Why? Let's have a look at the existing product line. ie, Vanilla AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. You might be able to find an answer from there.
AutoCAD LT: The lack of strong application programming interfaces makes AutoCAD LT really handicapped in the perspective of a Power User or CAD Administrator. You can not use any of your custom commands developed using AutoLISP/VBA/Dotnet/ObjectARX inside LT. The remaining option called DIESEL is only good enough to make small macros. Not only that; the number of commands are limited as compared to the full version.
Vanilla AutoCAD: Very powerful platform for 2D as well as 3D designing and modeling. The disadvantage is that it's loaded with comprehensive 3D modeling and rendering engines which are not at all used by the 2D user. Believe me; I have never used any of the 3D modeling or rendering features for the past 4 or 5 years for official purpose. That means the 2D users are carrying a burden over their shoulders and have been quite unnecessarily paying for the unwanted features. They could work much faster, if all those unwanted features were not loaded over there. The recent versions of AutoCAD show that it is more inclined towards 3D development than the 2D ones.
The need of the moment is an intermediate AutoCAD Product, which offers the power of Vanilla AutoCAD customization and 2D features minus all the 3D/rendering features with an attractive price tag. In that case, managers don't have to think twice at the time of purchase/upgrade of the product as they normally would do. As of now, we are forced to use Vanilla AutoCAD as we have in-house discipline specific menus and associated programs.
I am sorry to have started the New Year in a rebellion mood. But we really wish to see such a product available in the industry. Please note that the above views and opinions are my personal ones and those don't reflect the views or policies of the company I am working for. I take this opportunity to wish you a happy and prosperous new year. May the New Year make our dreams (including the CAD related ones ;-) come true...!! Many thanks to all you people for visiting my blog.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
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2 comments:
You already have an "intermediate AutoCAD product" that is almost exactly like AutoCAD but costs far less than even AutoCAD LT. See progeCAD IntelliCAD, an AutoCAD clone that reads and writes the same drawings (DWG), works with your existing AutoCAD blocks, menus, AutoLISP, has the same commands, and even some things AutoCAD doesn't like import PDF, raster to vector conversion, etc. Free 30 day evaluation downloads so you can try it out. No need to wish for it, it exists!
Wish you all the best for new thought.
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