ShastaCAD software overview

ShastaCAD is a custom pool design program created specifically for Pool Design & Landscape Professionals. Powered by Autodesk® 2004 technology, ShastaCAD incorporates high power CAD features with easy to use point and click menus to create a program that is both easy to learn and simple to use.

Benefits of ShastaCAD 6

• Powered by Autodesk 2004 technology
• Autodesk is the most commonly used CAD based software in the world. Over 80% of engineers and architects use some type of AutoCAD® based software. If you need to share drawing information with an architect, home builder, or other design professional, chances are that they will have an AutoCAD based product that will open your ShastaCAD drawing with 100% accuracy. Other CAD packages have to convert a *.dwg file to properly work on that CAD system. AutoCAD files and ShastaCAD files are the same; No conversion necessary, and therefore no loss of information.

• The full version of AutoCAD is a very large and detailed program. CAD students have spent years learning how to use every feature to maximize their productivity. That's great for the structural engineers who need that kind of power in a design program. However, ShastaCAD was created for pool professionals by pool professionals. We enhanced and modified several of AutoCAD's features to easily work for pool design. After all, we did not need all of AutoCAD's "power", only some of it.
• AutoCAD 2004's *.dwg file format has undergone a facelift as well. This advanced file format allows for 50% smaller file sizes and allows you to open and save drawings 33% faster than before. This new compact file structure also makes the ShastaCAD files more "email friendly" and cuts down on server and/or hard drive storage issues.
• Presentation Graphics
• True color compatibility opens the door for extensive color manipulation. Previous versions of AutoCAD were limited to 256 colors. ShastaCAD 6 has 16.8 million to choose from
• True color also allows for Gradient fill patterns. This gives the look of color fading from one color to another, illustrating depth on a pool design plan.
• Photo-realistic fill patterns
• ShastaCAD has the ability to use digital images and apply them as fill patterns. If you have a picture of pool water, you can use it to fill your pool design. If you have a picture of flagstone, you can use it to fill your deck design. Basically, you can use any digital image and apply it as a fill pattern.
• Easy file sharing with new DWF file format
• DWF stands for Drawing Web Format. It was created to share drawing information via email and the internet. A *.dwf file is compact and portable version of the *.dwg file. It can be securely sent to a third party that can view and print the drawing to scale. The *.dwf file can not be modified or changed in any way. If you have a sub-contractor or trade partner that needs a copy of a revised plan, you can send him a *.dwf and know that he can not change the plan, but he can get an accurately scaled print from the file.
• Accurate and Precise measurements
• ShastaCAD 6 is a vector based design program. In simple terms, all shapes (lines, arcs, circles, etc…) have specific geometry that defines them. A circle has a center point and a specific radius size. A line has a start point, and end point and a specific length. This specific geometry allows the user to get very precise and accurate dimensions for layout and excavation plans, and also gather information for plumbing runs.
• Export information to an Excel spreadsheet
• You can assign attributes to anything in ShastaCAD. These attributes could specify a part number, manufacturer, pump size or filter size. Whatever you want to add to it. The attribute information can then be exported to an Excel spreadsheet that you set up with your pricing information.
• Scale an object based on its Surface Area, Perimeter or Length
• ShastaCAD allows you to scale objects based on existing measurements. Using the Scale by Perimeter command, you can change a pool that has a perimeter of 85 feet to a perimeter of 95 feet. No guessing, no trial and error. Just type your desired perimeter and ShastaCAD scales the object for you. The same goes for surface area or pool length.

• You may also insert scanned images of plot plans or survey maps. Once inserted, simply use the Scale by Distance command and enter a known length of part of the image. The image will then reduce or enlarge and become true to scale allowing you to use the plan or map's information to draw your house, yard or pool.

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