The Best Autocad

[jtcorso22]

Hey everybody! I'm new to this whole autocad thing so please bear with me. Quick background I own a welding and steel construction company that does mostly everything from tight tolerance aluminum and stainless work to build construction. So with that being said I am looking to find a autocad program that will be able to help me in all these areas, from shop drawings and cut files to renderings and pipe layouts and things of that nature. I understand this is a very broad scope so maybe I'm asking too much of a program but any bit of guidance would be much appreciated. Thank you!

[acbsdesign]

@jtcorso22 

The best choice would be Advance Steel.

You have nc/dxf (CNC) export, rendering, and AutoCad in the background. You can always switch to Autocad if you need to even if it is a drawing created with Advance Steel.

You will also have all IFC etc. exports handy.

And also the Autodesk drive where you can share model with erectors and GC's.

Project examples can be viewed here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/advance-steel-forum/advance-steel-projects-gallery/m-p/8551259#M24785 

It handles complex geometry well.

Basically, if you can draw it in Autocad most likely it can be created in a model.

Also-weld preparation for welding-beveling edges-it is very good with this.

Hope this helps.

[bigcarl5000kg]

Hi @acbsdesign,

Advance Steel seems to be the best choice actually for your purposes ... user-friendly and easy to understand ... if you have AutoCAD basics, then a super easy transition

[acbsdesign]

@bigcarl5000kg 

I don't know what you mean by "my purposes", the man was asking about non-traditional steel etc.

If you don't like Advance Steel why would you spend hours every day on this forum?

I really don't get it.

Or should I look further and try not to find a pirate ship sailing the ocean?

As I said before-please, if you have an issue with Advance Steel-just stop using it.

[Flies-Eyes]

Does it have to be an autodesk product or would CAD software from any software vendor still suit your needs?

[bigcarl5000kg]

Hi @acbsdesign, 

your purposes = everything from tight tolerance aluminum and stainless work to build construction ... standard and very interesting production for me ... you should eat funny porridge for breakfast more often 

I hope, I don't need glasses yet, maybe a dictionary now and then, but that's fine. 😁🤠😉

[acbsdesign]

@bigcarl5000kg 

Aluminum profiles can be user sections and behave as such, what is easier than that?

The line of decency is really thin, hopefully, we don't have to remind ourselves on a daily basis.

Again - if you are unhappy with AS, then simply use something else.

But the negativity did not, does not, and will not help.

As simple as that.

[jtcorso22]

i guess it doesn't have to be an autodesk product just what we've always
used so never really thought about venturing out. You have any suggestions?

[jtcorso22]

I just downloaded the trial run of advanced steel so I'll give it a run
today and see what happens. Thank You for the advice!

[acbsdesign]

@jtcorso22 

If you feel comfortable with the Autodesk environment then Advance Steel is the way to go.

I have done extruded aluminum shapes in the past, it is very easy to create any shape using AutoCAD and convert to a "beam"-you can extend it, trim it, weld it, miter cut between two shapes as it is door frame or similar.

This is a small example of extruded aluminum made in Advance:

here is another one:

I am not a  reseller.

But if I were in the market for software this is the first place I would look at.

[acbsdesign]

@jtcorso22 

And this is another example, platform for public passage, Boston Harbour, all aluminum, supporting aluminum gangways:

[Flies-Eyes]

There are many variables that influence decisions. Gone are the days that 1 application (Autocad) is used for the tool for the whole project. Once upon a time we could do the whole project with Civil, Mech, Struct, Arch, Elect & MEP all with the 1 package. Alternate applications worth exploring could be Solidworks, Fusion 360 , SketchUp, ComoSYS, BlenderBIM, Inventor, Tekla, OnShape, Rhino. These are just a few and like Advance Steel all have their strengths and weaknesses. Some points to consider in addition could be can you easily find staff to use the chosen software and how much do I need to spend to implement a new software into my company. Believe me the software or subscription costs is the cheapest portion of introducing new software.