Vista vs. AutoCAD

[chulse]

Has anyone had experience (good or bad) with Vista? We'll be getting some new machines soon and I need to spec them.
New OS scares me a bit and I've heard some horror stories. I've also heard about a Service Pack release candidate that has proven to be a huge improvement.
Any thoughts??

[memphis710]

I don't know about AutoCAD itself, as I haven't tried, but I do know of people that have had problems trying to get hardware (printers, plotters, networks etc.) to work properly, or at all. I would personally recommend sticking to XP Pro. I am assuming that the compatibility of CAD will also depend on the version (current or pre 2006). Autodesk say you need Ultimate or Business so XP would be a cheaper option.

[CADken]

I have Vista and everything works okay for me... it did take a bit of tweaking and such, but other than that, things are going smoothly.

AutoCAD 2006 runs ok on Vista, but the newer version should be fine. (Vista throws a warning about AutoCAD 2006, but after a "Click this box if you wish not to see this message everytime AutoCAD starts" the warning of compatibility doesn't pop up anymore).

I'd stick with XP Pro only b/c it's more easier to setup and it just works, no tricks.

[mjavy7]

[quote=CADken;120352]
AutoCAD 2006 runs ok on Vista, but the newer version should be fine. (Vista throws a warning about AutoCAD 2006, but after a "Click this box if you wish not to see this message everytime AutoCAD starts" the warning of compatibility doesn't pop up anymore).
quote]


I which a had read this 3 weeks ago when I was installing a copy of 2006 on a lap top with vista. The minute after I got this warning I uninstalled it and called it quits.
A custumer of mine just purchased a new machine from dell and they avised him to "down grade" to XP if he was going to use AutoCAD maybe they know more than we do as far as comparability issues.

Personally I will stick to XP for a while.

[f700es]

Installed 3 copies Monday morning (guys I used to work with that won't upgrade) of 2004 on 3 Vista notebooks. Set it to run in XP compatibility mode and installed 2004 SP1a and they run just fine. No pop-ups or errors at all.

[Hedgehog]

I've installed 2007 on Vista... no probs yet :)

[rkent]

Has anyone had experience (good or bad) with Vista? We'll be getting some new machines soon and I need to spec them.
New OS scares me a bit and I've heard some horror stories. I've also heard about a Service Pack release candidate that has proven to be a huge improvement.
Any thoughts??

I just received a new Dell laptop 1520 with Vista. I loaded MEP2008 on it and it starts faster on Vista than XP Pro. On the laptop it takes about 27 seconds to load, on XP it is taking over 120 seconds! And the XP machine is a Dual Xeon 3.2Ghz machine with 2Mb ram, decent nVidia Quadro graphics card.

So far using the 2008 on the laptop has been great. I haven't had any problems with drivers for printers, wireless, etc. Buying a new machine with Vista on it is a much better experience than upgrading exiting hardware to Vista.

Overall I would say the Vista machine is as fast or faster on other software compared to XP. So I have been very happy so far with Vista.

[b.muqlueen]

does anybody have anymore opinions on this. i have heard the same rumors. horror stories about vista and auto cad compatibility. i am buying a laptop. and am unsure which os to use.
(personally i wish they made auto cad for Linux)

[CADken]

AutoCAD 2006 runs ok on Vista, but the newer version should be fine. (Vista throws a warning about AutoCAD 2006, but after a "Click this box if you wish not to see this message everytime AutoCAD starts" the warning of compatibility doesn't pop up anymore).


I which a had read this 3 weeks ago when I was installing a copy of 2006 on a lap top with vista. The minute after I got this warning I uninstalled it and called it quits.
A custumer of mine just purchased a new machine from dell and they avised him to "down grade" to XP if he was going to use AutoCAD maybe they know more than we do as far as comparability issues.

Personally I will stick to XP for a while.

like i said, I run AutoCAD with ADMIN access and run in compatibility mode for XP, never had a prob since.


Installed 3 copies Monday morning (guys I used to work with that won't upgrade) of 2004 on 3 Vista notebooks. Set it to run in XP compatibility mode and installed 2004 SP1a and they run just fine. No pop-ups or errors at all.

+1 to that.


I've installed 2007 on Vista... no probs yet :)

+2 :thumbsup:


does anybody have anymore opinions on this. i have heard the same rumors. horror stories about vista and auto cad compatibility. i am buying a laptop. and am unsure which os to use.
(personally i wish they made auto cad for Linux)

so far it looks like there are at least 3 of us who have VISTA with CAD and at least 3 more that we know of running Vista with CAD.

I say give it a shot.

[chulse]

Thanks for all the input.
Anyone using Land Desktop, Civil 3D or Map on Vista??

[MKWeb]

I am having an issue that I am about to pull my hair out over.

I have a new machine that came with Vista Ultimate installed and when I try to open Vanilla ACAD or C3D using my predefined DWT files, both of them will get to about the 12% mark and then ‘hang’. I am trying to open a DWT file from our server that has 5 layouts in it with a titleblock containing Fields for the TB info that are associated with some of the project data and Custom fields. There is a DST file that has this info in it and there are multiple custom styles in the DWT.

I was hoping that one of you could help me determine where the hang might be coming from.

Both of the ACAD apps are networked licensed with our license server residing in Roswell, NM and our office is located in Durango, CO.

Both of the apps have the latest Sp installed and no 3rd party add-ons.

Help?????

[Dinosaur]

Thanks for all the input.
Anyone using Land Desktop, Civil 3D or Map on Vista??
We had to tweak the installer to get Civil 3D 2008 onto our prototype vista 64 Ultimate box, but after that we have experienced only minor plotting issues. For a bonus Civil 3D seems to be more stable under vista 64 and loads in a fraction of the time. All new builds will definitely be running Vista 64 (probably the business edition).

[CADDict]

I'm running an Acer laptop with Vista Home Premium and AutoCAD 2008 and haven't had the first problem yet.
I guess it helps I didn't have to upgrade.

[f700es]

I'm running an Acer laptop with Vista Home Premium and AutoCAD 2008 and haven't had the first problem yet.
I guess it helps I didn't have to upgrade.

I don't think that's it. No to be harsh but most and I do mean 75% and up of all Vista problems are user error based. A little planning and research will yield loads of information and some times just RTFM will do wonders ;)

As I posted a few days ago, I had to set up several new Vista Business laptops with AutoCAD r2004 and no issues what so ever. Clean install, add service packs and run in compatibility mode and you are good to go.

[CADDict]

True, true. I just figured that some versions of AutoCAD were reacting to Vista the same way a lot of other programs were.

[chrisdarmanin]

when i installed acad 2008 it didint work the i read somewhere on the autodesk forums to repair the installation and it worked so anywone having problems try that

[Jazz]

I have Vista 64 bit version, and the ADT 2006, doesnt work on my machine. I have triede to run ADT in XP mode with administrator rights, and this allows me to start ADT, but the .cui file and alle command lines does not work... does anyone know how to deal with this? best regards Jazz

[4l3x4nd3r]

Vista scares the hell out of me, i have spent a great deal of the last 6 months tweaking to get things to work (sage software most problematic of all), this has kept me using XP Pro for now and will probably keep me using it until Windows 7 comes out - when i will probably start using Vista as the bugs should be worked out by then!

Echo the comment "with they made AutoCAD for Linux" working life would be close to perfect.

[dumfatnhappy]

My "Vista issues" all revolve around older accessories such as printers, scanners, tablet, etc. No drivers available. Otherwise, Acad MEP2009 runs great.

[f700es]

(snip)

Echo the comment "with they made AutoCAD for Linux" working life would be close to perfect.

A network friend of mine has a saying...

"Linux is free if your time is worthless!" ;)

[TauIronTiger]

Windows Vista

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[Zxandar]

On a stand alone installation you might get by with Vista, but if you are installing in a network situation with multiple users and plotters/printers, I wouldn't even go near it. Vista likes to dictate what you can do, as opposed to telling the OS what you want it to do (Bill in your pocket syndrome). XP pro is a much better option. Other considerations are older bits of hardware no longer supported (no drivers for Vista). I think the whole thing is a conspiricy to make you (or companies) throw out reasonably decent hardware (scanners, printers, etc.) and buy new stuff that Vista (in its perceived wisdom) deigns is acceptable. Built-in obsolesence? Well, it is the American way.....besides, Billy needs the money, dosen't he? One other thought: where does he go from here (Vista), other than spending the next 3 years trying to make it work......

[Zxandar]

Why bother with Vista if you are running ACAD in 'compatability mode'???? You are essentially using XP, because Vista doesn't farking work as a stand alone, dude!!!

[Noahma]

On a stand alone installation you might get by with Vista, but if you are installing in a network situation with multiple users and plotters/printers, I wouldn't even go near it. Vista likes to dictate what you can do, as opposed to telling the OS what you want it to do (Bill in your pocket syndrome). XP pro is a much better option. Other considerations are older bits of hardware no longer supported (no drivers for Vista). I think the whole thing is a conspiricy to make you (or companies) throw out reasonably decent hardware (scanners, printers, etc.) and buy new stuff that Vista (in its perceived wisdom) deigns is acceptable. Built-in obsolesence? Well, it is the American way.....besides, Billy needs the money, dosen't he? One other thought: where does he go from here (Vista), other than spending the next 3 years trying to make it work......

the drivers are not a Microsoft issue, it is an issue with the producer of the hardware that needs compatable drivers. Microsoft gave the 3rd party manuf. several years to develop drivers for use, and they failed to get them out in time.

Vista works just fine with my ACA 08 machine, actually it runs faster.

[f700es]

Going to have to agree with Noahma. We have several Vista boxes at work and no issues what so ever. 90% of all Vista issues are user generated by not planning ahead.

[Zxandar]

Going to have to agree with Noahma. We have several Vista boxes at work and no issues what so ever. 90% of all Vista issues are user generated by not planning ahead.
A good friend of mine works as a CAD Manager for one of the largest international architectural practices in the world, over 1500 employees. He is responsible for over 250 butts in London, using various flavours of AutoCAD & Microstation plus rendering software, DTP, etc. These people plan way ahead when deciding to upgrade software and systems. They made the decision not to step up to Vista after a serious trial, preferring instead to continue with XP until what time Vista has been ironed out. If major players like them shun the jump to Vista, I take their decision very seriously.

[f700es]

All I can say is "your mileage may vary".
My rules:
Don't go with Vista if...
1. you have older hardware. Nothing below a Core 2 Duo and 3 gb ram and a 100% OpenGl video card.
2. Older printers, plotters and scanners. Always check their sites 1st for available Vista drivers.
3. You will be supporting older versions of software. 2008 AutoCAD or above! Same with Microstation and others. Make sure they are vista ready before you jump.

[CADTutor]

Also, it's common for large organisations to delay a move to new operating systems. I imagine the same company you cite was slow to move to XP. It doesn't necessarily follow that the OS is bad or unstable, just that any such move for big companies can be very costly in staff training, bespoke systems integration etc. etc.

[f700es]

Also, it's common for large organisations to delay a move to new operating systems. I imagine the same company you cite was slow to move to XP. It doesn't necessarily follow that the OS is bad or unstable, just that any such move for big companies can be very costly in staff training, bespoke systems integration etc. etc.

Bingo, I remember the move at one of my former jobs. I was the CAD manager for the Facilities Planning for a large teaching hospital. We had over 10,000 users! The move from WinNT 4 to Windows 2000 was s-l-o-w! Driver issues galore! Most were due to legacy machines in labs supporting old hardware.