Hat tip to Jimmy Bergmark for pointing out the new Autodesk Architectural Desktop (ADT) Resource Center. It has marketing info, white papers, technology overview and on-line demonstrations of ADT features.
The “Tutorials” (Shockwave Flash demos with audio) are useful if you want to show someone the difference between ADT and plain AutoCAD. You can also sign up for ADT Webcasts, maybe learn some new tricks yourself!
Unfortunately both the page and URL use the current Autodesk marketing “tag-line” for ADT; “AutoCAD for Architects!”.
[engage rant mode]
I don’t like “AutoCAD for Architects” as it doesn’t communicate the capabilities of ADT’s Object Technology.ADT is far more powerful than AutoCAD in it’s ability to control display (multiple 2D and 3D graphic representations within a single object) and manage extended data (as automatic, calculated & manual properties) by using AEC Objects to model building components. These objects can interact in ways not seen in standard AutoCAD. e.g. Add a door to a wall and the “opening” is created, move the wall & the doors/windows in it follow.
Yes it is based on the AutoCAD platform, with all that implies, but if you’re an Architect wanting “AutoCAD for Architects!” I’d say get AutoCAD!
ADT rewards a different approach because it offers a different technology within the familiar AutoCAD interface. Rather than “draw lines & circles” think “create building objects” to reap the full benefit of ADT’s extended capabilities.
Autodesk Architectural Desktop is not AutoCAD, but it’s not Revit either.
[end rant mode]
The site, especially the tutorials, are a great way to see & share the capabilities of Autodesk Architectural Desktop – “Much more than AutoCAD for Architects!”
ADT Resource Center: www.autodesk.com/autocadforarchitects
ADT Product Page: www.autodesk.com/archdesktop