Which Autodesk product is right for me? (building construction trailers)

[Anonymous]

I am building construction trailers. Basically a box with wheels. Drawing out plans by hand is not cutting it. AutoCAD may even be more than I need. However it is the gold standard and I'd like to dive in. Any advice as to what product I need would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, Alex

[TRLitsey]

Hi there,

AutoCAD Electrical 2017 (or any version really)  will do what you need but I have to say, for designing trailers that would be cracking a walnut with a 10 pound sledge hammer.  But if you want try it you can get a fully function 30 day free trial.  Read up a bit, here are a few links for you to do some light reading.

Please remember to mark as a solution if this works for you, kudos are always welcome - thank you

Good luck

http://download.cnet.com/AutoCAD/3000-6677_4-10573933.html

http://www.autodesk.com/products

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/u/gsearch/results?siteID=123112&catID=123155&id=2088334&qt=TRIA...

[jseefdrumr]

I would add that unless you had some need to actually include detailed electrical schematics with your trailers, your best option would likely be AutoCAD LT or plain-jane 'Vanilla' AutoCAD. It's true that ACADE could do the same work, but it costs more. If you don't need the functionality, save yourself a few bucks. If you don't need to do anything in 3D, then I'd go with ACAD LT.

And if your needs aren't too great, there are freeware drafting programs out there. Some of them are actually pretty good ... if you're not asking for too much.

Hope this helps,

Jim

[TRLitsey]

I would agree.  If the electrical tools are not an issue some of the less costly products would be the better choice.  I reference AutoCAD Electrical because the question was posted on this board.  Perhaps the question could be posted on the LT board for a few more comments.

Good luck

AutoCAD LT general discussion  -  http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-lt-general-discussion/bd-p/43

[TRLitsey]

Hi Jim,

While we are here maybe you or someone can answer this.  If someone is looking to sample the products can they all be tested on the same workstation?

Which is to say, I install AutoCAD LT free trial, play with it for 30, the lic. deactivates and will not let me reactivate without a lagit lic.  Will I be able to install AutoCAD Electrical and run a 30 day trial on that software or does the deactivation apply to multiple AutoCAD products?

Thank you

[jseefdrumr]

I haven't been in that situation in a while, but I seem to remember that it didn't matter. You could try one ACAD product, decide it wasn't the right fit for you, and then try another. I mean, what would be the point, if you could only try one product from all versions of AutoCAD? If you tried LT and then decided you needed to at least try out some 3D capabilities, you'd be screwed.

That was years ago though. I want to say that Autodesk still manages the trials like this, but this isn't my first rodeo, so.

[TRLitsey]

Good point.  Just wondering how tight the 'intellectual license' has gotten these days.  I could see that happening if the reasoning was, for instance, that LT and a comparison product be installed concurrently for a head to head testing for 30 days.  After which a product selection would be compelled.  Ya, that would be sucky but I've seen worse.  Ever tried the Photoshop Master Suite?  Screw up on just one of the lic. and the entire suite locks up.  Just asking.

Thank you

[dgorsman]

All the vertical products have their own trial license periods, even if they can also be "run as AutoCAD".

For the OP: depends what you are intending to do, what your purchase plans are, and what your budget is.  If you are doing mechanical design I would highly recommend making the jump to 3D.  While it can be done with any full AutoCAD vertical (not LT), Mechanical may be the best AutoCAD-based option.  However if the budget allows I would highly recommend making the jump to Inventor (these days it will be through either a Suite or Industry Collection).  It will require learning how to swing that 10 LB sledge but it cannot be beat for parametric design, automated drawing production, parts listing, assembly diagrams, and other modern mechanical design procedures.

[ccad2509]

As previously mentioned ACADE is a sledgehammer to crack a nut for your usage

There are multiple alternatives that will give you a flavour of what is possible

Draftsight is a free DWG cad tool which has all the basics in so you can do wiring diagrams plans etc

There is also progecad and various others built on the brickscad engine for little or no cost

For 3d you can use Sketchup or freecad for basic modelling

But the most important thing for you is to think through what you actually want to achieve

And compile a list then start looking at what’s achievable with what software

[Anonymous]

Thank you to everyone for your replies! I will investigate some of the easier, software ways to accomplish my objectives. Kudos to everyone!