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INTELLICAD VS AUTOCAD
- Thread starter knp271
- Start date
Bourgunit, why would you recommend two packages that are more expensive than something that is already out of budget?
Knp271, what are you planning to do? Do you need 3D, will you be importing data, do you need to export data, do you need CAM data all these will effect your choice.
Solid edge do free 2D but I have no idea how good it is, might be worth looking at.
Knp271, what are you planning to do? Do you need 3D, will you be importing data, do you need to export data, do you need CAM data all these will effect your choice.
Solid edge do free 2D but I have no idea how good it is, might be worth looking at.
I would suggest going with those 3D packages because I believe they have a very good ROI, especially with mechanical Engineering. Since you are starting your own business, spending a little more up front can return better dividends later. I am just speaking for myself, but if I was starting out, I would highly consider these packages. To each his own. I did not mean to offend.
"Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." — Will Rogers
"Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." — Will Rogers
By all mean, stay away with IntelliCad. My company start replacing Autocad R14 with IntelliCAD few years ago and our drafting teams are cursing it everyday. It's not 100% compatible with AutoCad. Often you will find something missing here and there for no reason. User interface especially the Layout setup is down to drain. It hang more often than your Windows 3.1. User customization and automation thumb down. The developer of the program sacrifice any software optimization with the low budget. Try open a drawing file of 10Mb, you'll see even your overclocked 4Ghz Conroe Q2Duo with 4GB ram craw like running XP in 486! BAD! BAD! BAD!
Bottom line: Yes it's 10 times cheaper than AutoCAD but 100 times inferior!
Bottom line: Yes it's 10 times cheaper than AutoCAD but 100 times inferior!
IF (only if) you don't need in-depth 3D modeling capabilities, I agree with borgunit: AutoCAD LT is a good alternative also. At my last job, I ran LT 95% of the time, for over 4 years. At my previous 2 jobs, it was all I had, for 2.5 years. As of 3 years ago, it was about USD800; I believe it is still under USD1k.
LT is not, however, a truly 3D software. But you can give z-dimensions to things and "fake it" for light-duty 3D functions.
Engineering is the practice of the art of science - Steve
LT is not, however, a truly 3D software. But you can give z-dimensions to things and "fake it" for light-duty 3D functions.
Engineering is the practice of the art of science - Steve
jlcochran1
Mechanical
We have AutoCAD Mechanical 2007, AutoCAD LT 2007, SolidWorks 2007, Intellicad and Inventor 11 and just let our subscription drop on Alibre.
I would recommend AutoCAD LT vs. Intellicad or the lower cost alternatives based on our experience for strictly 2d work. Ironically we still need Intellicad to read .dxf files generated by an older flat pattern generating program that Autodesk products can't read. SolidWorks dwgeditor is essentially Intellicad licensed from Cadopia.
You might look at Alibre for low cost 3d (but its 2d is weak), but didn't meet our needs for production work. You can download AutoCAD LT 30 day trial version from Autodesk. Go to Cadopia.com for a eval version of Intellicad. Intellicad ranges from 250.00-450.00 for a single user license. LT lists for 899.00, but you may find discounted online for under 800.00. LT is well worth the difference in my opinion.
AutoCAD LT trial
Alibre trial
Intellicad trial
I would recommend AutoCAD LT vs. Intellicad or the lower cost alternatives based on our experience for strictly 2d work. Ironically we still need Intellicad to read .dxf files generated by an older flat pattern generating program that Autodesk products can't read. SolidWorks dwgeditor is essentially Intellicad licensed from Cadopia.
You might look at Alibre for low cost 3d (but its 2d is weak), but didn't meet our needs for production work. You can download AutoCAD LT 30 day trial version from Autodesk. Go to Cadopia.com for a eval version of Intellicad. Intellicad ranges from 250.00-450.00 for a single user license. LT lists for 899.00, but you may find discounted online for under 800.00. LT is well worth the difference in my opinion.
AutoCAD LT trial
Alibre trial
Intellicad trial
If it is mechanical engineering, I strongly suggest a 3D program like SolidWorks or maybe Inventor.
Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)
Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)
Paulusgnome
Electrical
ZWCad is a cheap oriental clone of Autocad which can be had for a much more reasonable sum. Well worth a look.
- Thread starter
- #12
Have a look at Progecad Pro 2007. It uses intellicad technology but this release does not seem to have the performance problems of earlier releases. Menus can be an exact copy of autocad or progecads own and comes with extra add-in programs that may be useful. Mechanical version also available.
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