Peter Fishenden discovers how easy Caddie 20’s ‘AEC Build’ tools are to use...

'What can I say, WOW!

I was amazed by just how easy Caddie 20’s ‘AEC Build’ tools are to use, and genuinely gobsmacked at the results I was able to produce in such a short space of time.  In just over 20 minutes I managed to produce a complete model of my building, even including the roof, which I could view in the form of plans, elevations, or full-on 3D model – and this I’m especially pleased about since it now allows me to show exactly what is going to be built in a form that everyone can understand, not just for those who can read plans and elevations.'

Caddie user Mark Brown of  WW Brown & Sons commented on the value of the support he gets through the Caddie Maintenance programme;

'We would have no hesitation in recommending Caddie.  We have found Caddie support to be extremely responsive, assisting with any of our queries promptly over the phone and providing invaluable follow-up information'.

Joe Snape discusses how Caddie gives him complete freedom to design, and how the one on one support provided by the Caddie team has enabled him to develop his CAD skills from simple 2D plans to fully rendered 3D architectural building models.

'I find Caddie such a fantastic program to work with as it enables me to create everything I need, no matter what type of drawing or modelling I need to do, with the only limit to what I can design and produce is my own creativity.  The Caddie support team are superb too, with Andrew and Sam from ACS Ltd. going well above and beyond to help me whenever I’ve needed assistance.
Before I switched to Caddie, I would struggle to produce even basic CAD plans, but now, thanks to the help and advice I’ve had from the support guys over the last 3 years I’m creating full 3D building models complete with life-like material textures too.  The building models I create enable me to produce all of my 2D plans, sections and elevation drawings, plus the 3D views rendered views that enable my clients to get a great understanding of how the finished building will fit into its surroundings.  I don’t believe that I could have made such huge strides with any other system and cannot praise Caddie and Caddie support enough for helping me to achieve this, they have been excellent, A* Service.’

Joe Snape

I first came across Caddie several years ago (I think it was version 8!) and with every new release it just gets better and better. I believe that it is unique in giving every user direct input into the way the software is developed and the fact that the relationship is personal and not via some anonymous help-desk is very important to us. It’s always possible to get a query answered quickly and efficiently which is essential for the smooth running of our practice.

Sebastian Walsh - Hibbs and Walsh Associates Ltd

'I have found Caddie to be user-friendly and simply wonderful to do architectural drawings with'
'I had no full time training from Caddie. This was my own decision, but Caddie''s consultants were very helpful and understanding by helping me whenever I require help.'
Henry Losper

"The new PDF underlay feature is going to save so much time. The ability to snap to precise points on a PDF drawing is really quite amazing; no more guessing and freehand approximation."

Dan Kantorowich

mcdonaldarchitects

Caddie user John Fenton on finding immediate benefit from updating to Caddie 25.

'I had thought that I would need to spend money upgrading my Graphics Card ,but switching to Caddie 25 solved my 'Long Pointer' screen drag problems at a stroke. Brilliant!.'

‘The Caddie YouTube videos are the best thing you've done, and absolutely essential when one lives and works in north of Scotland as I do; whilst I don’t take in this kind of information too well over the phone I can watch the videos in any spare moment I get, even late at night, and this makes them ideal for keeping me up to date.’

Hugh Mackay, Drafting Services

Enhance your workflow…

Comments posted after watching the latest Caddie Killer Tips videos;

Make sure you’re not missing, watch the videos HERE

Andrew Dukesell

Good tips as ever, really like the polygon selection, I wasn't aware of that.

Very useful.

Philip James

Some really useful tips.

Amazing that I couldn't draw a line a few weeks ago.  Picking it up very quickly.  Many thanks to Tony for his unbelievable patience!! Wish I did this years ago.

Allister Godfrey

Andrew thanks again for a very instructive video, I had forgotten about the poly select ... that's gonna be another of those tools I can't live without!

Allister Godfrey

OMG... I use copy and increment on text A LOT, but I have never paid any attention to copy multiple in the list ... genius!

Andrew, thank-you once again for a VERY informative video!

Paul Adams switches to Caddie and prefers it to AutoCAD for drawing his architectural plans, sections and elevations

‘I had been an AutoCAD user since 1996, but  found switching to Caddie really straightforward, and I now use it for all my drawing work.  My work consists mainly of drawing up existing surveys along with plans, sections and elevations and overall I find Caddie better for drawing.'

Caddie  - the 'Complete Package'

'We are very impressed and excited about Caddie. It is inspiring to see everything that Caddie can do and it is a major advantage that you have someone you can talk to about needs and implementations to increase productivity.

Finally there is a "complete package" and we can proudly say that we are part of the Caddie family.'

Architects Ink.

Really useful tips in bite-sized chunks

'The Tea Break Tutorials are brilliant because they provide really useful tips in small bite-sized chunks that you can start using immediately, making them easy to remember!'

Stephanie Willcox - Architect

Having been a KUHLMANN drawing board user in the 80’s I felt safe in the sense that I wouldn't have to adjust to the new technology “Computers”. Then I was introduced to the DOS version of CADDIE. We upgraded to CADDIE 5 Professional and used the programme until the hard drive of the computer gave up and I was forced to upgrade. We installed CADDIE 9, 12 &15. I was familiar with the CADDIE 9 and did not want to adjust to use the “NEW CADDIE”.

How wrong can one be?  Ever since I started experiencing the latest version of CADDIE it is an absolute pleasure. If I get stuck, help is just a phone call away.

Thank You CADDIE for an excellent drawing programme.

N J van Rensburg

‘Caddie Tea Break Tutorials’

‘Just a quick email to let you know that we were very pleased to be part of the tutorial yesterday. It was a great way to see what the function does, and so much better than reading about it! 

I look forward to trying it out, once I have got the latest version of 19 downloaded.

Bruce Whitehead

Price Whitehead 

Chartered Surveyors & Rural Consultants

I really don't know what I would do without Caddie now

Philip James of Philip James Architecture reflecting upon his recent move to using Caddie;

'I should have done this years ago...when you first came to see me, in fact!'

A longstanding Caddie user's comments on the value of the support he gets through the Caddie Maintenance programme;

'Before calling Caddie support I had spent about an hour attempting to work out why I could no longer enter figures into my Construction Line offset command, but when I called the Caddie support guys, they quickly identified my problem and helped me fix it.  It turns out I had caught the 'NumLock' key by accident changing the function of the number pad keys on my keyboard!

I find the support I get through Caddie Maintenance invaluable, and paying for my maintenance by Standing Order means that I can pick up the phone and ask for help any time I have a problem.'

'Loving the scroll through the paper sheets ideal for larger projects when we have loads of paper spaces.'

Andrew Dukesell, principal of DBD Architectural Consultancy Ltd., commenting on some of the new functionality available in Caddie 23

James Morford comments on why choosing Caddie CAD software has proved to be a great decision for his practice, providing a simple, easy to use way of creating .DWG architectural drawings backed by outstanding support.

'I have been using Caddie for 18 years now and seen how the software’s ability has progressed with time to meet clients expectations. I personally don’t use the 3D capabilities but the software’s ease of use and simplicity have been instrumental in my drawing efficiency and quality. I would highly recommend Caddie to any Architectural company. The technical support is outstanding and easily understood. All of my drawings are in .dwg format so I work seamlessly with engineers etc….'

James Morford
Architectural Services

Personal support is essential for creating a successful company

'I would like to say how much we have appreciated CADDIE support over the years (26 years so far!). You have always been very prompt in dealing with any problems we have encountered, a service essential for the smooth running of the practice, so many thanks indeed.  The fact that the relationship is personal and not via some anonymous help-desk is very important to us as our practice has been built upon personal relationships with clients and providers alike. We hope that relationship will sustain far into the future.'

Philip Tilbury
Herbert J. Stribling & Partners

Even working on archived drawings is quicker with Caddie

'I now find it quicker and far less painful to export drawings from my old CAD system so that I can load and work on them in Caddie, even if it’s only a 10 minute job!'

Anthony Staig IBC Architects

In-place Block Editing with greying out of remaining drawings Objects

'Just a quick one to thank you so much for the excellent feature regarding the block edit where everything else is greyed out.  It really is little tweaks like this that makes Caddie so good.  It is fantastic and not only tells you that the block is being edited, it makes it much easier to see and edit.'

Matthew Goddard BSc(Hons) MRICS
For and on behalf of Asset Construction Consultants.

Updating to the latest Caddie is simple, with inbuilt auto-configuration and migration tools; but with Caddie Remote Assistance you can have the latest updates installed and configured for you, like Martin McGahon of Town & Country Planning Ltd.

'The ACS Support guys were fantastic!

They installed the latest Caddie software update for me, even migrating all my settings, completing the process in a matter of minutes and making the whole upgrade process seamless'.

Unique access to Caddie's development

‘Almost immediately after switching from AutoCAD to Caddie I realised that Caddie had some big advantages and just how unique Caddie is in giving every user such direct input into the way the software is developed, even for small practices like mine.  Whether it’s the fact that it’s a lot more ‘English’ in the way it works or the invaluable and extensive support, be it tweaking an existing command or adding new functionality to solve some new problem; it’s always possible to speak directly with the Caddie guys and get our ideas built directly into the software; incredibly useful, and very refreshing.’

Matthew Goddard BSc(Hons) MRICS
Asset Construction Consultants

Melvyn Shackleton commented on the value of the support provided for Caddie by ACS Ltd.

'If you want your drawing problems sorted rapidly, go to the experts, call Caddie support!'

Caddie Tea Break Tutorials

 'Thank you - incredibly helpful!'

Wendy

Steve Harrop discusses the importance of good customer when choosing a CAD system.

'When I was deciding which CAD system to buy I tried ringing their support numbers at 16:45 on a Friday.

Company one, NO ANSWER.
Company two, AN ANSWERPHONE MESSAGE.
Caddie support answered, 'Afternoon Steve, how can we help you today'?
Help when you need it makes a big difference. (Especially in my case!)'

Steve Harrop

Ross James of James Steel gets some help from the Caddie Support Team in streamlining his workflow;

'Thank you for your help on Wednesday you were very fast to give me a fantastic solution which will save me a lot of time and effort in the future fantastic service as usual.'

Kind Regards
Ross James

Your Caddie software has revolutionised the way we work - we produce far better drawings much more quickly – should have changed years ago.

"These training videos are awesome - there is so much more to Caddie and its  great way to discover its full potential."

Graham Rocher 

Architect, Richard Likupe on the UK Launch of Caddie 25, and the benefit of upgrading

''The new functionality on display at the UK launch of Caddie 25 more than met my expectations, and I congratulate the whole team for their hard work in improving an already great program. This will make it easy to demonstrate to new people what CAD can do. 
Using the new software is a revelation too, from the first moment I opened Caddie 25, I found it so much faster than my previous versions; and with thousands of new Catalogue items to choose from it’s easy to create high-quality drawings and models quickly.
In short, I’m a very happy Caddie customer.'

Richard Likupe  BA (Hons), Dip., Arch., MA,  RIBA., MIA

‘Caddie Time-tracker takes the embarrassment out of billing!’

‘Caddie’s Time-tracker enabled me to produce a full listing for all the time I had spent working on my client's drawings at the push of a button.’

‘the Time-tracker printout, detailing ‘Work Time’, Open Time’ and Saved Time, along with the actual time and dates of the drawing sessions made the job of agreeing on the bill easy’

Stewart L Thorley, Building Plans & Design

Read full article…

'Thank you for the latest You Tube link. Very helpful - have been doing this stuff manually; it is great to see that it can be done automatically.
Look forward to the next YouTube training tip.'

Yours
Bruce Whitehead

The Price Whitehead Chartered Surveyors

    Check out the latest Caddie time saving videos on YouTube videos...

"Caddie is still the best CAD system on market, - I can vouch for that"

Richard Likupe

Palmleaf Architects

Colin Logan of 9yards Property Ltd. reflects on how much faster he can draw his architectural plans now using Caddie's smart AEC Build tools...

'I now use Caddie’s AEC Build tools for all my architectural plans, drawing complete and fully hatched walls at a stroke, and adding doors and windows just as easily.

Amazing to think that I used to draw all my walls manually, creating lines and offsets then hatching them all in individually - What a chore that was!'

The Tea Break Tutorials are a revelation!

'For anyone who doesn’t benefit from  an office full of CAD savvy colleagues, or enjoy the luxury of a dedicated  iT department, the Caddie Tea Break Tutorials are a brilliant, short, fast, and easy way of picking up those tips and techniques that can really speed up everyday working.'

Ian Collier Chartered Architect

After doing the three day Quick Start Course I drew quicker on Caddie than on my old system