|
|
Low-cost CAD Gets the Job Done
January 1, 2006 By: Ron LaFonCAD for Under $750
For many users, the sheer complexity of upper-end CAD applications is beyond their needs, not to mention their budget. Such applications, while extraordinarily capable, bear price tags that can easily induce a case of sticker shock. For the small firm or individual users, an abundance of moderately priced applications will adequately suit their needs. Design/engineering firms that need a basic CAD application, but not sophisticated bells and whistles such as 3D capability, radiosity rendering and customer-level programmability, can also benefit from these powerful yet economical applications.
AutoCAD easily dominates the midrange CAD market, so it's not surprising that AutoCAD compatibility is a characteristic touted by many of these applications. Many of these budget CAD packages also offer the ability to enter AutoCAD commands from the command line, customization using the same AutoLISP programming language found in AutoCAD and other features that allow them to fit and play well in an AutoCAD-centric work environment. Because users are learning many features that AutoCAD offers, it's easier to upgrade to AutoCAD if need be.
Without exception, the depth of the feature sets in these entry-level applications never ceases to amaze me. It's not uncommon to find OpenGL hardware acceleration, rendering, antialiasing, transparency, reflectance and ray-tracing listed as features. Some programs come with symbol libraries, or access to libraries in generic industry-standard file formats, as well as hatch patterns and linetypes from AutoCAD.
 Low-Cost CAD Summary |
There's also support for external reference files and often programming language interfaces such as VBA (Visual BASIC for Applications) and C++ for customization purposes. These features vary for each application, so be sure to look at the online feature table at www.cadalyst.com/0106budgetcad-table.htm for a more complete listing.
Vendors are not content to simply be compatible with AutoCAD. Their products show a substantial amount of innovation, including many features that make design both easier and more productive. This segment of the market continues to be developed—several of the applications here were in late beta release when we looked at them. Many new features and improvements are based on user input. It's encouraging to see so much development in this area, and it bodes well for those interested in an economical solution for their design needs. It's always nice to come across a feature that makes you ask, "Why didn't someone do this before?"
Most of these applications are heavily supported by their users. Newsgroups and forums where avid users share information and resources with one another is often a much faster way to get information than trial and error or calling technical support.
Economical in this market does not equate to second-rate. All of these design tools are capable of a broad array of tasks and types of work, whether they are destined to be a primary design tool or an economical adjunct to other applications.
What We Requested
Reflecting inflation and the increasing cost of almost everything, we upped the price limit for our budget CAD applications this year. We requested applications that cost less than $750 and included only those products that have been significantly updated since the last time we reviewed them. Some vendors simply did not respond, and others had not updated their programs since the last time we reviewed them, so the number of applications reviewed is smaller than in the past. This doesn't reflect the growth rate of these economical design packages, which continues unabated. Even though we raised the price barrier, none of the applications evaluated here are anywhere near that upper limit.
Sometimes you really can get a good deal—as these low-cost CAD applications clearly demonstrate. If you still think of these as toy applications, it's definitely time to take another look.
CADopia 6 Professional Edition
CADopia
www.cadopia.com
Price: $495, $295 Standard, $395 Premium
1 2 3 4 5 6
