Coming from Autodesk, makers for the thousand-dollar-plus AutoCAD drafting software, there's a new and currently free drafting tool for simple architectural drawings. Project Cooper is a simple app for creating 2D floor plans. It's like AutoCAD, stripped down to the bone and then some, and that makes it a lot easier to use. It's also built for Windows 7 touch screen computers, so you can drag and rotate and objects without a mouse or keyboard. (Project Cooper can also be downloaded from CNET's Download.com.)
The idea is that ordinary humans and some pros will use this app for simple layouts--basic floor plans for homes or events, gardens, and the like. Since the app saves data in Autocad DWG format, the files can then be shipped over to a professional architect for clean up. It could theoretically save a step in a home improvement project, but I expect in most cases a professional will have to re-draw a consumer's layout from scratch.
Scale and dimension are a big part of Cooper. When you start the program it asks you how big your drawing is going to be, and it scales everything to the right size automatically and picks appropriate units.
Project Cooper is a very focused tool for creating simple architectural plans.
(Credit: Screenshot by Rafe Needleman/CNET)I used the app to do a little editing on a floor plan. I found it easy to add items from a palette of components, drag them into place, rotate them, and so on. The product is easy to get into if you're used to Windows apps, but if you're not used to the way Windows 7 touchscreen computers work, prepare for a frustrating learning experience while you learn a new way of interacting with data. i found my screen jumping around and objects ending up in places I didn't want them while I was trying to figure out the interface.
But once you've got that sorted out, if you want to do something like add a door, you just drag it to a wall. It won't cut the wall for you, but a simple tap of the erase button on the wall cuts out just the part you want. Cooper also has some fairly advanced functionality buried just below the surface, such as full support for layers of data, and dimension lines that are always accurate. There's also a semi-freehand drawing mode, which is good for landscapes.
Compared with another popular drawing app, Microsoft's Visio, Cooper is narrow in its focus. I wouldn't use it for a flowchart or organization diagram, but for doing basic architectural drawings its focus keeps it easy to use.
Also, it's not 3D, like Google's Sketchup. So you can do floor plans but not complex 3D work like designing kitchen cabinets. And since it's not 3D, it won't show you a rendering of what you're building in a real world view. (See also Autodesk's own online 3D planning app, Dragonfly.)
But you can't beat the price, for now, and it is pretty simple to use. If you've got a touch-enabled Windows 7 computer, it's a good way to get accustomed to the direct editing features of the new OS.
Cooper should be available with the launch on Windows 7 on Thursday, and while Autodesk is testing the app, for the next several months, it's free. If you're working on a home improvement project, I recommend you check it out.
With the NFL season under way many football fans are just getting started with another great season of Fantasy Football. If you're a Fantasy sports fan, you've probably already mapped out who your favorites are at each position and right now you're hoping your picks will reap big rewards as the numbers start rolling in. If you're looking to join a late-starting league, you know that every pick counts and any help with organizing your team is what could push you to the top of your league.
Here at CNET Downloads we know that being successful at Fantasy Football means picking the right players and putting together a great team, but it also means watching and tallying the numbers week after week to calculate your rank. There are several online services that track picks and help you pick your teams, but downloadable software goes the extra mile by helping you with your league setup and making the right player choices. That's why we've rounded up a group of downloads you can use to stay on top of your team stats and organize your league just the way you want. All of these applications are shareware programs with limited trials to give you a taste of what you'll get by registering for the full version.
FanDraft Football gets your Fantasy Football season started right with the look and feel of a real NFL draft. With crisp clear graphics, you can run FanDraft Football on a projector or digital monitor so everyone can see who gets who as you pick your teams. Stay on top of your opponent's picks with the streaming draft ticker, automated draft clock, and multiple draft board views. You can import personalized team logos, team manager images, and even team songs if your league is willing to go the extra yard. You also can create reports to pass out to league members so a hard copy of the draft results is always close at hand. FanDraft Football is shareware and costs $29.95, but is perfect for any Fantasy Football kickoff party--both before or after the start of the season.
Make your picks in style with colorful graphics perfect for your big screen TV.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Fantasy Football Expert 2008 offers all the tools you need to succeed at Fantasy Football during the season. It was designed to help you make the most out of your team and always use your teams' strengths to your advantage. It features a proprietary algorithm that helps you choose which players to include every week based on trends and overall stats. You can quickly compare possible fantasy picks to see which players will yield the most points. During your league's season, a Fantasy Football points calculator lets you check your status against opponents and forecasts end-of-season scores so you know exactly where you stand in the rankings. You can even check out offensive and defensive schemes for all NFL teams to help you design the perfect team every week. This one only offers a 5-day trial, but with the season moving into week 2, you'll want to register quickly.
Review your opponents offensive schemes so you can pick the perfect lineup.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Draft Analyzer takes your team analysis to whole new level offering numerous ways to view and sort player statistics and follow updated rankings closely. You'll automatically get a daily update of player news and notes from top fantasy sports companies. Use the wizard to easily prepare for draft day and create reports that export to Microsoft Excel. Even if you can't bring your laptop to draft day, Draft Analyzer will help you create and print out cheat sheets so you can make informed selections for your team. You get Ultimate Player Rankings, a list aggregated from several online experts to ensure you have the best player rankings available. Draft Analyzer also supports mock drafts so you can get some practice before your league's draft day, along with auction-style drafts, and a player recommendation engine so your team is ready to generate big points week after week. Draft Analyzer can be integrated into the league commissioner services of ESPN and CBSSports.com (license must be purchased at their site to access these features).
Get detailed player stats to make informed decisions about your picks.
(Credit: CNET Networks)If you want your Fantasy Football team to succeed this season you have to be prepared with the right software. Using these downloads, you'll be able to prepare for draft day, create the right atmosphere to make the best picks, and keep track of player performance and team rankings over the course of the season. Remember: it's not too late to get set up with fantasy football software that can help your team stay on top. But with your extensive Fantasy Football software ready to go, there's only one more question you need to ask yourself: Are you ready for some football?
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