Investigating legitimate venders for purchase

[dvarvaro]

Hi AutoCAD forums, there is my first post here, and it seems like an appropriate one.

 

I have been a user of Autodesk programs for 5 or so years, while I was completing my Architecture degree. I have since graduated, but I would like to purchase a personal license without time-stipulations attached. I am thinking AutoCAD 2009 or 2008 should suit my needs just fine.

 

My questions are these:

 

1) Are there issues surrounding using older versions of the Autodesk software? Proprietary usage restrictions, etc.

 

2) I have encountered dramatically variant pricing models for the software, and some of it may be scam-based or disinformation. I understand a business license for the newest AutoCAD generally runs something like 5-6k, and that personal unlimited licenses run something like 700$. I have seen websites advertising licenses for AutoCAD 2008, for instance, around something like 200$.

 

There must be a catch in there someplace- either it is a limited-use license that will expire after a year, or has legal-stipulations against its use, or maybe it is even an outright scam (The sites list themselves as authorized resellers).

 

A couple examples:

 

***Links to Disreputable Sites Removed***

 

Does anyone have any information that could benefit me in finding an affordable, yet legal and unrestricted copy for personal freelance use?

Edited July 30, 2011 by Cad64
Removed links

[Cad64]

I understand a business license for the newest AutoCAD generally runs something like 5-6k

 

An Autocad license is $3995, but since you were a student, you should be able to upgrade your student license to a professional license at a discounted rate: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=10916786. Contact a local reseller for information.

 

I removed the links in your post because we don't want to promote sites that indulge in illegal activity. Any site that is selling Autocad for $200 is not legitimate.

[ReMark]

Authorized resellers of AutoDesk products cannot legally sell you software that is three or four years old. If you can buy AutoCAD for $200 then I suspect the software is illegal. The chances of you being able to load it successfully then obtain an authorization code from AutoDesk is probably slim to none. It is said that "a sucker is born every minute." Don't be one of them. If you can't afford the upgrade from your student version then look at AutoCAD clones like progeCAD or Bricscad. Feature sets are similar, you can still read and write to the DWG file format and the prices are way lower.

[Jack_O'neill]

Assuming you are who and what you say, and not a spammer trying to draw business to the sites that were removed, I suggest the following:

 

If all you need is 2d capability, Draftsight is a very good clone of AutoCAD LT and it is a free download. If you need 3D, Bricscad is my recommendation. It looks and functions very much like AutoCAD 2008 and even has a few capabilities it doesn't. By the same token, there are a few things it won't do that AutoCAD does. It can be had for less than $700, depending on the level and if the current special pricing is still in effect.

[JD Mather]

There is a link on the Autodesk website to locate the VAR for your region.

I would purchase only from an authorized reseller found through the Autodesk site (search google for the exact Autodesk url).

You can also check the Autodesk estore http://store.autodesk.com/DRHM/store

 

Be aware that scam sites might go into some detail about a recent court case that said others could sell the software (including on ebay).

I have had clients quote in some detail all the research they did that cited this court case only to find out Autodesk would activate their license ( http://registeronce.autodesk.com ) , sure you can purchase cheap from someone - but that court case doesn't say Autodesk is required to activate, so unless you are a laywer experienced in software license or someone with very deep pockets....

[dvarvaro]

Thanks for removing the links, I did not know that was against policy.

 

I contacted Autodesk to report these sites, since they claimed to be authorized Autodesk resellers; I doubt it will do much good though, as I am guessing they are Russia-based or some such.

 

I didn't think the price fit at all- thanks for confirming. I am looking into competitively-priced alternatives as some of you suggest, as I indeed only want 2D vector drafting, but I was turned off by earlier experiences with "TurboCAD" about 6 years ago, which had clunky interface and was even more methodical in command-syntax than AutoCAD. Times might have changed though, I guess. Do competitors have the paper-space / layout-space distinction AutoCAD has? I don't really want to learn a radically different interface...

[Cad64]

As ReMark suggested, both ProgeCAD and Bricscad are very good alternatives to Autocad, with an almost identical interface. And they both have trial versions that you can download to see for yourself. Or talk to Jack_O'neill. He is currently a Bricscad user.

[ReMark]

The only other alternative I can think of would be to buy AutoCAD LT 2012. Last time I checked though it was selling for around $800. You'll give up some features like support for Lisp and therefore no Express Tools. A feature matrix comparison for full AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT can be found at the AutoDesk website.

[Jack_O'neill]

Bricscad Pro and Platinum both give you VBA and Lisp, and 3D. I haven't tested every single one of my lisp routines on the Bricscad machine, but I have used the most common and important ones on it, and have had no problems. Same with the VBA stuff. And it's less money than LT.