[RE-wrenches] Autocad

[Bill Hoffer]

William

I second using Sketchup and Layout for $500 .  I have seen the add on Roof
Pro Plug in and Skelion ( $199) demo  that lays out the array  and links to
PVwatts for power analysis.  Plus Combined with google earth , does great
shading analysis I.  I think you can do a quick design in an hour and
Autocad would be days!  Stay away from Autocad unless you really need it
for large commercial jobs and like Jason said it is required to interact
with other trades! Plus Solar Energy Engineering is starting a web based
training for using it for solar projects.  It really is pretty cool and a
lot more flexible than overpriced and overly complicated Autocad.  Autocad
light woudl be my first choice, no way you need the full blown version.

Bill


On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 4:16 PM, Jason Szumlanski <jason at fafcosolar.com>wrote:

> Unless there is a compelling reason to use AutoCAD, like interoperability
> with other trades and professions, consider Sketchup Pro and Layout from
> Trimble. $500.
>
> I learned it over a weekend, and with the Instant Roof Pro plugin ($39) I
> was making convincing and accurate renderings in almost no time. Note:
> Instant Roof, a necessary plugin for roof modeling, has not been updated
> for Sketchup 2014, so download 2013 for now. The author is working on it.
>
> Jason Szumlanski
>
> Fafco Solar
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 7:09 PM, William Miller <william at millersolar.com>wrote:
>
>> Friends:
>>
>>
>>
>> The 3D CAD software I have been using is obsolete.  I have decided to
>> upgrade to Autocad.  I am temporarily using an educational copy while I
>> learn, but  I need to purchase a copy.
>>
>>
>>
>> Before I go out and plunk down $4k, I need to do some research:
>>
>>
>>
>> Do I have to expect to pay that much?
>>
>>
>>
>> Where is a good place to purchase?
>>
>>
>>
>> Are there copies of one generation old programs available?
>>
>>
>>
>> I am a self teacher but I use printed texts.  What is your favorite
>> Autocad reference?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks everyone!
>>
>>
>>
>> William
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> [image: Gradient Cap_mini]
>>
>> Lic 773985
>>
>> millersolar.com (hyperlink)
>>
>> 805-438-5600
>>
>>
>>
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-- 
William Hoffer
161 SE Fourth Ave
P.O. Box 1823
White Salmon, WA 98672-1823
sunengser at gmail.com <bhoffer at sunergyengineeringservices.com>
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