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    <div class="moz-cite-prefix">I use Turbocad,  it can open Autocad
      files, and is much more affordable.  Seems to work well.<br>
      <pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer, 
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760</pre>
      On 3/12/2014 5:16 PM, Jason Szumlanski wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote
cite="mid:CAJJtG3rjCcPGO6bybfw7AB0AQxjzBmyDAN2FN8_db=v9EnSjHA@mail.gmail.com"
      type="cite">
      <div dir="ltr">
        <div class="gmail_default"
          style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">Unless there is a
          compelling reason to use AutoCAD, like interoperability with
          other trades and professions, consider Sketchup Pro and Layout
          from Trimble. $500.</div>
        <div class="gmail_default"
          style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default"
          style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">I learned it over a
          weekend, and with the Instant Roof Pro plugin ($39) I was
          making convincing and accurate renderings in almost no time.
          Note: Instant Roof, a necessary plugin for roof modeling, has
          not been updated for Sketchup 2014, so download 2013 for now.
          The author is working on it.</div>
        <br>
        <div id="WISESTAMP_SIG_gmail_session">
          <div
            style="font-size:13px;font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
            <div style="margin:0 0 8px 0">
              <p style="margin:0"><span><span>Jason Szumlanski</span></span></p>
              <p style="margin:0">
                <span><span></span></span></p>
              <div class="gmail_default"
                style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;display:inline">Fafco
                Solar</div>
              <br>
              <p style="margin:0"><span><span><br>
                  </span></span></p>
            </div>
            <img moz-do-not-send="true"
src="https://wisestamp.appspot.com/pixview.gif?p=chrome&v=3.31.0&t=1394665925441&u=eb875d38140ce271"
              height="1" width="1"></div>
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      </div>
      <div class="gmail_extra"><br>
        <br>
        <div class="gmail_quote">
          On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 7:09 PM, William Miller <span
            dir="ltr"><<a moz-do-not-send="true"
              href="mailto:william@millersolar.com" target="_blank">william@millersolar.com</a>></span>
          wrote:<br>
          <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0
            .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
            <div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-US">
              <div>
                <p class="MsoNormal">Friends:</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">The 3D CAD software I have been
                  using is obsolete.  I have decided to upgrade to
                  Autocad.  I am temporarily using an educational copy
                  while I learn, but  I need to purchase a copy.</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">Before I go out and plunk down $4k,
                  I need to do some research:</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">Do I have to expect to pay that
                  much?</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">Where is a good place to purchase?</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">Are there copies of one generation
                  old programs available?</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">I am a self teacher but I use
                  printed texts.  What is your favorite Autocad
                  reference?</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">
                  Thanks everyone!</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">William</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">
                  <img src="cid:part3.02070203.05030501@solarray.com"
                    alt="Gradient Cap_mini" height="28" width="64"></p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">Lic 773985</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"><a moz-do-not-send="true"
                    href="http://millersolar.com" target="_blank">millersolar.com</a>
                  (hyperlink)</p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"><a moz-do-not-send="true"
                    href="tel:805-438-5600" value="+18054385600"
                    target="_blank">805-438-5600</a></p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
              </div>
            </div>
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