Autocad 2009 - How Much?

Well Autocad 2009 www.autodesk.co.uk is well and truly with us. Whether we like it or not at some point we're all going to have to upgrade somewhere along the way.



I'm always getting asked "how much is Autocad". Well if you want the full blown version you're going to have to fork out around £3000.00 for a new version. Unless you are into 3D in a big way generally you're not going to need the full version. I myself and most of the clients I deal with use all use Autocad LT (or lite). This version still contains way more functions and commands you'll ever be likely to use in general drawing projects (not alot of people know but you can still draw and view in 3 dimensions in this version).



A brand new copy of this will set you back around £1,100.00 with future upgrades costing around £550.00 each time. Alternatively you could go on the Autodesk subscription program for around £220.00 per year which will then cover all future upgrades.



If however, you only want to view and make a few minor changes to drawings, Autodesk also offer Autosketch 10. For around £220.00. This covers most of the basic (and some more advanced) functions of Autocad LT with the ability to read .dwg files with no problem. There are also a number of free dwg viewers out there. I can't comment on any in particular except you obviously won't be able to edit drawings only view them, this maybe ok for a temporary solution.



Where to buy? Well in the past you had to go to a dedicated reseller but now it's available almost everywhere, even your local P.C. World. I myself have used the online company Dabs http://www.dabs.com/ who's prices always seem most favourable. But if you want the back up and support maybe use someone like CADline http://www.cadline.co.uk/ who have been around for a few years now.



Lastly you could be really tight and do what seems to be happening more & more (in my office at least) send the drawings to someone and get them to print to pdf so everybody can view them easily...!!!

New website

Just a quick note to let you know the new CAD Creations website is now live. It's simplified but more colourful and pleasing to the eye...!!

It includes a new download section where you can view more samples of our work in pdf format. Alternatively go to the 'measured surveys' link and download a pdf showing some of the buildings we have surveyed and produced in CAD over the last couple of years.

http://www.cadcreations.co.uk/