2002.03_Linux Cad for Architects.pdf

FEATURE

ALL BUILDINGS

Arcad – Architecture under Linux

GREAT AND SMALL

Arcad is a pure-

blooded Linux CAD

program for

architects. With a

long history, an

active user

community and

favourable licenses

it offers enough to

warrant a serious

look. Ulrich Wolf

does just that

Boris Becker’s villa in Mallorca was built in Arcad from the original plans (Architect bureau Hainz, Munich)

should be able to do everything; not so much

regarding the variety of functions but rather

the methods by which architects work. For this

reason there are, on the one hand, ultramodern

CAAD programs, which are completely

parameterised. This means that, for example, building

components such as walls or windows are “Objects”

with properties that do not just describe the

geometry, but also the material, the price, the

manufacturer and much more. On the other hand,

there are also programs that treat components, such

as doorframes, as mere geometrical shapes with no

other properties. Arcad, created by a small company

of the same name, falls into the second category.

Arcad comes originally from the world of DOS.

Over the past few years however, newer versions

have been developed exclusively for Linux. The

relatively faithful user community is strongly involved

in the development and testing of new software.

Arcad has a popular user forum on its Web page,

where questions regarding operation are in the main

patiently and competently answered.

or herself, but contract work for third parties is not

permitted. For those who want this option, there are

reduced full versions starting at 450 euros; the

complete outfit hits the bank at around 8,500 euros.

A “Maintenance Fee” of ten per cent of the

purchase price per year covers unlimited updates to

the newest version.

Arcad is a “3D Volume” program, which also allows

design in two dimensions, as some architects and civil

engineers prefer this mode of operation. Others can

develop 3D models and generate section views from

these – the user is therefore given the choice.

The dimensioning of the 3D model is associative,

which means that the measurements are automatically

changed when modifications are made to the

Favourable licenses

The manufacturer gives favourable Campus-licenses

in order to help spread the good word. For 65 euros,

the purchaser receives a full program for unlimited

duration, inclusive of installation support. The

purchaser may use the program unrestrictedly for his

Space for what is important: the Arcad interface

LINUX MAGAZINE

Issue 18 • 2002

C AD programs for architects (CAAD software)

FEATURE

geometry. This is not however the case for designs in

two dimensions. Another disadvantage of the program

is that if sectional views (such as plan views or

elevations) are produced from the 3D model, these are

independent drawings with no link to the model. This

allows for quick output because of the small data

quantities, however each small modification must be

carried out by hand on the section view as well as on

the model. Subsequent changes on the model do not

automatically update the views.

linked to the standard

browser of the system, serves

as context sensitive online

help. However, the constant

appearance of the Netscape

window quickly becomes too

much to take, so this feature

is only really worthwhile in

exceptional cases.

Cutting through

bureaucracy

The most important activities

next to design in

architecture/planning offices are the organisation of

the tendering process, and the assignment and

invoicing of jobs (AVA). There are numerous

independent programs, as well as modules for CAD

software, designed for this

purpose. However you don’t

need to resort to any of

these if you have Arcad.

The earlier versions of the

program already included an

integrated AVA, and this has

been greatly extended in the

present beta version. It is

now possible to bill

according to the architect’s

fee regulations, to calculate

according to the area in

square meters, or to

administer tenders and jobs. An address

administration and a text processor have even been

integrated. The architect need now use no other

platform other than fast and reliable Linux.

Rendering included

Of particular interest for design presentations, is the

possibility of rendering 3D scenes. For this purpose,

Arcad features a POV-ray interface for Open Source

rendering. This also enables users to render films

showing fly-throughs of an object as well as real time

animations. At present in the beta phase, the

acceleration of the 3D functions lies with OpenGL.

Arcad comes with a large library of textures and

different elements such as doors, windows, plants and

the like. Additional libraries (in the DXF format) can be

included through several paths. HPGL, HPGL2 and

Postscript are supported as print formats and thanks

to Ghostscript, almost any printer can be used.

One of the standout features of Arcad is its

intelligent user interface. The pull-down menus are

freely moveable and can be faded in and out with a

simple tap of the tab key. Each command can be

transferred to an icon list and special commands such

as zooming, moving or tilting are possible during

processing using a combination of mouse and

keyboard keys.

Clearer interface

As is typical in Linux programs, all three mouse

buttons are utilised. Left-clicking on an object calls up

the command with which the object was created and

thereby takes on all the object’s current parameters;

clicking the middle mouse button leads to a menu

from which the parameters can be changed; and a

right mouse click ends the selected operation, as is

usual in many CAD programs.

The user can also choose between different forms

for the cursor. This is just a plaything for desktop

applications but for CAD applications it becomes very

useful. For example, objects can be aligned more

easily with a cross-hair cursor than with an

orthogonal. The “Snap” property of the cursor can

also be defined. It can for example be selected to

automatically snap to corner points, edges or the like.

For most users, Arcad will be quite easy to learn. This

also applies to those without much CAD experience but

with previous knowledge in architecture and the

building industry. The program includes an extensive

manual, which exists however only as a Postscript file –

a printed version is not published at present. A less

extensive HTML version is likewise included, which,

Summary

Arcad under Linux offers the

opportunity for architects,

who work alone or for

smaller offices, to switch

completely to Linux. This is

presuming that you prefer

the classical design style with

non-parameterised models.

The license costs are at the

lower end of the scale and

the campus license makes a

trial both an attractive and

affordable proposition.

The manufacturer co-operates and works very well

together with the users. Those who like to, can take an

active part in the development. The largest risk might

be that Arcad is the product of a very small company. If

this should find itself in difficulties, a migration to

alternative Linux applications would be inevitable.

Perhaps then it would become Open Source.

Info

Arcad:

http://www.arcad.de/

gb/home.htm

Issue 18 • 2002

LINUX MAGAZINE

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