Upperspace - Makers of DesignCAD - Award winning CAD software

This is very much an unsolicited comment on DesignCAD Express V.12. I was looking for a first rate 2D CAD package for use both at home and for various electrical and mechanical historic projects. I spent a total of some 8 full days looking at DesignCAD, the 2D elements of TurboCAD, QuickCAD and some others ...

Although all these applications have their good points, there was no doubt in my mind, after an extensive evaluation of each, inclusive of the manuals, that my strong preference, and that of others who were working with me, is for DesignCAD Express. The comparison list, on DesignCAD's packaging, of features offered by it and those offered by the other products, cannot possibly do it justice. The very strong point of DesignCAD is its ease of use, even for the newcomer to CAD, coupled with a very strong feature set. It is possible to accomplish many tasks in an easy, and usually intuitive, manner which are unnecessarily complicated or confusing in some other applications. I hesitate to make these comments too long but, for example, the way in which it is possible to stretch and move a drawing around several tiles in real time is particularly impressive.

On the documentation front, a most important point is the one inch thick manual provided with DesignCAD. The tutorial sections are first rate whilst the command reference is beyond praise; it caters both for the beginner but provides a quick reference to the less used commands for the experienced. It completely avoids the annoyances of many other manuals which, for one very small example, invite one to click on a particular button without saying what it looks like or where to find it.

Yes, I did discover some bugs in DesignCAD, perhaps inevitable manual errors in a large publication and facilities which I would like to see added. However it should be stressed that these shortcomings were commendably less than I found in some other products and did not materially detract from its utility.

A very important final point, in my view, is that Upperspace thanked me for my comprehensive comments on both the application and manual which is a lot more than can be said for some other software vendors. I got the warm impression that they were genuinely pleased with my feedback..

Roger Castle-Smith

UK Chartered Electrical Engineer

Subject: DesignCAD 3D Extrusions

Dear Jerry H,
Wow! What Extrudability! This is terrific! And so
simple!

I don't know which is the greater, my satisfaction
or my wonder when I see
it happen.

With very sincere thanks!

Michael Oppenheim

Subject: thank-you

To whom it may concern and pass it on to those responsible for this program.

It's not very often that I take the time to express my feelings about some of the products that I use at home or in my business, but I have to let you know how satisfied I am with the cad program express V.12. It is the finest program for the value that I've come across in a long time. Thank you so much for creating this program. And if you have any others that are equally as good for what they do, I would appreciate knowing about them. Keep up the good work. Put me on your mailing list if you would. Thanks so much.

Sam Colter

Subject: Contest

Gentlemen, the attachment, a drawing for a multipurpose texturing machine, was made as a moonlighting project (home based business).

I have been a DesignCAD user since the days of Bob Webster and American Small Business. I don't remember the version I originally had but I have drawings dating back to at least June 10, 1987. I updated a couple of times to 2D versions 4.2 and 6.0 and I have 3D versions 2.1, 3.1, and 4.0 are lying around here. I must confess that I only use the 2D version for my work but I will probably learn the 3D when I retire next year. I will probably also upgrade to a Windows version as well! (especially since my new machine is a PentiumIV 1.8 with 512 Meg on the board and has a 64 Meg graphics card and a 19" dead flat monitor.

I have had many years of great enjoyment playing with DesignCAD (I say playing, because it sure isn't work). I have tried both AutoCAD and Cadkey programmes but like the ease in using DesignCAD.

Best regards, Steve Woloshyn

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An anonymous post made to the DesignCAD Discussion Forum ...

Upperspace is the ONLY software company I've ever found where I was able to point out a problem, have it acknowledged by someone who understands the program, and within weeks be able to download a fix for it. They seem to make a real effort to fix things that we users ask for.

I have tried to have software problems corrected with Symantec (Winfax), Corel (Wordperfect and Quattro), Microsoft (Word, Excel, etc) HP (printer software) etc and the time it takes to get through to someone who can even understand what you're talking about makes it too difficult to bother. These Companies seem to operate under the principle that if they make you re-install it often enough, eventually you will go away.

So, in my opinion, the service and support at Upperspace is the best I've ever seen, bar none. The program is a reasonable cost, upgrades are frequent and inexpensive, support is available for older versions. Also, I've always wondered how they cram so many features into so small of an executable file.

From Brian Danielson via email technical support

At the risk of putting another email in your inbox... I want to thank you for your kind and prompt response. Some (many) months back I also received from you a most kind, thoughtful and prompt email that solved an issue I had. No wonder you are known to have the best support in the industry!

My most sincere thanks to YOU!

Subject: DesignCAD Drawing Competition

Good Morning

Attached is an entry to your DesignCAD competition.

The files......... Daihatsu Site 1a & 2a represent the project site.

We use DesignCAD to design and construct Tension Membrane Shade Sails.

Tension Membrane Shade Sails are a custom made building product, and it is very difficult to explain to a client the exact outcome of the proposed design. This is where DesignCAD is fantastic. The client can view the 3D conceptual drawings ( usually 8 to 10 drawings from many different view points are submitted) and fully understand the design and if need be, alterations can be made to the design before the structure is completed.

We use the image capture facility built in to DesignCAD to create the .jpeg files to email to the client.

We also use the animation facility to present a fly around of the proposed site. The attached avi file has been shortened to be able to be emailed to you. (normal file size can be between 15 MB and 45 MB)

When the client has given the approval to start construction DesignCAD is used to complete the engineering drawings for submission to the relevant Government Department for build construction approval. The structural steel working drawings for the steel fabrication are then completed in DesignCAD.

The attached photos.........Daihatsu 1a, 2a, 3a, & 4a are the completed project.

DesignCAD is a complete package allowing all steps of the project to be designed and produced without the need to use multiple software packages.

Regards

Trevor Scott

Australia

From Joe Hall, Murphy, N.C.

My name is Joe Hall, I work at Northrop Grumman, in Murphy, N.C. I am a toolroom supervisor, one of my duties is designing stamping dies to make laminations for our motors. I use DesignCad 3000 at work and Dcadlt 97 at home. I love it, It makes work so much easier! I am sending a sample of a die drawing, 2D for strip layout and a 3D view of the punch layout. Thanks!

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Subject: Re: Need Assistance With IGES translation

The tone of your responses was very helpful in quickly resolving these problems. Technical support in the modern marketplace is what makes or breaks a company. Your professionalism is part of what will make Upperspace profitable even in this economy and what will make for rapid growth in a healthier economy. The Upperspace Support Team needs formal recognition that they are clearly above the standard. This is a formal request for you to please show this email to your supervisor's supervisor to allow you to indicate to Corporate Upperspace the value of the Support Team.

Thank you for your time.

Best Regards,
Kit Dean

I have been using DesignCAD for about 12 yrs now (from back in the good old DOS days) ...

I've updated from time to time and never found a version with bugs. As a collision reconstructionist I've attended lots of crash scenes. I create drawings from simple baseline co-ordinates (x,y) all the way up to survey data importing the points from a data collector and total station. It always works great and I'm always pleased with the finished product.

One DesignCAD feature that I've really liked for years is the ability to create printer files. That means I can e-mail the drawing to City Hall and with a simple DOS command my drawing is plotted. There's no need for them to have the DesignCAD program.

I've imported lots of .dxf files from AutoCAD and I have found the conversion in DesignCAD looks and prints better than the same drawing printed in AutoCAD. Great features at a great price.

Sgt. Steve Frayne

Kamloops, BC

Canada

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No questions just praise.

No questions just praise. I have been using DesignCad for a very long time now. Being a trained mechanical engineer and having experience with large CAD applications I must admit you have done a great job. I use your application to design furniture for my home (not work related) and have found it invaluable. I see you have once again changed names, are you in anyway related to the American Small Business Computers, Inc? I believe that is who I purchased my original copy of what was then call Prodesign II.

I just wanted to say thanks for such a great product.

Rudy