Don't take away Impression

[ellison]

This may not be the best forum for this...I want to convey to Autodesk my appreciation for Impression 3, and ask that Autodesk continue to support and improve the product in the future - even if that means simply updating it to work with more recent versions of the AutoCAD file format.

I use this product frequently to turn AutoCAD-generated site plans into presentation site plans.  Attached is a good example of the source AutoCAD file (easy to draw; note that trees are merely circles) and the resulting site plan produced in about 30 min. in Impression.

Most architects I know do this sort of work in Adobe Photoshop, but that generates enormous 100MB+ files (My Impression file is generally <2MB), it is a slower process, and making revisions is more difficult.  I could also do this work in Adobe Illustrator, but Impression's media, fills, effects, and presets are geared more towards architects.

I'm the only architect I know that uses this software - which is probably related to why there has not been a new release in so long.  For what it's worth, I'd really like not to lose it.

[richld]

try this link to get it running on win8

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/installation-licensing/impression-3-will-not-install-on-windows-8/td-p...

Richld

[cadgrrl]

Can anyone let me know if it's being continued and supported? I like it too, for the same reasons. I use it in instruction as I think it's a lot easier for students to use this than to teach them another application such as Adobe Photoshop. They have enough on their plates, and those that want to learn Adobe Photoshop take classes in it.

[JuJitsoup]

I'd also like to know that if Impression is genuinely gone are there any equally efficient ways to beautify AutoCAD drawings other than going the Photoshop route? This just isn't feasible for us and we need something which is pretty simple to use just as Impression always (mostly) was and doesn't require huge investment in terms of training and software purchases. Impression was almost the magic bullet solution to this quandry and I cannot fathom why in their infinite (or is that finite?) wisdom they would ever stop supporting such a useful breakthrough product.

Any suggestions for good and perefably cheap alternatives very much appreacited.

FTR we're running AutoCAD 2014 and SketchUp 2015.

[pendean]

Would you give up AutoCAD and Sketchup for something more obscure?
And how would you find new staff without limiting your options severely?

Illustrator with Photoshop, and other Adobe bundles, are the industry leader for graphics design and the ones you'll find new staff to use: everything else is much more obscure IMHO and not worth the investment. While easy to use, I bet if you advertise for Impression staff you'll get nothing, correct? Luckily as long as you are on subscription, Impression is there for now. Enjoy the ride.

[vlsheehan]

I'm not saying it should replace the Adobe products. It should remain to be another tool in the toolbox. I really like how it can be linked to a CAD file.

[pendean]

Me too.