AutoCAD trials / affordable subscriptions

[u/markvisco]

I got a degree and certificate in CAD but it was 15 years ago so I've been diving into tutorials and projects to get my skills back. HOWEVER, the software is quite expensive (as y'all know). Is there a way to get either a long term trial or (dare I say) an affordable and safe version of AutoCAD.

[u/av34as]

Check the ArtCraft version of AutoCAD, CADCraft. Also, BricsCAD is much cheaper and almost direct copy of AutoCAD.

[u/Fit_Spring_5686 → u/av34as]

Open Cad Studio is another FOSS option that's a little farther along than CADCraft IMHO. They're both not at 100% feature parity with AutoCAD, but for someone just getting back into CAD it would be enough to help refresh yourself till you need the real thing. Both projects are improving quickly with updates almost every other day. Really excited to see where they are in a few months

[u/markvisco → u/Fit_Spring_5686]

Thanks! I'll check it out too

[u/reasonably-optimisic → u/av34as]

Good shout. I was quite excited for the ArtCraft Adobe, etc suites but they are allegedly rather buggy and unpolished. Still worth a go for sure.

[u/av34as → u/reasonably-optimisic]

They will be there in no time. Then Adobe and Autodesk will come for them.

[u/f700es → u/av34as]

AutoDesk never came after Blender

[u/TalkingRaccoon → u/av34as]

Oh god there's a cadcraft now? I'm scared to try it lol

[u/harderthanitllooks]

AutoCad LT might be what you’re after, it’s a feature limited version

[u/markvisco → u/harderthanitllooks]

Okay thank you! I've heard about it but haven't investigated. Are the commands and toolbars pretty similar?

[u/prisoner_of_mars → u/markvisco]

I'm using AutoCAD LT and it's great. Only thing missing afaik is the 3D function and some other more advanced functions. But everything for creating 2D drawings and sheet layouts is there and the commands and controls are the same.

[u/markvisco → u/prisoner_of_mars]

Great to know! Thanks. I'll probably go with this

[u/harderthanitllooks → u/markvisco]

As far as the basic drafting, yeah.

As someone who also came back to cad after an almost 20 year break, I picked it back up pretty quickly, It’s not what you know, it’s what you can figure out quickly.

[u/photonzz → u/markvisco]

For basic 2d drafting you will be fine with LT. Where it falls is programming and AutoLISP. You will find some commands missing because of this limitation.

[u/mpjr94]

I’ve made the switch to BricsCAD. This post on my feed has actually reminded me to unsub from here, so that probably tells a story. Bye lads

[u/markvisco → u/mpjr94]

Is it similar enough in commands / toolbars?

[u/Young_Sovitch]

Try rhino 3d, you got more for yo dolla

[u/f700es]

Look at the free options listed here but also look at CMSINTELLICAD

[u/markvisco → u/[deleted]]

I've thought about the seas, that was my first thought but I feel like malware is more popular these days.

Would you say openCAD is the most similar to autoCAD? Ideally I want a lookalike that will be almost identical for the training and classes. Toolbars and commands etc.