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Marc
Joined: 03 Jan 2008
Posts: 17
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 Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject: New Gear |
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I am still relishing the productivity and power of PowerCadd, after having been highly resistant to all drafting software. Until I had been exposed to Powercadd by a designer used regularly by our company, I felt that it was important to retain the talent and abilities associated with the manual drafting process; thumbing my nose at the throngs of infidels flocking to the sterile world of computer-based design and drafting. I was, indeed, sadly mistaken.
At any rate, I have been using my PowerBook for the last couple of weeks to run PowerCadd, and I have found that my present machine is desperately under-equipped to fully realize the benefits of the program.
Now, fully convinced of PowerCadd's mojo, the time seems ripe to upgrade to a new system. It seems, that the Mac Pro is the way to go, but with a powerful machine such as that, I would like some guidance as to exactly how far to go. What do you seasoned users of PowerCadd run? Do any of you run multiple monitors?
I want to purchase a machine that works well, tempered with a small (and I do mean SMALL) smattering of frugality; function takes precedence over price. Your suggestions are much appreciated. |
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Alfred Scott
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 633
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:48 am Post subject: |
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Marc,
In terms of speed, with PC8 either a MacBook Pro or Mac Pro will be fine. Maybe an iMac will be find as well, but I always stick with the pro level machines.
I like to buy my machines from the Apple store on their website in their Special Deals department down on the left. I recently bought a Mac Pro Quad 3.o GHz machine with 2GB of memory. The only thing I've added since I got it was a 500 GB hard disk from CompUSA for about $150 to use with Time Machine.
I tried a 30" Apple monitor and hated it. The menus were way up in one corner, etc. So I use two monitors, a 23" and 20" Apple cinema monitors. I wish I had two 23" monitors.
Other people love lap tops, but I'm not one of them. To each his own.
Hope you're running WildTools.
Alfred |
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pbacot
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 844
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:53 am Post subject: |
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Marc,
I might be seasoned enough for you, at least salty.
In what way is your machine under-equipped? I would search the thread regarding the upcoming v. 8 (PC8, PowerCADD 8 etc.) to get an idea of what is important for running the future application smoothly--number of processors, video card etc.
As I am using v. 6, which runs better than v. 7 my comments may not apply but, ...
I used a 1.67 GHz G4 PowerBook up until a couple months ago. Worked acceptably well. I now have a 2.4 GHz MacBookPro CoreDuo which MIGHT be a small improvement in PowerCADD, but is definitely an improvement for other apps. The portability is important to me. Otherwise I'd have to have two computers with everything on them.
I would hope that v.8 runs on both MacBook Pro and Mac Pro.
A large screen is very good to have. After many years at this (finally deciding this isn't just an interim occupation) I have a 30in DELL, and it's fantastic.I keep some windows on the MBP display. Get a quality monitor in a size that you can afford and fits on your desk. Historically the prices are ridiculously low.
Input device: I just use a logitech mouse with scroll wheel and USB Overdrive (to assign commands and speed up the action). But you may find that a tablet or other device helps your speed and enjoyment. Try them out if you can.
Output: I use a Canon iPF 610 for up to 24" wide plots. It's great. Good Mac software. HP has a fine assortment of wide format printers as well. I can also print small sheets in the cassette. Other than that, the type of desktop printer you use is up to your needs and budget. Ink jet printers will give satisfactory results with PowerCADD.
In v. 7 , you may just have to use Shadows and Translucency sparingly. Certain custom hatches and images will slow any machine down. You have to turn the hatches off at times and learn techniques for using images.
_________________
Peter B |
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Marc
Joined: 03 Jan 2008
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, guys.
At the moment, I am running a 12" PowerBook G4; thus the most obvious shortcoming of my present gear is screen size. I have been planning to get a desktop for a couple of months and PowerCadd has become the catalyst for me to do so.
Alfred, your comment regarding the 30" monitor has a great deal of impact on my dilemma. I was considering the 30" monitor; could you elaborate? I have never had a dual monitor set-up, how do you use yours to the best effect?
I have read mixed reviews of the Mighty Mouse. Any thoughts on that issue? |
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jasonlocher
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 614
Location: Austin, Texas
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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when upgrading to powercadd 6, i bought a fully loaded g4 powerbook and used it to push a 20" cinema display - worked great till Istarted using powercadd 7. At that point I had to buy a dual g5 tower and had it pushing dual 20" cinemas. Worked great till I found out we'll have to use intle machines for powercadd 8. So I'll need to buy a mac pro tower and plan on using no less than 4 gb of ram w/512 video (i run windows in parallel so will probably need more ram).
3 years, over 10k in hardware.
PS - anybody wanna buy a dual G5 tower with 6 gb ram in it? |
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pbacot
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 844
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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Marc,
I have heard of others, besides Alfred, who do not like the 30" display. So check out for yourself. I don't find a problem with it. I don't use the highest resolution (so the menus and palettes are larger) and it still feels good and looks great (even with OSX). I like seeing much more of my drawing sheet at a readable level. Tired of printing drawings out just to find some little niggle I didn't pick up on screen, and also zooming and panning all day to get work done.
I know Jason does huge drawings on his 20" setup just fine.
From what I hear displays will keep getting better and better.
I do turn down the resolution on my MBP display also when working on the 30" so the palettes I have there are really large and easy to read quickly.
Peter
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Peter B |
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patrickm
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 316
Location: santa barbara, ca
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:54 am Post subject: |
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| pbacot wrote: | Marc,
(snip...)
I do turn down the resolution on my MBP display also when working on the 30" so the palettes I have there are really large and easy to read quickly.
Peter |
Peter -- any chance you could post (or send me) a photo of your setup? I have a MBP too, but currently don't use an external monitor because I couldn't figure out how to make everything conveniently fit on my desk.
regards,
patrick marr
patrick(AT)patrickmarraia(DOT)com |
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Alfred Scott
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 633
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:43 am Post subject: |
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Marc,
I work with a lot of programs and always have a lot of windows open. So I use the 23" monitor as my primary monitor. It has all of the menus, dock, etc. there and the landscape is what I prefer and everything is within reach. I use the second monitor to park other windows on. On the other hand, if I spent 90% of my time working on drawings, I suspect I would prefer the 30" monitor.
On which mouse, I have a Logitech wireless mouse, the one that gets all the editor's choice ratings. I use it with USB Overdrive. It is, by far, the best mouse I've ever used.
Alfred |
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How Goes It
Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 331
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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| jasonlocher wrote: | | 3 years, over 10k in hardware. |
| Alfred Scott wrote: | | Maybe an iMac will be find as well, but I always stick with the pro level machines. |
I have the original Dual G5 (2 GHz) with 2 Gigs, 2 PowerBooks, and 1 iBook.
I own two copies of PowerCADD 6 / Wildtools 7.
I use one on the G5, and the other on one of the notebooks.
If Apple is soon to make good on the rumor Alfred mentioned about a future version of the Mac OS only working on Intel, and considering that PC 8 will only work on Intel, considering all the hardware I may need to replace ------ maybe the info at the below URL is something to consider trying for my future desktop unit.
http://macapper.com/2008/01/19/diy-hackintosh-tutorial-build-a-mac-pro-for-cheap/ |
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jasonlocher
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 614
Location: Austin, Texas
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:27 am Post subject: |
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great link!
I've always built my own window machines... looks like its time to build a mac. |
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How Goes It
Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 331
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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Jason,
Read the comments at the above URL and at the URL directly below.
http://lifehacker.com/software/benchmarks/hackintosh-vs-mac-pro-vs-macbook-pro-benchmarks-322866.php
Upgrading the OS could be problematic.
But $800 for something that runs around Mac Pro Quad speed is certainly interesting.
Up to this point, I've always spent a big chunk of change on my desktop units, but I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't try a different approach -----------
I've seen brand new iMacs, and though I have never used one for CAD, Photoshop, or form•Z --- when brand new, they sure seem like they would be able to work okay. Seems like they would run at a half decent speed as I no longer do any heavy rendering, and never any animations.
If Apple, and those making software that run on Mac OS, are going to be requiring frequent hardware upgrades --- I'm starting to think that an entry level iMac is not out of the question. Use it for two years, and then resell it on the net. And even if I don't resell it but decide to keep the thing, with third party ram, this could be around $650 a year or so ---- assuming the extra ram is around $100 (a guess).
I would hope that a new iMac every two years would be able to keep up with 2D software, and run at least half decent.
Steve (How Goes It) |
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jasonlocher
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 614
Location: Austin, Texas
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:31 am Post subject: |
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| I'm still going to go for it.. I love building computers. I've currently got a custom rig that needs gutting, as the power supply went out and took the motherboard with it (lots of smoke). Its a great thermaltake case, the corsair RAM is still good as is the video card... so it will just be a matter of a new motherboard, PSU, and CPU. I'll probably do it in February and will document the process. |
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Alfred Scott
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 633
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:06 am Post subject: |
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I just wanted to mention that you can get a decent price for decent equipment on eBay. I sold a PowerMac G5 for about $1400.00 and then bought a Mac Pro. If you think of it in terms of the annual cost of the machine, then turning the machines over like this works out to about the same cost as waiting till they really have to be replaced.
I had sold something on eBay before, and I found the process difficult and complicated. I got a copy of GarageSale and it's just wonderful. It's like eBay decided to adopt an iPhoto/iTunes interface.
Alfred |
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Marc
Joined: 03 Jan 2008
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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In my usual fashion, I threw caution to the wind and ordered the pig. Monitors arrived on Friday, and I plugged my PowerBook into the 30" display. It's been all over but the "Cryin" ever since. The rest of the machine should arrive tomorrow. I have to say that I find the big monitor a bit bright, though I am sure she'll "come into it."
Thank you for the insight. |
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