Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004 Complete package

Advantages: Most flexibile cross disipline CAD package Available
Disadvantages: Very open ended so can be daunting to new users without formal training

...The Latest release carries on from the excellent AutoDesk family of products. Using intuitive features for creating solid models and NURBS surfaces combined with traditional drawing entities. This allows the user to produce almost every type of geometry in any number of ways. By far the most powerful CAD package available for cross discipline use, with the ability to program every aspect of the user interface and entity creation using ARX, Lisp scripts and now though a native VBA interface. The drawbacks of the package, if any, is that it is very open ended, which can cause basic level users to become a little daunted in its use, but with a little perseverance they will excel in the creation of extremely complex models. Based on the basic AutoCAD engine, the Mechanical Power Pack and Mechanical Desktop products can enhance design... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Flexible,Easy to use,powerful, Standard VBA Interface
Disadvantages: Still not good for multi-user, one or two bugs still...

...Microsoft Access 97 is a very powerful and flexible desktop database. At a basic level it is simple enough for a novice computer user to put together a simple database (There is even a 'Create Database' Wizard with several common scenarios included) , a more competent user can add many layers of functionality and there is enough flexibility in the system for a professional developer (Like Me!) to produce a fairly water tight customised system. Of course no desktop database can ever be completely secure, but the security features in Access are quite good (Better than Access 2!) and it is possible to produce a stand alone executable database file, to completely isolate the user from the actual access interface (So they can't meddle!)... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Powerful and relatively cheap
Disadvantages: None

...As you are probably aware, there are literally tons of different versions of AutoCAD to choose from. AutoCAD LT97 is purely the version that I’m using at the moment and for your typical tech. drawing office duties, I can’t think of a better package for the price. I have worked with numerous versions myself (starting with release 11) and I have also encountered release 14 and AutoCAD 2000. Both r14 and 2000 supersede 97 but you’ll only really need to use these if you’re pretty involved with 3D/Modelling/MOSS work, either that or you tend to incorporate tons of images within your drawings. If not, then there’s not really a need to bother with either r14 or 2000. To be honest, the sheer cost of either of these alternatives will be enough to put most (smaller) firms off completely (you could probably buy another car). For you folks... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful