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Just getting through the hot, busy season of building projects? SoftPlan has had an exciting couple of months as well. Take a minute to join us while you get up to date on all the latest SoftPlan news, and don’t forget to stop by our tech tips and tool box section to pick up a few new ways to effectively use SoftPlan!

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Sundays 8/7c on ABC
Extreme Home Makeover - SoftPlan users made dreams come true on the national network television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The popular ABC show provides new homes for deserving families in difficult circumstances with builders, designers and crew completing the project in just seven days. Two builders that appeared on recent episodes used SoftPlan to create home plans for the show. (click here to continue article and to read more featured news).
 
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Version 13 has the added the Match Roof Planes Command. This command can be used to select parallel roof edges to create one continuous roof plane. The desired roof plane is first chosen and then the ones to match it. They will be matched in pitch and height so one roof plane is formed. This is a great tool for forming cut-out roof styles because the proper wall heights do not need to first be calculated in order to reference the roof to them. With this method, once the roof planes are set, the walls can simply be edited to Fit to Top of Roof.

   
   
 
 
 
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Question: (A sample pulled from over 2000 questions asked of tech support last month.)
How do I set up dimension and extension options specific to walls?
Answer:
To ensure a precise dimension and extension location, set up options for specific walls using the Wall Definition menu: File > System/Drawing Options > Define Wall > Edit. Use the drop-down menu in the Dimension and Extension columns to specify the placement of the wall's specific materials. This setting will override all other dimension and extension options.
 
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Authorized Training
This fall, SoftPlan Authorized Training Classes will be available in Minneapolis, Charlotte, Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, and Boston. To view the Fall 2006 training schedule click here.
 
Trade Shows

Vancouver, WA: AIBD Pacific Northwest Regional Conference - Sept. 9

Minneapolis, MN: JLC Live Midwest - Sept. 14-15 (Booth # 612)

Chicago, IL: Remodeling Show - Oct. 19-21 (Booth # 2617)

Lake Las Vegas, NV: NAHB Custom Builder Symposium - Oct. 27-29

Hartford, CT: Residential Construction Show - Nov. 9 (Booth # 218)

Seattle, WA:
JLC Live Pacific Northwest - Nov. 9-10

Boston, MA: Build Boston - Nov. 14-16 (Booth # 949)

Toronto, ON: Canada Home Builder & Renovator Expo - Nov. 29 - Dec 1 (Booth # 206)

Atlanta, GA: ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo - Nov. 30 -Dec 1 (Booth # 344)

 
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SoftPlan Survey Results - We would like to thank those of you that filled out the survey from our summer newsletter! We appreciate the information provided by the 250 users that responded, and we hope to hear from more of our users in future surveys. Of the respondents, the greater part were from the United States. The primary business function of these users was designers at 45% and builders at 37% with over 66% using Version 13 and 26% using Version 12. The size and scope of these businesses varied greatly with the number of projects completed at a fairly even split as 20% completed 1-9 projects, 35% completed 10-30, and 29% completed 31-99.

From the 20 question survey, SoftPlan also gained valuable knowledge about users’ experience with SoftList and SoftView. 88% of respondents regarded SoftPlan as the most important module with SoftList and SoftView tied at 6%. Of the respondents that use computers to estimate, 36% used SoftList. While SoftView was the focus of interest for increasing capabilities, 72% of respondents were not willing to pay for additional 3D symbol files. For regular SoftPlan module upgrades, 42% would prefer to pay an annual maintenance fee rather than the upgrade cost every 2 years. When respondents needed help with any of their modules, 88% of respondents cited that toll call or email as the preferred method for support.

The source of home plans for companies varied with over half of projects starting with a clean sheet. Close behind were modifying previously built plans and using plans from customers. However, the survey concluded that 28% of builder respondents used plan books as a source for home plans


We only have one question for our SoftPlan users this time, click here to give your feedback!
 
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Transition to Version 13 with a Free Training CD! Upgrade to SoftPlan Version 13, and chose to receive either an Introductory Level or Intermediate Level SoftPlan Interactive Training CD FREE, which saves you up to $245! But upgrade today, this offer ends September 30, 2006.

To order call 1-800-248-0164 and quote coupon #TRTN0906

Offer expires September 30, 2006 and valid only in the US and Canada. Must pay upgrade price of main key to SoftPlan Pro Version 13, and can only receive one free training CD in either the Introductory or Intermediate levels.
   
   
     
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8118 Isabella Lane Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone Sales: 800.248.0164
Fax Sales: 615.370.1204 Email: sales@softplan.com Web: www.softplan.com

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