                        DesignCAD for Windows 2D
                      Review By Jacci Howard Bear

        Shortly after installing DesignCAD 2D (DCAD for short) I knew I was
in over my head. This is a powerful program for serious CAD users. My usual
"fiddling around to see what happens" approach didn't work. Fortunately I
didn't throw up my hands in despair and beg to exchange the software for
something like a new solitaire game or a screen saver. A few hours with the
tutorial manual and DCAD hooked me.
        It's a Windows program all the way--cutting down considerably on the
learning curve. A little practice with plotting points for lines, arcs,
circles, and boxes and suddenly I forgot my earlier intimidation. I even
discovered features that I wish my primary vector drawing program included.
        DCAD is not for the casual user wanting to draw the occasional
widget or sketch out a minor room remodeling. You can use it for that, but
it is really a professional quality design and drafting tool that happens to
be user-friendly enough for a novice like me. For the beginner wanting to
experiment with a Windows CAD program, DCAD is an excellent choice. Its
price is a tenth of other comparable CAD programs; the Windows interface
along with comprehensive online Help and well-written manuals cut the
learning time; and, you don't need state-of-the-art equipment--DCAD runs
fine on my 386SX with only 6 megs RAM. Screen redraws and some drawing is a
bit slow--unacceptably so for serious business use--but owners of 386DX and
higher systems will probably find little to complain about.
        Like the best Windows programs, DCAD allows you to set up your
workspace and issue commands in whatever fashion suits your work style. I
love flexibility. So many programs--for text or graphics--try to force me to
work in ways that are uncomfortable, inconvenient, or non-intuitive. DCAD
offers the ultimate in flexibility: - pull-down menus accessible from
keyboard or mouse - keyboard shortcuts for more commands than most Windows
programs - multiple, floating, configurable tool boxes of icons - a variety
of rulers, grids, and cursor options - 256 layers for drawings and pre-set
colors plus custom color palettes - uses right mouse button and if
available, uses middle mouse button - support for digitizer tablet
        While going through the tutorial I discovered that I could work most
efficiently and issue almost any command by keeping my left hand on the
keyboard and my right hand on the mouse. 
        In addition to the flexibility in performing tasks, DCAD provides
great flexibility in how you can draw elements--depending on your
preferences and the needs of your current design. For instance, you can draw
an arc eight ways: set a radius and a specified angle; between 2 points with
a specified radius; using 3 points; setting points for center, beginning,
and end; setting points for beginning, end, and radius; quarter circle;
semi-circle; elliptical arc. While drawing the arc (or any other element)
you can also plot points in a variety of ways--even mixing methods while
drawing one element. Perhaps it was this flexibility that overwhelmed me at
first look; but, it is also this flexibility and functionality that gives
the program its power.
        Have you ever "lost your place" while zoomed in close on a section
of a drawing? In DCAD you can have unlimited open windows at any size. Open
up side by side windows. Zoom in one window for close-up work. Leave the
full drawing visible in the other view window so you can always see "the
whole picture."
        Some programs have a status bar that displays the name or function
of a button when the cursor passes over it--great for identifying obscure or
seldom used buttons. DCAD goes a step further and also displays brief
instructions for using the tool. This is a great feature to aid in learning
the program.
        I'm certainly not a power-user but I experimented with other
features that CAD pros will enjoy. When setting points for drawing elements,
you can first set the points then tell the program what you want it to draw
(using those points). If the available commands aren't enough for your
needs, write your own with the BasicCAD programming language included with
DCAD. The commands I wrote weren't particularly useful but I can certainly
see the possibilities.
        Although the drawing tools allow you to draw almost any imaginable
shape, DCAD save you much time by supplying libraries full of commonly used
elements such as architecture (doors, appliances, landscape plants,
furniture, windows ...), electrical, piping, and more.
        DCAD will import DXF, IGES, HPGL, ASCII, and XY coordinate files. It
exports in DXF, IGES, and WordPerfect format. Additionally, it has full
Windows clipboard support so that you can copy, cut, and paste to and from a
variety of Windows programs. For instance, you could copy a BMP background
scene for your drawing into the DCAD file using the clipboard.
        Even as a CAD novice, I recognize and appreciate the wealth of
features in DCAD. In spite of my early trepidation, DesignCAD for Windows 2D
is a keeper.

                  American Small Business Computers, Inc.
                              One American Way
                              Pryor, OK 74361
                               (918) 825-7555
                            Fax  (918) 825-6359

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