Review of DesignCAD (Version 3.0), The Easy to Use CAD System Copyright 1988 David W. Batterson From out of my home state of Oklahoma, American Small Business Computers, Inc. [(118 S. Mill St., Pryor, OK 74361; (918) 825-4844] has created a high quality computer aided design program they call DesignCAD. Only a few years ago, CAD software cost thousands of dollars, and was used only by very large companies, such as auto makers and the aerospace industry. Now there are dozens of such programs around, some of them selling for less than $100. DesignCAD lists for $299 but is heavily discounted by mailorder companies. Although DesignCAD will run on a 2-floppy system with a minimum of 512K, it is certainly NOT recommended. And even on an XT clone with hard drive, it is going to be a bit slow. Therefore an AT or 386 clone, or IBM PS/2, with 640K is the best configuration. The manual advises that a math co-processor (80287/80387), while not required--I don't have one--"will result in a 20-40% increase in drawing speed." So the package comes with two program disks, one regular and one for use with math co-processor only. There's a total of nine disks, so we're not talking a low-end product here; three of them are just for the symbols used by engineers, architects and designers. DesignCAD is compatible with other CAD and desktop publishing software, by means of the multiple file transfer utilities. Files can be imported in the IGES format (the national CAD standard), in DXF (AutoCAD's format), HPGL (HP Plotter Language), X-Y-Z coordinate files, and of course ASCII text files. Files can be transferred to both GEM format (Ventura Publisher) and PostScript. Using the configuration program, you can output to virtually ANY dot matrix printer or plotter, and naturally to all laser printers. You can use either mouse or digitizing tablet for input device. Keyboard input is supported but is a bit clumsy, so forget it. I do graphic design from time to time, so I may make use of DesignCAD one of these days. Remember, CAD programs are nothing like PC Paintbrush and similar graphics software; they can do a lot more. For purposes of the review, I played around with it for many hours and days, doing many experimental drawings. Even with an ordinary dot matrix printer, the results are amazing and result in very high resolution drawings. According to your particular printer, the print-qualtiy options are normal, high, and very high resolution. Since the last setting takes a L--O--N--G time, use normal or high for test printings, saving very high for the final product. One of my test drawings looked pretty snazzy using a 24-pin printer. Then I tried it using the NEC LC860+ laser class printer I had on loan to review. My eyes about popped out when I saw the results. One test drawing provided on disk--the F18 Hornet-- took about an hour to print on the NEC. Why?--because the program outputs a huge amount of data, and literally millions of "dots" are sent to the printer for the complex drawings. Printing can be done in different scales, and the drawing can be printed out in normal mode (sideways on the page) or rotated 90 degrees. I particularly enjoyed how you can import ASCII text and manipulate it on screen. You can STRETCH it out, INCREASE/DECREASE its size, make it at any angle including 90 degrees, and use a choice of three fonts. When you print out the result, you don't get the "jaggies" you might expect. You can likewise type text directly, and change it in the same manner as importing text. Drawing capability is so versatile that with talent and patience, you can make superb drawings. Don't plan on knocking out the design for the next space station in 20 minutes, however. Because it is indeed a sophisticated and full-featured program, there are so many commands to learn, such as "plot, dimension angle, intersect, block mirror, arc-3, ortho line, vector ellipse," and so on. So I'm not sure if I would want to label DesignCAD as "easy." I spent quite a bit of time in intense trial-and-error sessions, and I didn't BEGIN to master it. On-screen help is available, and the manual isn't bad (although more illustrations would help one to learn the multitude of commands and techniques. Luckily there is a Quick Reference card too to keep handy. There are over 500 symbols, including electronic and electric symbols, lamps, cabinets, trusses and joists, concrete piers, columns, windows, bath fixtures, plants, tables, chairs, appliances, and much more. These can be resized easily with no loss of display or print quality. And you get 39 commonly-used hatching patterns, such as "grass, cork, squares, zigzag" and "grate." [No Ginsu knives are included, though, darn it!] One use for DesignCAD that one might want to explore would be for designing office and workspace layouts. You can do it with programs like GEM Paint or Dr. Halo, but this software is just what the doc ordered for truly professional results. Obviously, Hughes Aircraft and NASA aren't going to buy DesignCAD, but architects, landscape designers, interior decorators, space planners, graphic artists and anyone else who requires outstanding drawings can put it to great use. ### David W. Batterson is a writer, editor and desktop publisher; he dabbles in art & design, and would rather doodle on a screen than fix transmissions or watch tall guys play basketball. Send e-mail via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.