SoftPlan Newsletter

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Thanks for joining us for the Fall edition of SoftPlan News. Take a few moments to find out how industry experts used SoftPlan to take them to the top of their field. We’ll hear from two insiders in their own words explain how SoftPlan gave them the leading advantage. And, also in this edition, learn about how to update to SoftPlan’s latest release, 13.4. Stay tuned for the latest in SoftPlan News….

Technology and the Homebuilder: An Interview with Jim Irvine of the Conifer Group

Jim Irvine, one the homebuilding industry’s foremost experts, recently sat down with SoftPlan to talk about the issue of technology and the homebuilder. Jim has served as the president of the NAHB, worked on the visiting committee for the Harvard School of Design, is an ATA conference speaker, and a writer on new technology, homebuilders, and the value of technology in the modern world. Jim Irvine has been a home builder himself for over 35 years, founding the Conifer Group based in Portland, Oregon. (Complete Story)

SoftPlan User Editorial
Steve Haarmann: “How I Use reView to Communicate Better with My Clients”

The digital age had provided us with the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and customers in unprecedented ways. From ‘snail-mail’ to fax to email to remote server access we have an increasing range of options for effective communication. Fortunately, SoftPlan gives us the tools to use all of these options to better serve our customers and to run our businesses in a streamlined and profitable manner. One of these tools is SoftPlan reView and it has been very effective in my business. (Complete Story)

Upcoming Release: SoftPlan Version 13.4 - SoftPlan version 13.4 will be released shortly. Simply select File > System Options > Check for Updates, and your system will be automatically updated. (Complete Story)

Sutton Family Homes - SoftPlan user Sutton Family Homes of Alchua, Florida was recently featured in Builder's Edge magazine as one of North Central Florida's top builders. Part of the excellence that caused the company's success begins with the design process. President Kara Sutton gave a nod to SoftPlan Software as key to this success. (Complete Story)

SoftPlan Advocate - SoftPlan is currently seeking passionate SoftPlan users in the following cities to participate in the SoftPlan Advocate program:

Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
San Antonio, TX

SoftPlan Advocates will be on call from time to time to assist SoftPlan's inside sales force when situations call for local hands on assistance both pre and post sale. Advocates will be compensated for their efforts. If you enjoy working with SoftPlan and would like to work with some great people, please contact John Jones at jones@softplan.com.

Article about SoftPlan in Remodeling Magazine – Hanley Wood’s Remodeling Online website featured SoftPlan recently in an article about software that benefits remodelers. The article notes that one of the most important tools a remodeler can have for their client is the ability to show the specific details of a design in 3D for easy visualization. SoftPlan provides that ability all while working about 50% to 60% faster than other software on the market.

Remodeling Online cited SoftPlan’s additional modules, reView and SoftList as important components in the process as well. reView allows designs to be amended and shared over email. While SoftList creates easily customizable and accurate cost lists. The software is easily accessible to remodeler’s as SoftPlan’s basic functions are easily learned and used. (Click here to view the entire article)

Featured SoftPlan Home Plan - SoftPlan homeplans, Inc. provides a variety of quality designs in SoftPlan format. This month, we’re featuring a design by Larry Garnett. Plan LWG-1765-SP is 3 bed, 3 bath 1765 sq ft conceptual design:. (Click here to view floorplan)

SoftPlan Educational Curriculum - Are you a SoftPlan educational user and haven’t yet gotten SoftPlan’s new Architectural Drafting curriculum? What are you waiting for! This FREE resource is a great tool chocked full of helpful screen captures and diagrams as well as 136-180 hours of instructional material created in cooperation with top building professionals and educators. To receive your copy contact James Henderson at jhenderson@softplan.com or call 1-800-248-0164.


Line Command The Line command is available in any drawing mode by simply pressing the "L" key on the keyboard, allowing you to draw lines in Roof mode, Framing mode, or any other mode you need to quickly add a line to.

Question:
I know how a roof should look, but sometimes I have trouble getting it drawn in SoftPlan. How can I get help drawing a difficult roof in SoftPlan?

Answer:
The technical support representatives at SoftPlan help customers with roofs on a regular basis. A good number of issues drawing a roof can be attributed to the wall and beam locations and heights found on the floor plan. For this reason, we request that the SoftPlan drawing(s) being used to draw the roof be included in their native .spd format. The design of the roof is your responsibility and can be sent to technical support by way of a hand drawn birdseye sketch or drawn with lines over the drawing. Any additional 3D images or attempts at drawing the roof will also be helpful and can also be attached to an e-mail or faxed to our support department. Technical Support can be reached at support@softplantech.com, fax: 519-886-6955, phone: 519-886-9750. Please remember to include your primary key number and current version of SoftPlan in all correspondence with technical support.

Key Exchange Online Form - SoftPlan users can now exhange or return their SoftPlan keys online. To exchange or return a key, simply go to www.softplan.com > Technical Support > Key > Key Exchange or click here to directly access the online form. One online form must be completed for each key and this online service is only available to SoftPlan users in the US & Canada.

Change of Address Online Form - Another way we have made things easier for our customers is that we have now implemented an online system for a SoftPlan user to change their registered address. This will speed up the process and eliminate some paperwork. To change an address, go to www.softplan.com > Technical Support > Change Registered Address, or click here.

Calling All Former AutoCAD® Users - SoftPlan is looking for former AutoCAD® users. Tell us your story about how you made the switch to SoftPlan. Contact Rachel Clark at rclark@softplan.com or call 1-800-248-0164.

Authorized Training

The training schedule for the remainder of 2007 is now available. SoftPlan Authorized Training will visit cities such as Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Houston, and Kansas City. For the complete schedule, click here.

Trade Shows

Minneapolis, MN : JLC Live Midwest - Sept. 13 - 14 (Booth # 437 )

Charlotte, NC : 21st Century Building Expo - Sept. 13 - 14 (Booth # 1310)

Grapevine, TX : Sunbelt Builders Show - Sept. 27 - 29 (Booth # 1034)

Las Vegas, NV : Remodeling Show - Oct. 10 - 12 (Booth # 9090)

Seattle, WA : JLC Live Pacific Northwest - Nov. 1 - 2 (Booth # 907)

Boston, MA : Build Boston - Nov. 13 - 15 (Booth # 949)

Toronto, ON : Home Builder & Renovator Expo - Nov. 28 - 30 (Booth # 206)

SoftPlan users, click here for the latest survey question!


Save $150 off SoftPlan reView -Order SoftPlan reView for the discount price of $245 and see how it will streamline collaboration throughout the building process. reView gives instant access, anywhere, to SoftPlan drawings even by non-SoftPlan users! Through email or a pocket PC, reView allows all those involved in a building project to view, comment, and mark-up the drawings. To order reView call 800-248-0164 and quote coupon number RVTN0907 or to order online click here. But hurry, this offer ends October 12, 2007.

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Do you have any SoftPlan related news? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please send your news to rclark@softplan.com.