Tag: architecture

DraftSight can’t give you courage, but here’s what it can promise…

May 15, 2012 by Darren Architecture, Construction, Spotlight on the DraftSight Community 0

As evidenced above, a splendid profile photo from his Facebook page, Hans Haveel Van Laethem is a sports pilot with an appetite for daring stunts.

He has yet to draw anything in DraftSight while dangling in the clouds, but loves to spring our free 2D CAD program into action whenever he’s grounded.

Hans works as a site manager for a residential construction company in Belgium that builds new houses and apartments and specializes in renovating old ones so they look brand new.

He’s the liaison between the architect and the construction crew, making sure that everything dreamed out on paper is feasible within the budget.

Hans' DraftSight sketch of pre-fabricated concrete beams for his construction crew.

Hans says he especially appreciates DraftSight’s portability.

“DraftSight is so easy to use and allows me to draw a fast sketch of how I see things, print them out and hand them over to my builders on the site,” he says. “It’s perfect for taking details from architectural or technical drawings and transforming them into understandable drawings.”

(How do YOU use DraftSight? Drop us a line at draftsight.news@gmail.com)
Spotlight on Luxembourg: DraftSight makes buying a home less stressful

April 25, 2012 by Darren Architecture, Design 0

As any homeowner knows, even doing a basic kitchen renovation or building a garage can be extremely stressful.

Will construction costs stay within our budget? Will the project stick to its timetable? Will the builder meet our expectations?

So, we were very pleased to get this unsolicited testimonial from Luxembourg’s Jorg Willekens, who is buying a new energy-efficient row house (what they call a “maison mitoyenne” in French) in the village of Capellen.

Jorg, who has no experience using CAD, wanted to review the architectural plans. His construction company sent him the DWG file, which he was able to open and read with no problems thanks to DraftSight.

“Am I glad your software exists! My construction company of my house sent me DWG files, as if everyone just has CAD lying around on their computer…. Thanks!”

Oh, you’re very welcome, Jorg. We believe that you shouldn’t have to buy a pricey software license just to take a look at a file.

But DraftSight is also the ideal program for anyone who wants to learn 2D CAD. Check out our full-slate of free Webinars aimed at beginners and CAD users at all levels.
Design Challenge: Can you create a comfortable house out of a garbage Dumpster?

April 23, 2012 by Darren Architecture, Design 0

So before garbage Dumpsters become grimy, smelly receptacles of stuff we never hope to see again, they start out as pristine metal containers that you could eat from.

Designer and artist Greg Lincoln Kloehn, a direct descendent of the world’s most famous rail splitter and log cabin guy (Abraham Lincoln), put a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, roof deck and even a bar into an ordinary trash bin.

Would you want to live in one? The mortgage payments must be affordable!
Is there such a thing as Overnight Success?

February 20, 2012 by Darren Tell Us Your Story! 0

This simple napkin sketch, which has been making the rounds on Facebook, is originally credited to Star Trek actor George Takei’s feed, although it is unclear if he came up with the idea or posted it from elsewhere.

It doesn’t matter: The idea still resonates.

From an outsider’s perspective, it seems like people at the top of their industries just naturally gravitated there based on talent and smarts. Of course, any engineer, architect, or CAD manager who’s ever helped usher a product from the idea stage to reality knows better.

If you’re a Star Trek fan, you know that George Takei, a.k.a. Mr. Sulu, overcame all sorts of challenges battling ethnic stereotypes off screen — and on screen, there were tons of dicey moments with aliens.

Tell us about your experience living inside those squiggly lines. What’s been your biggest CAD challenge that you’ve overcome — whether it’s been with DraftSight or not?

…And any lessons you can share with the rest of us?
Celebrating the holidays with 2D CAD

December 23, 2011 by Darren Architecture, Design, Engineering, Manufacturing 0

Yes, DraftSight is the premium 2D CAD choice for all your engineering, architectural, manufacturing and design needs, but did you also know it is the perfect software for making holiday cards?

Mark Lyons, the DraftSight training specialist behind those fun “Lyons’ Share” video tutorials, just sent us this fantastic drawing of Kris Kringle’s hat.

If you get the urge to express your Christmas, Chanukah or Kwanzaa spirit through drafting, please share your holiday drawings at draftsight.news@gmail.com
Engineering Toy Hall of Fame — Construction Edition

December 13, 2011 by Darren Architecture, Design, Engineering, Hobbies 1

Where do future engineers, designers, and architects come from?

Why from the same place, of course — childhood!

As we get closer to Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s and the winter holiday season, we figured it was time to rustle up a few memories of some classic toys of yesteryear.

As vintage advertising documents, every little boy's life was not complete without an Erector Set.

Although it’s our gut instinct to give DraftSight Premium Service Packs for the family, a warm wave of nostalgia pushes us to go for the toys.

Read More
Amazing architectural and engineering feats before the Era of 2D CAD — Biblical Edition

November 17, 2011 by Darren Architecture, Engineering 1

As any fan of history and architecture knows, ancient engineers didn’t sit around waiting for the introduction of professional-grade free 2D CAD, nor did they have any need for plumbing and electrical diagrams.

Just for fun, here’s a glimpse at two Biblical construction projects where DraftSight could have speeded up the process!

According to the Bible, King Solomon’s Temple, also known as the First Temple, towered over ancient Jerusalem for more than 400 years (832 to 422 BCE) where the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock now stand.

It’s probably the world’s most contested slab of real estate, and we cautiously stay away from all forms of politics on the DraftSight blog. But needless to say, Solomon’s Temple still captures our imaginations. The inner house of the Temple was 20 cubits high, 20 cubits long and 20 cubits wide.

A cubit is the length of a forearm, which varies from individual. (It should be noted that DraftSight is much more meticulous with its units of measurement, sticking with inches and centimeters, though it does extend to miles and kilometers as well). Using the conservative 18 inch estimate for a cubit, that means the Temple was 30 feet tall.

The interior contained hardwood cedar floors (from the famous Cedars of Lebanon) and the walls were overlaid with gold.

Turns out that Sir Isaac Newton, the English scientist and mathematician credited with “discovering” gravity, was obsessed with the dimensions of the Biblical Temple, believing the geometry was sacred and inspired by God. A recent exhibit at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem showcased Newton’s personal manuscripts related to Biblical subjects.

Read More
Welcome Fellow DraftSighters! — How do you use 2D CAD?

November 4, 2011 by Darren Tell Us Your Story! 2
We’re already energized by the 1.5 million (and counting) downloads and the dynamic participation on our DraftSight Facebook page, LinkedIn Group, YouTube Channel and our DraftSight SwYm Community Support forums.

But now there’s another way to be part of the action!

Today is the launch of “Winning With DraftSight,” the official blog of your favorite 2D CAD program. Think of it as your virtual watercooler, where the discussion will not only cover drafting, engineering, manufacturing and architecture — but also cast the spotlight on what’s most important to our users in their professional and personal lives.

We want to hear your stories. Tell us how you use DraftSight, why you’ve stuck with us and how it makes a difference for your business, studies or even your hobbies. Click on the “In Case You Missed It” category for a sampling of what’s to come…

DraftSight is used to make everything from science fiction hovercrafts to cute little octopus statues — and everything in between. Share your passion and company or personal success story at draftsight.news@gmail.com

We’d love to hear from you from the following perspectives:
- Professional 2D CAD Users: Some of the more common industries where DraftSight is valued include: Aerospace, Architecture, Automotive, Construction, Consumer Goods, Consumer Packaged Goods, Electronics, Energy, Fashion, Financial Services, Industrial Equipment, Life Sciences, Medical Equipment, Semiconductors, Shipbuilding and Transportation.
- Educational Users: Students and teachers from high school through university, as well as vocational training.
- Hobbyists: No limits here. Radio-controlled aircraft and vehicles, home construction projects, model railroading, model rocketry, robotics, you name it.
Read More
Let There Be Light: Dassault Systèmes’ new Boston campus promises to brighten workplace culture

by Darren Architecture 0

It was hailed in the Greater Boston media as the biggest real estate deal of 2010, but the biggest deal of all may be how the new Dassault Systèmes’ campus impacts the lives of its employees.

The 27-acre facility, which includes a gourmet cafeteria, fitness center, and a beautiful outdoor courtyard, will be most striking for its dedication to capturing natural light. Large panel windows dominate the architecture, drawing the sun’s rays deep into interior office space. Walled offices are built away from the windows, so there is egalitarian access to scenery — regardless of your job title.

“You might be 35 feet away from the windows and you can still see over the workspace into the greenery. No matter where you are sitting, you’ll have a view of the outside,” says Sara Ross, of Elkus Manfredi Architects. “There really isn’t a bad place to sit in the building.”

Built into a hill overlooking the Cambridge Reservoir in Waltham, the curved glass office complex takes on the look of a sleek, modern airport terminal from the outside. But to avoid the “lost” feeling of walking down long hallways, the building is sliced with vertical corridors linking opposite ends of the windowed perimeter. These “coffee connection” corridors, which indeed will offer hot beverages, are intended to encourage conversation and “spontaneous collaboration” with co-workers. Read More

Tag: architecture

DraftSight can’t give you courage, but here’s what it can promise…

Spotlight on Luxembourg: DraftSight makes buying a home less stressful

Design Challenge: Can you create a comfortable house out of a garbage Dumpster?

Is there such a thing as Overnight Success?

Celebrating the holidays with 2D CAD

Engineering Toy Hall of Fame — Construction Edition

Amazing architectural and engineering feats before the Era of 2D CAD — Biblical Edition

Welcome Fellow DraftSighters! — How do you use 2D CAD?

Let There Be Light: Dassault Systèmes’ new Boston campus promises to brighten workplace culture

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