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Autocad LT vs Autocad full version

Without doubt the full version of Autocad wins the battle with Autocad LT on features. It should do. It weighs in at around 250% of the price of LT. It's also true to say that there are many more satisfied users of the lower cost Autocad LT software. If you are not sure whether to justify the extra £000's for the full version then you can start with Autocad LT and upgrade later as long as you stay within the Autodesk's upgrade policy.

There is a broad distinction between the 2 pieces of software in their 3D capability. Whilst Autocad LT will do some 3D work you can only produce wire frame objects without surfaces or solids. So shading options are available but you would not be able to render an object with a shiny surface for example.

If you haven't yet bought your software, you could attend one of our training courses. We would be happy to advise if Autocad LT would satisfy your requirements during your course. Then, if necessary, you can upgrade your software to the full 3D versions later within the limits of time set by Autodesk's upgrade policies.

One of the hidden benefits of asking us to provide your Autocad training requirements is that we don't have targets to meet for sales of full Autocad software. So if it can be done in Autocad LT we won't try to sell you the full version.

We have attractive onsite options at daily, not per person rates, for advanced Autocad training. Alternatively you can take as long as you like up to 5 days to achieve independent CADsmart Autocad skills certification, on our offsite courses for just £495+vat per person.

Call free phone 0800-1976281 or email info@autocadtraining.co.uk

How did Autocad software get it's name? This is the story which was relayed to me in the 80's

Back in the prehistoric days of computers (Around 1980?) a set of office productivity software was written by a company called Autodesk to run on the newly released IBM range of computers. They were named Autoword, Autocalc etc. One of them was called Autocad which turned out to be a revolutionary product. At that time CAD or computer aided design was the preserve of expensive proprietory software. So Autocad's subsequent 80's price tag of £2500 in the UK was very attractive. Capital followed it's success and eventually the market became saturated with Autocad software. One the of the reasons why Autocad files have become the accepted standard for Autocad files today.

Almost every company has Autocad plans of it's premises. That's worth bearing in mind if you are applying for a job. If you know how to use Autocad software you could manipulate these files and do office layouts, factory layouts or represent accident statistics on factory layouts to see where health & safety budgets need to be allocated.

Do you need to upgrade your Autocad software?

Autocad software has been upgraded many times. However the Autocad files saved by each version have not changed there format so frequently.

Autocad version 2010 saves as 2010 files and reads any version below

Autocad version 2009 saves as 2007 files and reads any version below

Autocad version 2006 saves as 2004 files and reads any version below

Autocad version 2005 saves as 2004 files and reads any version below

Autocad version 2004 saves as 2004 files and reads any version below

Autocad version 2002 saves as 2000 files and reads any version below

Autocad version 2000i saves as 2000 files and reads any version below

Autocad version 2000 saves as 2000 files and reads any version below

If you see a "file not valid error" it is because your version of Autocad software is not high enough to read the Autocad file. You can choose to upgrade your software. Check with us to see if an upgrade from your version would be possible. Upgrading would be a lower cost than purchacing a new copy.

The other alternative is to ask the person who sent you the file to save as a previous version which you can then read. Just ask them to go to the file/saveas dialog box and change the "Files of type" by clicking on the down arrow to see the options available from their version.

One benefit of upgrading your software is that files in the latest versions store data in a compressed format. This is quite significant considering the large amount of data that can be generated in Autocad drawings. As you load an Autocad drawing file into a newer version it will be automatically converted for use with that newer version.

Hope this helps. Please contact us to quote for any Autocad training requirements. You may be pleasantly surprised.

One of the hidden benefits of asking us to provide your Autocad training requirements is that we don't have targets to meet for sales of full Autocad software. So if it can be done in Autocad LT we won't try to sell you the full version.

email info@autocadtraining.co.uk or call free phone 0800-1976281 during business hours exc Bank holidays for advice and upgrade pricing.