need some help please

I'm taking autocad (modules 1 thru 4) at a local college night school.
Have used and expired trial 2006. I'd greatly appreciate it if someone
would express mail me a cd of a trial copy of 2004 so I can do some
practise & homework.
I'll gladly pay for expenses and inconvenient.

best regards

 

You might consider IntelliCAD, which is essentially a clone of
AutoCAD. There are differences, especially for those who use the mouse
instead of the keyboard for commands. But, it really is a very good
substitute for Autocad at about $200 and they have a downloadable trial
version as well.

There are several sources who sell it under their own name.
www.bricscad.com
www.cadopia.com

Also, if you are interested in Solidworks, they have a very nice 90
day learning edition and you can renvew the trial version when it
expires. The only limitation is that it always prints "learning
edition" and the drawings created with the learning edition can't be
used in the regular version.


Joe Dunfee

 

thanks for the information Joe. what are the pros & cons of IntelliCAD
vs Solidworks?
will probably investigate both after I pass my courses (still need
2004!)

 

I suggest you purchase a LT version through the college.
You could also volunteer at a local architect and ask if he has an older
version that he does not have installed on a computer, and buy it cheaply
from him.
I would never suggest downloading a ISO image form a WAREZ site either. That
would be illegal.
David.

 

So would be buying an "older version" from an architect.
___

 

Paul,
I don't think that if the one purchased is a full version, and it is not
installed on any other computers, that there would be a problem with it.
You can sell any software you buy, as far as I know. As long as you are not
using it yourself too. One license per machine.
Am I wrong?
David

 

Very likely.

First, Autodesk doesn't permit license transfers among individuals.

Secondly, most offices don't have "old versions" lying around, unless
they're old copies that have been upgraded to newer ones. Once upgraded, the
old version is no longer a legal copy, as the EULA states that all copies of
old versions must be destroyed within 60 days of being upgraded.
___

 

BTW, I'm not necessarily saying that I endorse or agree with all of
Autodesk's business practices, or all of the terms and conditions of their
EULA. But those *are* the facts (in the USA, at least).
__

 

What is the basic difference between reg and LT?

 

Paul,
I agree that an upgraded version works under the same single license
agreement.
I did call to our local AutoCAD rep. Here is what they told me.
It is fine to sell a full version to someone if it is not being used by you
anymore.
It is NOT ok to sell a copy to someone if you are still using it, OR if it
has been "upgraded".
If a firm has a full version of 14, and then buys a full version of 2000,
they can sell the full version of 14.
If a firm has a full version of 14 and then buys an UPGRADE for 2000, they
can NOT sell the full version of 14.

Not my interpretation, but theirs.
David.

 

Answered many times in the past: 3D modeling, extensive customization
capability, and a handful of other things--not to mention $3000 difference
in price. Go to the Autodesk site or browse previous posts for more
insights.
___

 

Yes, under those conditions, I'd say your dealer is correct. And, I suppose,
with the current "retirement" program for older versions, there may be a few
unused, non-upgraded versions floating around. And the question of
registration is moot, since without upgradeability, there's no advantage to
registration.
___

 

Books don't come with an EULA.

 

So Autodesk (or the BSA) has never prosecuted a case of violation of an
EULA?

If it's so worthless, why are these 11 companies giving almost $800,000 to
Autodesk?
http://tinyurl.com/bwreg

 

WTF are you guys doing?
This is a CAD group.
Differing opinions are going to occur.
Like them or not.
I miss T5 ! !!

David.

 

David,
We are trying to determine whether or not the EULA is valid. Some
people think you do not have to abide by them. I say if you don't agree
to it's terms, then fine - find another software to use.

CW,
So because I say that "if you agree to the EULA, you should abide by
it's terms" - that makes me support street gangs and Saddam? What kind
of convoluted logic is that?

 

As much as I don't agree with what Autodesk do in their terms and
conditions and the price they charge for CAD software against any
other kind of software, I must say the in a court of law both parties
would be asked:-

1) If you had asked to see the term and conditions before purchase and
would they have been available if you had asked. (to which the answer
is yes)

2) If you had the 30 day demo version ( and if you said yes then this
has the terms and conditions on.)

3) Before you install you have a chance to agree to decline to agree
to the terms and conditons (plus if you decline you get a full refund)

So where is your problem? who had the gun to your head and made you
hit the YES button?

You must put all this in context, doing business with Autodesk is like
making love with a condom

One gets a sense of safety and security whilst being screwed!

Look at other low cost software:-

I have created AutoCAD like toolbars for CADVANCE which now ship with
version 12 Release 2005 (Cadvance is a great CAD Package)

IntelliCAD - (Talk about value for money!)

General CADD - (Based in Generic CADD and constantly being improved
and upgraded in line with users wish list)

And only this week I found A9CAD at www.a9tech.com - it's freeware
It looks like AutoCAD LT its only 2D and does not have all the LT
functions but it's FREE and for students and light users it would be
great.

The only way the price of AutoCAD will come down and the conditions
change is if users send a message to Autodesk and vote with their feet
and find alternative cheaper products to use.

I will now get off the soapbox.

Alan (Cadalot)
http://www.cadalot.co.uk

 

[discussion about end user licence "agreements"]

The software industry tends to give itself a lot of licence
"Not warranted to be fit for the stated or any purpose ..." often appears.
This is contrary to most countries' laws on implied warranty of fitness.
A car for example is generally expected to have a wheel at each corner and
some means of propelling it along the road. With software it often seems
that one of the wheels has a mind of its own "but will be fixed in Version
2".
Generally, restrictions other than copyright are invalid if you find out
about them after you have purchased the product. You are not generally
obliged to research beyond what is on the box, It's the same rule as
applies to hotel rooms, car parks etc. If the notice absolving the
proprietor of any responsibility is inside the premises, it is invalid,
unless of course it can be proved that you have stayed in the same
hotel/used the same car park before, so you know about the notice.
In some cases the EULA is written on the sealed envelope containing the CD,
and it says "if you don't like this, don't open the envelope, go get your
money back" or words to that effect. I guess that might be valid.

 

In a previous post Cadalot says...

Alan:

You forgot one: VisualCadd. Easy to learn for Generic Cadd Users and
at $125 to upgrade from ACad LT or Generic Cadd it's a real bargain.

 

Nice post.

Unfortunately, many companies have invested $$$$$ in Autodesk software
and the personnel it takes to run said software and so they feel in a
sense, trapped in 'subscription' and other 'forced upgrade' modes -
which of course just continue the cycle.