Archway Recent News Page

VersaCAD/Parking Structure Update
Ronald James Parking and one of the largest parking structure design firms in the U.S. are the latest companies to acquire VersaCAD’s automated parking structure design software. VersaCAD/Parking Structure, written by Gary Miller, is an example of the best customization of VersaCAD. Takes data required for design of a parking structure and then automatically produces an isometric, the elevations, cross sections and plan drawings PLUS the takeoff of material. Great for preliminary or final design and estimating. Turns hours into seconds. Checkout the free video demonstration at www.mycadvideos.com

VersaCAD+Rhino or VersaCAD +Solid Thinking Upgrade Bundle
Renew VersaCAD Premium Service and update your Rhino 3D to the new v4.0 as a bundle:

Rhino upg + Premium Service	List: $990	Special: $690
Rhino Lab upg + Vcad Prem Ser	List: $890	Special: $690

Or, if you prefer Solid Thinking Modeler v7.5, Renew Premium Service and upgrade your Solid Thinking from Forma to Modeler (Windows or Macintosh):

Single upgrade each product	List: $1290	Special: $990
Lab license upgrade for each.	List: $994	Special $690

All prices when purchased together before 10/31/07

New Building Energy & Cost Estimate
You have got to watch a demo to appreciate this great software called DProfiler by Beck Technologies, for building estimation. It reduces estimating time and cost by over 80%, increases accuracy and permits a firm estimate much earlier in a project life cycle. DProfiler integrates the RS Means comprehensive database of costs plus the eQuest, lifecycle energy cost estimating software with a SketchUp-like 3D model. Results from DProfiler also include preliminary elevations, floorplans, and details which smoothly import to VersaCAD for finished production of construction documents. Archway customers of DProfiler include some of the largest contractors in the world.

VersaCAD Mac OS X
The University of Arizona now provides VersaCAD Mac to all students and faculty via a site license. USC also has a site license.

Who's who at Archway Systems

Arlene Black	Admin and sales
Leah Spitler	Civil engr software support
Tom Lazear	Admin, sales and training
George McMeans	Sales & training in Nor. Cal.
Mike Lazear	Programming & support
Erik Wordal	Training in Cal coastal
Rick Plummer	Mftr consultant and sales
Josh Lazear	Webmaster & programming
Greg Hamano	Support & training
Sandy Lazear	Accounting
Linda Grubb	Support & admin
Dan Lazear	Programming
Chris Grubb	Civil engr software support

REPORT

So where is my VersaCAD update?

This has been a popular question lately, and rightfully so. Since we released VersaCAD for Windows in 2000 we&'ve been good about having a new release of VersaCAD at least once a year, and sometimes twice. Over the last few years the answer to many of your feature requests has been "we would have to change the database format for that to be possible". Request: Can we have more than 65,000 objects? Answer: We would need to change the database format. Request: Can we include image files in our drawings? Answer: We would need to change the database format. Request: It would be nice to have filled objects? Answer: database change. Request: TrueType fonts? Answer: database change. ...
Okay, if so many new features would require a database change why didn't we make that change years ago? There are a number of answers to that question.   When VersaCAD for Windows was first released we wanted to keep file compatibility with VersaCAD DOS to make the transition easier.   Then there was the need to select symbols on screen rather than using digitizers, thus VersaCAD Explorer was born.   However, the biggest reason is our understanding that changing the database was going to take a ton of work and cause a long delay between releases. Well we finally bit the bullet and started that work over a year ago. We didn’t talk about it at the time because we hoped we would be done within our year timeframe but that clearly didn’t happen and there is still a work to finish.
For anyone that has used Microsoft Office 2007 you will notice that when you save files the files are no longer .xls for Excel and .doc for Word. Instead the files are .xlsx and .docx. The .docx file is actually a zip file. A zip file is simply a compressed file which can contain one or more other files. If you rename a .docx file to .zip you can then open up the zip and see a number of files contained within the zip. NOTE: I don't recommend you try this with an important file and you can always rename the file back to .docx to make it again usable by Microsoft Office. If you were to look at the files contained with the .docx file you would see that they are stored as XML (Extensible Markup Language). If you want to learn more about XML go to www.wikipedia.org and search on XML.
So why the story about Microsoft Office, I thought we were talking about VersaCAD? Well, for the new VersaCAD database we are doing a similar thing. The new file extension will be .2dx. This file will be a zipped file containing an XML file inside which will replace today’s .2d file. There may be other files placed inside of the .2dx file as well. Having the files stored in an XML format will allow us to add functionality in the future that requires a database change without having to write conversion programs. If a new field is there VersaCAD would use it and if the field is missing VersaCAD would simply use a default value. A good example of this would be object fill. If a circle had a “filled object” flag set then we would fill the object on the screen. If that field was missing from the file then VersaCAD would not fill the object, which means the object would be drawn as it would be with today’s current VersaCAD.
So what about the Mac?   One of the beauties of going to an XML database is that XML is text based. This means that once the XML database is implemented on both the Windows and Mac platforms the file formats will be literally identical. Files can be moved from one platform to the other with no conversions necessary. You would think that a text based database would create larger files than a binary database, which is what the .2d file is. This is true, but once we zip the file, which is part of the saving process, the files are actually smaller than existing .2d files.
So how close are we to the new release? The new XML database is defined and can be read and written by the updated VersaCAD. This new database will not have a 65,000 object limit. The new limit will be based upon the amount of memory in your computer.    For the average computer today this should result in the ability to have hundreds of thousands of objects in a single file. We are currently working on the symbol libraries as they will also need to be updated. The ability to read/write existing VersaCAD drawings and convert them to the new format is also complete. As you can imagine we will need to do extensive testing prior to this update being released.
So what about existing files? Not to worry. The new version will have the ability to read existing .2d files.
So what will be in this new release?   The removal of the 65,000 object limit (32,000 on the Mac) is by far the biggest feature. We hope to add the object fill feature as well. TrueType font support and use of image files within VersaCAD, though the new database will allow for these, will not be implemented until the following release.   We are planning an interim release with some new functionality that does not require database changes (see article).    As always, we are open to hearing your suggestions for features and if they don’t require a database change they might even happen in the interim release.

Videos You May Not Have Watched
Your VersaCAD 2006 for Windows CD includes a bunch of folders and things that you may never have noticed. For example, lots of extra fonts, symbol libraries, videos and more. You can always see all the contents by reading the README file on the CD. But, just for example, here are some of the videos which is like taking a course right at your desk:
Explorer for Libraries 6:41
Explorer for Projects and Batch Plotting 16:24
Explorer for Drawings 6:22
Explorer for Objects 5:23
Level Manager 5:22
Windowing 11:41
Mouse Roller Wheel 1:07
VersaCAD Translator 6:49
New in 2006-Pen Table 5:25

VersaCAD 2007 for Windows Interim
The project to convert the database continues. See article. It is taking much longer than we hoped so we are planning on an interim release later this year, still on the existing database. New features will include an update to the Translator plus some potential, neat new features. We are looking at including a spell checker, text window and possibly a way to run macros from VersaCAD Explorer. This would give users a way to simulate what previously was done via a tablet menu. This would expand the user of two monitors as Explorer, Translator and other items could be kept on the second screen for easy access. Stay tuned.

On-Line Instructor-Lead Courses
If you have Internet access, you can receive a one on one VersaCAD course to suit your own company’s specific needs. For example, you might want to learn how PDF is integrated with VersaCAD Mac or maybe you haven’t yet incorporated VersaCAD Explorer in your VersaCAD Windows implementation. Or, you have a specific design need and you want to know how to do it. You can get help from the experts here at Archway over the Internet. You will see our computer and we see yours. Rates as low as $80 per hour for one-on-one consulting/training. Give us a call if we can help.
New Online Courses Increase VersaCAD user productivity
We are planning some online courses that will be FREE to Premium Service holders, and inexpensive for others. We need your input on what would be good subjects. Here are some candidates:
*VersaCAD Explorer for Symbols, Drawings and Objects
*VersaCAD Explorer for Projects and Batch Plotting
*Translation. Tips and Tricks & Mapping Tables
*New ways to Zoom and Pan.
*Pen Tables
*Level Manager
*VersaCAD Mac: PDF, libraries, starter files and more
Please send us an email suggesting the class you would like to see.

VersaCAD in Education: Status Report
VersaCAD has long been a favorite of educators because of its logical structure and short learning curve. Students learn more concepts in a class with VersaCAD because they are not encumbered with complicated procedures. Not to mention the low cost of $595/yr for an unlimited campus license including free student copies, course material and support. Currently, over 1100 schools incorporate VersaCAD in their CAD technology program. Here are a few of the schools that have recently added VersaCAD Windows and/or VersaCAD Mac OS X to their program:

Univ of Utah	UT	MIT Lincoln Lab	MA
Baylor Univ	TX	Univ of Arizona	AZ
Cascade High School	IA	Linwood Middle School	LA
Kennett Schools	PA	N. Laurel H.S.	KY
Indian Capital	OK	Joe Robinson Middle	AR
Cave City Middle	AR	Conway High School	AR
Earlham School	IA	Camden Fairview HS	AR
Murfreesborro HS	AR	Auburn HS	NE
Hanford West HS	CA	Genoa Central HS	AR
Rose Bud HS	AR	Monticello Middle Sch	AR
England HS	AR	Creston Comm School	IA

For Schools with Zero Budget
If your school is one of those with no budget for any CAD software, there is a good solution:
www.sagamorepub.com
This is the website of Sagamore Publishing. They publish the leading book on design of sports facilities. They offer free campus license of VersaCAD 2002. Checkout the download at their website. If you have problems downloading, send an email to support@versacad.com and we will get you up and running.

Learn 3 CAD Systems in one month
Drafting 165 at Orange Coast College introduces students to VersaCAD, MicroStation and Rhino 3D in four short weeks during the January “Intersession”. The class is from 8am to 12:30 MWF. This fast paced class will make the student productive on all three software to round out the student’s portfolio and double the number of job opportunities. VersaCAD used by Stater Brothers, USA Race Cars and many architects. MicroStation used by process plant design firms such as Fluor, Parsons and Bechtel; Caltrans and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Rhino 3D the standard for shoe, jewelry and consumer product design as well as architecture. Signup at http://www.orangecoastcollege.edu/academics/class_schedule/Class+Schedule.htm

Recent Quotes About VersaCAD
Terry Wolcott, Engineering Consultants of Hutchinson KS:
“It's (VersaCAD) still the best for production”
Tom Sawyer, ENR, regarding VersaCAD Mac OS X:
“you cant keep good ideas down”
Tom Urie, Urie Professional, MD: “It drives me crazy because vcad has so many more features and is so much easier to use than acad”

The Grubbs
Archway welcomes Chris Grubb. Chris will provide support for civil applications. Linda Grubb, in Adiministration, has been with Archway for a year and a half.

ARCHWAY’S PRODUCT LINE
Archway is a full service provider of technical software and hardware serving the Academic, Architectural, Civil and Mechanical Engineering markets.
DESIGN & ENGR SOFTWARE:
• MicroStation and applications
• Beck’s DProfiler with RS Means
• VersaCAD Win & Mac
• InRoads & Geopak Civil Software
• Haestad Hydraulic Analysis Software
• Solid Edge and applications
• TransMagic-translation software
• Magics X STL editing software

3D GRAPHICS & ANIMATION SOFTWARE:
• Rhino 3D, Flamingo, Penguin & Bongo
• Softimage
• solidThinking
• Bentley Navigator
• ArchVision libraries
COMPUTER PERIPHERALS
• Z Corp 3D Printers

SERVICES
• Training
• Phone support
• On-site support
• 3D Printing
• Customizing
• Consulting
• Contract software development
• CAD file translation

VersaCAD/Mac OK with Leopard
Apple’s next release of OS X, called Leopard, is the biggest update ever with over 300 innovations. VersaCAD Mac for OS X is compatible. www.versacad.com/versacad/vcadmac.htm

Rhino 3D Class for Educators
Checkout the incredible deal for educators at one of our upcoming Rhino 3D classes. Educators receive a $200 discount on the class PLUS they receive a copy of Rhino 3D, 4.0 with a professional (not academic) license!

MyCADvideos.com
Checkout this site for free introductory videos and one hour webinars on the latest in CAD, FEM, and more. Includes VersaCAD/Parking Lot & VersaCAD/Parking Structure.

Z 450 3D Printer
The new Z450 is a breakthrough in 3D Printing (rapid prototyping). Provides the lowest cost of operation and the only multicolor printer on the market all contained in one good looking box. Our customers use their Z for: architectural models, golf club models, machine parts and even virus DNA models! Archway provides sales and service including 3D Printing of your models.

VERSACAD NEWSLETTER - Fall 2007

In This Issue . . .

REPORT