Datasheet

15
Chapter 1: Introducing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
CAD knowledge can be mixed and matched among your workgroup and part-
ners. In the real world, you may work with people, probably from other com-
panies, who use AutoCAD releases as old as AutoCAD 2000 — or even older.
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. Every time you open a drawing
file, AutoCAD checks its parentage and warns you if the drawing was created
by a non-Autodesk program. If you exchange DWG files with people who use
other CAD programs, you may have to spend time finding and fixing transla-
tion 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
70/30 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 jus-
tify charging a lower price, and adding a couple of features to enhance ease
of use versus full AutoCAD. As a result, AutoCAD LT looks and works much
like AutoCAD. The drawing areas, Ribbons, and Application Menu of the two
programs are nearly identical. (LT is missing a few Ribbon tabs, panels, and
commands.)
In fact, the major difference between the programs has nothing to do with the
programs themselves. The major difference is that AutoCAD LT lacks sup-
port 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 can’t create true 3D objects in LT.
The lack of 3D object creation in LT isn’t as big a drawback for many users as
you may think. Despite a lot of hype from the computer press and CAD ven-
dors (including Autodesk), 3D CAD remains a relatively specialized activity.
The majority of people use CAD programs to create 2D drawings.
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