Hi Anssi,
Thanks for the response.
This is a decision that has been taken by those "higher-ups" in the company.
I have to hope that they know what they are doing.
Powerdraft will replace AutoCAD LT (used by the majority of our staff) and Microstation V8 will replace the full version of AutoCAD.
As I understand it AutoCAD was originally created for Engineers not Architects.
Microstation, ArchiCAD etc were built from the ground up for Architects.
Whether this makes any real difference in use I have yet to see.
With regards to BIM software I am not quite sure what to make of this.
On the one hand, it makes sense to have software that can generate 3D data from your 2D data input.
In theory this should make producing 3D images a lot simpler and less error prone.
I have heard that Revit is a very clever piece of software.
But it does not have (as some try to claim) a magic button that can produce professional 3D results.
I have also heard that practically no-one outside of the demonstration team can use it in a productive manner.
(OK, I may be exaggerating a little here, but you know what I mean)
The management of my company do not want their Architectural staff wasting valuable time trying to learn and understand lighting, texturing, composition and the hundreds of other issues associated with creating professional 3D imagery. They want their Architectural staff producing working 2D CAD drawings that generate actual income!
I think they have a very good point.
Most of the 2D CAD operators I know do not seen to understand (or find very difficult) the concept of 3D.
Management can't presume to think that just because some staff use Microsoft Word every day that automatically gives them the skills to become a great novelist.
They may not even grasp basic spelling or grammar!
Or just because someone can use Microsoft Paint they will also be expert users of Adobe Photoshop.
The skills required to produce professional 3D results, seems to me, to require a great deal of dedication to learning a range of skills well beyond the normal requirements of most 2D CAD operators. It also requires an active imagination and what I can only describe as an "eye" for being able to visualise a 3D image.
Quite simply, not everyone has this, no matter how good the software.
Anyway, I would appreciate reading any further thoughts on this subject.
Regards
Mr S