What software to create colour plots? Alternatives to M-COLOR

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am an architect and I would like to create colour plots. I would like to create drawings which have a breadth of colours and hatchings etc.

I was previously using M-COLOR, http://www.m-color.com/m-color/products/mcolor.shtml

in conjunction with AUTOCAD but I realise that is a little dated now. What would you reccomend that I use?

Thank you

[pendean]

I'm not too familiar with it, but what's wrong with M-Color that you want an alternative?

AFAIK there are none, most of us use the workflow DWG > Illustrator >InDesign (or Photoshop, depends on the final results needed) for presentations as we've always done.

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

I see that there product currently supports 2017-2007 AutoCAD so it sounds like their product is up to date. Are you no longer willing to use that tool for some reason such as cost, feature-set, or something else?

I usually do presentation work outside of AutoCAD.  My workflow is similar to @pendean's description and in other cases I have used 3DS MAX.

Can you add some more detail on what you r end product is to be and why you want to change your current process? Perhaps I can make some suggestions.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[schurthing]

I didn't look at the M-color app in detail, but it mostly looks like it uses features that are now native to AutoCAD. Using gradient fills you can achieve the same kind of graphic shown in their landscape plan video. There may be a little time savings with the dialog boxes they created, but I suspect not all that much.

Just as @pendean said, importing a pdf of the AutoCAD layout into Photoshop or Illustrator is a common way to do what you are trying to do with M-Color, and getting a much nicer result. I like to bring the AutoCAD pdf into Photoshop and keep the black AutoCAD outlines on the top layer and add all the coloring on layers below it. I also add a black 'stroke' layer style to the AutoCAD lines to give them a bold 'pop' over the coloring.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please add a post with how you decide to proceed and your results so other Community members may benefit.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

I have yet to find anything that has output as fine as M-Color. My problem is that my office is mostly Mac based, and M-color is only developed for the Windows version of Autocad, so I must stick with windows (Parallels is not an option, and Bootcamp takes too much booting back and forth between windows and mac, so also not an option).

[johntomlinson2971]

I also use M-Color and recommend it wherever I can; it not only gives superb results but is the easiest and most intuitive software I have ever used...it has virtually no learning curve, unlike the suggestions above that involve knowledge of Illustrator and Photoshop. Unfortunately it no longer works with Autocad LT 2018 and above, only to LT2017, but it will work with all versions of full Autocad. If anyone has any other suggestions for third party Autocad LT add-ons that turn line drawings into sophisticated shaded artwork, then I'd love to hear them!

Autocad user since Release 9.

[dgorsman]

@johntomlinson2971 - AutoCAD LT doesn't support add-ins.  You'll need to use one of the previously suggested programs.  Yes, you'll have to learn how to use that other program but look at it this way: it's another tool in your professional work box.

[andersen9845BFT]

I know this reply is a little dated.  I've used M-color for years and since it works directly inside autocad, allows you to do really good color settings, line widths, hand drawn effect, bitmaps, drop shadows and more, it's probably the best program for color site planning.  That being said, the makers of M-color have announced that they will no longer support the program other than to release a final version which simply removes the required code generation needed during installation (or something like that).  They also mention that they are not apposed to selling the software so others can develop it.  This might be a good time for autodesk to maybe consider purchasing it and integrating it into autocad and autocad LT.  I'd be ecstatic if they would integrate it into LT as a more affordable and cost effective version of autocad since many users aren't needing the whole range of tools autocad has, which knocks it way out of the ballpark for low end users.

A

[nthused2001]

I completely agree that AutoDesk should purchase the software! It’s integrated with your layers, provides great color, gradients and transparency control, “hand drawn” styles and prints super FAST. In fact, the printing is the thing that impresses me the most! The majority of my work is simple CAD exhibits - M-Color allows me make those shine without any additional effort…and, unlike any Adobe solution, changes are quick…as M-Color is, basically, just a very fancy AutoCAD printer. 

[cwethington]

I would also like to find an alternative to m-color. Currently, my company doesn't use it too much, but when we do, it's nice that it's quick and seamless. No one has to learn too much new content.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@cwethington wrote:

I would also like to find an alternative to m-color. Currently, my company doesn't use it too much, but when we do, it's nice that it's quick and seamless. No one has to learn too much new content.

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[I can't help but wonder....  If it's nice and quick and seamless, etc., what is the reason that you would like to find an alternative?]

[johntomlinson2971]

...because its no longer supported....

[pendean]

@johntomlinson2971 Is support important if it works just fine in your office for all it does for you?

BTW, if there was an alternative someone would have listed it by now

https://www.google.com/search?q=m-color+alternatives

What is your pain threshold for $$ expense and learning curves? M-Color is unique for sure.

[andersen9845BFT]

It could be supported if Autodesk picked it up, Mcolor sent this announcement to those how purchased the software:

~snip~

Possibility of continuation

The end of support for M-Color at M-Files does not necessarily mean the end for the product. Should a suitable partner be found to continue the development of the M-Color application, we are open to transferring the rights to the source code and thus enabling the current and possible future customers to continue using the product with future versions of AutoCAD as well.

~snip~

[andersen9845BFT]

I would really encourage autodesk to pick it up since, well, it is designed to work in autocad.  Autodesk might be able to fix the issue of smart contours not always showing up in mcolor or hiding wipeouts in the contour lines more easily.  My only hope is they would integrate it into autocad LT since that program could use a small boost like this and make it an affordable alternative for people who don't use autocad on a daily basis.

[pendean]

@andersen9845BFT you (and 100s of others) can let Autodesk know of your wishes and desires in the only place they look for customer feedback, check out that page here https://www.autodesk.com/company/contact-us/product-feedback

LT will never get add-ons as an option AFAIK; sorry.

[cwethington]

I'm looking for an alternative because M-Color has released an end-of-life statement. Beyond that, someone much higher up at my company has asked me to. I haven't been able to find anything online except for this forum, so I added my input.

[pendean]

@cwethington you (and 100s of others) can let Autodesk know of your wishes and desires in the only place they look for customer feedback, check out that page here https://www.autodesk.com/company/contact-us/product-feedback

In the meantime, invest in training and purchase of software like Adobe Illustrator and other similar software (some are free BTW, but free always has a price) for your higher-ups immediate business need.

HTH

[nthused2001]

Done. Thank you for the link. The problem with any of the other software is speed. The beauty of M-Color is that it's just a fancy printer - so there's never a need to export from CAD.