Likelihood to Recommend AutoCAD LT is suitable for engineers that uses DWG formats casually and don't rely on
AutoCAD as the main tool to issue drawings in the workflow.
AutoCAD LT is best suited for firms that do not use LISP functions in
AutoCAD and do not care about 3D modeling. Although
AutoCAD LT has other missing functions when compared to standard
AutoCAD , these features are of less importance and can't be noticed.
Read full review Well Suited for:
Integrated designs performed by multiple designers simultaneously (designs requiring a Product Lifecycle Management system); Designs requiring a high degree of parameterisation; Large companies where specific standards and best practices are applied to all models and drawings created. Not Well Suited for:
Personal use in designing one-off models and drawings; Small business use where very few of the expensive features are actually used. Read full review Pros The library feature for all areas is to me AutoCAD LT's extra strong point, it makes it easier to find information within the program itself. The fast solutions and precise development of drawings and projects is also another strong point. I use the floor plans, elevations, sections and the hydraulic designs to work with my students on physics projects. The software allows you to scale model and remodel as many times as you need, from simple to more complex designs Importing and exporting files is also very simple to perform making corrections and quick feedback to students easy. Read full review It has very good user interface in classic or ordered environment. In 2D or drafting, you can give any Geometric tolerancing and symbols to any dimension. There is a wide range of options available. You can convert any files in step file (.stp) and can open it in other designing applications easily. After converting 3D drawings in 2D you can make changes in 2D drawing by converting it in the draft. You can also add details like cross-sections and detailed view. You can directly make threads without creating holes. Read full review Cons All individual lines are to be made a polyline to perform actions like Hatching, filling, etc which is very hectic. - Wish need not make it in the future. Read full review Being used to 2-key and 3-key commands from the keyboard, it would be nice if this was more robust in Solid Edge. The capability of programming keystroke commands exists in Solid Edge, but it would be more user friendly in that regard. Editing hatches can be a challenge. I'm not a fan of the ribbon bar, but that seems to be a feature across software platforms in Windows. Read full review Usability As mentioned previously, Siemens Solid Edge is not the most user-friendly of products at all. It requires intense training to make sure that the basics are understood, and after that, there are numerous other training interventions needed to be able to perform expert-level CAD functions. The GUI is not intuitive, as many other packages are, and the features built-in are not well defined. The process to use many of these features is counter-intuitive and requires a mind-shift.
Read full review Support Rating I have been involved with support and training of Solid Edge for 24 years. Given that I based my business model on support, and have been successful for all these years, I know excellent support. Siemens support for Solid Edge, "GTAC", is the definition of support for a product in every aspect.
Read full review Alternatives Considered Although
AutoCAD LT is the lite software when compared to standard
AutoCAD , it does all the work when it comes to 2D modeling and issuing design drawings. When comparing it to
BricsCAD ,
AutoCAD LT shines, as it works without freezing and is usually more responsive than
BricsCAD , it just outclasses it.
Read full review FreeCAD is often better than Solid Edge 2021 when converting files, but I hope this changes with 2023 NX is overall more powerful, but that is to be expected (and you cant add it above because it is too short for whatever reason).
Read full review Return on Investment The impact is always positive in my case when I use AutoCAD LT, because I provide intelligent lessons with few resources The negative impact usually happens with professionals who don't like to innovate, study, or put a little more effort into their work. AutoCAD LT enables the enchantment at the end of the project by the public and at the beginning by the students that are delighted with so many tools Read full review It took about 20 hours of use to get the basics of Synchronous Technology, and with just a basic competency I was able to make useful changes to the design. One of those changes was impossible to do our other CAD program. My use lately has mostly been on personal time and self-driven, so learning other aspects and features of Solid Edge has been slower. Creating a drawing for a part required a few hours to learn and do the first time, but luckily there were YouTube videos for examples. With practice, I would expect the time to reflect what it takes in SolidWorks (about 30 minutes). Read full review ScreenShots