AutoCAD Sofware 2016 vs LT 2016

[chad201008]

I need to purchase new AutoCAD software. I have been using AutoCAD 2006 but need to update because of a new computer. I'm looking at AutoCAD 2016 vs AutoCAD LT 2016. I don't do anything in 3D and the price might be the factor between the two. What do others use?

[natebrack]

Draftsight

[DavidL]

Draftsight x2 - especially if you are familiar with autocad, You may take an hour to get used to draftsight. You can customize your toolbars to look just like autocad.

[BReynolds]

For simple 2d countertop work draftsight is awesome. No need to buy expensive software from autocad. Just download the basic free version you don't really need draftsight pro either.

[chad201008]

If anyone has a question about joining the SFA, the SFA just saved me $1380. Joining the SFA is the best money you will ever spend! Thank You!

[ash20ash]

I would have never made it with out the help from others here. No telling how much money I have saved.

[ChrisGraham]

Just a heads up. In downloading draft sight I inquired spyware on my computer. Not sure if it's on there end but all was well before I downloaded it. Now it's fubar!! Be sure your firewalls are in place and computer is protected!!!

[BReynolds]

We have it on almost every computer here and no problems..... I think it trys to install a toolbar or something like that when you download it but you can choose to not to install it.

[ChrisGraham]

Well 3 hours and 250 bucks later we got my computer straightened back out. When downloading draft sight there are a ton of things that will download to your computer if you don't read the fine print. Don't just keep hitting next during the download. Read the fine print!

[BReynolds]

Glad you got it fixed, you should never just click next when downloading/installing anything..... hell most new computers come with tons of bloatware now.

[Solid Rock Oregon]

We use the Auto Cad lt version from 2013. It will do every thing needed for our industry. My CNC operator also uses it to draft house plans. No need to spend the extra money for the full version. You might be able to save some money down loading some other cad program but you have to factor in the relearn time to the cost. If your use to Auto Cad stick with Auto Cad. Also I have not seen any Cad program that has short cut keys as good as Auto Cad.

[natebrack]

With a little setup, I have Draftsight working exactly how I used AC Lite.

[Solid Rock Oregon]

DraftSight, Professional Version
2.5 Stars: not quite ready for prime time

Pros
Able to run LISP, VBA, VB.net, C++, C# add-in applications. Price per seat $250

Cons
Required to buy a 5-seat minimum, which raises the price to $1,250.
For those have existing API functions in AutoCAD or Bricscad, be aware that there are a great number of missing functions and a number of bugs that have yet to be corrected. For example, LISP has none of the "VL-" functions are available, and there are no workarounds for many of them, such as the VL-BB functions. A known bug in the ExtMin and ExtMax system variables (renamed getxyurfit and getxyllfit in DraftSight) remains uncorrected thru the last release, V1R1.4. If any of your existing programs rely on these they will fail.

Support calls for main program issues are handled fairly quickly, even if it's just to reply that they hope to correct the issue in the next release. API support tends to be more sluggish, with responses that can be vague, or at times even off the mark. But if you have the tenacity to continue to press your question, eventually you will have an answer -- even if it’s not the one you were hoping for.

Summary
Our company is for now dropping its pursuit of DraftSight Pro as an AutoCAD alternative. Although it shows good promise, there are simply too many missing pieces to make it a viable alternative. We will re-evaluate this software in two years after it has had more time to mature. Bricscad remains our cost-effective AutoCAD replacement of choice.

[Bill Tybring is with Engineering Supt Services at Maysteel LLC in Allenton Wisconsin, and has been an AutoCAD AutoLISP/VBA programmer since 1995.]

Posted at 01:08 AM in Free CAD Software | Permalink


Not quite the same if you cant build a library or use short cut keys
But each to their own I guess