Re: NEWBIE ADVICE PLS?

Not to mention that Bentley product  MicroStation, but I doubt if you need
that for what you may be doing.
but I basically agree with Michael, AutoCad LT will probably give you the
most exchangeability with others is that is required. I use R14 / 2000i at
work and LT2004 at home, Keep in mind @004 will require a newer machine
running Win XP.

Good Luck.

Brian

ps  Microstation is a good product, but will drive ya nuts if you learned on
AutoCad!

"Michael (LS)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> "RMR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > OK, you and Brian have mentioned file types, compatibility.  What file
> > types are there besides DWG, DXF, etc. that could be an issue and which
> > packages are compatible with them?  Again, I'm a newbie, so please be
> > gentle even though I am already abusing your patience.  TIA
> >
> > BTW, I saw another prog, TurboCAD.  Do you or anybody else have opinions
> > on it?  TIA
> >
>
> Cad programs tend to use a different file type (especially from vendor to
> vendor).  Autocad (and Autocad LT) use dwg (& can deal well with dxf).
> Other programs may or may not use dwg as it's native file type.  Chief
> Architect, 3D home, Solidworks, Revit, Inventor, etc  have varying success
> when working with "non native" file types.  If you're not sending or
> receiving files from other people/companies than it's not real important
> (though if you have a problem with a file someone willing to help you
would
> need to be able to work with the file type).  Some strange things can
happen
> if file types aren't handled correctly, everything from just minor layer
> issues to complete lose of drawing information.  Again though, this really
> should only be a big issue if you are going to be exchanging files.
>
> I've never used TurboCad so I can't comment on it.  The list of CAD
programs
> I have used is short (because I exchange files with clients a lot -
> compatibility is required, so I use Autodesk products) AutoCad, AutoCad LT
> and Architectural Desktop.
>
> The products I've used all have their issues/problems but they are the
> industry standard (for my industry at least - residential & light
commercial
> design/drafting).  My biggest beef is with Autodesk (the company) not
> AutoCad (the product).
>
> More specific information on other programs will have to come from others,
> since 100% compatability is required for me, I have limited knowledge of
the
> other programs available.
>
> Also, what field are you going to be using it for?  Civil Engineering
> software would be different than Automotive Engineering, versus deck
> designing, versus HVAC drawing, etc....  If you can find out what other
> people/firms use that do the same kind of work as you (and hopefully, if
> they're happy with it) it will give you a good starting point on which
> software to evaluate.
>
> HTH,
>
> Michael
>
>