Datasheet

Fortunately, the minimal differences between LT and AutoCAD mean that

after you have climbed that learning curve, you’ll have the same great view.

You’ll have almost the full range of AutoCAD’s 2D drafting tools, and you’ll be

able to exchange DWG files with AutoCAD users without data loss.

This book covers AutoCAD 2008, but almost all the information in it applies

to AutoCAD LT 2008 as well. The icon that you see to the left of this para-

graph highlights significant differences.

Step Up to the Plate with 2008

If you’re upgrading from AutoCAD 2007 or another recent version and you

work mostly or entirely in 2D, you’re probably already current with system

requirements. If you want to use AutoCAD’s 3D features productively, how-

ever, it may be time for some new wheels, as I describe next.

You should know the following before you upgrade from any older AutoCAD

release:

 Wash those old Windows: AutoCAD 2008 does not support older ver-

sions of Windows, such as Windows NT, 98, and Me. You must use

Windows Vista (in any of its five flavors), Windows XP (Professional,

Home, or Tablet PC), or Windows 2000, all patched with the latest ser-

vice packs. AutoCAD 2008 also comes in 64-bit versions for users of

64-bit XP or Vista.

 DWG file compatibility: AutoCAD’s DWG file format changed with

AutoCAD 2007. Users of that version can open drawings created in

AutoCAD 2008, but you have to use File➪Save As to create DWG files

for users of AutoCAD 2006 and earlier versions. You can save as far back

as Release 14, and if you need to go even further back, you can save to

the Release 12 DXF format — see Chapter 17 for instructions.

 Application compatibility: If you use third-party applications with a

previous version of AutoCAD, they may not work with AutoCAD 2008.

AutoCAD 2007 applications developed with the ARX (AutoCAD Runtime

eXtension) will work, but earlier ARX applications will need to be recom-

piled. VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) applications may or may not

work with AutoCAD 2008, but AutoLISP files should work without change.

Many LSP (AutoLISP) programs written for the last several versions of

AutoCAD work with AutoCAD 2008.

 Computer system requirements: For AutoCAD 2008, Autodesk recom-

mends an 800 MHz Pentium III or better processor, at least 512MB of

RAM, 1024 x 768 or higher display resolution with True Color graphics,

750MB of available hard disk space, an Internet connection, and

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 with Service Pack 1 or later.

Part I: AutoCAD 101

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