Expert: Bob - 3/6/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I've been looking for a CAD program that will assist in the layout of tiles for the restoration of my old house.  

It seems that the tile mfgrs just use square feet which doesn't help for more complex layouts, corner pieces, accent tiles, etc.
Thought about using a CAD program to accomplish the same thing.  But this needs to be able to get quickly focused on the tiles and not on the art of creating a complex model.

Any ideas?
tia
roddie
Answer -
Hi- Of course, I am going to tell you to get an experienced Interior Designer to do it. Buuuuuttttt -- people do like to do it themselves. At least allow that you might purchase the tiles from a dealer who would do the layout, even if he is not the cheapest.
I take it by your question that you do not have a CAD program. If you know AutoCAD, you could get a trial version, and lay out the tiles during the trial. There are likely a mess of "do-it-yourself" programs on the shelves in stores. Maybe there are some that mention tile and have tricks for it.
There is no way to get out of drawing accurate plans of the rooms, counters, etc., for horizontal surfaces, and elevations, for vertical ones. Since you only have to draw  X # of  tiles to see how they look, and measure for the rest, I would think it foolish to buy and learn software just for that. Can you draft by hand? Most of the work is the figuring out and trial and error to place the tiles in the best way.
Again, all I ever hear is "If I had it to do over, I would do XYZ with the tiles." You may know more than you have indicated, but tile is expensive, and mistakes are with you permanently. Are you sure you don't want to pay for some expertise, at least on the Kitchen, and see if you learn enough to do the next job yourself?

Of course, the point is that it is your house and you should do it the way that will satisfy you. I hope you understand that we (hopefully) pros think it is like filling your own teeth -- you can't blame us.
Bob
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Bob I appreciate your taking the time to reply.

 btw I do have a bit of experience in both the world of technology and restoration.  I am a phD engineer who worked in applications of advanced technologies to business and research for a number of years before I returned to my love of rescuing & restoring old buildings and old houses.  So you can skip the novice stuff.  I can draft, draw, approximate and build the room from scratch.

  What I want is a "relatively" simple way to do different layouts and have the program "fill in" the rest of a design so I can better see the finished product as well as count parts, pieces and calc cuts needed. I had expected to find a lot of as you said so-so programs that would do that, but I have found none.  I am only slightly familiar with AutoCad.  I have had people who worked for me using it for engineering projects but not only was that a while ago, but I never used it myself.  At one point AutoCad would not even count plumbing parts from a drawing, but I hope it has progressed significcantly beyond that point.

  If there is an addin or a direct approach in AutoCad please let me know.  If I have to create objects for myself to use atuocad, perhaps the project can better be done with a graphics rendering program or something as simple as Borland's Home design.
I look forward to hearing from you.
roddie


Answer
Hi --re "So you can skip the novice stuff"  Unfortunately the website does not say "tell your whole story" or "what release of software do you have" -- so I am continually in the dark.
To do tile with AutoCAD, I would use ARRAY or COPY to determine layouts. If I just wanted to see how pretty different tiles would look, I would use a graphics program and, again, copy the images. Perhaps there are not tile programs due to the amount of knowledge required to select tile properly? Or perhaps  people go to retailers and see installations, then have one customized for them?
I don't see any sign of a response honoring my professional opinion that you use a pro this time, and learn. I dont exactly feel good about that. If your story included some Interior design classes, I might feel differently.  I always say that knowing how to tell what I dont know and need help on is one  of my better talents. Sorry I can't help you more.
Bob