Please Help with CAD software selection (building electrical systems)

[rupthekid2]

Hello all,

My company specializes in home automation systems and audio / visual designs. I've recently switched to Apple OS X to learn the operating system since it is more stable, and I'm learning all about home automation done through a dedicated Mac server (like the new $500 miniMac).

I need CAD software to be able to draw the wiring diagrams to show the CAT5, twisted pair, etc wiring runs on the blueprints of the home. I will be supplied with the set of files of AutoDesk electrical drawing , so I only need to be able to add to them.

I would prefer to work on the Mac platform, but do not necessarily need to. I'm looking for a cost effective solution, and can't really afford the $4,000 for the AutoDesk solution.

Any advice is greatly appricated - or if there's a better venue I can ask this question, that would be very helpful.

thanks,

Rup

 

[RupTheKid]

The above was me posting, just forgot my p/w after two years of inactivity and had to sign up all over. It feels good to be my old self.

Thanks Mods


Rup

 

[43st]

Mac as a dedicated control system??? AV control systems like Crestron and AMX are much better suited to what you're attempting to do.

We use AutoCAD for our system flow drawings and building drawings. You're going to have to interface with architectural firms and anything less than AutoCAD simply won't cut it I'm afraid. Maybe look into AutoCAD LT, it's only several hundred dollars I believe.

 

[RupTheKid]

Hello,

OS X as a dedicated control system is ideal for smaller residences (<3000sq ft), and ideal for the waterfront luxury condominiums we work on.

I use Crestron, LiteTouch systems regularly for the larger estates and office buildings, but there's a minimum price of entry here we're really trying to bring down while enabling calendar+trigger scheduled home automation. OS X + Indigo + X-10 works fantastic for the price point in these "smaller" residences - the key is planning out your power regulation and understanding the interface. With a small closet for the control system, no new wiring, and installing all the filter/signal boosters behind walls, you get full automation for 1/5 the cost of a Crestron control system.


Thank you for the note regarding your experiences with AutoDesk. Maybe I will just have to suck it up and purchase this software. Will the standard AutoCad module be enough, or will I be spending on the ArchitecturalDesktop / BuildingSystems interface as well?

 

[43st]

We're on different sides of the spectrum I think. For what we do (large arenas, theaters, stadiums, and occasional conference rooms) AutoCAD is a must have. We've made a custom block library for signal flows that fits our needs quite well. It also allows us to extract all the wire numbers directly to our label software. PM me with your email and I can send you a PDF sample if you want.

You're right about Crestron being expensive. It's nice when you can achieve the same results with a $20 switch and relay closure as with a $2500 control system.

Microsoft makes a program called Visio that I believe has a Mac port. The neat part about Visio I hear is that it has specific blocks for the AV industry built into it. You'll have to look into it more but it might be what you're looking for. Several of our salesmen use it for smaller design/build type installations and really like it.