@Edson and everyone here, thanks for talking about this topic. I wish to have an open mind regarding other approaches to this problem that might be helpful (or better??)
I agree with your points on this topic. The pros and cons are correct.
However, there will always remain the need to deal with CAD-like detail in some way- whether it is dealt with in a pure CAD programme or in LayOut. I admire the efforts to take detail into the 3D realm and this is a worthy alternative that should be encouraged and advanced, e.g. Like Robertson & Walsh Design http://sketchupdate.blogspot.ie/2010/10/sketchup-pro-case-study.html Personally while I love creating neat documents in small/ medium doses, I hate the huge effort it takes to create construction documents which is why I created this methodology in the first place π
While I love efficiency, there can be an over-reliance on automation for an area that requires very close and careful monitoring and this is where I saw many of the problems that were evident in Autodesk AEC (now dead) and the overly complicated tools in some other packages. One source told me about a certain softwaRe that attempted to create a good workflow for construction documentation and didn't quite achieve it (due to the fact that it was a complete disaster- not my opinion)
Tools should definitely be developed to assist in the area of 2D documentation. The world is tired of sad ol CAD http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=1a97699ccccefb478d83901d4c57a251
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/download?mid=1a97699ccccefb478d83901d4c57a251&rtyp=lt&ctyp=other&ts=1254452187000