ArchiCAD by San Francisco-based Graphisoft uses symbols for walls, slabs, doors, lighting and more to draw the house. Double-clicking on a tool gives users a list of options for the size and style of the product or the section. For more detailed products, some manufacturers offer specifications that can be imported into the programs, but the data is not always compatible. Thus, many builders and remodelers manually enter product specifications. Most builders develop libraries of elements they commonly use, says DataCAD s Madura.
Some manufacturers provide libraries of details that can be imported into design programs.
Eagle Point says any window or door manufacturers specifications can be placed within its SolidBuilder program, but that most users input the information themselves. SoftPlan preloads the specs of eight window, door and garage door manufacturers into its program. The area we haven t addressed is appliances, says Sperry, adding the company is considering the option. LLC All Rights Reserved.