ProgeCAD 2020 is here and is the best version so far

Due to my last job demands, I was searching for an alternative to AutoCAD that could do the same job. Between many different choices I had, one caught my eye. It was the ProgeCAD that I have written about before.

As we were part of iCare, a help desk program from ProgeCAD, we could receive (and still do) 24/7 help for one year. In addition to these for one year we could have all the updates for the program. So far so good. But for my surprise, last month we also received the latest version of the software, the ProgeCAD 2020.

CAD Solutions based on your needs

We provide high quality CAD solutions to your needs.

From a non CAD user who wants to learn how to draft, to the CAD user who wants to develop an improved workflow we have the solution.

ProgeCAD – A true AutoCAD alternative

As Estimator/QS I often have the need for quick and accurate measurements. The main tools I use are AutoCAD and MS Excel.

As it is well known Autodesk stopped selling AutoCAD as a program and it charges it as a service. That means that every year you have to pay an amount to Autodesk to use its service. It is a trend the latest years and the result is that the user doesn’t own the program if he/she decides to stop paying for the service.

That led me to search for an AutoCAD aternative that could be user friendly to an AutoCAD user, would have the same commands and the almost the same interface. Also, I was searching for a program that supported native DWG files to be sure that I would not have any conflict with files produced from AutoCAD.

There were many programs that I tried (ie BricsCAD, NanoCAD etc) but decided to stick with ProgeCAD for many reasons.

Measuring Total Length and Total Areas from multiple objects with AutoCAD

My work involves a lot of measurements in order to get my quantities off the drawings and make the estimations I need. For this work I only work with AutoCAD. I strongly believe that it is more than enough as it comes with lots of good and handy tools to do the job. Although, some things still “missing” or at least it cannot cover anyone’s demand for commands.

The use of LISP and the creation of custom commands from scratch or manipulating/using what others have created can easily solve this “problem”.

One useful command I use almost every time I am on AutoCAD is TLEN.

Things I don’t regret buying: Logitech M500 corded mouse

I was looking for a mouse to use for CAD drawing and general use on my computer. I didn’t want to spend much money on a Blue-tooth so I decided to go corded. The M500 caught my eye and I decided to buy one.

AutoCAD LT? No way, even if it was free…

Some years now, Autodesk combines the classic AutoCAD edition with the release of one cut edition, the AutoCAD LT.

Someone would expect that the difference would only be one dimension and LT would only be an AutoCAD with 2D features. But, this would be a great story if it was true…

Incredible AutoCAD 2018 Easter Egg

AutoCAD 2018 may not came with many updates from the previous edition, but this does not mean that there are no surprises!! Like other programs out there, the 2018 AutoCAD edition has its Easter Egg!  and it’s superb!!!

Importing and Exporting point files to AutoCAD

There is often the need to import and export points in AutoCAD. Despite the fact that Civil 3D has an integrated tool for this kind of work, AutoCAD doesn’t. But, don’t be disappointed or try doing this thing manually. There are some ways to import and export points from AutoCAD too, even if we have to use some DIY stuff.

AutoCAD 2017

Recently, I updated my AutoCAD from 2014 edition to 2017. Although there were other great versions in between 2014 and 2017 I decided to skip them for many reasons. But, with 2017 I was amazed.

It’s not that I use the most of AutoCAD. I don’t know yet how it performs in rendering (I think that Autodesk changed the rendering machine in a previous version) and it is something that I will find out. It is that the new version is polished and it comes with some upgrades that every drafter would appreciate.

The most essential AutoCAD commands and their shortcuts that will save you many working hours

Using AutoCAD with only the mouse is a NO NO. No professional does this for many obvious reasons. First of all, using only the mouse and not the keyboard makes you spend more time on a command that could be done with the press of one or two buttons.