Low Cost – 3D Parametric Architectural Design Software
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Switch with ease from 2D to 3D design while staying in your familiar CAD environment
Simply draw your 2D plan and AddCAD automatically generates the 3D model for you.
Switching to 3D design is a change in capability that many Professionals strive for; in an attempt to keep up with their competition, increased performance and to produce far more aesthetically pleasing results but in many cases this is without success.
Apart from the traditional costs of switching to a “pure” 3D CAD solution, it inevitably involves a complete change to your proven and tested workflow. This requires a very time consuming period of training and adjustment, which is an unwelcome and often unacceptable obstacle for many users. AddCAD, a CAD application with over 20 years of development, eliminates these obstacles as it integrates directly with your existing CAD tools. AddCAD is available for use with AutoCAD ® , AutoCAD LT ® and ZWCAD+ Pro®
Therefore, you can continue to work with the familiar tools you use every day and with no need to drastically change the way you work. In fact with AddCAD, you start your design as usual from the 2D layout. Then the AddCAD difference is that as soon as you have completed some or all of your 2D plan, AddCAD automatically generates the 3D model for you.
At this stage, all you need to do is to populate your project using the vast catalogue of parametric objects included with the software: walls, doors, windows, etc. taking advantage of the modeling tools for frames/casings, stairs and roofs. Once your model is complete, with few simple clicks you can then quickly obtain the traditional 2D views (plans, elevations, sections) and a number of attractive and very professional 3D photo-realistic rendered views (isometric, perspective and cross sections) to complete your project documentation.
Key Features of AddCAD
- Works directly on AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT and ZWCAD+ Pro
- Rich catalog of parametric objects: walls, frames, windows, doors, stairs, railings, furniture and interior design, roofing, dormers, chimneys, skylights.
- Window/Door modeler.
- Stair generator.
- Roof generator.
- Automatic creation of elevation and sectional views.
- Simple creation of railings, balustrades, ledges and gutters.
- Easy layout of final drawings.
- 3D photo-realistic rendered view generator, including isometric, perspective and cross sections.
Parametric CAD and libraries 
AddCAD is what you call a “parametric CAD” solution. This means that it is based on libraries of construction objects that adapt automatically to the project by simply setting the measurments needed. All objects in the project are inter-related, this means that when you modify an object all related object parameters will ad- just accordingly. For example, by changing the thickness of a wall, the windows contained in that wall adapt automatically to the new thickness. This feature drastically reduces your work load and eliminates the potential for user introduced errors. The parametric libraries included in AddCAD provide:
- Walls of any dimensions.
- Framings/casings, doors and windows.
- Stairs and railings.
- Furniture for interior design.
- Coverings, roofings, dormers, chimneys and skyights.
In addition to the vast number of doors and windows already included in the software library, AddCAD lets you create your own personalized door/window objects by simply drawing them using the shape you desire: rectangle, arched, etc. and by defining the thickness and material of the various elements (frame, glass, etc.)
Stair Generator
AddCAD lets you create stairs of any type: filled, only treads, steps and flights.
The geometric shape is simply set in a 2D plan by defining the line to be followed by the stairs (straight lines, curves or combinations). Then, using the stair generator wizard you can easily define all the parameters: the dimensions and thickness of treads and risers, the walking height underneath the slab, the step overhang, the view on the lower floor and on the top floor, etc. The railing is also generated from the construction elements defined in a drawing block (see “Railings and Balustrades”).
Roof Generator
Drawing coverings and roofs couldn’t be easier when using AddCAD. All you need to do is determine the type of roof construction: gable, hip-roof, vaulted, attic, etc. and the roof is automatically created. Once generated the roof can be easily modified, for example you can change the shape and slope of the roof or add new roof slabs which will be automatically adjusted to the existing ones. Once done, it is then easy to add any type of dormer, skylight or chimney to your roof, or draw openings of any desired shape to obtain terraces and balconies inside your roof.
Elevation and Section Views
Creating elevation views with AddCAD is very simple. All you need to do is trace the external line on which you want to project your building and you immediately obtain the drawing of the façade. In the same way, to generate a section you only have to draw a line or polyline that intersects the 3D model, and AddCAD automatically creates the corresponding section. All you have to do is to position it on your drawing.
Final drawing layout
To produce the project drawings is very easy with AddCAD as you take advantage of the CAD layout features. In fact you can choose your desired layout from those proposed by the software or you can create your own by simply modifying the existing ones. As for the plans, you only have to set the view from the 3D model, then disable in each layout window the floors that are not needed for each plan you want to create. For elevations and sections you just have to drag the drawing into the layout window. An appropriate command allows you to apply the desired scale to any layout window. Of course you can dedicate some layout windows to your 3D views: isometric, perspective and cross sections in order to give to your design that 3-dimensional look, which makes it very professional and aesthetically appealing.
3D views and cross sections
Once you have created a 3D model of your building, AddCAD lets you generate any type of three-dimensional view:
- Isometric, using the usual CAD viewing commands
- Perspective by fixing an internal or external viewpoint
- Cross sections by simply defining a plane intersecting your model.
In all your views you can remove the hidden lines and, thanks to the AddCAD internal rendering tool, you can create photorealistic professional images.
Powerful Rendering
AddCAD is integrated with a powerful rendering tool called POV Ray, with which it is possible to:
- Insert background photos to obtain a realistic view of the environmental impact of your project.
- Add new elements to the vast program library by defining new materials and attaching them to new layers.
- Set and control all rendering options directly from your CAD system.
- Create even more photo-realistic images with high quality scenes, thanks to Radiosity technology
About US
EDA Systems Ltd delivers tailored, value added, robust solutions that integrate seamlessly with your existing infrastructure and applications. Contact us to find out more about AddCAD today.
