twebb Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Hi, I'm considering taking an TAFE AutoCAD course via distance education. For non-Australian forum members, a TAFE is similar to a community college or junior college in the US. The object of the course is to learn AutoCAD and some basic drafting skills. The course syllabus requires some version of AutoCAD up to 2008. It is my understanding that only AutoCAD 2010 and AutoCAD 2011 are currently available. What I'm wondering, is there a CAD program that is less costly than AutoCAD but yet close enough to AutoCAD to where if you know one you know the other? A program that can be used to generate CAD drawings by the student and opened in a AutoCAD environment by the instructor? I would like to learn how to operate AutoCAD, but on a "non-Autodesk" product. Is there such an animal?? Thanks!! Quote
rkent Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Not sure how it works outside of the U.S., but here in the U.S. with an edu email one can get a free student license to learn on. It leaves a permanent water mark on anything you produce so don't plan on using anything made from it for commercial purposes. Quote
SuperCAD Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Check this out: http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/download-draftsight/?xtor=SEC-6-GOO-[]-[]-S-[solidWorks%20draftsight] Quote
JD Mather Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 ....course via distance education.... The course syllabus requires some version of AutoCAD up to 2008. It is my understanding that only AutoCAD 2010 and AutoCAD 2011 are currently available. I would question paying tuition for a class so out of date as to be using something as ancient as 2008 - especially an on-line class - double especially since students get 2010 or 2011 for free. Having said that, you can set 2011 to look and save file format like 2007 - so only you would know it was actually 2011. Problem solved! The more I think about this - a distance ed course using outdated software? I would run the other way. There is no way they would get my money. Quote
Jack_O'neill Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Save your money, grab a book from amazon and ask questions here. If you can't afford a full version of autocad, LT is available on amazon for around 495. Quote
BIGAL Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 As an AUS ex Autocad dealer be carefull buying via the likes of Amazon you end up with a "GREY Import" it is not recognised by Autodesk basicly worth nothing here in Aus can be upgraded but at a premium price, like above download the education version of full acad 2011 far better you have to have the Tafe confirm that you a bonifide student thats all costs nothing except internet download. Other software though have a look at Turbocad & Intellicad last time I looked $295 US full version better than LT as it supports lisp and VBA Australian agents exist so no probs upgrading later on. Quote
paulmcz Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 (edited) FREE CLONE http://download.cnet.com/progeCAD-2009-Smart/3000-6677_4-10777485.html Edited February 23, 2011 by paulmcz Quote
Jack_O'neill Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 As an AUS ex Autocad dealer be carefull buying via the likes of Amazon you end up with a "GREY Import" it is not recognised by Autodesk basicly worth nothing here in Aus can be upgraded but at a premium price, like above download the education version of full acad 2011 far better you have to have the Tafe confirm that you a bonifide student thats all costs nothing except internet download. Other software though have a look at Turbocad & Intellicad last time I looked $295 US full version better than LT as it supports lisp and VBA Australian agents exist so no probs upgrading later on. If they don't recognize it, why does Autodesk let Amazon sell it? I'm not arguing with you about it, I just don't understand. Those guys on Ebay and such I can understand, they are making thier own copies and doing illegal things, but I doubt seriously that Amazon is engaged in selling illegal software. Quote
twebb Posted February 22, 2011 Author Posted February 22, 2011 I want to thank each and everyone of your for replies. They were all very helpful. I need to clarify information in my initial post. The TAFE course I'm considering is not an "AutoCAD" course, but a "Computer Aided Drafting" course using AutoCAD as the CAD platform. The course covers basic drafting, mechanical, structural, etc, etc. The course text is an engineering drawing text and the course also covers the Australian Drawing Standard AS1100. Sorry about the mistake. I have decided to download the student version of AutoCAD 2010 or AutoCAD2011 from Autodesk. Any recommendations as to which? Also, each version is available in 32 bit or 64 bit. I have no idea as to the distinction. What are the considerations in selecting 32 bit verses 64 bit? I do plan to get an AutoCAD 2010 or AutoCAD 2011 book from Amazon. I have "Mastering AutoCAD 2007" by Omura and "AutoCAD 2007, No Experience Required" by Frey. My observation is that Omura is more complete, Frey is more user-friendly and larger print. Any recommendations for AutoCad 2010 or AutoCAD 2011? Again, thank you for helping an old dog learn some new tricks! I sincerely appreciate your support! Quote
Tiger Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 If you have Windows 64 bit - get AutoCAD 64bit If you have Windows 32 bit - get AutoCAD 32bit. Right-click on 'My Computer' too see what OS you have - if you have no clue, I dare say that you probably have 32bit. Quote
Organic Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 I would question paying tuition for a class so out of date as to be using something as ancient as 2008 - especially an on-line class - double especially since students get 2010 or 2011 for free. TAFE is the standard 'practical' government run furthur education system in Australia (i.e. one level below university say) which teaches trades etc. Quote
BIGAL Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) Re buying form Amazon.com if you could buy something, real version, from anywhere in the world then you would probably not buy from amazon but some registered autocad supplier in a third world country who sells it even cheaper. We pay more than the US price here yet our dollar at the moment is the same? Just checked a LT here is $1,500 AUS. last time I looked 1 $AUS = 1.02 $US Not sure as I have not bought one but does Amazon refuse your order if your delivery address is Australia ? This is because Autodesk does not like grey imports, they have an obligation to support their world wide dealers. Also regarding TAFE "teaches trades etc" are now competing with universities here to quote from one TAFE. Further information on all of the Gordon's 222 accredited Certificate and Diploma courses is available from Course Information Just had to add looked at the top of the forum page and there is 3 sites for TAFES advertising Edited February 23, 2011 by BIGAL Tafe advertisment Quote
Jack_O'neill Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 As it happens, the price I mentioned was a clearance sale they were having on 2010 last month. I didn't read all the ad, apparently. Just checked, the full 2011LT version is $1104US but it does say that it ships only to US and possessions. My bad...sorry. Quote
JD Mather Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 ... If you can't afford a full version of autocad' date=' LT is available on amazon for around 495.[/quote'] Huh? Any student, anywhere in the world can download full version of AutoCAD for free from http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity over 2 million members (6-10 thousand new members per day). Quote
Jack_O'neill Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Huh? Any student, anywhere in the world can download full version of AutoCAD for free from http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity over 2 million members (6-10 thousand new members per day). I was talking about doing that if someone didn't take a course, but chose to buy a book and teach himself. Didn't make that very clear, I guess. Quote
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