Brian SolidWorks is really great, especially for swoopy 3d "stuff". If all you are doing is boxes and cubes, and flat layouts, auotcad will suffice. I went to SolidWorks (ver 1998) because of some compound curvy "stuff" I had a hard time modeling with Autocad.Autocad was designes as a archectical program that was grabbed by the early designers because there was not a 3d design package out there in the 70's and 80's.Do what you feel comfortable with and need.Or that your company needs. Wish you luck in your choices.