The CAD Rating Guide (5th Edition): A Tool for the Evaluation of Computer-Aided Design Systems, Including FEM, GIS, and Animation Systems : A Comprehensive comparison of Over 120 CAD Systems [Paperback]

W. Bradley Holtz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 1997

What is it? A reference work for CAD systems and for the comparison of CAD systems, "The CAD Rating Guide" is unique in several ways. First, it is not a book of comparative or numerical ratings, it is a tool for you to use as a basis for forming your own evaluations. It looks at CAD systems as complex, multi-faceted creatures, each composed of the product, what it does, who else uses it, the company that makes it and their policies and stability, who the product is targeted at, and so on. The book is focused on the ways in which the CAD systems are structured. It provides insight as to the bottom-line impact of each element of the analysis and, it provides a common ground for the evaluation of a rapidly changing technology and marketplace in order to enable the comparison and discussion of systems.

Intended as a tool for use when evaluating different CAD systems, the purpose of The CAD Rating Guide is to navigate the reader past the maze of statistics, benchmarks, buzzwords, and canned demonstrations to get to the heart of the matter - What difference does it make if I decide to use system A rather than system B and will it make sense if I am already using system C?

Since it is the normal mode to upgrade within existing systems rather than to constantly change CAD systems, it doesn't make sense to base critical long-term decisions on factors in which the relative stature of competing systems changes so frequently. Rather, it is imperative to base those decisions on the aspects of those systems which can only change slowly over time, and to consider the impact of those fundamental, structural factors on your business. The concepts necessary to answer this question are presented in the first part of the book, the remainder of the book consists of product data and user responses, comparison tables, and categorical listings.

The CAD Rating Guide contains 650 pages of background information, vendor and product data, and user comments on 120+ programs for mechanical design and drafting, mapping, three-dimensional modeling, structural analysis, NC tooling, and animation. Includes comments from individual users of the CAD systems and statements from the CAD vendors. More than 680 words in an illustrated glossary. 144 pages of tables, plus 33 pages of categorical listings. Extensive 2,900+ entry index. Includes 3-1/2" DOS diskette with the Microsoft Excel 97 files used to create the chapters in the tables section.

What areas does it cover?

All traditional Mechanical and AEC CAD areas plus any and all other applications, with the specific inclusion of GIS (Geographic Information Systems), FEM (Finite Element Modeling), and Animation systems where those systems can generate their own models. Systems designed solely for the purposes of printed circuit board and integrated circuit electrical design are not included.

Who is it for?

Potential readers include those looking for their first CAD System, existing users of CAD systems preparing to switch systems, and the vast majority of current CAD users who work with, or are planning to work with, multiple systems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a cross between the Sears Catalog and the Consumer Reports Buyer's Guide." -- Editor's Choice, ComputerUser, March 1993

"...a heck of a buy." -- Computer Aided Design Report, February 1993

"...a virtual encyclopedia of CAD systems--ideal for someone in the process of investigating CAD. . . immensely readable . . . the most comprehensive [glossary] collection I have seen." -- Rajit's CAD Corner, Capital PC Monitor, May 1993

"...one of the most thorough works of its kind... truly a class act. It is in a class of market research and rating guides offered by leading research or consulting firms often costing from $500 to over $2,000. Considering that the material the book contains would take months to obtain and even longer to compile on one's own time the modest price of $150 is a steal." -- Managing Automation, July 1994

"Anyone who expects to invest in a CAD system should invest in a copy of this book." -- CADalyst, May 1994

"In our more than 15 years of newslettering and technology book reviewing, never have we seen so much value for the dollar. . . you need this book as a baseline source, as a means for measuring where your automation tools fit in the general order. And yes, two years later, you should plan on buying the [next] edition for the same reasons." -- Ed Forrest, A-E-C Automation Newsletter, June 1993

"My shelves are filled with what I believe are good references. Over the past few of years I have picked up The CAD Rating Guide more often than any other. The book is worth its weight in gold and I recommend it highly." -- Terry Wohlers, Wohlers Associates

"One thing that might not be apparent to those who already have a shortlist of systems to evaluate--the user comments and detailed charts are worth the price of the book even just to compare the top two or three systems." -- Peter Marks, Design Insight

"The CAD Rating Guide is a steal. This is a must for any serious CAD user." -- The Sun Observer, January 1992

About the Author

W. Bradley Holtz President and Princial Consultant, WBH Associates Editor and Publiser, The CAD Rating Guide Conference Director, A/E/C SYSTEMS

Mr. Holtz is the founder and principal consultant of WBH Associates, a Bethesda, Maryland-based firm consulting in the field of Computer-Aided Design and author of The CAD Rating Guide. He is also a Registered Architect, a freelance writer, and Conference Director of A/E/C SYSTEMS and M/TECH Expo. An expert in the analysis of CAD systems and the CAD market, Mr. Holtz first started using computers in the mid 1960s and has been using and investigating CAD since the late 1970s. He practiced architecture for a large firm from 1977 through 1984 and founded WBH Associates in 1984. Mr. Holtz is past-president of The CAD Society (formerly of the NCGA), a member of the Computer Graphics Pioneers, a member of the advisory board of The CAD Management Institute, a former member of the board of directors of the Washington Computer Consultants Association. Mr. Holtz is listed in Marquis' Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, Who's Who in the Computer Industry, Who's Who Registry of Global Business Leaders, The Sterling Edition of the Who's Who Registry, Who's Who Among Rising Young Americans, Who's Who in the East, Men of Achievement, Two Thousand Notable American Men, Strathmore's Who's Who Registry, and Marquis' Who's Who in the World. Mr. Holtz was a jury member for the 1997 and 1998 Designer's CAD Shoot-out and the Archiemedes MCAD Competition. Mr. Holtz has been a consultant to and lecturer around the world for major national and international corporations and CAD manufacturers. His reviews and articles have appeared in major journals and newsletters including, Architectural & Engineering Systems, Byte Magazine, DESIGN SYSTEMS STRATEGIES, Deusche Bauzeitung, Micro CAD News, and PC Magazine. Over the past 15 years Mr. Holtz has lectured widely, on the topics of productivity, evaluating CAD software systems, CAD technology trends, Enterprise Workflow, technology, and on the impact certain federal procurements will have on the marketplace.

Mr. Holtz can be reached at [e-mail].

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Pennwell Corp; 5 Sub edition (June 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878146954
• ISBN-13: 978-0878146956
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,812,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The quintessential reference for CAD managers, August 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The CAD Rating Guide (5th Edition): A Tool for the Evaluation of Computer-Aided Design Systems, Including FEM, GIS, and Animation Systems : A Comprehensive comparison of Over 120 CAD Systems (Paperback)

A medium sized company might spend a million dollars a year just in salaries for the people who run their CAD systems. The CAD Rating Guide, a compendium of information on all the major CAD systems, can help managers understand what's out there. A single bit of information found in this book might save a company thousands of dollars.

Now in it's fifth edition, the CAD Rating Guide is a must have for CAD managers, and those entrusted with their company's CAD plans.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is the best book on CAD and comparison over CAD systems, May 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The CAD Rating Guide (5th Edition): A Tool for the Evaluation of Computer-Aided Design Systems, Including FEM, GIS, and Animation Systems : A Comprehensive comparison of Over 120 CAD Systems (Paperback)

I am an associate professor in Istanbul Tech. Uni. Dept of Architecture. Nowadays, I am working for a researh in CMU-PA. I am working and teaching on CAD topics in architecture design. One of my lecture was 'introduction to computer and information systems', and I'll begin a new course fall semester that name is 'computer modelling in architectural design'in my own faculty.I saw it in a bookseller. So, i think this book will be essential reference for me and my graduate students, if i get one. I suggest all my collegues. However, it is not cheap for a Eastern European instructure like me. I wish i could buy it before moving US.