windows 7 or windows vista?

[dannysteel]

I'm new with autocad i already have autocad 2005 i work for a structural steel company and i know how to read prints and etc.but i want to move on into detailing i want to work in the office,and my questions are should i keep autocad 2005 or what version works better for my need,i also want to buy a new laptop what o.s. works better for that version that you recommend.please help.I'll appreciate your help.

[Tankman]

Expense for a later version of AutoCAD, new laptop, wing tip shoes for the office. Lots of financing needed.

 

I would stick with XP Pro SP3 for the time being and continue using '05. I've been using '05 and Express Tools for years. Haven't upgraded for several reasons, equipment (PC) upgrades, AutoCAD upgrades, I am already familiar with '05. I also have '07 but, usually run '05 particularly on my laptops.

 

"Windows 7 is supported in AutoCAD 2010 (and 2011 and higher) and Inventor 2010 (and 2011 and higher).

 

If you want to install and run older versions of AutoCAD, LT, or Inventor (2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, R11...)

in Win7, you can use the virtualized "XP Mode" available for Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise (both 32-bit and 64-bit).

 

To use the Windows XP Mode you will need a CPU hardware support.

You can detect the HW virtualization support in your processor with the utility havdetectiontool.exe.

 

The Windows XP Mode add-on (application) can be downloaded from the Microsoft web.

 

Then you can install the tool through Windows Virtual PC > Windows XP Mode."

[ReMark]

First. Upgrade to 2010.

 

Second. Get a 64-bit computer.

 

Third. Have Win7 64-bit version loaded.

 

Fourth. Get busy.

[Tankman]

First. Upgrade to 2010.

 

Second. Get a 64-bit computer.

 

Third. Have Win7 64-bit version loaded.

 

Fourth. Get busy.

 

Get busy and pay off programming (new ACAD) and computer(s).

 

I'm busy today!

 

More wood indoors (woodstove), walk the mini-Schnauzers, wait for GF to make breakfast, a little CAD work, visit CadTutor forums, open up a bit more ice on the Koi pond, head over to the gin mill for an Italian hoagie, read the local rag, SS&S (sh_ _, shower 'n shave), afternoon nap(?) possibly. Call daughters, move a bit more ice 'n show. TANK goodness 55°F and sunny, need all the help I can get!

 

Steaks are thawing, the outdoor Jenn-Air is looking very good!

[dannysteel]

thank you Tankman i appreciate your help,i'll take your advice,it's cause i really want to learn more about autocad,i'm tired of working in the shop getting dirty and all.I know i can do it,since i already know how to read prints good an d i have a little knowledge in autocad. but i gotta stick around here you guys are good have a good one,thanks again

[dannysteel]

i actually have a quick question,do you know what would be the best version of autocad for structural steel,i work with beams and steel members.

[tzframpton]

DO NOT GO WITH VISTA.....!! Stick with Win 7. If you can go 64bit like others are saying.... you'll thank all of us later.

[Wilbri]

My I inquire as to why you chaps are recommending Win.7 - 64bit OS?

Are you proposing suggesting that if dannysteele opts to go for AutoCad 2010 it should be 64bit if there is one, otherwise what are advantages of using Win.7 - 64bit.

Please correct me if I am wrong but as far as I am aware, 32bit software programs will remain operating at 32bit even if the OS is 64bit.

Would appreciate some enlightenment here please?

[tzframpton]

Its just the ability to address much more RAM which helps in any high intensive graphics application.

[ReMark]

Always plan ahead. 64-bit is the next step. 32-bit machines will probably be phased out just like 8 and 16-bit machines were.

[Wilbri]

Thank you for your prompt response.

ReMark

Yes I am aware of future plans regarding 32 to 64bit. A positive advancement when considering the difference achieved by going to 32bit.

StykfacE

From what I understand 64bit is an immediate enhancement?

By addressing more RAM to improve graphics indicates two things to me:

More RAM may be required to enhance the graphics but other than for high graphics requirements such as gaming, this would reduce the reason for installing a graphics card provided that the MB on-board graphics was good?

Have I interpreted your explanation correctly?

[ReMark]

64-bit allows more physical RAM (memory modules) to be addressed. It has nothing to do with the graphics. That would be vidRAM (video RAM).

 

Do not buy a computer that relies solely upon an onboard graphics chip. They're good enough for computers on which the user will do nothing more than send emails, play solitaire, surf the internet and maybe type up a recipe. Gamers and CAD users need more graphics power than the "normal" computer user. They also benefit from the addition of more physical RAM. Serious users should get serious machines...not toys.

[Wilbri]

OK I get the picture now.

Thank you?

[hugha]

Do you know what version and o/s are they using in the office?

 

Are they using any third-party package - there's plenty out there as well as ADesks newest which comes with Revit® Structure Suite and for that you would want a 64bit and a lot of RAM.

 

OTOH to get the hang of ACAD in general AC2005 is fine and runs on modest hardware.

[dannysteel]

hey can anyone tell me why i can't use tk mode,i get "invalid 2d point error? sorry i'm a newbie.

[MichaelBrenden]

I'm running ac 2010 64bit on windows 7 64bit with 8g ram, and AC feels clunky.

 

The "feel", the responsiveness of the program, is actually worse than previous versions on 32bit os and less memory. I'm not even joking. And I'm not running idiotic stuff or too much of it.

 

During renders, the whole AC 2010 64b app will often minimize itself...not crash, just vanish. RAM consumption averages 1G to 2.5G at all times with one fairly modest model loaded (fairly modest means an average computer chassis with at most ten thousand total primitive parts, most of which are combined into large 3D solids, of which there are at most 2,000 and probably fewer). Spinning that generic computery-type chassis around in 3d "realistic" view is slow to start (by about 1 second delay). Zooming in realistic visual style is a total throwback and feels exactly like zooming and maneuvering on the original Macintosh II in 1987. Everything just feels slow; it's not unusable, just far from snappy.

 

On the other hand, in hundreds of hours of real use there's only been two memorable crashes, neither lost data. In fact, I don't think any AC has ever crashed and lost data that I can recall. That's pretty remarkable, given the house of cards OS it runs on.

 

motherboard is intel dg35ec

cpu is intel core 2 duo 3ghz

8g ram is ddr2 style

[ReMark]

A quad-core and DDR3 memory would be more suitable. In the meantime turn off some of the "bells and whistles" included with Win7 and maybe even disable your antivirus program and see if there is any change.

 

What are your settings for virtual memory (page file)?

[dannysteel]

my virtual memory is 4061mb is that good or no?

[ReMark]

Normally virtual memory is managed by Windows itself. Most computer users probably know nothing about it. Some people suggest that VM be set anywhere from 2.5 to 3 times install (physical) memory. It is also recommended that the min and max settings be set to the same value to ensure that the area set aside for the page file is contiguous (i.e. - not broken up and scattered all over the hard drive). In a system with more than one drive choose the fastest drive and the one with the most space available on it.