Often architects so used to AutoCAD, wonder and ask if there would be cheaper yet fully functional alternative - they are asking actually how they can start to get rid of the pirated version most people have learned to use!
There was a time I wanted to develop a cheap AutoCAD of my own, but then Nitin Raje (our CAD teacher at CEPT, remember) told me to focus on being a powerful user than develop the SW! That changed my course and I learnt each new thing each new year versions offered... till about 2010 when I thought it was enough - AutoCad had matured enough!! After all how much can you do
more in AutoCAD. We, afterall, use it mainly (only?) for drafting, don't we! Well, some of us may be doing more - like power 3D users, or even managing large work with X-refs (I will post separately for these for those of you who have not tasted these as yet).
Jumping straight to the topic, there are 2 main alternatives that I have experimented (tried) a bit and found pretty good. I list my findings below.
What I mean by alternative/clone, is not any CAD software with AutoCAD functionality, rather something that looks, feels, works like AutoCAD i.e. it opens/saves AutoCAD files by default, uses a command line interface with the (almost) full command set as AutoCAD, icons that looks like AutoCAD! Compared to AutoCAD lite, these versions are fully functional 3D versions.
There are other opensource CAD programs, but being dependent on AutoCAD, I would choose and recommend a paid legal clone from below - It is about being used to AutoCAD not about using any CAD application. See this blog to compare AutoCAD layout to that of ProgeCAD.
How can anyone legally clone AutoCAD?
If that is what you are wondering, which is what surprised me first time I learnt about it, you must read about IntelliCAD on wikipedia and this blog. For comparison of several CAD apps refer this wikipedia entry.
The IntelliCAD page will help understand how these companies are making products based on IntelliCAD.
Is there not a free version?
Well, there is! Only for personal and private use only. They call it donation-ware, though it is not mandatory to make a donation. ProgeCAD Smart version with support till acad2009 dwg format, can be asked for, from this link.
UPDATE 02Oct2013:
Well I just discovered there is a real free CAD version, like Autocad (clone). It requires a download and activation. It is but only 2D, though it has a 3dview option to see drawings skewed (why will one need that? I leave that to your imagination). It comes from the makers of Catia and Solidworks - Dassault Systèmes. It is called DraftSight.
Draft Sight
I tried it and was happy with ti. It has the same toolbars and command line interface, one can edit properties from the familiar properties window, change dim style, layers and even see all my paper space tabs intact!
Do note what the site says:
"DraftSight lets professional CAD users, students and educators create,
edit and view DWG files. DraftSight runs on Windows®, Mac® and Linux." It means you can confidently legally use the software. (Is this not the reason you came to this post?0
I recommend this for anyone who works with 2D Autocad drawings. I call them Autocad, as most of us do continue to use DWG format drawings! Download it from
this original link.
-- end of update 02 Oct 2013 --
Pros
- cheapest in the category - around
6K INR for single license -
6000 rupees only!
- supports the latest to the oldest AutoCAD formats
- comes with a easy categorised drop down of thousands of blocks
- supports PDF>DXF and Raster>Vector (now how many times you needed that?)
- has a version that allows to install on several machines in LAN and use only the number of licenses paid for simultaneously (now this can be really useful to small offices) including a way to "take away" a license if you plug out the laptop for site!
Cons
- the
trim command behaves very oddly for polylines! It is a known bug and expected to be fixed in 2012 version expected few months away (as told by their office on phone)
- the
print module had some issues, it seemed to not follow the paper space layouts as seen! So if you have previous layouts created elsewhere, you must use "Extents" option in the Print dialogue to ensure the layout is almost as before. Else using "window" option will work, but then in page layout why would you want to use that option!
Detailed feature list
here, do glance through them to convince yourself
Pros
- Much cheaper to AutoCAD - around
25K INR for single license
- has a Linux version for those who use linux
Cons
- I am yet to install and run a review...
Final take
Given the price and compatibility with AutoCAD I would opt for progeCAD! Best way for anyone is to try these alternates with your own files for a month and see if you face any issues.
Note: I am not connected with any of the above companies or their products, nor do I gain anything from by expressing positive opinions. I have expressed information as known to me; my opinions based on studying the Specs and trying some of the features.
