LT sounds right for you.
The fonts that error would be from drawings that you may get from others.
LT will substitute the default font.
Have you ever used a cad program.
You have to realize that you draw every line.
You can save blocks for future insertion.
Just to edit drawings from others or to create drawings for construction, LT should be just fine and a good place to start before you decide to spend the big bucks for full blown AutoCad or MEP.
I've never worked with it before and I agree with you as far as starting with LT. I was thinking of taking a course, any thoughts?
There's also TurboCAD and DoubleCad (and many more out there). You probably don't need 'autocad', just a cad package.
That is going to be my next CAD purchaseI'd suggest you look at Bricscad from www.bricsys.com. It's good enough that my staff uses it instead of Autocad. $505 for the pro version, $395 for the classic version. We have not had any problems with compatibility with Autocad. All of our custom LISP files run fine. They have a free time limited demo.
I have had AutoCAD and TurboCAD. TurboCAD was great in that it was much cheaper but I hate not having LISP. I like the way I can customize AutoCAD and the way it operates but hate the expense.There's also TurboCAD and DoubleCad (and many more out there). You probably don't need 'autocad', just a cad package.
I have been using AutoCAD it since about 1985 (version 2.1). I too find the customizing critical. I tried TurboCAD because it worked with my FloorPlan software. It also said it would transfer between AutoCAD and it does somewhat. They kept promising a software developer kit for customizing but I've found that to be weak.I have used Auto Cad since 1988. The ability to use LISP, block insertion, interface with other professionals, and customization features are ABSOLUTELY critical. I could not work without those features.
RC
While we are talking the old days, I used 1.4 which ran on a CP/M system with an 8086 coprocessor.I have been using AutoCAD it since about 1985 (version 2.1). I too find the customizing critical.
Supposedly BricsCAD is pretty seamless but time will tell.
That depends on what the OP plans to do with the cad program. If it is strictly for use in their office any program will do. If they need to share files with others they need a program that is compatible with what the client uses. I have owned several of the alternatives and most did not work all that when sharing files with Autocad when I tested them. They may have improved. An example -- when I last tested it, one of the other programs mentioned in the thread worked more like a word processor than a cad program for text. Word processors work with point sizes. Compare 12 point Times New Roman with 12 point Microsoft Himalaya in a Word processor. The character heights are very different. Autocad sizes text like in hand drafting where 1/4" high text is really 1/4" tall. If programs don't handle text the same way a drawing may look very different in the two programs.
In any case, be sure to test for compatibility if you need to share files.
I recommend http://www.lynda.com. It's a subscription service, and for $37.50/mo you can take all the courses you want with downloadable example files. That's how I got my start in AutoCAD. I started off trying to work with AutoDesk's online tutorials, and they were (IMO) terrible.I've never worked with it before and I agree with you as far as starting with LT. I was thinking of taking a course, any thoughts?