Legally obtain an older version?

[timsea]

Is there any way to legally obtain an older (or generally a cheaper) version of autocad? I am considering taking on some freelance work on a part time basis and doubt the $4000 investment would ever pay for itself. I've looked into AutoCad LT a bit but I was wondering if an older full version (or an older LT version for that matter) might also be an option.

[Anonymous]

Typically, you can only purchase current releases unless you come up with a
really good reason that convinces the sales people at Autodesk (and yours
isn't a good reason at all....) Older doesn't mean cheaper - AutoCAD
doesn't depreciate, it's been roughly the same price for as long as I can
remember.

If you want cheap, get LT. It's less than $1000. If you want even
cheaper, get something like IntelliCAD. If you want even cheaper, pencils
and paper still work, too.

--
Jason Hickey
www.civil3d.com
www.eng-eff.com


"timsea" wrote in message news:5811270@discussion.autodesk.com...
Is there any way to legally obtain an older (or generally a cheaper) version
of autocad? I am considering taking on some freelance work on a part time
basis and doubt the $4000 investment would ever pay for itself. I've looked
into AutoCad LT a bit but I was wondering if an older full version (or an
older LT version for that matter) might also be an option.

[Anonymous]

With all the tools that are in LT 2008, your improved productivity would
cover the extra cost of the current version. It's $800 on Amazon right now.
(If you wait until March, though, they'll release 2009 which will probably
have even more stuff.)

If $800 is still too steep, you'll have to look at non-Autodesk products --
they're out there.

wrote in message news:5811270@discussion.autodesk.com...
Is there any way to legally obtain an older (or generally a cheaper) version
of autocad? I am considering taking on some freelance work on a part time
basis and doubt the $4000 investment would ever pay for itself. I've looked
into AutoCad LT a bit but I was wondering if an older full version (or an
older LT version for that matter) might also be an option.

[timsea]

My main concern (regarding other brands of software), if I'm doing this freelance, is being able to accomodate a client that wants a .dwg file. I've seen older versions of LT for sale on Ebay. Are these sales legal?

[Anonymous]

For those that know better...

The place I work, is going out of business, in few days more.... and I will
be getting many of the stuff that it is here, including an AutoCAD license,
now, am I will be able to do upgrades (using the original data of that
license) ?


Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hi Luis,

Your company can't give you their AutoCAD license. Not without a lot of
paperwork. It's not considered an asset like computers or chairs. You might
be able to do it, but from what I hear it's a hassle. Ask CADaver; he's been
through it a few times.

"Luis Esquivel" wrote in message
news:5811322@discussion.autodesk.com...
For those that know better...

The place I work, is going out of business, in few days more.... and I will
be getting many of the stuff that it is here, including an AutoCAD license,
now, am I will be able to do upgrades (using the original data of that
license) ?


Thanks!

[Anonymous]

No. Buy it from a store (Amazon, CDW, etc.), or an authorized reseller.

But there are non-Autodesk products out there that work with DWG.

wrote in message news:5811279@discussion.autodesk.com...
My main concern (regarding other brands of software), if I'm doing this
freelance, is being able to accomodate a client that wants a .dwg file.
I've seen older versions of LT for sale on Ebay. Are these sales legal?

[Anonymous]

you can still purchase autocad 2005 until jan. 15th. You get 30% and a
rebate I believe, check with a reseller. You can buy older software until
they retire it and 2005 is retiring on jan. 15th. After that you can only go
back to 2006 and 2007 products. But contact a reseller.

wrote in message news:5811270@discussion.autodesk.com...
Is there any way to legally obtain an older (or generally a cheaper) version
of autocad? I am considering taking on some freelance work on a part time
basis and doubt the $4000 investment would ever pay for itself. I've looked
into AutoCad LT a bit but I was wondering if an older full version (or an
older LT version for that matter) might also be an option.

[Anonymous]

/*
Your company can't give you their AutoCAD license. Not without a lot of
paperwork. It's not considered an asset like computers or chairs. You might
be able to do it, but from what I hear it's a hassle. Ask CADaver; he's been
through it a few times.
*/

Hi Kate;

Still, I will kept that and other software, was just curios about it...

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I purchased a license from a company going out of business. The company and
I had to provide information to the local dealer who sent the info to
AutoDesk,

[Anonymous]

If you're company is willing. Register a business name for
yourself and "buy" the companies assets. Then you can provide the
information to your reseller. It's worth taking a shot at it. It sounds like
you're basically acquiring the company in full anyway.

Allen

"Luis Esquivel" wrote in message
news:5811440@discussion.autodesk.com...
/*
Your company can't give you their AutoCAD license. Not without a lot of
paperwork. It's not considered an asset like computers or chairs. You might
be able to do it, but from what I hear it's a hassle. Ask CADaver; he's been
through it a few times.
*/

Hi Kate;

Still, I will kept that and other software, was just curios about it...

Thanks!

[SRobbins]

Maybe you can work out a deal with your company to bring in small jobs for
a comission and use thier software under their name till you can afford it
on your own? There would need to be alot of trust on both ends for that to
work. You trust them to not take your clients and they trust you to not
screw up and get them sued....

wrote in message news:5811270@discussion.autodesk.com...
Is there any way to legally obtain an older (or generally a cheaper) version
of autocad? I am considering taking on some freelance work on a part time
basis and doubt the $4000 investment would ever pay for itself. I've looked
into AutoCad LT a bit but I was wondering if an older full version (or an
older LT version for that matter) might also be an option.

[Anonymous]

When we closed one of our satellite offices a couple of years ago, we sold
many of the assets to a former employee that was starting his own company.
This included a license of AutoCAD Map. As Allen said, all we had to do was
provide some paperwork to our dealer and Autodesk to transfer the License.
It was not that hard and was well worth it for our former employee. He now
has a completely legal license he can use with out having to worry about the
piracy police.

--
Tripp Corbin, MCP, CFM, GISP
Vice President, GIS/Mapping
ESRI Authorized Instructor
Keck & Wood, Inc.
www.keckwood.com
(678) 417-4013
(678) 417-8785 fax

Keck & Wood, Inc offers a range of GIS services and training. Please visit
www.keckwood.com for more information including a schedule of upcoming
classes.

"Allen Jessup" wrote in message
news:5811569@discussion.autodesk.com...
If you're company is willing. Register a business name for
yourself and "buy" the companies assets. Then you can provide the
information to your reseller. It's worth taking a shot at it. It sounds like
you're basically acquiring the company in full anyway.

Allen

"Luis Esquivel" wrote in message
news:5811440@discussion.autodesk.com...
/*
Your company can't give you their AutoCAD license. Not without a lot of
paperwork. It's not considered an asset like computers or chairs. You might
be able to do it, but from what I hear it's a hassle. Ask CADaver; he's been
through it a few times.
*/

Hi Kate;

Still, I will kept that and other software, was just curios about it...

Thanks!

[Tom Smith]

>piracy police

In practice, there's really no way that Adesk would ever know whether or not you're using a copy of Acad that's properly registered to you, especially if you're a one-person business doing minor side work. Who would ever have any reason to report you, and why?

The only complication is in making upgrades, when the licensee's name and serial number are required. You'll never be able to upgrade unless the copy is licensed to you. That's the primary motivation to go through a dealer and get the license transfered properly as your friend did.

[Antisthenes]

ya get ProgeCAD 2006 LT if you want free and open source autocad clone


"Jason Hickey" wrote in message
news:5811332@discussion.autodesk.com...
Typically, you can only purchase current releases unless you come up with a
really good reason that convinces the sales people at Autodesk (and yours
isn't a good reason at all....) Older doesn't mean cheaper - AutoCAD
doesn't depreciate, it's been roughly the same price for as long as I can
remember.

If you want cheap, get LT. It's less than $1000. If you want even
cheaper, get something like IntelliCAD. If you want even cheaper, pencils
and paper still work, too.

--
Jason Hickey
www.civil3d.com
www.eng-eff.com


"timsea" wrote in message news:5811270@discussion.autodesk.com...
Is there any way to legally obtain an older (or generally a cheaper) version
of autocad? I am considering taking on some freelance work on a part time
basis and doubt the $4000 investment would ever pay for itself. I've looked
into AutoCad LT a bit but I was wondering if an older full version (or an
older LT version for that matter) might also be an option.

[Anonymous]

"Jason Hickey" wrote

> If you want cheap, get LT. It's less than $1000. If you want even
cheaper, get something like IntelliCAD. If you want even cheaper, pencils
and paper still work, too.

and then you can put that obsolete electric eraser back in service!
Hi Jason!