Google SketchUp is a wonderful 3D sketch modeller. It was originally created by "@last software" and was bought by Google to allow anyone anywhere to model buildings and features and upload them to Google Earth.

You can see virtual 3D SketchUp buildings in place as you fly around in the virtual world, but Google SketchUp has become much more than a quick building modeller and many clients have chosen to use this powerful software to model a whole range of objects and even 3D landscapes.

With this in mind we decided to provide a tool that would allow our RealCAD and LANDWorksCAD users the benefit of downloading from the millions of free pre-made 3D models available in Google's "3D Warehouse".

Woohoo, great eh?!

Not only that but you can import entire 3D scenes complete with texture mapping that will look and feel almost the same as it did in SketchUp, then you can work on the model directly inside RealCAD or LANDWorksCAD to produce composed drawings, elevations, sections and 3D views just as if you had modelled it directly in your CAD software. (You will of course need the 3D version of the CAD software to make use of this new tool).

The SketchUp translator is available for purchase to all subscription users. Call or email for more information.

Note: You do not need to have SketchUp in order to import SketchUp models from the 3D Warehouse.

If you use AutoCAD then your going to love our new software add-on application.... RockAuto. This is a really comprehensive set of the most useful tools to get the most out of your Autocad software.

And if you work in the building services arena there is no better product on the market for speeding up your drafting and increasing productivity. You'll love it!

We'll have all the information about the software on the site soon. In the mean time contact us for a free trial.

Did you know that RealCAD and LANDWorksCAD has a really comprehensive Reference Manual hidden under the Help menu?

Do yourself a favour, get into it. It's a great read for those who want to get more from their software and it answers many of the commonly asked support questions.

To Update...

1. Close your CAD software.
2. Click each file below and Save them to your \Landworkscad-v5\ program folder.
3. Select Yes to overwrite existing files when prompted

LANDWorks application file
(v5.14, 5th August 2009)

Main Program file
(v5.50, 23rd October 2009)

DWG converter file
(v1.01, 31st August 2009)

OpenGL support file
(v1.00, 31st August 2009)

To Update...

1. Close your CAD software.
2. Click each file below and Save them to your \Realcad-v5\ program folder.
3. Select Yes to overwrite existing files when prompted

Main Program file
(v5.50, 23rd October 2009)

DWG converter file
(v1.01, 31st August 2009)

OpenGL support file
(v1.00, 31st August 2009)

...Well at least based on the rate of sales inquiries in the last month. We are quietly confident that the recession has bottomed out and that cautious confidence is coming back into the market place.

Speaking with clients when they call we are hearing that things are improving all round, not just in stimulus package markets but in all areas of industry.

Clients linked to the building industry are reporting a positive shift and even manufacturing businesses are saying that orders are starting to increase and volumes are being improved in preparation for the expected upturn.

We are still not seeing large volumes of software licenses being delivered to larger companies but smaller companies are buying new CAD software and training staff in using the software so they remain competitive and stay productive. There is a sense of not wanting to be left behind.

Perhaps going out on a limb in saying it.... we predict November this year to be the start of a major return to business growth. We're prepared, are you?

Looking to customise your CAD software? Have a need to get more from the tools you use every day?

Well now you can!

CAD International now offer the service of customising your CAD software to make it do the things you want. We work with AutoCAD and RealCAD engines and can write almost any application you can think of.

And if all you need is to have your StrucPLUS software customised to suit your company standards then we can do that for you too.

A new version of StrucPLUS for AutoCAD is now available. It will run in a 64 bit operating environment and has a new automated installation routine to enable you to get up and running immediately without having to know which version you are running or manually set support paths and menus.

AutoCAD LT 2010 users will need to wait a few more months before they can use StrucPLUS as we rely on a LiSP enabler software from a third party that is yet to be released.

Updated your CAD software and now need to update your StrucPLUS software to match?

Call or email and let us know your current version and the version of AutoCAD you are wanting to be compatible with and we can advise you of how to get your update....

Send us an email

If you've been thinking of buying LANDWorksCAD but haven't made the move just yet, book an obligation free online demo to see the software in action.

Follow the process of creating your very first drawing using the software from start to finish. Watch as the demonstrator runs you through importing a drawing from Autocad, cleaning it up and adding his own personal landscape design. Then add hard and soft landscaping elements, labelling and even insert photographs in the drawing. Finally you can even check out how to print your drawing ready to email to a client.

It's free. To experience the demo simply contact Celine in head office.

Oh, and by the way. If you've been using LANDWorks for a while and would like to pick up a useful tip or two then feel free to book also.

Whilst we can't confirm that Nortons antivirus software is responsible for multiple problems we've experienced, it does on the surface appear to fix those problems when Norton's is removed and replaced with a different antivirus software such as AVG.

It would seem that Norton's 360 is particularly at conflict with some of the processes used with CAD and Vista together.

Please let us know if you have experienced the same sorts of issues to help us confirm or deny this claim.

Here too is a link to some free antivirus software we know works ok... http://free.avg.com/au-en/homepage

Every day in CAD Support we get some lovely calls from our clients; some have been just as interesting as these ones sent in to us today by one of our customers in South Africa... (Thank you Michelle S.) ....

Tech support: What kind of computer do you have?
Female Customer: A white one...

A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: 'No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine.'

Tech support: 'Okay Colin, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter 'P' to bring up the Program Manager.'
Customer: I don't have a P.
Tech support: On your keyboard, Colin.
Customer: What do you mean?
Tech support: 'P'.....on your keyboard, Colin.
Customer: I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!!
 

The latest update to the LANDWorksCAD software includes the following extra features....

1. Option to show Botanical Name in Schedule.

2. Returns to previously selected plant when you reselect the Insert Proposed Plant tool. Yes!

3. Sorts plants when you click on the column heading.
Eg. by clicking on "Type" column heading the plants will group in type order for ease of locating the desired plant. All the trees together, all the ground cover together etc.

4. You can now Export your Proposed Plant Legend as a .CSV file for import directly into any cost estimating software or an Excel Spreadsheet. You can even use it for sending to your suppliers for quoting purposes.