FlashCAD 2007.1001.7220

FlashCAD is a software that allows you to create and modify 2D and 3D drawings in a simple and intuitive way. It features 2D and 3D geometric entities, Bitmap images, contemporary management, 3D rendering, ray tracing engine and textures archive, 3D video animation in AVI format, inverse perspective mapping and bilinear deformation, professional cartographic raster to vector conversion, import/export 3DS, AutoCAD DXF and DWG files image acquire and processing.

All the CAD softwares use a complicated and boring way of making drawings. Based on the idea that this softwares should be as complex as possible, the users must attend courses that teach them to use the software.

FlashCAD is an example that the things can be simplified! You can be sure you'll learn how to use and realize any type of drawing with this software in a very short time. I was surprised how fast I could interact with this software although I didn't attend any CAD course. To work with FlashCAD you don't need any specific informatics knowledge, but only the basic technical drawing rules. That's because all of the commands are accessible on menus that are showed on the screen.

Another important tool for the user is the on-line manual that helps the user by giving explanations about the software's procedures.
If you just want to imagine how it should look your new home, Bravo 3D ( an integrated tool) will help do this. It works with pre-composed elements in 3D virtual spaces. That's why Bravo3D uses modern computing techniques that need modern processors. It is therefore advisable a PC with a graphic card of new generation and operative systems such as WindowsXP or Windows Server 2003. Operative systems such as Windows2000 are also compatible if provided DirectX8 or its updates are installed (contained in the installation CD). It's not possible the installation on Windows98 or Windows Millenium. In case the PC doesn't have a graphic card with a 3D processor, the 3Danimation with filled surfaces will be automatically disabled.

Pluses: very easy to use; the data bank of this application can allow you to do almost everything like you can do with a CAD application

Drawbacks / flaws: not so complex as CAD applications

In conclusion: The software is dedicated to a more wide variety of users than normal CAD softwares such as engineers, architectures, plant engineers, territorial managers, cartographers.

version reviewed: 1.329