't have any issues with it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

For all my Architectural construction and presentation drawings I use Datacad and have since their version 9. It is by far my preferred cad program, and will develop my drawings first with it even when a client demands the products be supplied in an Autocad format. No software I have used is even close to Datacad for ease of use and features for my architectural work. I use an extruding type modeling program to begin my design work, preferring Design Workshop or Sketchup. I then transfer files into a program for construction document and presentation work. I have used many versions of Autocad programs including Revit, and many other cad software, including a Intergraph mainfram system in the 1980's. Some software, such as Autocad Architect and some others, claim to be designed specifically for Architecture. However, they all are built on top of a general cad platform, and therefore are bloated as well as not completely focused for my type of work. Datacad was built for the work "I DO", and it shows. Year after year features that I most can use have been added. I now use Datacad 14 and plan to upgrade again soon. It is of note that Datacad has always been a much more affordable system as well, especially important for my "One Man Show", but that certainly is not the only reason, or even the main reason, that I am completely sold on Datacad. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I would love it if Datacad added a subroutine that allowed "extruding" design work. I can pretty easily import from the modeling software I now use into Datacad, but there is a need for some cleanup. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

This software is very user friendly and intuitive. The 3-D aspects are something I not only use to explain my designs in a graphic way to my clients, but I also design with it. When I was first exposed to DataCAD at my first office, it was not a long learning curve, yet at that time the 3-D elements were very basic. Since opening my own firm 22 years ago, I have stuck with DataCAD and am glad I have. I use the most current version and keep up on all the enhancements. The company listens to it's users and is always finding new ways to streamline production. They are also helpful when I have encountered something glitchy. So far, the glitches had been caused by my own computer...but they helped me anyway. I haven't had any issues with the program or my use of it for as long as I can remember. I feel so strongly about this software, that I have used to assist three high school students (who get mediocre class instruction in CAD at their high school) and have taught them how to use it well enough to design and model a fairly complicated house or prepare a basic set of working drawings for their senior projects, all outside of school in a couple of months with a total of maybe 40 hours instruction time. They love the software and feel it is easy to learn, and get the effects they want to achieve. There are so many elements of the software that streamline the design and drawing process such as smart walls, windows and doors, macros of all sorts, some that frame building walls, roofs, and floors, one that designs 3-d stairs...with every single possible element offered...one that designs roofs and connects them to one another, modeling software and rendering that is editable, a slug of symbols and templates and bitmaps (all editable), and an interface with other software products like sketchup and autocad products. I can import models and symbols that way...for free. It also creates PDFs that I can use to ship my final products to an offsite printing service or send to clients to review. The layering methods are so flexible and do not require caps or limits to just one color per layer. Dimensioning is so easy and flexible...I can't even describe all the cool things about DataCAD. The best thing to do is download a trial version and check it out. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I recently lost a drafting contract with a large firm because DataCAD while accepting AutoCAD files (DWG and DXF) did not have a matching line type and print color table, or one that would coordinate going back and forth. I could import everything as it was meant to be seen from AutoCAD to DataCAD, but could not send it back so it would fit with their office standards. That was frustrating to me, but that is not something I can blame on DataCAD. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I have used the software continuously since 1985. The program is very stable, easy to use, well supported by the publisher and an unbelievable user base. The program is geared specifically to architects and can be easily customized to suite any work flow. Included translators facilitate interaction with AutocCAD and Sketchup among other programs. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The program is such a joy to use that I spend too much time using it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Cost of the program and support versus other CADD programs on the market. It versatilty, ease of use, and continued improving of the product to meet users needs. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

So far I am very happy with DCAD, i have been using it for over 20 years, and have always upgraded the software when upgrades became avaliable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It is a program which is intuitive for the practice of architecture. Comprehendible, with a simple leaning curve. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I pretty much like all aspects of the software for architectural drafting. I think they have pursued too many complicated 3D functions. ( SKETCH-UP is a much better 3D product in my opinion.) Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Ease of use. Interface is solid. Very satisfied. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

This product is unfortunately taking too much of my machine's resources. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

-The simplicity in the commands and ease to create drawings. The interface is geared for realistic and usable architrectural drawings. Its not just lines on a piece of paper. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The lack of more BIM related controls. The 3D input could be made simpiler to understand and create. Exporting to DWG could be improved. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.