Why does AutoCAD still exist?

[Anonymous]

I am very tired of AutoCAD as a student. AutoCAD by far is the most time consuming, annoying, stress inducing software I have ever tried to learn. The commands are backwards, you have to click in certain patters like a robot, such as if you want to copy something you would have to enter a ridiculous amount of keys and clicks to finally do something, then God forbid if you are in a command and you mess up, then you have to go through 10 different processes again. It is not user friendly to say the least.

I own Inventor, 3DS Max, Maya, Mudbox, and Revit, I would rather stare at the Sun with the most high powered telescope you could get me, it really is that bad. I honestly don't know why we have to learn this program, it was obsolete 10 years ago, there are many different 3D programs out there that you can do the same thing in, It kills me that companies still use it. If I want to build a model in AuoCAD, I would probably have to do it 4 times over compared to Inventor, why? 

The only applications I could see this being useful in would be electrical schematics and house plans, but even then there are programs that do that more quickly and easily.

Other 3D programs of what AutoCAD does in less than half the time and no stress, I can't be the only one that feels this way... I don't understand why this software is just flung at students, why companies would still use it, and why it isn't easier to use, it's way too time consuming to learn when you know there is no reason to learn it...

[thomasXUGZK]

yup. The disciples have had their feelings hurt. Inventornewbie has it right; If Autodesk/autocad were on the right track all the addons and scripts would be unnecessary. those requirements are prima facia evidence of the symptomatic issues with this antiquated software.

[daflotsam]

If it's not your thing then there are others to choose from.

Having learned how to use it in the way I need to, I find it's easy to use and more powerful in various ways than others.

I'm not a "disciple" as you feel the need to label and personify those who disagree with you (which is somewhat telling of your mindset), but I just use programs that do the job I need done.

[FHull]

Couldn't agree more. Horses for courses.

[RobDraw]

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@FHull wrote:
Couldn't agree more. Horses for courses.

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More like the right tool for the job.

Apparently, these guys aren't the right ones for running AutoCAD. They are actually complaining about some of AutoCAD's features that put it above and beyond their needs. The real shame is that they actually refuse to learn. It's their way or the highway. Unfortunately for them, they have to take the highway.

[FHull]

Sorry, the "horses for courses" reference is a British thing - means much the same as "right tool for the right job".

The whole API thing - Lisp/VBA/Dynamo?  etc - complete power to customise & do anything you want? To automate repetitive tasks that only you have to do? Who wants that? Even Photoshop allows that. If your criteria for "good" software is that you can't customise it or write scripts, then "good luck". At the moment I'm thinking MS Paint or Notepad.

[MikeKovacik4928]

Fully agree with you both

Autocad is a very good 2d software.

It is not good for 3d, (I used it for 3d for a couple of years,  before I changed to inventor) but then thats why inventor is there.

Where I am now, I have been converting 2d autocad drawings to 3d inventor drawings  for over a year now.

I still use autocad, but now only for my drawing office reports. I use it instead of word for all my reporting.

I am composing a company drawing office standards booklet, and using autocad once again, 

because it so good as a photo editor, and also to insert screenshots from inventor of drawing office procedures.

I have been in various drawing offices for 40 years including running my own cad draughting business, freelancing and contracting and have found autocad okay for my 2d needs and inventor okay for my 3d needs

Michael Kovacik

Autocad 2018 & 2022 ; Inventor 2018 & 2022

South Africa

[thomasXUGZK]

I am amused by the level of passion such a dialog brings to the surface. For me these are simply tools that I must use because that is what my company uses. When Autodesk starts sending me regular payments to be one of their evangelist I'll consider it. Opinions are a dime a dozen, whether yours or mine. We all have a right to them and a right to express them. This thread started with someone's frustration with AC. I concur with the sentiments of that persons lament. Those who don't like my opinion need to get a dog or girlfriend. It's just an app that could be exponentially more user friendly, especially after so many years on the market. IT'S JUST AN APP!!! I didn't criticize anyone's mother... lol! 

[sturnbull657ML]

User Friendly?...
Sure hope you don't run into Microstation V8i. Standard program for DOT jurisdictions, 2022 drafting work in a program that looks like it was made on Windows XP, maybe Vista on a good day.

[thellums]

Oh Oh poor Obi-won. If only you could see the future.

You think V8i is bad? Let me introduce you to her ugly step-sister OpenRoads Designer that Bentley is pushing out.

It is the Amber Heard's sister of design software.

[thomasXUGZK]

[ The content of this post has been edited as it does not conform with Autodesk Participant Guidelines by @handjonathan ]

[sturnbull657ML]

Just looked it up... yeah... hope that doesn't catch on. I think I could make better road designs in Unity than whatever that is.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@thomasXUGZK wrote:

.... Opinions are a dime a dozen, whether yours or mine. We all have a right to them and a right to express them. .... 

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And we should all remind ourselves, if we don't know already, that expressing them here serves no purpose if the intent is to have AutoCAD improved to be more like you want it to be.  This is a User Forum, with minimal oversight by Autodesk employees, and those are not the ones who can do anything about the perceived shortcomings.  The place to go is the >Product Feedback Page<.  There may be those who will suggest that it's the place where opinions go to die, but it's a far better place to register such opinions than this Forum, if you hope to have anything done about them.

[ramalhoalexander]

@TheCADnoob I'm starting a professional degree in 2D/3D drafting next week. I have some rudimentary programming skills and I took notice of the part of your post where you said, "One of the things i do is create things that turn 100 clicks into 1. These routines are often very specific for my companies goals."

I'm intrigued by this and I reckon this skill would put me a step above other candidates once I begin applying for a job. Do you recommend that I learn the Lisp programming language for these kinds of tasks?

[RobDraw]

You should start a new thread and ask the community. There are a lot of people that have been doing what you are asking about for many years.

[ The content of this post has been edited as it does not conform with Autodesk Participant Guidelines by @handjonathan ]

[TheCADnoob]

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@ramalhoalexander There are several ways to go about this. Since you aren't already in the profession there are some avenues to explore. 

Are you planning on doing architectural? if so start looking into Dynamo for things like revit. If you are looking more to do mechanical or manufacturing you may want to look into Ilogic for inventor. If you have a developer background and want to deal with BIM look into the forge platform. 

If you will be working with mostly AutoCAD and verticals there are also several options. just go check out the other communities like VBA Lips .net etc here. There are also ways to use the AutoCAD core console to achieve tasks as well.

I have used VBA, LISP, Macros, Scripts to do most things and venture to the others on occasion. You really have to let the task determine the tool you try to apply. 

So directly to your question, Lisp may be a good option if you are going to be using AutoCAD. The good thing about Lisp is that there is a large community that has been developing in lisp for a long time so there are some great resources for code. In addition to this forum and its subsites, some places that really helped me was Jeffery Sanders,

Lee Mac (absolutly great resource), and the swamp just to list a few. 

That said you can get a lot done with simple macros and scripts. Scripts are low code (you literally just type in the commands that will run) and easy to step into so they may be a better start. You can also increase the power of your macros by including diesel. You are likely to get farther quicker starting there because while you are learning script and macros you are also learning the commands used by the program and end users. 

[thomasXUGZK]

Yes, Autolisp.
First start by importing other peoples scripts that accomplish simple tasks
and then dissect their script and modify it. This is a great way to start.
Then sit down with a simple goal of your own. and start that script. Keep
it super simple and then build on it.

[steve.moore9CYGC]

Yep I totally agree, I have used Inventor in anger & that's exactly how it made me feel lol.

AutoCAD gives me freedom to model whatever I want without all the hassle that you mentioned

with the ability to mix it in with 2D all within the same program (no swapping & changing between software).

I am a joinery manufacturing designer so have to give the guys drawings & take offs that they can manufacture from & AutoCAD does that with ease. 

[AMadariaga100]

Thank you for this answer! I too, was/am feeling the same way as the OP . I learned revit first and am now currently learning AutoCAD and I feel like time has slowed to a crawl and that I’m going backwards. 

However .. your answer and the one that preceded it really gives me a different perspective on it. 

So thank you 🙂

[AMadariaga100]

I don’t have a horse in this race but I don’t see why you need to be so rude in your responses. Is that necessary? You are certainly entitled to feel like the OP is whining and be annoyed by it because you feel that it’s based on being ignorant in how the software works and not  having respect for it . But it’s not a good look to come across so elitist in your commentary. It’s just not necessary.

Just one girl's opinion. Again… no horse in this race .

[pendean]

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@AMadariaga100 wrote:

I don’t have a horse in this race...

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Hmm, yet here you are... 😞

[ The content of this post has been edited as it does not conform with Autodesk Participant Guidelines by @handjonathan ]