Architosh Staff ([email protected])

31 Aug 00 [editor's note: updated 9 sep 00]

[Editors note: for those already familiar with the state of Mac CAD software, you may wish to skip ahead to page 2 of this article, which is, in many ways, more interesting than this page.]

Apple and Architecture: Downstream Upstream

Architosh was founded for Apple and Architecture. In the last 18 months, since our inception, we've had our Web finger on the Mac architecture pulse better than any other source on the Web or in print. That's our job. So, naturally, after hundreds of news articles, interviews with leading CAD software CEO's, founders, chief technology officers, analysts and insiders—not to mention the hundreds of IT professionals actually working in architecture firms—we can probably say with the greatest degree of confidence: "we think we know exactly where Apple's at in this market."

Mac Respect: Progress or Setback?

The verdict is mixed for sure. Market share numbers...you ask? We've been told various things, read various things, and even the American Institute of Architects (AIA) can't decide what to believe of their own online survey.

If you read Cadence magazine, a periodical mostly devoted to Autocad but claims to be interested in other CAD platforms (but not other OS platforms), you probably have noticed architect Jerry Laiserin's articles.

Jerry Laiserin, FAIA, is a highly respected architectural CAD analyst, and is respected here at Architosh. But if you read his articles in Cadence you'll notice a slight tendency to put the Macintosh down (or at least never mention it up). This is quite different than his written work for the architectural periodicals like Architectural Record (Digital Architect articles) wherein he makes ample references to products for the Macintosh. It may seem then, that while in the company of mostly pro-Autocad users, mentioning the Macintosh may be quite taboo. But in the company of architects who are not exclusively Autocad users, the mentioning of Macintosh is hardly obligatory. In fact, it's welcomed.

To be fair, the architectural periodicals in this country, like Record, have tended to stay out of the platform wars. And Jerry has done an honorable job for the Mac at Architectural Record. But the point to all of this is, the Mac largely remains taboo in many architectural circles—despite all the progress Apple has made in the second Jobs' era.

In terms of respect, the Mac has made marginal progress in the AEC field since the inception of this site in Feb 99'.

Mac CAD/AEC Software: Progress or Setback?

This site was partly started by accident when simply compiling a list of AEC/CAD applications for the Mac, the purpose of which was to prove or disprove the then popular wisdom that there were no longer adequate software support on the Mac for architecture. That initial exercise disproved the naysayers' wisdom, which was so based on the then popular PC user's FUD Talk (no, that's not a network protocol...it means "fear, uncertainty, doubt"). The FUD phenomenon (in both the popular and IT press) is what nearly killed Apple in 1997 to begin with.

Today the Macintosh CAD/AEC/3D application list is larger and stronger then it was in January of 1999, a testament to the vitality and confidence of the platform and the simple facts of ROI. Macs are still cheaper to own and use. Some highlights to the Macintosh CAD scene include expanded support for new cross-platform add-on products (like VectorWorks ARCHITECT). Entirely new CAD/3D products like Gestel's solidThinking 4 for Mac and the upcoming Maya for OS X. Renewed commitment to longtime Mac programs that were getting kind of quiet, like UK-based Microspot's MacDraft 4.0 upgrade. And while the venerable Architrion seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur, we now have BOA to replace it.

In the 3D modeling arena the Mac is as strong as ever. LightWave is carbonized for OS X, Electric Image on the Mac is a Hollywood favorite, Cinema4D continues to gain power and widespread use (not to mention a Nemetschek corporate umbrella and future tie-in to VectorWorks?) and the industry's most versatile modeler, Form-Z, remains as committed as ever to its Mac roots. And did we mention the new invigorated Strata 3D Pro? And there are so many others not mentioned here. Our old list at Architosh is simply not reflective of the new growth in the Mac 3D arena. And it's tremendously exciting!

In terms of software support, the Mac has made excellent progress in the AEC/CAD and especially 3D fields, in just the last year alone.

Next Page: Downstream / Upstream and Apple's Committment