Needing to get an office up to industry standards...

[Alan Cullen]

2009 is very good. We have Map 3D 2009 and also Civil 3D 2009. No problems yet what so ever. Despite what other members are saying here about 2009, we have not found any problems. in fact, I would go so far as to say it is more stable than 2008. And much better.

I'm sure you can purchase any acad product, version you want, but why would you, they are all going to cost about the same, so get the latest.

Go for 2009, it is so far advanced from 2007, it will knock your socks off.

[f700es]

Thank You each SO much! Very good points raised re: LT and the full version. I have worked in both and much prefer the full version myself.

I do have a follow-up question...

I was under the impression that only 2009 (or the CURRENT version) could be purchased. Is that not true?

And IF we do have a choice between years, is 2009 the best way to go from your collective experience?

I have used SketchUp a bit and know it is a very valuable tool to utilize. But have not been introduced to Vue.

Thanks again for the links and advice. I will look them all over this evening.

As far as I klnow and that I have seen this is true. Only current version are sold. You might get lucky with your reseller but don't hold your breath on this. Good luck

[CADTutor]

The new EULA for 2009 entitles the licence holder to use any previous version of the software (this is new). So if you buy 2009, it entitles you to use 2008, 2007 etc.

[f700es]

The new EULA for 2009 entitles the licence holder to use any previous version of the software (this is new). So if you buy 2009, it entitles you to use 2008, 2007 etc.

But one would still need the software, correct?

[CADTutor]

But one would still need the software, correct?

Oh, sure but I guess most people have old AutoCAD disks hanging around or at least know someone who does. (Or is it just me who has an inability to throw away old CDs?)

[Alan Cullen]

Nah, we've still got all ours back to R14. And that includes all the manuals.

I keep putting them on the throw-out table, and they keep ending up back on my desk.

[MAREBER]

You guys are great! Thank you!

I did speak with a reseller today and had most of my other questions answered. I was wondering however...what is the advantage to purchasing through a reseller vs. from Autodesk on-line?

I also learned that both of the designer computers at the office are low in memory. They both have 512MB and are only capable of holding 1G each.

After reading that the newer CAD software 'should' run on a 1G minimum... I was thinking of downloading the trail version to see if things drag or not on the current systems.

Have any of you had experience of dragging systems with lower memory than what is recommended?

Am I asking too many questions?

[Alan Cullen]

You keep firing away with your questions, we'll keep trying to answer them.

We have an FAQ on hardware requirements for various versions, it may give you some idea......

http://www.cadtutor.net/faq/question...run+AutoCAD%3F

Generally, if you have too little RAM, the computer will slow down, because it has to "page out" to the hard drive rather than to the RAM.

[NuttZ]

As a pointer to all that are considering upgrading, but may fear the 2009 interface.
Whereas in the past you were entitled to use your current licence with a previous release, providing that you had previously owned the software you wish to use, you can now use your 2009 licence and use 2008, 2007, etc. without having to have previously owned 2008, 2007, etc.

Does 2009 use 2007 file type? Meaning..if i have 2007 and and someone sends me a drawing they did in 2009, can I open it?

Thanks

[LCE]

Yes.
Althought you have to be careful in annotation scale is being used.