Customer Reviews

Autodesk AutoCAD LT 2011 (OLD VERSION)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have been using AutoCAD for over 22 years and by far this is the worst release that Autodesk has ever produced. First of all it runs slow. I am running it on a Core i7, 8 GB Memory, 1 GB Graphics, Windows 7. I also have AutoCAD 2010 running at lighting speed on the same computer. 2011 is infested with bugs and Autodesk so called enhancements in 2011 are just blowing smoke and mirrors. They have all but destroyed the Hatch command with graphic crap that takes three to four more steps to hatch an object in your drawing, if you can get the hatch pattern to even work. There are many, many more commands that they have also slowed down just for the WOW factor and has nothing to do with productivity or speed. And why did they changed some of the icon to "mickey mouse" looking icons. Skip this release and wait till next March when 2012 comes out. If you are on Autodesk Subscription (highly recommended) then keep 2010 and do not install 2011.

Everyone doing mainstream drafting today is familiar with AutoCAD. It is so widely used that there are now several alternate use models for which AutoCAD itself is overkill. AutoCAD LT 2011 perfectly fits several of these:

2D Drafting: AutoCAD LT 2011 is all you need. There is nothing a 2D draftsman needs that this package does not offer. Note however, none of AutoCAD's 3D capabilities are included.

Home/Laptop/Travel/Sales Office/Customer Meetings: Cheaper than AutoCAD, with perfect compatibility. There's no better way to review and modify drawings in the field (except AutoCAD). I know of one contractor who keeps a laptop loaded with AutoCAD LT 2010 for use by his biggest customer. They can view anything, make changes, and in general work together better.

As successful as this low-end product has become, it has one flaw: it retains the steep learning curve of its big brother. I am of two minds here. As a powerful stand-alone 2D package, AutoCAD LT 2011 has a depth of capability that few will use completely. That depth deserves some learning (or better yet, professional training). Makers of other high end packages have successfully built low-end tools that are easier to learn: Adobe Photoshop Elements comes to mind. But Elements provides only a small subset of the functionality of Photoshop, unlike AutoCAD LT 2011, which provides virtually the entire AutoCAD feature set (except 3D).

So if you need a 2D drafting package with flawless AutoCAD compatibility, AutoCAD LT 2011 is literally perfect. But if you don't use AutoCAD already, you will need training, or at the very least a good book!

For long, boring reasons I had to replace my AutoCAD Architectural Desktop 2006 with another CAD software. I chose AutoCAD LT 2011, and I am a bit disappointed. First, Autodesk has modified the icons to such an extent that I am still hunting around to find the tools I need. One would think that after so many years in business, that Autodesk would figure out which icon best represented the tool function and just stick with that design. Does anyone really care about having "up-to-date" tools icons? It shouldn't be a fashion issue. And, most recently I discovered that the ability to handle raster images is very limited in LT, compared to Architectural Desktop. Once inserted, raster images such as JPEGs cannot be resized or moved. They are inserted not as graphic elements, but as reference files. But, even reference files could be moved in Architectural desktop. Not so in LT. For sure, my sour feelings about LT will modify as become used to all it's features, and as the features of Desktop become an old memory. And, of course it cost so much less than Desktop, I really shouldn't gripe. Still, while I do not need the 3-D features of Desktop, I was hoping that the 2-D tools would be as complete as what I had before, but that is not the case. I wish that I had looked deeper into the features of other CAD programs. I am sure that for $1000 I could have gotten a better program.

I purchased my first copy of Autocad Lite for Windows 95. I've been using the free upgrade to AutoCad Lite 97 for about 13 years now. I wasn't too shocked by the user interface differences and I was very pleased to find that I could popululate the sides of my screen with old style classic icons. So while I may not know everything there is to know about the new product I can import files drawn in Autocad Lite 97, I can create files and drawings with my autocad lite 97 knowledge and I can save files as AutoCad R12/LT2 dxf files which are readable by MacroMedia Freehand (yes I'm an old guy). So I still have the same capability of producing high quality and accurate cad drawings and then export them to tools that are good at creating artwork and graphics. So I've been pretty happy with the transition. I had been thinking about purchasing the software for a while and I decided that with the rebate it might be a good time to take the leap. I went to the autodesk website to get one of their mail in rebate forms. You can't use the Amazon Part Number. Use the model number instead 057C1-A8A111-1001. It works fines. I've already sent in the rebate. I've been really happy with Windows 7 pro. I probably could have gotten the Autocad Lite 97 to work on Win7 but I wanted to have the 64 bit version instead. The software installed without any problems. I'm running it on a T3500 Dell Precision Workstation.

If you've never use Autocad Lite. You may not like the way that it constructs drawings. But once you get use to it you'll wonder how you lived without it. It really is a superior cad system. Unfortunately, it also has a superior price.

If you need professional 2D drafting capabilities you've found the perfect product in AutoCAD LT 2011. For those who haven't used previous installments of AutoCAD, as long as you're willing to put in the time to learn it, the interface is very user friendly and you'll soon find that everything you could possibly need is right at your fingertips. For those who are considering an upgrade, LT 2011 is worth every penny. There are dozens of useful upgrades and additions that weren't utilized in AutoCAD LT 2010. Hatch creation and editing is simplified in LT 2011, with improvements in layering and coloring among other things. Transparency for objects and layers is a great new addition. It can be set globally or per object, to highlight certain areas easily and efficiently. The new polyline grips are also extremely handy, and yet another example of how LT 2011 has increased productivity with small, efficient steps in the right direction.
Overall, if you don't need the 3D capabilities of higher priced software, AutoCAD LT 2011 should fit all your needs and then some. Highly recommended!

I've been using AutoCAD daily for almost 7 years now. 2011 has so many more options and easier handling methods to expedite your drawings. What was once a 3-step process, is now only one. Some items though are taking time to get used to. For instance, I used to have a command down below for lengths and shape options, now its hovering over the actual shape. For any Architect, Inventor, or hobbyist, this is the program to go for. There is also a sweet rebate right now for like 200 off the price.

I also own the 2010 Inventor LT Suite, which will turn you 2d drawings to 3d. You can also buy a logitech or other spacenavigator (search 3Dconnexion) which will let you hover over and move around your 3d object and change details and colors. You should definitely check out the Autodesk website. It has great videos and demonstrations which instantly made up my mind. Depending on your budget, you might even spend 5K+ on the full unlimited version of AutoCAD (not just the LT). The LT is strictly 2d but still useful. The full version will let you walk around a 3d building you created. Please take a look at the website. My review cannot explain just how awesome these products are, you have to see it to want it too.

What can you say, it's AutoCad. AutoCad and even AutoCad LT are complex and not intutive to use. It is expensive and only licensed for 1 computer - you cannot install it on your desktop and laptop under the same license eventhough you cannot use them both at the same time. With that said, it is the best 2D drafting program out there. I've tried others and keep coming back to AutoCad.

I am not a professional architect or mechanical engineer, but I like so many others are fascinated about being able to take advantage of the computer in creating exacting drawings. I took a manual drafting course in high school which is the way, as I understand it that most architectural schools start out their students in the first year; with pencil drafting. As one architect put it, "It forces you to get comfortable thinking and expressing yourself in a precise way with the pencil. Good designers continue to draw throughout their lives, but everyone uses CAD for production work." I also had a woodworking business that I used to design and build such projects as wainscoting, steps, doors, etc. I did a lot of conceptual drawings by hand which helped me to think through the type of joinery and how everything would come together. I spent a couple of hundred dollars on drafting supplies including a good board. Then I used a basic drawing program such as the one in MSWorks to get it down comfortably and be able to make up a materials list, and cutout guide. Once all of that work was done, everything in the shop was just a paint by numbers game. I wanted to graduate to a more sophisticated drawing program so I downloaded the free Google Sketchup program. I knew my work in MS Works draw program was not to scale, and the beauty is in the proportions. I made up for that by going into the shop and creating a mock up of rough lumber to get the feel for what the end result would look like and in what proportions.

Sketchup is not considered the exacting tool that AutoCAD is. Although Google Sketchup is not considered very good for accurate drafting, many architectural firms do their initial sketching in Google Sketchup and then move onto further drafts and detail drawings in AutoCAD. Many even claim that they use Sketchup to do their rough drawings instead of pencil. Sketchup is considered to be simple, powerful, and intuitive which is evidenced by so many who continue to use Sketchup in conjunction, pairing it up with a good CAD program such as AutoCAD.

The largest difference I see between AutoCAD the full program, and the LT version is 3D modeling in the full version. That 3rd dimension adds a lot of appeal. Some say that once you get used to working in 3D you will never want to go back to 2D again. There are a lot of other enhancements in the full version, but they are better reviewed by someone who is using both versions on a regular basis. In addition side by side comparison charts are available on the web. AutoCAD LT came about by request as I understand it from so many in the user community requesting something less expensive that would handle their needs for 2D instead of having to purchase a big, full featured customizable 3D capable program. So AutoCAD LT was born.

As a professional the time savings is one big advantage over hand drafting because if you had to make a project wide change on a blue print you can just quickly make the changes and then print out a new draft, instead of having to cleanly erase, or worse yet, recreate a whole new version.

There is a huge learning curve to AutoCAD either LT or the full version. It is sort of like learning Photoshop, it takes awhile to learn it but the end results are something incredible. As with Photoshop Elements the LT version is geared toward the consumer or pro-consumer.

A comment I found interesting on the web, paraphrased, stated, "If you know someone familiar with AutoCAD they can teach you the basics. About 90% of most drafting tasks you can accomplish with the commands of; Line, Rectangle, Polyline, Move, Copy, Offset, as well as Trim, Fillet, and Dim linear."

I have to say that since I am not proficient in AutoCAD I had to do a lot of research on the web by the experts to learn some of what I have shared here. I also purchased Mastering AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011. I realize that the learning curve is steep, but I am continually amazed at how simple things are that appeared to be beyond comprehension before. I like to say that, "Everything is easy once you know how" and that applies to AutoCAD. It may take a lot longer to really become proficient at it, but over time I can be building a skill that can be used in a plethora of worthwhile uses. With the discounted and rebated price right now, you can have the defacto industry standard for not much more than the Google Sketchup Pro version. Pairing Lt with the free version of Google seems to be the established ideal combo; if you are a full time designer having both is even nicer. I just wish the Lt version came with 3D modeling.

First and foremost, this is not a product for beginners. You either need to take a college level class or be really good at understand a for dummies type of book that will take you step by step through the fundamentals of this type of program.

We have been using this AutoCad in our woodworking shop for years. There are other products out there that work well, but when it comes to being able to present two dimensional drawings to homeowners, this product works great.

Loaded into a laptop, it allows our salesmen to easily adjust customers visions right there in front of them without the hassle of having to make return appointments with changes and adjustments. The ability to make notes right there on the screen for the shop workers to be able to read the plans without errors and confusion, is an indispensable bonus.

Others have stated the specifics of this program so I won't rehash this here. Just remember, this does 2D, not 3D, you need the bigger more expensive program for that. This is a great learning system that is used in colleges and technical schools. It's a good place to start before you hit the big boy multi-thousand dollar job specific programs.

But that being said, this is easily one of the best products on the market to give your small shop the professional look to take on the big projects and to do them right the first time.

Product supplied was either supplied with an incorrect serial number or is a pirated copy according to the maker and cannot be registered or used. This was not just a rip off it was a theft.