Customer Reviews

AutoCAD LT 2007 [OLD VERSION]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I took some time before I bought AutoCAD LT. It was a big investment for an engineer but well-worth the trouble--I am glad I waited. So many improvements, so little time. My first exposure to AutoCAD was filling in for my CAD operator after her untimely lay-off (Companies are usually stupid in these matters.) I rushed to learn AutoCAD 11 so I could fix the drawings. Since then, I have tracked AutoCAD's developments; AutoCAD LT 2007 is even a big improvement over AutoCAD 2004. If you do consulting, you need this software.

Since I spend most of my time in Publishing as an editor for Chemical Processing magazine, I was concerned with compatibility with other software. Afterall, what good is any software if others, who don't have $900 to pay for AutoCAD, can't use what you send them? This dilemma is easily handled by this software. Here was my problem: my production people use Adobe Illustrator, a poor cousin to AutoCAD and designed for magazines only; I am not impressed by software support by Adobe (They hung up on me!). I could not produce quality drawings that production could edit and Powerpoint (What I used before AutoCAD) is a pitiful solution that won't produce quality.With some finagling and emails to experts in AutoCAD (not AutoDesk), I found the solution: convert my files to AuotCAD 2000.DWG files. This worked flawlessly allowing the Illustrator users to edit my drawings---perfect.

I am working my way through several textbooks on AutoCAD to get up to speed. Someday, I will probably want to re-enter engineering and hope to have the skills I need. (See my other reviews for information on some good and bad AutoCAD training material.)

There is one flaw, which I am waiting for AutoCAD to address: the help file. It is terrible! Were it not for the excellent work done so far in this edition, I would dock them a few stars. Here's the trick: just keep hitting cancel when you get the pop-up error window. After half-a-dozen clicks you will find the answers you need in the help file. It's just a pain.

If you are waiting for a good version of AutoCAD to latch onto--- buy this.

One comment to AutoDesk: since you copied several good ideas from Powerpoint why didn't you copy paintbrush? That would be a nice feature.

03/06/07:
One problem cropped up: customer support on reloads. I went through a bout of hard drive failures during the past 6 months. After the last one, I was told that I had exceeded my limit on downloads. Working through email customer support was useless but the phone support was sucessful in issuing a new authorization code. Just make sure that you keep your receipt. If you buy through Amazon that should be easy; Amazon keeps a record of your purchases.

I hope this review helped. If so, please vote.

I've been using AutoCAD (full version) since version 9. I bought the LT version for my draftsman to use works fine for what it does, but LT lacks enough of the things the full version does that I won't buy it again.

The most important thing I use are lisp routines and LT doesn't support that. That reduces my drafting speed substantially. It also doesn't support 3D. While that's not important to me, I sometimes use it to help see parts of a building to make sure everything works together.

Overall, AutoCAD (both full and LT) is a fine program, but they need to keep backwards compatibility. If you can afford $4,000 for the full version, you'd be better off. But if not LT will work in a pinch.

The 2007 release has more overall command power than I've experanced in the recent past. However,there is one group of commands I would like to see it aquire, that being the Express group of commands. I've been using ACAD since release 11 and the ability to go to express and utilize the layer off/ on control is second to none. I realize that it may be standard in a full blown version, but a small business such as mine can't always afford the full version right away.

the only problem is the amount of tutorial, i know you can't write to every level, but the turorial (getting started) for a first timer user was a little diffcult.

AutoCad is the best CAD system I have ever used and I have used AutoCAD LT going back to at least 2000, 2004 being my prior upgrade. AutoCAD LT 2007 is a definite step up. It is an easy upgrade to use, if you are familiar with prior AutoCAD LT editions, but it has some very nice improvements such as:

1. "Gradual Zooms" allow you to keep better orientation.
2. Colored selection boxes help a lot.
3. Less steps required for the copy command. You don't have to select "Multiple".

These are just a few of the enhancements I have notices. Every time I use the new version, I notice something which is new and nice to have.

AutoCAD 2007 LT is a couple of steps above AutoCAD 2002 as far as ease of use but its still a 2D CAD program which isn't especially too far beyond pencil, compass, and straight edge.

I have used ACAD since version 9, I have used 10, and then LT 97, then I recently upgraded to v 2007... Good solid program, there were some nice enhancements especially since 97, 10 years can do wonders for a a product...

A little more than I would have liked to spend, but it has what my company needs to do some simple drafting...

Product is as advertised. If you have used previous versions you will be happy with some of the changes.

poor program. Lots of bugs and errors. Little to no product support. Replaced with new version every two years and old version is not compatable with new files every couple of updates. It is an industry standard with no other viable option however.