Softplan did have a killer roof dialogue box graphic which showed your birds mouth seat cut and HAP (height above plate) which you could adjust on the fly, which I would like to see implemented in Chief. In my short stint using Softplan, I never got the hang of their cryptic roof tool (sort of like Chief's cryptic Terrain Tools). Unfortunately, to a degree, all of Chief's current shortcomings are related to it's "Homeowner CAD" roots but it continues to improve (grow up). Both programs allow a person to be self taught and become real world usable, fairly quickly.Īt first, Chief seemed a bit "Micky Mouse", like one of those $50 homeowner CAD programs (and it kind of was: re: identical interface as 3d Home Architect). Compared to AutoCad (tried ACad 10, DOS version beginner's course at our community college and hated the interface), and DataCad (good price, promising 3d but very difficult to learn and use) both Softplan and Chief were the only two that drew walls in an intuitive, user friendly manor.
SOFTPLAN 13 UPDATES MANUAL
At some point during that time period, I purchased a Chief '97 demo cd and manual for $25.00 (a terrific value and marketing device) and started playing with the program on my home computer.
Learning curve wise, I self learned Softplan 8/9 while working for a builder through a temp agency during a 5 month span. User definable wall heights, floor platforms and ceiling hgts that don't readjust because you've moved a wall etc. If you are doing one-off designs then CA is much better IMO and more 'fun' to use (if there is such a thing after working every day on the computer).Īnd as I've said at least once before, Softplan and Chief should have an affair (without wearing dongle protection) and the offspring would benefit all of us. SP can't be beat for that type of work which is why it has a loyal following. Softplan is really designed for the high-volume builder who is cranking out small modifications on a handful of stock designs they build over and over.
SOFTPLAN 13 UPDATES FULL
Be prepared to take at least 100+ hours get a full project done the first time through. Get out of sequence and all hell breaks loose in terms of productivity. You start here and then do this, and then you can go to the next process. If you read the book (required to get up and running), you will see that it is VERY procedure oriented. However, changing wall definitions, creating complex roofs, adding to libraries, working with Sketchup objects and a few other things are a real pain. Softplan is not very intuitive but quite powerful and has some features still lacking in CA (doors and stairs are better in SP). I worked with Softplan 2016 for about 6 months and completed a dozen projects before moving over to Chief in July (I'm very happy I did).