Datasheet

Many programs claim to be DWG compatible — that is, capable of converting

data to and from AutoCAD’s DWG format. But achieving this compatibility

is a difficult thing to do well. Even a small error in file conversion can have

results ranging in severity from annoying to appalling. If you exchange DWG

files with people who use other CAD programs, be prepared to spend time

finding and fixing translation problems.

Seeing the LT

AutoCAD LT is one of the best deals around, a shining example of the old

80/20 rule: roughly 80 percent of the capabilities of AutoCAD for roughly 20

percent of the money. (Actually, with recent price creep, it’s now more like a

75/25 rule!) Like AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT runs on mainstream Windows com-

puters and doesn’t require any additional hardware devices. With AutoCAD

LT, you can be a player in the world of AutoCAD, the world’s leading CAD

program, for a comparatively low starting cost.

AutoCAD LT is a very close cousin to AutoCAD. Autodesk creates AutoCAD LT

by starting with the AutoCAD program, taking out a few features to justify

charging a lower price, adding a couple of features to enhance ease of use

versus full AutoCAD, and testing the result. As a result, AutoCAD LT looks and

works much like AutoCAD. The opening screen and menus of the two programs

are nearly identical. (LT is missing a few commands from the AutoCAD menus.)

In fact, the major difference between the programs has nothing to do with the

programs themselves. The major difference is that AutoCAD LT lacks support

for several customization and programming languages that are used to develop

AutoCAD add-ons. So almost none of the add-on programs or utilities offered

by Autodesk and others are available to LT users.

AutoCAD LT also has only limited 3D support. You can view and edit 3D

objects in AutoCAD LT, so you can work with drawings created in AutoCAD

that contain 3D objects. However, you cannot create true 3D objects in LT.

The lack of 3D object creation in LT is not as big a drawback for many users

as you may think. Despite a lot of hype from the computer press and CAD

vendors (including Autodesk), 3D CAD remains a relatively specialized activ-

ity. The majority of people use CAD programs to create 2D drawings.

Although you may hear claims that AutoCAD LT is easier to master and use

than AutoCAD, the truth is that they’re about equally difficult (or easy, depend-

ing on your NQ [nerd quotient]). The LT learning curve doesn’t differ signifi-

cantly from that of AutoCAD. AutoCAD was originally designed for maximum

power and then modified somewhat to improve ease of use. AutoCAD LT

shares this same heritage.

Chapter 1: Introducing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

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