Transitioning from 2d to 3d autocad drawings

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Autocad 2008


Dear readers, our company has been the authorized consultant of AUTODESK for ten years. Yet, we have been using Autocad for almost twenty years. In these twenty years, we have gone over all versions of Autocad since the eight one. At the moment, the 17th version is being used excluding the sub-versions. So, I have used thirteen versions. I have frequently used Autocad Architectural and Mechanical products as well.

I try to use the latest version in my articles. A lot of readers from Turkey and other countries want from me to talk about Autocad 2008 generally. Since I have mentioned the new properties of Autocad 2008 in my previous articles, I suppose I am been asked for my opinions about the product J.

We publish articles about not only for Autocad but also any other software in this site. You have to look over the previous versions of the software that you are going to mention in order to write your opinion about it. The articles about Vista and Office 2007 are examples for this issue. We have to expose some criteria in order to evaluate any software.

Let us try to list:
1. If the software runs without any error and if it is ever not responds.
2. If it has the features with perfection and no exception which was promised.
3. If it uses the system sources reasonably and if it slows down the system
4. If it is easy to install.
5. If it is user-friendly.
6. If it makes benefit to your work.
7. If its output files meet the requirements of the standard of the industry.
8. If it reads and saves the files of/as previous versions.
9. Its cost.

Let us now evaluate the Autocad 2008 through these criteria and compare with the Autocad 2007 which is the first product of 17th version.

1. If the software runs without any error and if it is ever not responds:
Compared to the Autocad 2007, Autocad 2008 is bearly shuts the system off and runs just perfectly. Most Autocad versions have run just fine besides apart form a few versions. R11, R12 for Windows, R13 for Windows, 2000i and 2007 versions were tend to shuts the system off. From this point of view, Autocad 2008 is given 10 out of 10 points.

2. If it has the features with perfection and no exception which was promised:
Upgrading your software form version 2007 to 2008 is not worthy enough since its few new features. The features, which Autodesk was ready as file format but did not manage to put in version 2007 and can be noticed by only usage, make the version 2008 unavoidable. Especially the photometric lights, covering materials and covering quality. Autocad 2008 may be
considered as a patch for 2007 but as long as the title is concerned, it is given 10 top point.

3. If it uses the system sources reasonably and if it slows down the system:
This topic has been a problem to get rid of for all new softwares. Of course more sources will be necessary if any new feature is added to the software. Source usage is getting less important by time since our demands are continiously growing. You can install and test how fast is Autocad R14 running if you have. I give 8 points for this topic.

4. If it is easy to install:
It has been easy to install AutoDESK softwares since the 2000 versions. Networking license, which has been released recently, was a difficult subject. But its great guides and installation programme make it the best in the world in my opinion. 10 points.

5. If it is user-friendly:
AutoDESK has been giving its full effort on making the programme more user-friendly since R12. That is bacause this subject is the most used argument of its rivals. It takes quite a long time to learn to use Autocad because of its features however, ease of use has increased since 2004 and following versions. DASHBOARD feature that added in 2007 is one of the best suitable solutions founded for this subject. I am giving 9 points. I suppose Office 2007 deserves 10 points

6. If it makes benefit to your work:
Autocad is a drawing software. So it is mostly used by engineers and architects and produces projects. The criteria for a software’s benefit can be measured by its existance in means of time in the work process. Of course it is also the money you are going to earn via the software. You can earn money with Autocad by drawing projects, being an operator, being an educator or being a consultant or software developer like us. We have been making our money via Autocad for 16 years. Just 10 points.

7. If its output files meet the requirements of the standard of the industry:
The standard of DWG has an approval in the industry and all drawing softwares can read and output DWG format. Autocad has various options for opening and saving. Just 10 points.

8. If it reads and saves the files of/as previous versions: Autocad 2008 can read and saves the files of/as R12 and following versions with no errors. However new object types may not be transfered to older versions correctly. Just 10 points.

9. Its cost:
Autocad has been always an expensive software. But you have to compare its price with the benefit you’ll make. Despite its benefit-cost ratio is low compared to other softwares. 6 points.

Cunclusion: All softwares show their own behaviour characteristics. You always know where it has errors, at what point it is weak, during which process it is slow and even when it shuts down. You form your own practical usage according to these points. I feel no negative feelings when I am using Autocad 2008. Every command and everything I newly tested run fast and completely. It never shuts down. Its usage is more safe compared to 2007. And as a result, it got an average of 9.25 points out of 9 criteria.
That’s all I can say about Autocad 2008. Please feel comfortable about adding your comments.

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