Hi all,
I am new on this board and have been reading a lot of postings in here. Some of them interesting and some of them I found just amusing. So it took me some time to decide whether or not I should sign up. Well, I did.
As to timber frame software: I think that for any serious timber framer who likes to cut and raise frames rather than sit in the office figuring out how to layout, join and dimension the individual frame members, at least I do not enjoy too much time in the office, why has no one looked into German designed programs? When it comes to tools all that is available comes from good old Germany, since Timber frames have been and still are a big tradition there. So of course they have tools to fabricate them. Unfortunately only some are available here in the US but they are certainly unchallenged and in my opinion the best available.
Regarding Software: Certainly Dietrich's is offering programs to do exactly what you folks are trying to break your heads over and there are other's. There is Weto and Sema for example. All three of them do the same thing for you at similar price tags. Even though neither Weto nor Sema has representatives in the States they are offering online support, where if you get stuck and cannot figure out what to do next, they can log into your program look at what you are trying to do and help you fix it. But that aside those programs are so user friendly that you do not even need to read a manual. Here is why. While you put in your dimensions the program asks you for the next data it will need in a small dialog box at the bottom of the screen while at the same time on the right hand side of the screen you can see your frame evolve and how it changes with each dimension you put in. Also you can look at it in a 3D Mode, spin, turn and zoom. Make changes within any mode and it will transfer automatically all changes. When you are done designing your frame you can print out a material list, price list and detailed shop drawings with the push of a button. It will give you dimensions for the frame members and also the cut angles you need for the saws etc.. There is no need to add dimensions individually unless you think you need it. And not only that you can design your entire house (not just the frame) in and out (siding, windows....cabinets...) and then walk through it. This would be helpful for your clients of course. And if you want you can skip the engineer and have the program do the beam dimensioning to make sure it will be able to carry the loads.
Of course the programs, as have mentioned, come with the price tag you are used to for well made equipment. But you can get bargains usually at the end of the year. I just bought software that would add up to somewhere near the 12000 Euro figure for unbelievable 980 Euro. With the customer care package I automatically get the latest version of the program and free updates for three years. I can cancel the contract at any time and keep the program.
And for those who do not want to spend 10+Grand or more, one can also rent their software for however many month you need it.
So again, unless you like to spent hours drawing a frame line by line and then dimension it..........forget about plain Cad programs. If you are building several frames a year you will get your moneys worth.
Oh, and of course these programs do provide codes for any CNC machine out there, be it Hundegger or Schmidler or any other one. Just contact them and they will be happy to assist you in finding the right program configuration. And even though there web pages are in German, if you contact them via e-mail they will get back to you with a rep that is capable of the English language. You will even get an online demonstration of how the program works before you commit to anything.
I hope this does not sound too snobby/ arrogant but I thought I put it out there. Just something to consider, since these issues seem to come back over and over again.
And no, I am not a sales rep for any of those companies but might as well be.
I wish all of you a HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR
Edited- for spelling
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