CAD Software Budget | CAD Software Reviews

CAD on a Budget: great tools at a fantastic price: not every firm or individual needs or can afford a major design application, regardless of whether the economy is booming or depressed. Justifying the cost of an AutoCAD license can often be difficult, particularly if your needs are modest. Fortunately there are alternatives that are not only less expensive, but also quite capable - Cadalyst Labs Review

Ron LaFon

It should come as no surprise, but somehow it always does, just how capable and sophisticated the low-cost CAD applications on the market are. You expect that applications that cost several thousand dollars, such as AutoCAD, would offer a broad and extensive range of features that are applicable to a wide range of disciplines. The old saying "you get what you pay for" comes to mind. There's a tendency to think that CAD applications that cost in the hundreds, rather than the thousands, of dollars can't possibly be all that good. Mistake. Big mistake.

It really is possible to get a high percentage of the functionality of such design behemoths as AutoCAD for a small percentage of the cost, with the bonus of file-level compatibility. Whether the software is AutoCAD or Microsoft Word, chances are that you use only a fraction of its functionality. Granted that many of those unused commands are essential or extremely useful to many other users, but not all will miss their absence.

When an application such as AutoCAD dominates the 2D design market as thoroughly as it does, rather than stifle the industry, it often benefits the typical CAD user. Compatibility is one area where this is evident--most low- to mid-priced CAD applications offer a fairly high degree of file-level compatibility with the DWG and DXF file formats.

For firms with a large investment of time, information, and money tied up in drawing files, AutoCAD compatibility becomes an important consideration in protecting that investment. Aside from file formats, the use of components such as linetype and hatch patterns based on ANSI or ISO standards in these low-cost alternatives also assures a level of cross-application compatibility.

Among the feature sets found in these low-cost applications are unexpected niceties such as rendering and modeling capabilities that should prove useful for a broad range of projects. These programs may not include more sophisticated 3D tools, the ability to handle huge and complex drawings, or extensive programmability, but many users won't find these low-cost alternatives lacking. Some offer tools that in certain areas go beyond the capabilities of out-of-the-box AutoCAD. User-level support for these low-cost applications via newsgroups and forums often offers a good reason to consider them.

Fewer applications are reviewed here compared with last year for several reasons. Autodesk, for example, hasn't released new versions of QuickCAD (v8) and AutoSketch (v8) since our last roundup (January 2003, p. 29, so they weren't eligible this time around. QuickCAD and AutoSketch continue to be among the best low-cost training tools for those just getting into CAD, and both run well on fairly modest systems.

Several applications cost just above our price limit ($600), and small price increases pushed several more above that barrier, including SmartSketch, PowerCAD, and AutoCAD LT. As a result, we are considering a mid-range CAD roundup later this year to reflect the changing dynamics of the low to intermediate-priced CAD scene.

Among the entries in this roundup is one program that had seemed to drop from the face of the earth: Generic CADD, now called General CADD. Despite the reduced number of inexpensive CAD applications surveyed here, the field continues to grow. This is good news for those of us who seek quality CAD alternatives at a reasonable price. Sometimes you do get a lot more than what you pay for.

MORE LOW-COST CAD OPTIONS

The following products didn't meet the requirements or deadlines to make it into our review, but may be just what you're looking for. Visit www.cadalyst.com to find past reviews of these products.

AutoSketch 8 Autodesk 800.964.6432 www.autodesk.com/autosketch

AutoSketch ($99) is geared to developing concept sketches, informative graphics, floor layouts, presentations, electrical drawings, and home project plans. Features include enhanced fill support, outline boxes on text entities, realistic 3D effects, customizable grids and construction guidelines, automatic snaps and locks, pan and zoom, Publish to Web tools, and libraries of symbols.

QuickCAD 8 Autodesk 800.964.6432 www.autodesk.com/quickcad

QuickCAD 8 ($49) is another Autodesk product for creating technical designs and diagrams and adding technical information to 2D drawings and presentations. It offers a familiar Windows interface, AutoSnap, and database functionality. You can also access and send DWG files.

Corel DESIGNER 10 Corel 800.772.6735 www.corel.com/designer10

Corel DESIGNER 10 ($469, $299 upgrade) is a technical graphics application used to create, manage, and share technical diagrams, illustrations, and schematics. This version focuses on meeting the workflow requirements of those who create precise technical illustrations. Features include industry-standard symbols and symbol libraries, technical illustration tools, improved import and export filters, CorelTRACE to convert data to editable vector images, and customizable workspaces.

PowerCAD 5.2 GiveMePower 888.977.6937 www.givemepower.com

PowerCAD Pro 5.2 ($495) offers enhanced 2D/3D design tools, new FxRAY photorealistic rendering, Leica and Hilti laser device support, and enhanced DWG/DXF support. Other new features include DWF file export and an EnterPoint Precise Data Entry System to speed up entry of 2D and 3D coordinates, angles, and distances.

Visio 2003 Microsoft 800.936.3500 www.microsoft.com

Visio Professional 2003 ($499) is a diagramming program that you can use to create business and technical diagrams. Visio 2003 automates data visualization by synchronizing directly with data sources to provide up-to-date diagrams, and you can customize it to meet your organization's needs. Features include SmartShapes symbols, tools for specific disciplines, annotations, and access to a Share-Point Services site where you can share diagrams in workspace files.

REVIEW SUMMARY

Everybody loves a good deal--getting a lot for just a little--so this month's roundup of budget CAD applications is sure to offer much to delight both the bargain hunter and those who need capable and sophisticated software tools. Whether you're looking for an inexpensive CAD seat for an established firm, a primary tool where CAD is not the main concern, or an economical seat for training new personnel, there are many affo