Friday 29 November 2013

Autodesk call time on Windows XP Operating System

Microsoft® has announced the discontinuation of support for Microsoft® Windows XP operating system. Since Autodesk is aware that a large number of AutoCAD users continue to use Windows XP, we are notifying customers about the impact to AutoCAD software products.

Autodesk® AutoCAD® 2014 is the final version of AutoCAD software* that will run on the Windows XP operating system.


What this means for you:
  • AutoCAD 2014 is the final release that can be installed on the Windows XP operating system.
  • AutoCAD 2014 is the final version of AutoCAD that will be supported on Windows XP.
  • If you have a currently supported version of AutoCAD on Windows XP, Autodesk will continue supporting your AutoCAD software through the "support life" of the product (Autodesk support is limited to the most current version and previous three versions of AutoCAD software).

For more information, including detailed frequently asked questions, please visit this page.


* Includes: AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Map 3D, and AutoCAD MEP

Friday 26 April 2013

NanoCAD the FREE alternative to AutoCAD




OK I like FREE, I have downloaded and played with Nanocad for a few days now, and it is really exceptional value for money ;0). It's as good as IntelliCAD and better than A9Cad and if you are still playing with 2D then don't give Autodesk any more money for AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT check out NanoCAD at http://nanocad.com/

The interface is not the latest Ribbon and it has an AutoCAD Classic type interface but hell I started using AutoCAD at version 2.5 in DOS and still love the Classic windows 2004 interface. and it will run LISP routines - check out the Comparison Chart

Then go download and play for FREE


Technology nanoCAD 4.5
www.nanocad.com
AutoCAD 2012
www.autodesk.com
AutoCAD 2012 LT
www.autodesk.com
User interface and basic technologies
User interface
classic
ribbon+classic
ribbon+classic
Multiple document mode
yes
yes
yes
Layer, block and linetype managers
yes
yes
yes
Object snap, object tracking and polar snap
yes
yes
yes
AutoCAD commands syntax
yes
yes
yes

Command line: autohide mode, changing parameters 
(font, color and height)
yes
yes
yes

Command line: hyperlinks for command options
yes
Autocomplete of entered commands
yes
yes
yes
SHX and TTF fonts
yes
yes
yes
Autorecover of drawings
yes
yes
yes
Unlimited Undo/Redo commands
yes
yes
yes
Aliases, menu and toolbars settings
yes
yes
yes
Selection of similar objects
yes
yes
yes

Selection of overlapped and superimposed objects
yes
yes
yes
User coordinate systems
yes
yes
yes
External references, XREF
yes
yes
yes
Operations with raster images
yes
yes
yes
Linetype editoryes
Creation of viewport from model spaceyes
Dynamic blocks
yes
yes
yes
Dynamic input
yes
yes
2D-drawing

Information about object’s properties 
when the cursor goes over it
yes
yes
yes
Notepad for text data exchange
yes
Calculator
yes
yes
yes
Multifunctional grips
yes
yes
yes
Associative dimensions
yes
yes
yes
Associative hatches
yes
yes
Additional commands for layers
yes
AutoCAD tables
yes
yes
yes
Excel-style table editor
yes
Additional tools
Parametric 2D-design
Using dependencies

Creation of user libraries consisting of objects with 
geometric, descriptive and behavioral properties
Dynamic blocks

Adding dialogs to control objects behavior
Using external     
programming
Editing of external references
partly
yes
yes
Display of 3D-drawings
yes
yes
yes
Creation of mesh objects
yes
yes
Switching of visual styles
yes
yes
3D-views
yes
yes
Orbit command
yes
yes
Operations with solid 3D-objects
yes
Printing

Working with model space and paper space

yes
yes
yes
Viewports
yes
yes
yes
Objects transparency
yes
yes
yes
Color dependent printing (CTB)
yes
yes
yes
Batch plot
yes
yes
Printing in PDF
using external     
PDF-printers
yes
yes
Printing in PLT
yes
yes
yes
PDF as a background
yes
yes
Programmingdevelopment

OLE Automation (Visual Basic Script/Java Script)

yes
yes
Visual Basic for Applications
yes
AutoLISP (with DCL)
yes
yes
C++
NRX
ARX
.NET
yes
yes