

Sadly, DraftSight doesn’t have the ability to change the status bar icons back to text, a plight that AutoCAD users have been requesting for years. The function keys are set the same, you can double-click objects to edit, and of course-the beloved Command line is hanging out in the lower left corner where the CAD gods intended (although you’re welcome to move it!) And they didn’t force that dreaded gray color on you either (did anyone really like that gray?) It’s been proven that black on white is very easy for our eyes to discern, I personally found the icon blue on gray was always very tricky.įigure 2: DraftSight has a very familiar, easy-to-read user interface the choice is yours- DraftSight is much less “bossy” and much more easy-going when it comes to giving you a choice. Would you prefer to work with pull-downs and toolbars in AutoCAD? No problem.


even to the point of hiding the Classic workspace in recent releases. Which brings me to another point-Autodesk basically pushed its users to embrace the ribbon.

But you don’t need to worry your pretty little head over that -just key in PURGE (or PU) or select the tool from the toolbar or ribbon and you are good to go!įigure 1: DraftSight identifies an AutoCAD command and converts it to the appropriate DraftSight command In AutoCAD we would execute the PURGE command-in DraftSight-it is the CLEAN command (or CL). OK now you have my attention! If you’re like me, you don’t want to have to relearn all of your favorite command names.įor example, you want to clean up your drawing file. The best part? Even where the commands slightly differ-you can key in the AutoCAD command name and it will know exactly which command to execute in DraftSight. The User Interface has the same cozy, comfy look and feel as AutoCAD and the naming convention for most of the commands is virtually the same. Since joining Dassault Systèmes and being exposed to DraftSight, I am happy to say the answer is a great big “Yes!” Not only does DraftSight produce 100% compatible DWG files (complete with blocks, dimension styles, layers etc.) for a mere fraction of the price, but you will feel right at home with DraftSight in no time. But were they good enough? Were they DWG file compatible? Were these “CAD-Clones” like cheap Louis Vuitton knock-offs or were they serious, robust, quality CAD solutions? And most importantly (for someone who LOVES her AutoCAD), could I possibly feel comfortable in a new CAD environment? I was no longer jaded by all things Autodesk and I came to realize that there were a variety of other CAD options out there, especially for those who didn’t want to pay the hefty AutoCAD price tag. I have written three AutoCAD books, 20 years’ worth of AutoCAD articles for Cadalyst Magazine, and produced hundreds of AutoCAD video tips.īut the world around me did change and I ended up leaving my comfortable AutoCAD/Autodesk days behind. I spent over 20 years with Autodesk promoting the annual “Best Release of AutoCAD yet” and I certainly feel at home in the product, just as many of you do. Not many people in the world know the product better than I do as I’ve built my knowledge of the product from Release 1.4, adding new features one release at a time along the way. I have spent my career using, teaching and promoting AutoCAD. But I also believe that my personal struggles with change helps me relate to and feel other people’s pain as well as truly understand their fears. I have a job that revolves around getting people to change.
DRAFTSIGHT 2016 VS 2015 SOFTWARE
I have often joked over the years that my personal disdain for change doesn’t exactly go hand-in-hand with my role as a Technology Evangelist! I have spent much of my career helping/convincing people to embrace new technology and to move from one software product to another. Back June 18th, 2020 Can DraftSight REALLY replace your beloved AutoCAD?
