Need observations/input on upgrading

[Quik&Easy]

Greetings, all, this is my first post here. A little background to start. I've been drawing 2D for about 10 years now as part of our CNC input for a waterjet. I have a no-name 2D CAD program that saves only as a DXF, around Autocad R12 era. It has served me perfectly! It will not open or save DWG files. I've been using my Autocad LT 2004 as needed to open and/or convert files as needed to then take in to the software that actually provides the G-code and post processor to direct the machine controller.

 

The no-name software is currently running on XP pro, but will not load or run on our new Vista computer, I've tried. Its time to get something that will run on Vista.

 

Only recently have I begun to really teach myself to draw in and really use daily my 2004LT. I'm beginning to get the hang of it. I need strictly 2D for the forseeable future, can't see where I'll need 3D for my application.

 

My controller software is Sigmanest and I've begun to draw in that as well, to get a better feel for "usability" of a straightforward CAD drawing program. Sigmanest will still be used as the final step to getting the geometry in to the machine controller. I'm on subscription with Sigmanest, but it does not yet seem quite as intuitive or powerful as my 2004 LT. It may do it but I'm still learning. It may be the answer to the question I'm getting to.

 

I'm trying to plan for the future for when the XP computer dies and I'll be forced to learn something new; I'd rather be ahead of the curve than behind it.

 

What level of Autocad or related products would you suggest I look at to stay current with new file formats, files provided from customer using who knows what as a drawing program, ease of learning, ease of staying current with new releases, etc. It doesn't have to be Autocad provided it will work with DXF's and DWG's at a minimum. The more straight forward and simple to use the better.

 

I'd appreciate any observations you as a group might have.

[Pablo Ferral]

Our CNC programmer uses a combination of Autocad LT and Alphacam. Autocad is much quicker and easier for creating Geometry (Because that's what it was designed to do!), Alphacam spits out the G-Code.

 

I belive that Sigmanest works with Autodesk Inventor, so perhaps you could look at the Autodesk LT suite, which combiens Autocad LT and Inventor LT.

[Tiger]

It seems like AutoCAD LT will suit your needs, I would suggest to get a fairly recent version, 2010 if you can. It is quite a step from 2004 to 2010 though so except a bit of a learning curve.