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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6298   
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I'm guessing there are very few and monthly payments is the only option (ie no out right purchase)?
It all seems rather pricey and I don't think I can justify the costs for the very limited and infrequent work I'm likely to get involved with? thoughts / options? |
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6th Sep 2017 8:34am |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2227  
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Download a copy of DSS Draftsight from their website. Free for individual private use.
Almost identical in use to AudoCAD and recognizes all of the typed commands I have used. Also able to open and save AutoCAD .dwg files. Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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6th Sep 2017 8:45am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6298
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thank you. sounds too good to be true. any idea what the cons are over AutoCAD? |
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6th Sep 2017 8:50am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6298
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wow. just had a look at the website / videos....looks remarkably similar
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6th Sep 2017 8:56am |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2227
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If you are using it for basic things in isolation hardly any that I have come across. It is slightly less user friendly than the later versions of AutoCAD (maybe comparable with 'classic view' otodsf 2013ish). The help/support on the DSS version is not in the same league as Autodesk offering.
The main advantage of Draftsight is the free licence for personal use. They do charge for the commercial licences. Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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6th Sep 2017 9:02am |
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| Paulv8 Member Since: 09 Jun 2013 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 618 
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A couple of my guys have bought student licences from ebay - 3/4 yrs for 40 quid. V8 90...WIP
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6th Sep 2017 10:31am |
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| ARC99 Member Since: 19 Feb 2013 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1831 
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I just get out my drawing board, T square, etc. They have served me well for the last 50 years.
 Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to  us off.
Richard |
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6th Sep 2017 10:37am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295 
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Hello Caterham
Our Business uses both AutoCAD and Microstation (preferred) on a commercial basis but these have both moved (typically) to a licence arrangement, and whilst we can justify the 'cost of use' it has never sat well with me...its just too much money for staying 'current' and the incremental 'improvements' with each years releases, 'updates'. Personal use 'free' DWG Format platforms, are out there, and Draftsight is one of the best. If you are determined to 'buy and own', for the money (IMO) you wont better either Corel CAD or SketchUp I started with the 2D Corel Draw product 20+ years ago...fantastic The Corel CAD (2D and 3D Modelling Tool is also excellent) £640 http://www.coreldraw.com/en/product/corel-cad/ If I had to only use one product then it would be... SketchUp 2017 Pro (Commercial) £700 with DWG Input and Output Layout Drawing standard, (along with numerous other formats) https://www.sketchup.com/ Sketch (2017) now rivals 2D and 3D products at X4 the Price and the online Model Warehouse available is just fantastic...want a Nut, Bolts, Washer, or Whole Product, (FF&E / Fixture, Fitting or Equipment) chances are that for general engineering (design) purposes it's on there... Both available for free Trial Download... Good Luck SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html Last edited by X4SKP on 6th Sep 2017 11:21am. Edited 1 time in total |
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6th Sep 2017 10:47am |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7905 
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We use FastCAD at work and does everything we require. They also have a program EasyCAD maybe worth looking at if you want to buy and own.
James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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6th Sep 2017 11:09am |
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| Paulv8 Member Since: 09 Jun 2013 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 618
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+1 for sketchup. I do have issue importing some dwg files onto it though. V8 90...WIP
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6th Sep 2017 11:42am |
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| chopcat Member Since: 11 Sep 2012 Location: Pembrokeshire Posts: 412  
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Autocad light £300 a year which doesnt sound too bad. Especially when we were paying thousands for it in the office a few years ago.
Depends what you want to do though. If you need to correspond with other professionals Acad is still the standard (which I hate) or if you are 3d printing I use sketchup with good results TC |
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6th Sep 2017 4:20pm |
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