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DoubleCAD XT , free 4 comercial use

Antisthenes
DoubleCAD


MSI explain their strategy in their own words:

"We're trying to shake up the CAD world. We won't do that unless we have something special.

DoubleCAD™ XT is a full-powered 2D CAD application -- one that you already know how to use -- and is free with none of the usual limitations:

We're not constraining printing, saving, file sizes... we're not including untimely time-outs... we're not even constraining the software license -- our free DoubleCAD™ XT can be used for unlimited personal and commercial use.

Our hope is that as you need even more power, you'll consider upgrading to our enhanced DoubleCAD™ XT Pro product or DoubleCAD™ plug-ins as available."

"Whether you like or dislike Autodesk, AutoCAD® is the standard. As such, our goal is simply to be a better companion to AutoCAD® than AutoCAD LT® is. We've done this by creating one product that's dramatically better than AutoCAD LT® (XT Pro)... and another that's dramatically less expensive (XT free)."

"ITC-based products have had reliability and robustness issues over the years and, except for a few niche exceptions, have failed to gain traction in the marketplace. ITC-based products target AutoCAD® and rarely try to surpass or innovate."

"Why pirate -- when you can be legal -- for free."
 
Feb 5, 09 5:00 pm
Antisthenes

DoubleCAD™ XT walls are compatible with Autodesk's AutoCAD® Architecural Desktop (ADT), or AutoCAD® Architecure walls. Rather than using double lines with the multiline tool, the DoubleCAD™ wall tool allows for straight or curved walls that are self-healing (clean up intersections and corners). Any DoubleCAD™ block can be inserted into a wall and will self-align, but that alignment can be modified easily with DoubleCAD™ scale and rotation handles so that a left-opening door can be a right-opening door by simply dragging its handles.

In DoubleCAD™ any object can be converted to a block, and when importing SketchUp™ models, all components are automatically made DoubleCAD™ blocks. This way doors and windows from the Google™ 3D Warehouse, or any other item you create in SketchUp™ or DoubleCAD™ can simply be dropped into any wall. Think of the time savings.

DoubleCAD™ files with these ADT compatible walls can be saved in .DWG format and brought into AutoCAD®, including AutoCAD LT®, where they retain their self-healing properties with all DoubleCAD™ blocks, such as doors and windows. Even in AutoCAD®, the door insertion points may be moved and the walls continue to heal themselves

a good implementation of ADTdirrect mmm
Feb 5, 09 5:07 pm  · 
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Antisthenes
supports creating XREFs that link back to a file in any format supported for opening or importing. This could be .DWG, .SKP, or even a .JPG or .PNG file.

allows you to apply geometric or dimensional constraints that control relationships between drawn objects. Those relationships are parametrically-driven and include values, variables, or mathematical formulas. For example, relationships can dictate that two lines remain connected at their vertices; that a line is tangent to a circle; that an object remains at a fixed angle to another object; or that circle A remains three times the size of circle B.

parametrics and skp xrefing.. WOW right?
Feb 5, 09 5:12 pm  · 
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Antisthenes

OHHH SNAP!

Feb 5, 09 6:42 pm  · 
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cowgill

OHHH SNAP indeed!

have you given it a test-drive yet?

Feb 5, 09 8:10 pm  · 
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Antisthenes

oh yes and it is really refreshing to see such innovation rather than the same old even that it is in it's infancy and the pro version is not yet out

Feb 5, 09 9:21 pm  · 
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Antisthenes

to me this the type of product companies of all sizes need to migrate to to save bucco bux and keep the standard compatible format going strong other wise you know what autodesk will try to do , force the 2010 format to be different from all the rest yet again frustrating users and making upgrade path cancellation threats whist still being uber buggy. pfff a sign of relief and liberation is in the air, the intellicads could not have stepped up at a better time, let is just hope the deciders are reading and receptive to a future direction that bucks the unsustainable monopolistic trend we have been on. ehh?

Feb 5, 09 9:25 pm  · 
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