CAD Manager's Newsletter #142
11 Jan, 2006 By: Robert GreenCAD Manager’s Survey Results, Part 1
Readers reveal popular CAD software options and more
In my CAD Manager column in the November 2005 issue of Cadalyst magazine, I published my initial findings from last year’s CAD Manager’s Survey. In this edition of the CAD Manager’s Newsletter, I’ll begin a series of articles that present additional survey data and conclusions that I think you’ll find interesting. If you haven’t had a chance to look over the initial report on the CAD Manager’s Survey, I recommend you do so now so you’ll have the proper context for this newsletter. Here goes.
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CAD Software Overview
Because software trends shape CAD managers’ careers, I’ve elected to survey these trends again. In this survey, I asked respondents to indicate their primary CAD system as well as their secondary CAD system, if any. I did this to gauge how many offices manage multiple CAD tools and to draw conclusions about how the market is moving.
As has been the case in all past surveys, AutoCAD -- all versions plus AutoCAD LT -- shows up as the most frequently used CAD package at 46% of total respondents, down substantially from the 57% recorded in the 2004 survey. Architectural Desktop comes in next at 18% (up from 15%), and Land Development Desktop and Civil 3D appear next at 15% total (up massively from the 9% reported the previous year). Bringing up the rear for Autodesk were Inventor (4%), Mechanical Desktop (1%) and AutoCAD Mechanical (1%). The balance of responses comprised Bentley’s MicroStation (5%), SolidWorks (3%) and a host of products, including Alibre, ArchiCAD, AutoCAD Map, Autodesk Building Systems, AutoPLANT, CADENCE, CADKey, CADRA, CATIA, DataCAD, Pro/ENGINEER, Revit and Solid Edge. Read more >>
What sorts of publications should I be reading to freshen up my perspective and assist me with my CAD management duties?
Robert Green answers:Of course I recommend reading Cadalyst magazine from cover to cover to get a CAD-based perspective on all sorts of issues that affect design, hardware, software and management. In addition to Cadalyst, my favorite reading resources are listed here, along with the reasons I enjoy them. Read more >>
Submit your questions to Robert Green atrgreen@greenconsulting.com.
Visit CADdepot forCAD Shareware: Robert Green recommends a visit to the download page of CADdepot.com. The site offers a collection of CAD shareware, demos, free utilities and add-ons for those who register.
Send us the address of your favorite Web
site or other resource and a few words about why you like it. E-maileditors@cadalyst.com.
Autodesk Civil 3D Forums
Various dates in January 2006
Various locations in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan
Free half-day forums hosted by AEC CADCON focus on Autodesk Civil 3D and how it can increase productivity, reduce errors and improve the civil engineering process.
Conisio Next Generation PDM Webcast
January 19, 2006, 10 a.m. ET
February 7, 2006, 10 a.m. ET
March 7, 2006, 10 a.m. ET
FISHER/UNITECH hosts the series of one-hour Web presentations featuring Conisio product lifecycle management software, developed by GCS Scandinavia, a commercial engineering document management system integrated within Windows Explorer and compatible with SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD, Solid Edge and MicroStation.
AutoEDMS System Administration Training
March 1-3, 2006
Redondo Beachs, California
Hands-on, instructor-led, classroom training for persons installing, supporting and/or managing AutoEDMS document management and workflow software. A 10% discount on tuition is available for those who register by January 31.
FIATECH 2006 Annual Technology Conference and Showcase
May 8-10, 2006
Scottsdale, Arizona
Annual event for industry leaders in planning, design, engineering, procurement, construction, IT and O&M to learn about the deployment and implementation of emerging technologies. Call for papers now under way; proposals are due January 20, 2006.
For Cadalyst's full calendar of events, click here.
