DesignCAD 3D MAX 14

by IMSI Design

Product Features

• Customize your workspace, views and templates -- use BasicCAD to create macros that automate repetitive tasks
• 3D Texture Mapping, Solid Modeling and Drafting tools for perfect three-dimensional design
• Multiple 2D drafting and design with transparency and fogging tools
• Fully compatible with other CAD programs such as AutoCAD, TurboCAD and CADKey
• Integrated 2D drafting and 3D modeling tools for high-quality, precise drawings

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000TQ15E
• Item model number: 3022
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 17, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,346 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

DesignCAD 3D MAX version 14 is the best tool for your design needs. With numerous high-end features, DesignCAD 3D MAX compares favorably with CAD systems costing thousands of dollars more.

Features:

From Concept to Completion

DesignCAD 3D Max version 14 combines powerful 3D modeling with easy-to-use 2D drafting. Your creativity and knowledge are the only limits! From the NASA space station to a simple doghouse, DesignCAD 3D Max is the versatile CAD system anyone can use.

• 3D solid modeling
• 2D drafting and design
• 3D texture mapping
• 3D animation
• 3D rendering
• Transparency and fogging
• True 3D dimensioning
• DWG file compatible

DWG Compatibility

Use DesignCAD 3D MAX version 14 to work on files from other CAD programs such as AutoCAD, TurboCAD, and CADKey.

Customization

Create your own workspace, paperspace, templates, and views. Use BasicCAD to create macros. DesignCAD works with Visual Basic and Visual C++ programming interface. For faster access to your favorite tools, create custom toolboxes, menus, or keystrokes. Save and load these to personalize your program screen.

Solid Modeling

Use Boolean operations such as solid add, solid subtract, and slice to shape your 3D solids. Access powerful new grid options when surfacing models.

Learning Materials

Quickly learn the basics of DesignCAD 3D MAX version 14 in the included Fundamentals Training CD!

Integrated 2D Drafting and 3D Modeling

Fast and easy-to-use 2D drafting and 3D modeling makes precise professional quality drawings.

Animation and Presentation

Move and view your parts from all angles through an unlimited number of key frames. Render models with applied materials or texture maps. Use transparency and fogging for added impact in your rendering or add an inner glow with emission.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Horsepower at a give-away price . . ., April 27, 2004

By 

Steve Barnes (Cascade Locks, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DesignCAD 3D MAX 14 (CD-ROM)

I am longtime user of DesignCAD. Started with DesignCAD 95. I've also compared numerous CAD programs against it in my quest for POWER and USEABILITY.

While other programs offer more for a price . . . this software has been my consistent favorite. EASY to learn, and capable beyond what most users will need for 2D drafting and 3D modeling.

Customizable menus and toolboxes, as well as macro and Basiccad scripting give uses of all levels control over the design process. Keyboard shortcuts quickly become second-nature and speed up the process considerably.

From custom equipment trailers, conveyors and farm equipment, to home remodeling and aircraft parts, this program has been a pleasure. Even complex curved surfaces and transparent solids are within reach of the average user.

The new owner: IMSI, is less responsive than the former: Upperspace Inc, but the user forum at is a treasure trove of answers and help from advanced DesignCAD users. It's one of the best CAD forums on the web.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I've Used this Program for Years and It's Great, April 26, 2004

By 

Ray O Ex (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DesignCAD 3D MAX 14 (CD-ROM)

I'm writting this review to correct some reviews on this site which are very unfair, written by users who seem to have only tried out DesignCAD for a couple of days.

I've used DesignCAD for years, for everything from designing furniture to creating 3D models for a mathematics class and it has been able to do anything I ask of it. Easy to use. Versatile to customize. Adaptable with 2 scripting tools, one simple enough for a non-programmer, the other the full-blown Visual Basic for Apps. If you want an honest appraisal, go to http://forums.upperspace.com to get the opinion of devoted users who have been loyal to this wonderful program for many years.

Don't let the low price fool you.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT BUY!!!, April 15, 2004

By 

Wayne Cothran (White, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DesignCAD 3D MAX 14 (CD-ROM)

I gave this a one star rating because I had to pick something. This CAD package deserves no credit. I purchased a copy of this software a few weeks ago. Once you receive the CD you must then contact the company for an activation code to have full use of the software!!! Activation was easy online. But, that's where all the support comes to a screeching halt. If you purchase the package get some insecticide ready as it is FULL of bugs!!! After several phone calls and several e-mails spanning the course of TWO WEEKS I finally got someone to relocate the patch on their server so that I could download it. (With all the manufacturing and other businesses moving across the border you would think they would do a better job to keep themselves employed.) Back to the bugs, and to name a few, the screen requires a constant manual refresh each time you move your view. The vertical scroll bar on the viewing area will slide all the way down covering a toolbox on the right side of the screen. Once it's down there you can't move it back up, you instead start selecting the tools that were hidden by the scroll bar! Select a pattern in the Hatch menu, then when you get ready to do a Hatch Fill, you've got to select it again even though it's believed to be the default Hatch pattern for the drawing! Believe me there's plenty more. No one answers the phone in tech support. IMSI tech support avoids answering the phone (they also distribute TurboCAD). The customer service department will gladly take down a message, but that's all that appears to happen. A word of advice, save your money for a better written, better supported package. What a waste!!!