Carlson Icad...Is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

So my company is having a rep from Carlson software come in and give a demo on a program called Icad. I don't have any desire to shy away from my true Autodesk products but I promised the managers I would hear them out.

So my question is has anyone used this software and what are the positives and negatives? Anything I google it comes up no earlier than 2012. Just looking for more of an updated blog.

I use Civil 3D 99.9% of the time due to the fact that I can design and do production all in one shot. Not to mention I have been using it since 2008.

Thanks in advanced!!

[chriscowgill7373]

I've never used, it, it looks to me like it is a light version of Carlson that is built on intellicad (not autocad)

It doesnt look like this is a design tool, but an editing and annotation tool.  If you already have C3D, I believe this would be a leap backwards in functionality.

http://www.carlsonsw.com/products/office-software/carlson-icad/

It doesnt look like it is compatible with 2018 software.  And I'm guessing that if C3D objects are converted to regular cad objects, there isnt a round trip involved to get them back to c3d objects again.

That being said, if you have promised to hear them out, make sure you have plenty of questions, they will demonstrate the software for you.  Among your questions, think of things that you do in your normal workflow and ask them to show how they would to it in that program.  If they open a c3d file in the program, have them demonstrate that you can open it again in C3d without loss of data.

[rkmcswain]

From what I can tell this looks like a basic version of Carlson Survey running in IntelliCAD. It's ±$600, so that should tell you something about it.

What is the purpose of your firm looking at this software? IOW - what problem are you trying to solve by looking at this software?

[Anonymous]

That is a great idea! Thanks for the honest feedback.

I downloaded the trial version of it and plan to do a mock production plan/setup before our meeting 🙂

[Anonymous]

That was my first thought! As far as purpose goes I am not sure if whomever brought this up is trying to save $....?? Still trying to wrap my head around it.

My big goal is to just use Civil 3D for all users/ I would even like to upgrade my flat autocad to C3D. C3D has all the functions and design... not to mention if this program is similar to Autocad why on earth would I use it before my Autodesk products? I have been an Autodesk user since 2004. When I have a deadline I am not about to get something accomplished on foreign territory LOL!

[rkmcswain]

jangert wrote:

My big goal is to just use Civil 3D for all users/ I would even like to upgrade my flat autocad to C3D. C3D has all the functions and design... not to mention if this program is similar to Autocad why on earth would I use it before my Autodesk products? I have been an Autodesk user since 2004. When I have a deadline I am not about to get something accomplished on foreign territory LOL!

Well, if I'm making blocks or doing simple line drawings, I do NOT want to use Civil 3D because I do not want these simple drawings infected with all of the AEC stuff.

That would be one reason to use vanilla AutoCAD, if you have it as part of a Collection, or to use an alternative like IntelliCAD or BricsCAD.

[Anonymous]

True! Thanks for the feedback!

[rl_jackson]

Intellicad is built on the ACAD kernal, but its usually years earlier. So while Adesk has released 2018 and is soon to release 2019 which could possible change the drawing format again. Icad would still be creating 2013 drawings. The basically by right to used the Adesk kernal. Thats why it look like ACAD with a facelift of sorts.

[rkmcswain]

rl_jackson wrote:

Intellicad is built on the ACAD kernal, but its usually years earlier. So while Adesk has released 2018 and is soon to release 2019 which could possible change the drawing format again. Icad would still be creating 2013 drawings. The basically by right to used the Adesk kernal. Thats why it look like ACAD with a facelift of sorts.

Well, that depends on what you mean by "kernal". You can build a custom CAD application using AutoCAD OEM at the base (which is how Carlson Survey used to be produced). This gives you the latest DWG engine with guaranteed compatibility, but at a fairly high cost.

IntelliCAD on the other hand uses a 'code base' from the ITC, of which Autodesk is not a member, meaning they are not contributing .DWG knowledge. So as you say, the ITC is usually a version behind.

I doubt that the .DWG format will change in the next version of AutoCAD. They have not changed .DWG versions in back to back versions since R12>R13>R14, over 20 years ago.

[jmayo-EE]

So... if your drafting like it was 20 yrs ago using lines, blocks and text instead of the new tools offered by C3D and other top shelf CAD programs then it's a great buy! Your completion will love to hear about the new purchase....

😮

[michael_robertson]

rkmcswain  said:

"Well, if I'm making blocks or doing simple line drawings, I do NOT want to use Civil 3D because I do not want these simple drawings infected with all of the AEC stuff."

Is this true if you use "Civil 3D as AutoCAD"? Is Civil objects still injected into all drawings? Always wondered but never tested.

[rkmcswain]

michael.robertson wrote:

Is this true if you use "Civil 3D as AutoCAD"? Is Civil objects still injected into all drawings? Always wondered but never tested.

AFAIK - using "Civil 3D as AutoCAD" still injects the AEC data into the DWG files.

[jmayo-EE]

Completion should of course be competition...

[M_c3d]

Even if you have autocad and civil 3d installed as standalone, opening an autocad drawing on your pc will insert civil 3d objects into the drawing

[rkmcswain]

@M_c3d - I have multiple versions of AutoCAD and Civil 3D installed on a single PC. Creating DWG files using AutoCAD (not "Civil 3D as AutoCAD"), creates clean DWG files with no AEC content.

[M_c3d]

I've been having all sorts of problems recently where if i open an autocad drawing in autocad on my pc it automatically inserts a layer 'dashed2', which, after some digging is associated to an alignment style that it inserts.