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 As a mechanical engineer, it is one of the best tools to just start modeling and engineering with. The UI tools are intuitive and engineering analysis such Mold Analysis, FEA, are great! Other 3D CAD modeling tools have a longer learning curve to master. All in all, if you're not planning to design an entire airplane with large assembly files, then Solidworks is your tool!
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 The collaborative work environment is a cool and useful feature where groups of people can work on the same model at the same time, and SOLIDWORKS ensures that you don't overwrite each other's work. The ease and amount of customization options are very useful for creating a personalized and intuitive user interface, whether SOLIDWORKS is your native CAD package or not. It is very easy to quickly edit a model you have already created. The software allows sketch and feature editing without having to take the time to actually enter the sketch/feature environment. The use of configurations and configurations-specific dimensions in the same sketch is very useful for creating different forms of the same part 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 Save DWG 2D files in inches or metric easily, defaults to metric and has to be manually converted to inches When using the sketch feature, the ability to disable ALL references. If I don't know the exact shape and I want to draw/adapt my design, it harshly interprets the references which have no value to me. The easiest exact is to think about when you have a Microsoft Word document that has a lot of formatting, photos, tabs, etc. If you accidentally hit the "enter" key, you can explode the formatting and everything goes crazy. SW does this to me, I just want to "doodle" my sketches, edit/delete/etc and not be bound by arbitrary references. For the sketch feature, ability to use a DraftSight plugin of some sort. I'm super fast in DS, if I could draw using the commands in SW then I would probably never open DS again and convert to SW full time. Currently, I only use SW as a way to convert 3D files so I can build everything in DraftSight. Read full review Likelihood to Renew We have absolutely no reasons to not keep with SolidWorks for the foreseeable future.
Read full review Usability I have been using SOLIDWORKS for around 12 years as of writing this review, so have learned where most things are and how they work. When first starting out it was quite daunting, but the interface is well laid out with like functions near each other which made finding new functions relatively easy.
Read full review Support Rating We have an unusual arrangement. We don’t pay for support, but we’re partnered with a VAR for second-tier support.
I work with other users if I have questions but when we’ve had to ask the VAR, they always have answers. It appears that all of the VARs have access to a support platform from DS SOLIDWORKS that helps them answer most questions.
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 Onshape is a direct competitor. It has great entry level pricing and it is easy to access with no installation required. Being a web based app there is sometime some lag being based in NZ. Management also have concerns over where the data is stored on the cloud. With SW we can control where it is stored
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 Creation of small 3D pieces to generate cash flow. Not being able to create 3D sculptures with this tool, and not being able to fulfill the client's requirements. To be able to sell high visual quality simulations for companies that hire the service. Read full review ScreenShots