Drafix 4.0 to AS9 or TurboCAD?

Discussion in 'AutoSketch' started by Drafix40, Aug 24, 2004.

  1. Drafix40

    Drafix40 Guest

    I have been using Drafix 3 & 4.0, all alone, with no compatriots for a decade until I found this site today.

    I have lost the Drafix CD during a move, and recently I lost the Hard Drive to my (now) older system. I was able to edit the registry to "reinstall" from my backup drive, but its not the same anymore.

    I'm going to be using TurboCAD, but I'm curious about AutoSketch. Can I use AS9 to open *.CAD files and save them to any modern format? I really liked Drafix, but reading 100's of posts today makes me think twice about getting AS8 or 9. I've got 100's of drawings (*.CAD format) and my company will pay for AS9 if I want it. Drafix does not output a legible DXF for me to import into something else.

    Any suggestions?

    Greg Yent
    San Diego, CA
     
    Drafix40, Aug 24, 2004
    #1
  2. I know how you feel - all alone in the big Autocad world but fear not there
    are still a lot of Drafix/AS users and this is the place to meet them...
    If you liked Drafix then you will probably also like Autosketch as it's
    basically the same program with some features added and others removed.
    Don't be put off too much by the negative comments you read here - there are
    a lot of old Drafix users that resented Autodesk buying out Drafix, me
    included. But at the end of the day Drafix is still here in AS disguise and
    it does have some useful new functions IMHO...
    Yes AS can open cad files and save them as cad or autosketch or dwg or dxf,
    even as pdf(?) so you shouldn't have any problems with your old cad files.

    Personally I don't think Turbocad is a patch on ASketch - if you are not
    moving up to A'cad or LT then I would stay with Asketch, you will love it.


    decade until I found this site today.
    Drive to my (now) older system. I was able to edit the registry to
    "reinstall" from my backup drive, but its not the same anymore.
    use AS9 to open *.CAD files and save them to any modern format? I really
    liked Drafix, but reading 100's of posts today makes me think twice about
    getting AS8 or 9. I've got 100's of drawings (*.CAD format) and my company
    will pay for AS9 if I want it. Drafix does not output a legible DXF for me
    to import into something else.
     
    AngryofMayfair, Aug 24, 2004
    #2
  3. Drafix40

    Len Rafuse Guest

    Welcome aboard.
    TurboCAD is a good program. TCad can handle 3D and Xref's but does not
    always read all the AutoCAD entities that I receive in drawings.

    I find AutoSketch much better for 2D drawings.

    AS9 does most things well. If you read through a number of the post
    you'll find there are very specific issues that AutoDesk has not
    addressed. Transfer of text to DWG format is not aligned properly -
    that is my biggest gripe.
     
    Len Rafuse, Aug 24, 2004
    #3
  4. Drafix40

    drafix Guest

    Go for AutoSketch! Note that former Drafix was converted into AutoSketc 5, and so on it use exactly the same commands as Drafix.
     
    drafix, Aug 25, 2004
    #4
  5. Drafix40

    Ric Norris Guest

    Go for AutoCAD LT.....you can do more with it AND be more productive at the
    same time.

    The bottom line is that the same learning curve is required.

    Ric Norris.
    http://users.bigpond.net.au/cavedrawings


    5, and so on it use exactly the same commands as Drafix.
     
    Ric Norris, Aug 25, 2004
    #5
  6. Drafix40

    Len Rafuse Guest

    Drafix to AutoSketch - very little learning curve

    Drafix to AutoCAD - sign up for 10 week course on how to use AutoCAD.

    I find it useful to have both AutoSketch and AutoCAD LT. AutoCAD LT
    allows you to check DWG files you send out. You can also see what files
    coming in are supposed to look like before reading them into AutoSketch.

    However I find I draw much faster in AutoSketch. AutoCad is too
    complicated.
     
    Len Rafuse, Aug 25, 2004
    #6
  7. Drafix40

    Ric Norris Guest

    What a load of crap.

    I taught myself AutoCAD/LT.....followed up by a 3 day advance course and can
    therefore produce drawings much faster than working in QC/AS. Where's
    direct input.....where's a command line. To draw a line in QC/AS, one has
    to draw one, then edit it to size/specification.

    If it takes 10 weeks for you guys to learn the LT basics, there must be
    something wrong with the local syllabus.

    Why would you want 2 CAD programs to check/see things being
    imported/exported. For a start you can't see what's coming in from
    AutoCAD/LT because AutoSketch doesn't support XREFS plus numerous other
    issues, such as custom line styles/shapes etc.

    What about Paper Space.....??? What a bloody great idea that is. Damn
    shame AutoSketch doesn't support that either.

    As far as checking before they are "sent out"....we all know that poses
    problems as well, ie text formatting.

    I also taught myself QuickCAD/AutoSketch.....no advance courses for either.
    The sad side of that is I conduct inhouse training courses for our numerous
    national users in the use of QuickCAD. And what a pain in the arse that
    is....how can one teach something one doesn't enjoy....???!!! Sad.

    The twain will not simply meet.

    GO LT.....anyday.....!!!!

    Ric Norris.
    http://users.bigpond.net.au/cavedrawings
     
    Ric Norris, Aug 25, 2004
    #7
  8. Well Ric feel free to send them here to me in Melb - I love showing folk how
    quick and easy AS/Quickcad is, I get a real buzz from showing people the
    amazing capabilities of such a 'cheap' piece of software that easily runs on
    a 3 yr old laptop...
    Not that I have done much 'training' but the ones that really appreciate it
    are the poor sods that have been struggling for a week trying to learn
    Autocad with just a '10 easy steps' 2" thick teach yourself manual and still
    haven't managed to draw a line to scale and in the right direction...

    Seriously, I would really enjoy helping you out and I'm not that busy at the
    moment... :)
     
    AngryofMayfair, Aug 25, 2004
    #8
  9. Drafix40

    Ric Norris Guest

    Appreciate your offer.....unfortunately, the training is part of my job
    description & that's why I have to suffer. The boss wouldn't appreciate me
    palming it off. Besides, I conduct the courses as per our industry.

    I am off to Adelaide next week to attack another group of
    victims.....hopefully that will be the last for a while.

    Personally, I would like to see AS9 working properly. Until it is, I ain't
    dealing with it and/or promoting it.

    Cheers,

    Ric.
    http://users.bigpond.net.au/cavedrawings
     
    Ric Norris, Aug 25, 2004
    #9
  10. Drafix40

    Drafix40 Guest

    Thanks to all who replied. I will still use Drafix as my day to day drawing package because I have 10 years worth of macros and symbols, including Ordinate dimensions and ANSI 1994 Y14.5M standard symbols. I do need the 3D solids for only a few items, so I have TurboCAD just for that. For $120USD, I'll give Autosketch a shot. Maybe I can work around not having the macros. As far as AutoCAD is concerned, I've been using it since v8.0 or 9.0 (1987), but I prefer Drafix to get my drawings done fast.
     
    Drafix40, Aug 26, 2004
    #10
  11. Drafix40

    Len Rafuse Guest

    No it isn't. AutoSketch can be learned from the 6 minute tutorials. We
    could not really use AutoCAD until one woman here took a 3 month course
    in it.
    AS direct input - Use Absolute and relative input.

    Command line? What a pain in the ass. Windows based drop down menus
    and keyboard short cuts are much easier. I do not want to memorize
    commands so I can type them in.
    AutoSketch IS easier to use. Plus your entire drawing is one file with
    no XREFs. When you send it to some one it is complete. You do not need
    to send 6 other files and have them in the correct directory structure
    for a drawing to show up correctly.
    I do not need pieces of my drawing scattered all over the place. I want
    to see my final product as I draw it. Paper space does not aid this.


    And at the end of the day, Ric and I still disagree. No Surprise there.
     
    Len Rafuse, Aug 30, 2004
    #11
  12. Drafix40

    Ric Norris Guest

    Ric Norris, Aug 30, 2004
    #12
  13. Drafix40

    Len Rafuse Guest

    That's what I keep saying.
     
    Len Rafuse, Aug 30, 2004
    #13
  14. Drafix40

    Ric Norris Guest

    Ric Norris, Aug 30, 2004
    #14
  15. Drafix40

    Len Rafuse Guest

    Drafix is dead.....Long live Drafix!

    Drafix lives as the backbone of AutoSketch.
     
    Len Rafuse, Aug 30, 2004
    #15
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