Jump to content

Upgrading from Acad 2006 to 2009 - is it really worth it?


P.R.S. Sivakumar .
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hello everybody!

 

Since Autodesk has announced retirement of its 2006 products, I have this question.

 

Is it really worth upgrading to AutoCAD 2009 from 2006? I have already seen the trial version and the 3D shaded model is very very different from the Gouraud Shaded model in AutoCAD 2006. In fact it looks like the shaded model when we used Release 13. Also, the rendering engine is now so much different and more complex (even though it gives much higher quality renders with global illumination etc.) and quite intriguing. For drafting purposes we use AutoCAD LT only.

 

In spite of the better modeling and rendering capabilities of 2009, considering the huge strain put on the computer (one needs to upgrade the computer also and spend a lot on graphics card also), is it really worth upgrading just because Autodesk is closing options for future upgrades for 2006 products. As far as I know Autodesk is the only company which closes upgrade options every three years. If I decide to stick on to 2006, I do not know if they will give me an authorisation code if I had to change my system or say if my OS gets corrupted and I had to format the hard disk and reinstall everything.

 

Please advise.

 

Thanks in advance

PRSS

 

Please advise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, what do you use Autocad for? Drawing, modeling, rendering, all of the above? Will you benefit from the new modeling toolset? Will you render in mental ray in Autocad or use some other rendering program?

 

Are you sure about needing to upgrade the computer? In my experience that hasn't been the case, the new versions aren't really worse than the old ones. You certainly don't need new video cards - between 06 and 09 they added Direct3D support.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In terms of solid modeling in AutoCAD, upgrading from 2006 to 2007 is a good move. Then 2007 to 2008 get some of the 2007 bugs worked out, so I'd say another worthy upgrade. I've tried 2009 and I'm sticking with 2008 for now. 2009 seems bloated with a bunch of stuff that just slows me down, I don't care for it. With that said, you can make 2009 look and act like 2008 and I don't think you can buy 2008 anymore so you'd have to go with 2009. You're kind of stuck being forced to upgrade because if you don't you lose your investment in your version of 2006. :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2006 to 2009 is a big step in user interface as well as fixing issues with the program.

 

We are currently trying to get our head office onto AA2009 from Acad 2005.... Its like light to day, certainly for AutoCAD Architecture anyway. Acad also made many improvements between those versions.

 

Plus, if you dont upgrade, you may find yourself left out in the cold when you do get round to upgrading.. ie having to buy a full version of the latest Acad software.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no not at all i'd say.

 

i prefer to run 2005 , 2007 was slower , 2008 was interesting more streamlined interface of sorts, a portable version, but 2009 lags and the radical interface change seems pointless

 

it may or may not be just me but there is level of ability that autocad has and that ability now exists in open source versions of autocad called intellicad that you can do just the same for free.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with you. ProgeCAD Smart {Free for personal use) does amazing things - only that it only that the time taken to save a medium sized file - say 4 MB is very, very long - compared to AutoCAD. But that can be tolerated when compared to the price of even their pro-versions.

 

I still have not made the decision. I think I still have about six months left to take the final plunge.

 

With best regards

PRSS

Link to comment
Share on other sites

upgrade = downtime

upgrade or outsource

 

after 3 versions old you MUST BUY A NEW COPY of autocad

upgrades go out The WINDOWs if you are more Than 3 versions

 

behind

 

autodesk has 2 mottos

 

1. if you can beat Them buy Them (programming wise)

2. even if it does work, break it so That The customer-base

 

has To buy yet another upgrade when it eventually (if ever) gets fixed

or keep changing The user Interface so That no one can recognize or use it

 

(without going Thru some major re-Training or somewhat steep learning curve)

 

been using autocad since '88

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When you are upgrading from the 3rd lowest version, surprisingly, here in India the vendors are forcing us for a one year subscription also which they say is mandatory. This makes the price of upgradation close to the cost of a new one. I do not know if this forced subscription is all over the world. Any info on this will be really thankful.

 

Thanks in advance

PRSS

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When you are upgrading from the 3rd lowest version, surprisingly, here in India the vendors are forcing us for a one year subscription also which they say is mandatory. This makes the price of upgradation close to the cost of a new one. I do not know if this forced subscription is all over the world. Any info on this will be really thankful.

 

Thanks in advance

PRSS

 

 

advise: just say no. keep 1st sale alive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...