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How MacDraft inspired a Chief Estimator to express his creativity with amazing results.

The first MacDraft version I purchased was in 2003. Our company was just getting started and we could not afford to hire a draftsman fulltime, and engineering cost for designing repairs was way out of our budget. I purchased the personal version and it only took me a short time to realize I needed and wanted the expanded capabilities of the professional version.

quoteleftIt did not take very long before I was producing drawings on a level comparable to the more expensive programs out there.

What impressed me the most was the speed in which I gained proficiency with the program. It did not take very long before I was producing drawings on a level comparable to the more expensive programs out there.

Another aspect of MacDraft that impressed me and still does, is the level of creativity that can be achieved.
When I am faced with a routine engineering drawing or technical illustration, the situation dictates whether I immediately think of alternative ways to make it more interesting and creative or simply start drawing and see where my idea takes me.

quoteleft MacDraft allows me to expand and embellish a simple drawing and make it more interesting.

If my drawing is going to be disseminated to other agencies or engineering firms, I will try to keep my drawings 2D, simple and to the point. However sometimes it is best to keep things simple.

On the other hand, if I am trying to make a point, like they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and MacDraft allows me to expand and embellish a simple drawing and make it more interesting.
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MacDraft professional is an important tool to the working contractor. Take offs, working drawings and presentations are just some of the many uses you will discover with this program. I have no background in drafting, but in a short order I’m able to produce quality drawings. Even after 14 years, I won’t part with this program.
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Let’s face it. A typical drawing will make someone’s eye’s glaze over if they are not used to working with them and it can be hard getting your point across. As a diving and marine contracting company we need to explain procedures that the customer cannot see and this sometimes can be difficult to explain and visualize using a typical 2D drawing.

quoteleft MacDraft gives you the ability to express yourself and your ideas with amazing results.

In my opinion, this is when MacDraft really shines. If you are the creative type, and even if you’re not, MacDraft gives you the ability to express yourself and your ideas with amazing results. I don’t think there is any one specific tool or feature that stands out from the others that helps to make my design process easier.
They are all very useful and easily mastered.
I do though like the adding and subtracting of shapes feature in the accessories pallet for creating complex shapes and the ability to save these drawings to the library for use in other drawings.

quoteleft Overall, everything in MacDraft is very well thought out from the precise drawing tools to the advanced features

I also like being able to import pictures and text from other sources into a defined layer. This can be very helpful. Also, multiple duplications of the same object using different fills and opacity levels can create some very interesting effects.

Overall, everything in MacDraft is very well thought out, from the precise drawing tools to the advanced features and I don’t think there is another product out there that can have you producing quality, professional drawings in as short a time as I was able to without a drafting background.

Lanny Davis - Best CAD Software

MacDraft being the best CAD software available, has made it possible for my components to be very close to the final design before going to the expense of 3D CAD or an injection tool. My name is Lanny Davis and I have the patent on an adjustable weight action for digital pianos. I have been using a CAD software called MacDraft since 1987. A magical creation tool for me has been a combination of; MacDraft Software, a bandsaw, belt/disk sander, a can of spray-tack (glue), ordinary 20# paper and a drill press. What have I been doing? I have experimented for over twenty years with articulated lever mechanisms beneath a piano key in order to replicate the feel of an acoustic grand piano action - the quest of digital piano manufacturers. This is how I work with MacDraft, from simple bird houses to extreme projects such as my piano action wiring schematics and panel layouts for my amateur radio projects: Draw out a desired pattern using the easy and intuitive MacDraft CAD tool bars. Print out the pattern and spray tack it onto a plank of 1/2 in. poplar wood. Cut out the pattern, it's best to be rather close. Use the disc sander to finish edging right up to the line. The result is a very accurate and machined-like part from ordinary wood. This was the basis for the trial and error process to make prototype parts for my piano action. Adjustable weight action for digital pianos? I have made hundreds of prototypes in the process and now am in my fourth generation of a complete 88-note action model. The most recent piano contains parts made with 3D modeling. I exported my drawings via email in .dxf format to a contract fabricating facility for them to make enough parts for my latest model. Normally, 3D modeling is the best and most beneficial for fine tuning a design before committing to the high cost of having an injection tool made. For my needs, MacDraft being the best CAD software available, has made it possible for my components to be very close to the final design before going to the expense of either 3D CAD modeling or an injection tool. I cannot say enough about how important the MacDraft software is for my design projects. thumbnail 2 summary
Article star rating: 5 out of 5 with 4 rating
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