CADD Programs - Your recommendations.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Let me preface this post by saying, I'm looking for a good and cheap CADD program. I have a 14 year old, 16bit AutoCADD Lite program that doesn't work with the new 32bit operating systems and the new AutoCADD Lite program is selling for over $600 in some stores.

Does anyone use a CADD program that they like and is cheap?

I use the RR TRACK program for layout designs, but I want a program to draw benchwork, bridges and buildings. Let's keep the cost under $150.

Cheers [8D]

[GregM]

May I suggest you give this a look, http://www.imsisoft.com/prodinfo.asp?t=1&mcid=252 Several years ago I purchased this program. I still have it, but don't use it. I just didn't figure out how to use it with any success. It does fit your price category.

[Anonymous]

Buckeye, email me and I can send you a copy of a CADD program if you would like it.

[maddognc]

You may want to check at the local college bookstore. I believe you can purchase student versions of AutoCAD LT for about $100.

Or check ebay for the next to last released version at deep discount. AutoCAD LT 2000 and 2004 go for about $150.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Thanks a bunch. Some real good ideas, especially the one about the bookstores and since I live near one of the biggest universities in the world and my wife gets a discount because she is a teacher.....well let's see what happens.

jimdevleerjr, thanks for the offer, but if I can get AutoCADD LT for a reasonable price, I have been extensively trained to use that program. It's the old dog, and new tricks thing. [:)]

Thanks again everyone. [:)]

[hminky]

Go to Ebay and pick up a copy of Turbocad 7, it does all the things Autocad does and only goes for about $13.00.
Hope that Helps
Harold

[Anonymous]

Turbocad is a great program. You can get version 10 Turbocad Delux for $129.95 on their website: imsisoft.com

[Buckeye Riveter]

I looked at the TurboCAD program and yes, I think it will do just what I want and I like the idea about buying it on EBAY. I works much like old versions of AutoCADD. (Needless to say I learned on VER 2 in 1986 on a green screen. I thought I went to CADD heaven when they invented color CADD. Did anyone else ever use a pen type stylus and draw directly on the screen?)

[spankybird]

Well Buckeye,

Your making me feel old. I first learned cad in 84 before autocad was out. And I also started with autocad in 86 with Rel 2.0

See we are old farts.

tom

[Buckeye Riveter]

Did you have one of those green screens where you drew on the screen or were you fortunate enough to have a digitizer tablet?

Remember the old pen plotters that were a real pain in the rear.

In fact, the first CADD system that I was exposed to was called AutoTrol. It was huge and cumbersome and when the PC's showed up in the 80's it was toast.

[spankybird]

I was lucky, I had the digitizer tablet. The first system was called Anvil 4000. It was a main frame system that we bought time share from. I belive it also had a digitizer tablet.

tom

[Anonymous]

ATLAS the modelralroad company has a free download of a model railroad software program at www.atlasrr.com[(-D]