Autodesk Civil Design 8 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: 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

Advantages: excellent navigation
Disadvantages: none

...Possibly the best web designing software on the market, Dreamweaver is easy to use on both Windows and Mac systems and contains a number of facilities that allow a beginner or novice user to create a fully functioning and professional website to rival many commercial based ones. The ability to create layers in different styles is unique i have found, as files from text to videos can easily be used and embedded in a layer and come out looking excellent. Dreamweaver also allows flash and active x content to be used which is useful for advanced web designers in creating a multi- useful site. The ability to preview a page in a browser is very useful as changes can be made to a page and viewed within 10 seconds of clicking preview. Overall, Dreamweaver is easy to use and if a user gets into trouble there is a variety of support available... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful