[RE-wrenches] Autocad

[Solarguy]

The only difference in AutoCad and the Lt version is the lack of 3D
capability.

Autocad also will save directly as a pdf file as long as you are not using
any Microsoft OS newer than XP.

It's not difficult to learn since you will only be using a dozen or two of
the thousands of commands for 99% of your work. It's also one of the most
stable programs I have ever used [since 2000].

Jim Duncan

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William
Miller
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 9:57 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Autocad

 

August, Wrenches:

 

I cannot operate without a true 3D cad program.  I cannot operate in the
environment I am in using third party software.  I really like the idea of
leasing.  I would out $525 for 4 years of AutoCAD, about the same for owning
a lesser program.  Granted, AutoCAD has a steep learning curve, but that
never stopped me from trying anything in life.

 

I will continue to use Visio for many tasks.  Nothing creates a better block
diagram more easily or more attractively.

 

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

William

 

 

 

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of August Goers
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 7:38 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Autocad

 

Hi William,

 

We use AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT in our office. Although Sketchup is pretty
awesome for the reasons others have already mentioned, it really doesn't
compare to AutoCAD for heavy duty design drawings - especially single line
electrical drawings. We're about 50%+ commercial at this point so we need to
interface with architects and other trades so need AutoCAD. That said,
AutoCAD LT is probably sufficient for you unless you want to do 3D and it
costs about $1,200. You can download it right from the Autodesk website. I
like Bill Brooks' idea of leasing it too! I haven't tried TurboCAD but I've
heard that there can be compatibility issues between it and AutoCAD if
you're sharing files back and forth. It is quite a bit cheaper. We used to
use MS Visio and it took about a year to get up to speed with AutoCAD. But
once you get used to all the shortcuts in AutoCAD is is quite fast. 

 

Best,

 

August

Luminalt




August Goers

Principal

Luminalt Energy Corporation

o: 415.641.4000

m: 415.559.1525

www.luminalt.com

 

 

On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 6:46 PM, Exeltech <exeltech at yahoo.com> wrote:

For line drawings and other 2D illustrations, Libre CAD reads and writes DXF
files.  There are versions for Windows, Apple OSX, and Linux.

It's also F-R-E-E.  Simply download and install.

http://librecad.org/cms/home.html


Dan



--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 3/12/14, Bill Hoffer <sunengser at gmail.com> wrote:

Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Autocad
To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 7:43 PM


William 

I second using Sketchup and Layout for $500 .  I have seen the add on Roof
Pro Plug in and Skelion ( $199) demo  that lays out the array  and links to
PVwatts for power analysis.  Plus Combined with google earth , does great
shading analysis I.  I think you can do a quick design in an hour and
Autocad would be days!  Stay away from Autocad unless you really need it for
large commercial jobs and like Jason said it is required to interact with
other trades! Plus Solar Energy Engineering is starting a web based training
for using it for solar projects.  It really is pretty cool and a lot more
flexible than overpriced and overly complicated Autocad.  Autocad light
woudl be my first choice, no way you need the full blown
version.

 Bill

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