Autocad Lt 2011

I am considering purchasing Autocad LT 2011 - To what extent is it compatible with regular Autocad? I have some experience with AutoCad 2007 but am totally ignorant about the technical and licensing aspects (I work for an engineering firm - can I download drawings legally from company to personal?).

Well first off AutoCAD anything with LT on stands for Laptop or Light. But it should stand for limited. There's nothing wrong with using LT versions of AutoCAD. In fact if you're doing only 2D work then you can use the LT versions and save yourself a bucket of cash. But if you need 3D or a few other of the advanced features then LT won't cut it. You cannot do 3D drawings with the LT versions of AutoCAD.

As for taking drawings created at your company to your personal systems, that would be up to the company you work for. Most companies have strict rules about taking drawings out of the office. But we all know it happens all the time. Most of the time it's just some working stiffs trying to get their work done by deadline time. But of course there's always theft of trade secrets, corporate espionage, etc...You'd have to check with the company about their rules on this practice.