Comments on Off-Grid in Alaska: Dont' make me draft this by hand!

There is always the back door way to get software:...

2009-12-05T17:23:05.800-09:00

There is always the back door way to get software: review it. For example, contact one of the subsistence magazines--there are several, I'm sure--and ask if they would be interested in an article evaluating design software with their particular market (homesteaders) in mind. I imagine you can find one to bite, but if you don't your blog alone may be sufficient to get a software maker interested. With that in the bag, contact several software makers across a range of prices: low, middle and high end, explain your assignment and ask for a copy of their software to review.

This is good information to find out now for us si...

2009-12-05T15:10:56.791-09:00

This is good information to find out now for us since we are toying with the idea of building our own house which would have similar off-grid components. At first I thought you said $52k for the cost of the program which makes $2k look better. Until I think about actually spending that much.

I used an older version of Designer to make all of...

2009-12-05T04:37:01.259-09:00

I used an older version of Designer to make all of my drawings for our Cabin. (see "Building a cabin in the mountains")in the Forestry Forum. I'll send you a copy by email if you think you can use it. Orthographic can be used to draw anything...just not in 3D.

Your doing a reciprocating roof? Wash can tell you...

2009-12-04T07:10:19.710-09:00

Your doing a reciprocating roof? Wash can tell you that was one of my favorite ideas! lol

Good CAD programs really are expensive.

One thing I have found to work wonders when trying...

2009-12-04T04:36:23.021-09:00

One thing I have found to work wonders when trying to design for unusual spaces is life size mockup. This way you can actually experience if the space will be adequate.