Quick Tip / Free CAD Software

[Spooky]

http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/ ... raftsight/

I have no idea if it's any good yet but I've downloaded it and will post back in the next few days.

It's *supposed* to be a great AutoCAD clone but free .....

http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/ ... /features/

The above is a list of it's posted features, many are familiar to ACad users but I'm so far a little sceptical, My AutoCAD License costs £4,800 and this is DraughtSite is free so time will tell.

best wishes

Dave

[Daven]

Thanks Dave,

Have downloaded and had a quick look. I use DoubleCad XT2 which is also free - no idea how they compare to Autocad from your point of view so will be intrested in your views

Cheers

Dave

[Spooky]

Now that was a supprise!!

I've just spent 6 hours playing with Draughtsite and the differences (for laser purposes) are minimal!

It has all the required stuff like PolyLine / Line / Shape but also has many of the autoCAD commands such as PEDIT and Explode etc.

The save format IS AutoCAD DXF format compatible and runs fine with the laser import function.

Ok it doesn't have a lot of the autocad advanced functions but it's free and being honest the chances of anybody with a laser needing to edit dynamic blocks or create hatch patterns is nill. It won't import LSP files (it's an autocad thing) but then again your never going to need them anyways.

Of all the Non AutoCAD packages I've tried over the years this is streets ahead of the competition (free stuff or paid)

I'm going to roll it out to my other cad guys and see if they can find any faults but for now it's lookinglike a very nice package.

best wishes

Dave

[Daven]

It's amazing how much good software is out there for free or reasonably priced, at long last!

I dont' have a problem paying for software but I can't justify paying hundreds for something I would only use once in a while!

Good find Dave

Regards

Dave

[Spooky]

Daft thing is mate, the files that go to my big commercial clients have to be AutoCAD files even though other systems are compatible

If it's not generated by AutoCAD then the clients won't accept it costs me an arm and a leg each year to licence new versions

best wishes

Dave

[StarLoc Adhesives]

It seems quite good,but ive not tried importing into newlydraw to cut yet but the rest of it seems good

theres so many file types all dxf......What type of file should i save as to be the right type for newlydraw?

[Spooky]

Hiya Star,

Version 2000 - 2002 binary DXF works well but don't save to anything later as it will cause legacy errors

best wishes

Dave