AutoCADderTuesday, February 23, 2010
Finally a Linux version of AutoCAD (sort of)
Many users need to edit DWG and DXF files only occasionally and they don't want to learn and install (and buy) large software beasts like AutoCAD. Sometimes such users also use obscure software platforms like Linux or MacOS.
For all these users there is now the "hosted" version of AutoCAD (OK, it is not called like this, yet) - the Autodesk Project Butterfly. Despite it does not support all types of DWG objects yet, its function set has been enhanced recently and there is no limit of what can be added to this web-based software from the standard AutoCAD function set - if Autodesk decides to do this in the future. Butterfly now opens and saves DWG and DXF files on any OS platform, just working happily inside your internet browser.
Of course it is a bit slower than the desktop version of AutoCAD, of course it depends on the internet infrastructure and hosted clouds somewhere in the US. But you don't need to buy anything (yet), to install anything and to take care about upgrades, patches and compatibility issues. An ideal tool for occassional CAD users.
Try yourself at butterfly.autodesk.com.
For all these users there is now the "hosted" version of AutoCAD (OK, it is not called like this, yet) - the Autodesk Project Butterfly. Despite it does not support all types of DWG objects yet, its function set has been enhanced recently and there is no limit of what can be added to this web-based software from the standard AutoCAD function set - if Autodesk decides to do this in the future. Butterfly now opens and saves DWG and DXF files on any OS platform, just working happily inside your internet browser.
Of course it is a bit slower than the desktop version of AutoCAD, of course it depends on the internet infrastructure and hosted clouds somewhere in the US. But you don't need to buy anything (yet), to install anything and to take care about upgrades, patches and compatibility issues. An ideal tool for occassional CAD users.
Try yourself at butterfly.autodesk.com.
Labels: AutoCAD, Butterfly, CAD, DWG, DXF
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Project Cooper - Autodesk CAD for free
Project Cooper is a new Windows 2D CAD (or rather CADD - drafting) application by Autodesk. What is special about this application is that it is free.
Cooper is a simple sketching application which can be also controlled through Windows 7 touchscreen. It works with the DWG file format so you can use it as a sketching tool for your AutoCAD, Revit or Inventor projects.
Project Cooper is time bombed (30.4.2010) and is available only in some countries. Project Cooper extends the herd of free CAD tools by Autodesk (Dragonfly, Project Draw).
See Project Cooper
Labels: CAD, DWG, Freewheel, Project Cooper
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
CAD links
I have recently updated some of the CAD links in the left column. The CAD Panacea blog now runs on a new domain. And there is a new blog for CAD uzers, especially AutoCAD and Revit users - CADuzer.com (looks promising).
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Autodesk Men In Black
The Autodesk corporate web site (both the US www.autodesk.com and local www.autodesk.de) has a new black look. I hope that it doesn't mean dark future for Autodesk.
It confirms (to some extent) my November speculation about the design changes towards black. Well, the AutoCAD box is not black but the Inventor box is and Revit boxes are now black as well. It seems that Autodesk now distinguishes the old 2D "white" product line and new 3D "black" products. And as Autodesk wants us to buy the 3D products, the visual difference is as bold as possible. Simply - if someone offers you a white CAD box and a black CAD box - always take the black one...
It confirms (to some extent) my November speculation about the design changes towards black. Well, the AutoCAD box is not black but the Inventor box is and Revit boxes are now black as well. It seems that Autodesk now distinguishes the old 2D "white" product line and new 3D "black" products. And as Autodesk wants us to buy the 3D products, the visual difference is as bold as possible. Simply - if someone offers you a white CAD box and a black CAD box - always take the black one...
