AutoCAD or NOT

I started a thread on a similar subject previously, here is a link. There was alot of consensus for DuoCAD, a free AutoCAD look-alike. A new version was recently released that says it uses many of the same keystroke commands as AutoCAD.

I think one of the posters on the linked thread mentioned using something for electrical schematics (but don't remember what program was used).

Good Luck,

Drew

I found AutoCAD 2010 at Ebay for $100 bucks and it was unopened; works great. Also the following links my help you.

This link can get you a program for $49.99; don't know much about them but they do have good refenences.

Also try this link for free symbols and templates for AutoCAD 2010.

This pdf file will show you why AutoCAD is worth the money spent.

In my own opinion I would do without something here or there so I could spend the few hundred bucks if need be to have the AutoCAD 2010 or a little more and get AutoCAD 2011.

Good Luck and hope you find this helpful.

jh

I think "DuoCAD" is referring to DoubleCad XT, brought to you (free) by IMSI, which I believe was bought up by AutoCAD a few years ago. IMSI is best known for the old TurboCAD package. Pretty good library selection, and I have been able to import some of my old TurboCAD symbol libraries into DoubleCAD. I think this is AutoCAD's way of controlling both ends of the market...

For electrical schematics, PSpice works nice, and there are a number of other free packages out there, as long as you don't want to do circuits with too many components...

I use Visio.

I tried Visio but couldn't seem to get it to work with common symbol libraries. I also couldn't find any symbols or templates offered by Microsoft. I still have the old disk if you have any tips on how I can make it work.

Hi mrmikeb,

I do have stuff I can share... pls send email address on pm.

If you are still unsatisfied, I'm sure you can sell software on e-bay.

Chris

Since Chris is phenomenally competent when it come to CAD. I think I'd trust his opinion on this.

thank you.. but not actually true.. big fish small pond...lol. there are always bigger fish and bigger ponds.. I guarantee there are thousands better than me. I've simply commited myself to being an eternal student. I claim no authority.

Chris

I have been using various versions of EasyCAD, by Evolution Computing, since one of the first DOS versions in the early 1990's. There are many things it won't do that can be done in AutoCAD, but if you're mainly drawing in 2-d and you don't need all the bells and whistles, it's fine. It also has the ability to open and save in AutoCAD dxf and dwg formats.

Here's a link:

http://www.fastcad.com/

FastCad is EasyCad's big brother; 3-d capability and the like. EasyCAD is $295.

Hope this helps.

Hello, i think 5Spice circuit analysis and simulation software is useful for u it is available for free download. use the following links. http://www.5spice.com/ http://www.5spice.com/download.htm

5spice is just for electronic circuits. I downloaded it and found it to be useless for basic electrical (motors, lighting, etc.), but thanks for trying to help.

Alternatives

1. DoubleCAD XT = FREE - Use if the customers require an electronic copy in .DWG format.

2. AutoSketch 10 = $250.00 - Creates .DWG but less is functional in some areas

3. AutoCAD LT = $800.00 - Creates .DWG more functional in some areas but no 3D

I agree with chrisg288 on Visio for your listed use if you'll be plotting and will not be required to provide a .DWG file.

If Visio is a go then look at it's open source alternative Dia for free.

Dia is roughly inspired by the commercial Windows program 'Visio', though more geared towards informal diagrams for casual use. It can be used to draw many different kinds of diagrams. It currently has special objects to help draw entity relationship diagrams, UML diagrams, flowcharts, network diagrams, and many other diagrams. It is also possible to add support for new shapes by writing simple XML files, using a subset of SVG to draw the shape.

It can load and save diagrams to a custom XML format (gzipped by default, to save space), can export diagrams to a number of formats, including EPS, SVG, XFIG, WMF and PNG, and can print diagrams (including ones that span multiple pages).

For that matter if you're not plotting you could even use excel for simple line drawings and process flow charts.

Here is a couple of samples of diagrams I've made in Visio. (Johnson Controls N2 network, and a panel device wiring detail.) Visio is great with labelling, as you can see I have been able to put some cable identifiers right on top of the 'wires'. Also, Visio is very fast for being able to modify drawings... far faster than a Autocad.. one of the main reasons JCI switched from Autocad to visio in '95. It is symbol oriented rather that line oriented. Once you have your standard symbols made, they are far faster to edit than blocks in cad. Electrical diagrams are one of those areas that make constant reuse of symbols... so visio will outperform cad any day, because most of your work (10:1) is editing or reconfiguring. The drag n drop stencil library is very fast too.

Take a good look at FASTCAD (fastcad.com)

Fast Cad is a product of Evolution Computing. I started with their first offering EASY CAD many years ago. The group that started Evolution started Autocad. They had a different design philosophy and that is the basis of their offerings. It is a bit different, I find it very intuitive, so once you learn the basics it is great software to use. And, it is FAST-- written in assembly language. It does have a complete pallet of electrical symbols although I have not use it extensively. I am not a heavy user either so I think you will find the price about right. You can get a free 30 day trial and updates are free as well or very inexpensive.
FastCad is definitely worth a look see.

Try PCSchematic. the free version is limited to the amount of pages you can make (20) but great for small projects

Hey Mike,

Perhaps you haven't seen what AutoCAD Electrical can do in terms of automatically generating drawings. From AutoCAD 2008 and beyond you can crank out drawings in a matter of seconds that would otherwise take you several hours to generate by any other means.

From the standard format of data in an Excel file you can then change components, complexity, customer names, and so much more as fast as you can enter the specifications in Excel and then crank out pages and pages of drawings with the new information in seconds.

I don't see how anybody with a small business could afford to make drawings the hard way unless you like working for small change. If you want to be competitive, you will have to invest the time and money because there is nothing more efficient or as fast as AutoCAD Electrical.

Same old story, when you ask to simply upgrade something that you already purchased at an exorbitant price they want to rape you. They got greedy so now they get nothing...too good.

The insurance companies should be next....................

Solid Edge 2D cost $0.00, it is free to download and is 10x the software as ACAD.

I trained with ACAD and use Vectorworks. Worth a look.

Name of cad software you are using

and what operating system

I'm a general contractor

and electrician,plumber, carpenter, auto cad programmer

and computer wiz

email me