skilled4u Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 RobDraw: Thanks much for all your insights. I will definitely look into your recommendation of Draftsight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilled4u Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 TheCADnoob: Thanks for that information. Are you aware of the names of "some free programs which charge for commercial use"? I do make my living as a woodworker, but I have a simple, low volume, one-man shop, and use my AutoCAD on a very limited basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 That guide is there for newbies who have never used any CAD program before. "Excellent English speaking customer service" Why would this be a requirement? Do you plan on needing someone to hold your hand? These clones are created to read and write to the DWG file format and mimic as closely as possible native AutoCAD commands without appearing to be a blatant copy. In any version though a line will be a line just like in AutoCAD, a circle will still be a circle defined by its radius or diameter and text will still be text. Both programs have online user forums similar to the AutoDesk Discussion Groups. Details about product support for either should be readily available online. Bricscad, because it is sold and not given away, does have a yearly subscription which gives the user access to priority support and to the next major release. Since Draftsight is free there is no subscription thus no support per se other than that offered via their forum. I think you are getting too hung up on minutiae at this point for someone who states they currently use AutoCAD on a very limited basis. How well do you know the program? How much have you forgotten in all this time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobDraw Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 AutoCAD used to come with a book that was like 2" thick. I'm thinking that no matter what you choose, there is going to be a learning curve. There are lots of new fun things to learn since you've been gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilled4u Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) ReMark: Thanks for the quick answer and the excellent information, but no need to be snarky with your totally unnecessary comment, "Do you plan on needing someone to hold your hand?" I simply like to know that after I've spent a chunk of money on new software, should the need arise, that excellent customer service is available. As an American, I'm sick and tired of dealing with all the companies that have shipped their customer services bases overseas and manned them with people who do not have a command of our language, especially when it comes to technical information. They may very well be able to speak English, but I've found few who understand the many nuances of the language and who truly have the ability to communicate well. Edited February 23, 2016 by skilled4u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilled4u Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 RobDraw: Thanks for your reply! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) What kind of technical information would you be seeking? Maybe you should visit the website of both companies before passing judgement. Note that Bricscad ONLY offers support in English although it is produced by a Belgium company (Bricsys). Edited February 23, 2016 by ReMark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobDraw Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 RobDraw: Thanks for your reply! I wouldn't have posted it, if that comment about people from Connecticut came before my response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Dassault Systemes is the maker of Solidworks one of the best MCAD programs in the world and has a support network here in the U.S. and around the world that rivals that of AutoDesk and Bentley. Now if I had recommended Zwcad (Chinese) or nanoCAD (Russian) then I could see why you would be prone to xenophobia. Draftsight support options can be found here...http://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/support-services/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilled4u Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 ReMark: Good grief, I'm not being (in your words) judgmental. Why are so many Americans so PC about being Americans and needing/wanting to speak and communicate well, in English? BTW, yea! for BricsCAD obviously a "proud to be American" company. If we Americans don't pay attention and support the companies who keep their businesses (and jobs) within our country's borders, there will be more and more young American people and college graduates who can not find jobs! Anyway, thanks for the information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilled4u Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 Sorry RobDraw - can't blame me for punching back when I've been "dissed", but I should not have broad-brushed a region. Please accept my apology to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Au contraire...I did not accuse you of being judgmental. I did however use the word xenophobic. I'd venture to say the majority of the items in your home were not made here in the U.S. and a probably many of the parts in the car/suv/truck you drive were made outside the U.S. but assembled here. "What is shrinking is the percent of overall domestic-parts content. Five years ago, 29 cars qualified for the American-Made Index. Today it's fewer than 10. Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/the-2015-american-made-index-1420680649381/#UCRfYMgFa7xi56ee.99" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilled4u Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 ReMark: Xenophobic - really? There's no fear here - just a proud AMERICAN, who loves our country, and wants to see Americans become prosperous once again, by supporting our own first and foremost. (Are you really willing to give a socialist governmental system 97% of your income that would be required to support all the "wonderful" "free" programs the "B" wants to bring to our country? Quit "FEELING" and start THINKING or you will be so sad you gave away your freedoms!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Can you at least wait for the marching band to get in the building? Their getting off the bus now. In the meantime... FREE CAD programs... http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?77635-Free-CAD-programs-for-the-non-student. LOW COST CAD programs... http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?77642-Low-cost-CAD-programs. You should be able to find one that suits your needs. Have you considered looking at CAD programs designed specifically for woodworking? Have to be a few Made-In-America versions available. Have a sparkling day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cad64 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 This discussion seems to be drifting off topic, and getting a little heated. Please stick to the topic of CAD software. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCADnoob Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I dont know the specifics of the software that has been discussed here. Just read the license agreement, it will usually give you an indication of any wiggle room. I have a side business running CAD and we got LT for like 50 bucks a month or something along those lines. My energy drink habit is more expensive than that so i couldn't complain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) I found you a company right here in the good old U.S. of A that offers a low cost AutoCAD clone (based upon IntelliCAD) called AcceliCAD 2016. They have a full range of pricing options including SAS (Software as a Service) for as little as $15/month ($149 annually) and three main versions (Standard, Professional and Pro Plus) priced at $199, $299 and $399 respectively. They also offer single incident support ($75), web support ($199) and phone support ($1200) as well as tailor made developer support (call for pricing). The parent company is called Autodsys Inc. and they are located in Dundee, Oregon. You can find more information about the company and its software at...http://www.autodsys.com/ Edited February 24, 2016 by ReMark They speak English in Oregon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilled4u Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 ReMark: That is Great News! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 Does that mean Connecticut no longer sucks? Notice I did not ask what glorious state you live in. You're entirely welcomed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilled4u Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 ReMark: I actually DO live in a glorious state: Colorado. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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