Recently returning to AutoCad

[g6udx]

I'm about to return to AutoCad use after a gap of several years. My last regular use was ACAD12 for DOS. Can someone give be some idea of what's changed. I used a twin screen setup with Tablet/Digitizer along with pen plotters.

 

[LHA]

I've never use R12, but I saw a guy wrestle with it once. I watched for about ten minutes, and couldn't take the pain, so I left the room. I started on R13, in '96.

Wow, are you in for a pleasant surprise! DOS CADD used to require a lot of typing effort. Now, it requires none, unless you count keyboard shortcuts, which, if they existed at all in R13, I'd never seen them until R14.

I can't even begin...but the sort answer is everything. Have fun.

Engineering is the practice of the art of science - Steve

 

[PatBethea]

G6udx,

I started out on ACAD 11 (which was of course DOS based). I migrated from there to 12 and then to 13 (first Windows based version I saw). I then did nothing with ACAD until about 6 months ago. So, I feel your pain. Just be prepared to get frustrated, especially if you've spent the last several years solid modeling like I did (PRO/E and Solid Works). AutoCAD sucks.

Alot has changed in Autocad, but there's alot that is the same. You will either have to have plenty of time to fool around with it or you will need to take a training class to get the most out of it. I still enter most of my commands at the command line (like in the old DOS versions). For me, its faster than searching for the correct icon. The Help system in ACAD is above average, so when you think you should be able to do something, but can't figure it out, start there.

I'm afraid I'm not much help. Just dig in and be patient. Hopefully you've got some time to learn.

 

[g6udx]

Thanks for the replies. I'm curious, whilst I'm please to hear the command line has stayed pretty much the same, is there still any support for tablets?

 

[IFRs]

I started with Acad 8 (I think - it was a long time ago). I still use the command line 50% of the time. Because all my macros are easy 2 letter commands and I can type and mouse quicker than I can just mouse. I believe it supports tablets. But you may not need to give up the desk space. All of the old commands are there and many new ones. You should love it.

 

[DonPhillips]

I learned on Release 7 (last release not needing the 80287 math coprocessor on my 80286 computer) and I still find myself using macros and the command line. Just never made the transition to the buttons and drop down menus. Althought I had a digitizer and I still think that is the best pointing device, I never used it for buttons and macros.

I would think you will find AutoCAD evolved similar as Windows 3.1 to Vista.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[DanDel]

I started with AutoCAD 10 DOS, and went through to v12 Windows, and to LT 2004 & LT 2005.
I believe you should enjoy the changes, and you're lucky you missed the first few Windows versions.

Set up your icon toolbox with all of the common tools that you use, and you won't miss the tablet. Just use the mouse for (almost) everything; it will save time.

I still end up using the command line for snap settings, etc., and you can use it exclusively if you want. But the whole thing is so much easier to use with Windows-type interface controls and to integrate with other Windows programs, it just seems that you should jump right in and use them.

 

[borgunit]

In my personal opinion, I would abandon the digitizer. I know that you believe you are very fast with it, but there have been tests and taking your eyes away from the screen introduces error and costs time. AutoCAD normally comes with some decent default toolbars to begin with. I think after using it about a month or so, you will begin to see which tools you will use more frequently and can customize your toolbars for the best efficiency. You may be at an advantage in that you may have less preconceived ways of working and you may be able to use a lot of AutoCAD's newer features without automatically passing over them without trying them first. AutoCAD now has Workspaces (kind of like the old Tablet transparent layovers) which allow you to create a quick way to change AutoCADs tools on the fly. Good luck.

http://mechcad-insider.blogspot.com/

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"

 

[taffcad]

Your going to love paperspace. I don't want to open a can of worms we have been down that road before. Remember Model in Model Space and everything else in Paperspace. Thats my two pennyworth anyway.

Have fun and remember "patience is a virtue"

Cadman

 

[SugarRat]

Oh man I feeel like Noah here, I started on version 3.1 before Neil walked on the moon almost, went from there to 9, 10, 14, 97 then 2000, 2004, 2006 and now 2007. You will love the newer versions I am sure. Have to agree, throw away the digitizer, if you need to work of a hard copy graphic there are other ways of getting the info into Acad. I do a lot of conversion from paper to electronic drawings and the easiest way for me still is to scan the drawing, insert into Acad, fiddle with the scale untill its 1:1 and then basically trace it....most accurate way.

I also still use the command line for about 60% of my entries, but find that slowly I am increasing icon use. The best will be to attend a training course and take it from there.

Ciao

Kobus