was wondering if anybody knows of cheaper version of auto cad....we are attempting to start up a UL panel-shop for building plc's and need a way to get wiring diagrams and such on paper so we can get the UL listing....not exactly sure what type of program to use and don't want to spend a bunch of money if i don't need too
autocad light is what i use.
there is both a windows and a mac version.
however, there are TWO mac versions. one is
available thru autodesk and everyone else,
and the other one is available thru the apple store.
the apple store version is quite a bit cheaper than
the non apple store version. however, IT IS NOT
UPGRADEABLE. IT IS A THROWAWAY.
"
PLEASE NOTE:
The AutoCAD LT 2013 App (purchased from Apple's Mac App store)
is delivered as unserialized media, and is therefore not eligible
for upgrades or Autodesk Subscription."
autocad LT is $1,000 for either mac or windows.
it's $180 more for a subscription that gets you
annual updates, and some support and cloud
services.
an upgrade without the subscription is about $650.
ACAD is the industry standard. native autocad files
are what almost everyone uses for almost everything.
and if you opt for a "fully compatible" clone, make up
a bunch of drawings, and a ways down the road find
out that it turns out there are a few things that don't
quite convert in or out, the price difference won't even
matter.