Which AutoCAD version?

Any engineers-in-training or experienced AutoCAD users, tell me which version of AutoCAD you think is best! I need to select one that is suitable for 2D and 3D modelling. Thank you!

 

i used 2005 and 2006. 2006 i liked a lot better. i recommend just getting whatever you can free from your university if you are a student. they are darn expansive to buy!

 

06, 07 works fine for me. Never tried 08.

 

Not too many people out there use AutoCAD, do they? I guess I was expecting a lot of responses.

 

It seems that Solidworks and Pro/E are more popular nowadays.

 

We are using AutoCAD 2008 at school (GA Tech). Seems nice enough.

 

Probably not as many as MS Office, I'd guess.

 

It's because they are way less expensive per seat.
I am currently using Autocad 2004 where I work.
The company I work for does not need anything more, and will not upgrade.
I have been using Acad since version 10 DOS.
If your course is 3d based and you are not required to use Autocad or Autocad Inventor, get Solidworks.
If you need to use Autocad you can only officially get the current version anyway.

 

I've only used 2006 so I can't really tell you which one is better.
I have a friend who used Solidworks during one of his work terms and he said it was a lot better than autoCAD. Of course it's just his opinion, so take it like you want.

 

According to Autodesk, who're trying to pervert the DMCA into a limitation on the right of first sale. They were actually sued for $10 million for doing that. If you have any choice to not support Autodesk, I'd recommend it. They won't treat you well if you have any problems.

 

If you need it for 3d as well anything from 2007 on is the best. The overhauled the 3d system in 2007.

 

Release 12 DOS!

Actually 2006 runs very well on Vista after tweaking

 

I have read about Autodesk suing companies out of business just because they did not purchase enough seats for their software.
I will second Pitabred... if you have a choice do not support Autodesk.

 

you can not support autodesk all you want but at the end of the day most firms will still use it. i work at a firm we use 02 and 05. i use 06 and 08 i really like 08 it has some new features and it looks better but it all depends on your budget this software aint cheap. and to add to what bharris said they did redo the 3d in 07 you can walk through buildings and do fly overs as well as set cameras throughout the object

 

Well, I have to use AutoCAD; it's for a course I'm taking. We will be doing everything from survey mapping, 3D structures, etc. My professor told me that the university uses the 2006 version, so that's what I'll get; besides, whatever my personal opinion of AutoDesk is, in the end their software is the standard. Thanks for the input, everybody!

 

IMO 2008 is the best thus far, 3D is much easier than previous releases....we upgrade each year and I love the 2008 better than any ( though it always comes down to personal preference).....hey if you're a Design or Engineering student you should take advantage of Autodesk Free downloads for Design/Engineering students............I would also highly recommend Inventor 2008 Professional for 3D/2D designs, Autodesk made a huge improvement from the previous releases.

 

That says it all

 

as a recent mechanical engineering graduate, i use '06 at work. i also put '08 on my home computer but i find that '08 is too bulky with the controls. '06 works great on my work computer and would say go with that.

 

Hi bc135,

I am an industry professional, I do alot of work in the architecture industry and work closely with consultants from engineering, to gis.

There are several products on the market.

AutoCAD 2004 through 2008 are pretty good programs to learn just "to know" however industry is moving away from both. The disadvantage is that all AutoCAD's produce linework, even 3d objects such as solids, or mass elements, are linework. You can give them properties such as density and whatnot, but for physics simulations, its not easy to extrapolate usefull data from autocad for solids.

Autodesk, who owns AutoCAD and related products, also makes Autodesk Inventor, Inventor is widely used in the automotive design industry, it is significantly more 3d-model friendly. It also allows its data to be more easily extrapolated for finite element analysis and mould design (for parts production).

Google Sketchup Pro is pretty interesting software, though it lacks the end features that engineers and product designers require, it is simple, easy to learn, and convient (as well as cheap ie free)

The last software package that comes to mind is a software package called Unigraphics which goes by several names, but most industry professionals will call it Unigraphics. This program is truely a 3d first program, it is parametric, and widely used by the automotive/aviation industry. If you go on to do more real modeling check this program out.

In terms of what you are actually doing, 2006 is a good starter choice, but in the future, check out Revit, also by Autodesk, we're currently using it at my office, along side several other suites. The huge advantage is the easy integration of GIS information from surveyors, which you mentioned. As compared with making meshes with AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop.

My final comment, is don't listen to those who whine about product support, or about company loyalty etc. The bottom line in industry is that organizations will use programs which meet their needs. It is in your interest to always learn the programs that meet the needs of your industry, whether you like the company or not.

Hope that helps.

 

I use 2002. I stopped trying new versions after 2006.
It has become a bloated slow cumbersome program. 2002 was very streamlined and lightweight, works perfectly.
I only use autocad for 2d drafting, I don't like it for 3d, although I haven't tried the features in the newest versions

 

we're still using 97 LT at work... well only person does but it is a very expensive software to own.... i think the 2008 cost like 5000?

 

I'll look into the 2006 version, as it seems to be the 2003 version of Office; very popular with the experienced users. As I gain more experience with AutoCAD I will probably move toward other alternatives like SolidEdge, which I have heard a lot about. Thanks guys/girls!