ADD ON SOFTWARE

[jeff.garr]

Anyone out there using either Bluebeam Pushbutton Plus or Mech-Q Full Suite softwares? I am looking to see how well each functions prior to requesting for purchase. Any input would be greatly appreciated. (We are currently using AutoCAD 2005 and Windows 2000) Thank you.

[mjfarrell]

Randy,

I tried the Push Button product earlier this year
and found it's integration with AutoCAD to be less
than seamless. Further the response or lack thereof
from their technical support was enough to put me
off of it.

[Ed Jobe]

I found just the opposite with Bluebeam. The main reason I bought it was that it was one of the few that accurately translated hyperlinks. It also is significantly faster than Adobe and the files are smaller. I had some tech support questions. They weren't able to help me immediately, but they took my suggestion and Plus now does bookmarks.

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

I personally found / find "Bluebeam Pushbutton Plus" to be an excellent product, integrated very nicely into AutoCAD, plus Technical Support was first class -

A couple of the people I dealt with (can't speak highly enough of them) -

Cathy Kim (Product Marketing Director)
Greg Fariss (Technical Support)

Sorry haven't looked at or used the other product you mention.

Another product that gets a lot of good press and might be worth a look -

AcroPlot from CADzation (http://www.cadzation.com/home.htm)

Have a good one, Mike

[jeff.garr]

Thanks for the fast response guys. Who is "Randy"?
Seriously, I have tried using the Mech-Q software (which is a huge database for HVAC, plumbing, P&ID, etc- 2D and 3D) from a demo for about thirty days and it seemed to work pretty good. However the cost is too great (according to my director) to get this for the whole department (about $3300 for 7 individuals). I have never been a facilities guy and have recently been tagged for looking after and updating our facility drawings- along with the rest of my duties. Quite a task at hand, we have even hired two guys that have done this sort of thing, however they are not interested in leading as far as the direction we should be going, they apparently just like to do what they are told and creating 'As-Builts' for what we have and could care less about formating and laying out what is drawn. But, I on the other hand am interested in doing this right. Any recommendations of software for this sort of thing (that would include blocks and relatively easy to use)? Are there any actual Autodesk products that I could use?

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

Maybe Autodesk's Building Systems -

Autodesk Building Systems Product Information (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=3290681)

There is an ATP Class scheduled for November that could well be worth a look -

ATP059 What is the Autodesk Building Systems product? (http://www.augi.com/education/detail.asp?Source=Schedule&CourseId=59)

Have a good one, Mike

[MHultgren]

I agree with Mike P. on Acroplot for PDF creation. It also does other formats and has Batch capabilities. As far as Block Managers, I have seen a few. If you check out tenlinks.com there is a search engine that will help you find what you need. I looked at Pushbutton and Acroplot a couple years ago and then Acroplot won hands down. Support was a phone call away, and they were eager to help.