AutoCAD LT 2007 question

[Captain Kidd]

OK, somehow I did something that has turned the square in my pointer green and it won't paste copied objects anymore. Unforunately I'm not having much luck in the help files telling me what the colors mean (I'm assuming that there's more than just green and that they signify some mode I accidentally set somewhere). Anybody have experience with this?

[Captain Kidd]

Nevermind. Don't you hate it when you figure something out seconds after asking? I had made a new UCS to rotate inside a viewport to get some stuff to fit better. Rotating it back cleared it up.

[jseefcoot]

I'm only replying to this because I actually understood every word of your post. So did you forget what forum you were on, or do you actually get CADD help here? I'd be surprised to find any one else who knows what you were talking about.

[Captain Kidd]

There's a wide experience base here so I was fairly certain (read: hopeful) that somebody could help. Plus I was already on BAUT and didn’t want to take the time to hunt down and then register on some other board.

[Doodler]

There's a wide experience base here so I was fairly certain (read: hopeful) that somebody could help. Plus I was already on BAUT and didn’t want to take the time to hunt down and then register on some other board.

I work with AutoCAD 2004 with Architectural Desktop 3.3. I've got a little experience with AutoCAD 2006. While some of the new features will probably elude me, I can at least aim you in the right direction on core AutoCAD functions.

[jseefcoot]

Well, open mouth, insert foot. Maybe CADD is a little more ubiquitous than I thought. . .

Personally, I have worked with a wide range of CADD products, including every release of ACAD from 2000-2007, Autodesk MAP, SurvCADD, and Microstation. I never would have thought to post a question anywhere but on a CADD forum. And your idea obviously worked, it's not been a whole day yet and look at your thread. It makes sense though, because of the wide range of experience that exists in this forum's members -- something I admit I overlooked. Perhaps I'll post my next computer problem here. . .

Although I will say this: It is worth the time to register for at least the Autodesk forums, they have been an invaluable tool to me for the past couple of years. They also are the best place to find answers to problems that arise from the newer releases -- you'll find that people post to Autodesk quite often to complain about the changes. Good luck with LT.

[Doodler]

I started on AutoCAD 9 in high school. Trained on ACAD13 in college, then ACAD14 when I started working in architecture. The only reason we've stopped trying to stay version current is that Autodesk kinda reversed their position they had stated after 2000i. They'd said they wanted to get away from completely new software releases every 18 months and go with add on packages to expand the core software. Well...didn't work that way, they're now up to a new full version every twelve months. Plus they're getting particularly touchy about seat licenses, so we've got 2004 running currently, and one of these days we'll get up to either 2006 or 2007.

On the upshot, they're actually VERY good about their tech support and troubleshooting. They issue a newsletter or two worth reading, along with their forums. Definitely worth keeping the shortcut handy for problems.

[jseefcoot]

I have found Autodesk support to be some of the best I've experienced, although that's not really saying much because my basis for comparison is from AOL and Dell.

Having worked in every release since 2000, I can tell you this: most of the releases really just focus on current trends and thinking, while trying to maintain the older methods of operation. In 2006, for instance, you see the beginning of a move away from the command line; the things you type now appear in a 'tooltip' box by your crosshair. Also, there are colored-in pick boxes and a dynamic display. Lots of cool stuff, looks really neat, even fun to play with. But does it really change the core of how AutoCAD works? Nope. Mostly it's bells and whistles. If you want a different look, it's OK.

If you're looking for a better running program, stick with 04. It's the best release so far. In fact, the differences between 06 and 07 are nearly negligible unless you work in 3D all the time; all they did was revamp 3D operations to keep up with some of the hip new modeling software. Even all of the icons in the toolbars are exactly the same. Since I don't need to model objects in my line of work, my company basically wasted a buttload of $$$ upgrading me to ACAD 07. There are literally ZERO changes to the commands and processes I use everyday, and for the most part, that's how it's been since 2002. However, ACAD 07 doesn't work well with SurvCADD 07 yet, and so there's another piece of multi-thousand dollar software going to waste while we wait for AutoDesk to find which a** it put its head in. What am I using in the meantime? Good 'ol ACAD 04. Go figure.

[Kelfazin]

Back before I left my job as a tool and die designer i was running AutoCAD 2004. Then my company wanted something that was "easier for solid modeling" and made us all switch to Solid Edge. (http://www.solidedge.com/successes/design.contest.htm) It was by far easier to do solid modeling, but the overall user friendliness of the program was lacking when compared to AutoCAD in my opinion. They also took very tight control of the licenses by requiring a printer-port dongle in order to run the program.

[Doodler]

I have found Autodesk support to be some of the best I've experienced, although that's not really saying much because my basis for comparison is from AOL and Dell.

Having worked in every release since 2000, I can tell you this: most of the releases really just focus on current trends and thinking, while trying to maintain the older methods of operation. In 2006, for instance, you see the beginning of a move away from the command line; the things you type now appear in a 'tooltip' box by your crosshair. Also, there are colored-in pick boxes and a dynamic display. Lots of cool stuff, looks really neat, even fun to play with. But does it really change the core of how AutoCAD works? Nope. Mostly it's bells and whistles. If you want a different look, it's OK.

If you're looking for a better running program, stick with 04. It's the best release so far. In fact, the differences between 06 and 07 are nearly negligible unless you work in 3D all the time; all they did was revamp 3D operations to keep up with some of the hip new modeling software. Even all of the icons in the toolbars are exactly the same. Since I don't need to model objects in my line of work, my company basically wasted a buttload of $$$ upgrading me to ACAD 07. There are literally ZERO changes to the commands and processes I use everyday, and for the most part, that's how it's been since 2002. However, ACAD 07 doesn't work well with SurvCADD 07 yet, and so there's another piece of multi-thousand dollar software going to waste while we wait for AutoDesk to find which a** it put its head in. What am I using in the meantime? Good 'ol ACAD 04. Go figure.

We've had quite a bit of trouble getting people who don't have Architectural Desktop able to open our drawings in standard installs. Their Object Enabler files have been fine when the boneheads we try to communicate with actually install it properly, but it utterly amazes me that they allow people to sit down to a screen and keyboard without the most basic knowledge of software installation.

Even more annoying to think these people probably get paid more than I do...:wall: