Datasheet

Part I: AutoCAD 101

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,

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

significantly from that of AutoCAD. AutoCAD was originally designed for max-

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

LT shares this same heritage.

Fortunately, the minimal differences between LT and AutoCAD mean that

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

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

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

This book covers AutoCAD 2010, but almost all the information in it applies to

AutoCAD LT 2010 as well. The icon that you see to the left of this paragraph

highlights significant differences.

Checking system requirements

If you’re upgrading from AutoCAD 2009 or another recent release, and you

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

requirements. In fact, if your work is mostly or entirely 2D — and therefore,

this applies especially for LT users — AutoCAD 2010 will run fine on pretty

well any computer that will run Windows XP or Vista.

AutoCAD’s requirements for running in Vista are substantially higher than for

running in XP. This section covers the details.

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

release:

✓ Wash those old Windows: AutoCAD 2010 does not support older ver-

sions of Windows, such as Windows 2000, NT, 98, or Me. For AutoCAD

2010, you have two choices:

• Windows XP (Home or Professional, SP2 or later)

• Windows Vista (Enterprise, Business, Ultimate or Home Premium,

SP1 or later)

If you like to be cutting edge, there are 64-bit versions of AutoCAD 2010

and AutoCAD LT 2010 that run in the 64-bit versions of XP and Vista.

✓ DWG file compatibility: The previous three releases shared a common

DWG file format, but AutoCAD 2010 uses a new format. You have to use

the Save As option on the Application Menu, or the SAVEAS command,

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. Look up DXF files in

the online help index for instructions.

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