AutoCAD User Group Of thePocono'sAutoCAD User Group Of thePocono'sOn May 8, 1997, I attended a live satellite simulcast from Autodesk on their new upgrade, AutoCAD Release 14. This Windows based upgrade is reported to be twice as R12 for DOS and creates smaller drawing files than R13 for Windows. Some of the highlights of the new release include a new “lite” Polyline entity which is backwards compatible with R12, a new and improved Hatch command which is editable and includes a solid fill pattern and a new graphics engine subsystem which greatly reduces redraw time and virtually eliminates regens.Drawing and file management has been enhanced by the addition of User Profiles whichallow individuals to create their own display screen layout and toolbar preferences enabling them to increase productivity. The user interface has been greatly improved with the addition of AutoSnaps and the modification of pulldown menus and toolbars to allow faster access to the most used tools based on user feedback. the AutoSnaps or “smart cursor” is a particularly innovative, headsup drafting feature. Whenever your cursor passes over an entity, an icon is displayed indicating which snap point is current (endpoint, midpoint, etc). There is also built-in features which allows the location of the Release 14 now comes with a built-in photorealistic rendering package and a hybrid raster/vector display system. This allows scanned images to be brought into AutoCAD R14 ad used as backgrounds while allowing the userto draw vector entities overtop existing conditions for plotting. Release 14 is also the most tested version of AutoCAD ever. Over 16,000 users have tested alpha and beta versions including use in full production end-user sites.Real-life application of Release 14 has found 64 megabytes of RAM as the recommended level of system memory although 32 megs is the recommended minimum. To take full advantage of the new software the minimum system configuration is a Pentium 133, 1 gig hard drive, 4X CD-ROM drive and Windows NT or 95. This system should run about $2,000. Upgrading a 486DX2-66 should run about $900. A Pentium Pro-200 high-end graphics rendering station with 64 megs of RAM should run about $3,000, $3,800 with a 21” monitor. R14 is also Internet ready with capabilities allowing conversion of CAD drawing .DWG’s to WEB drawing .DWF’s. During the simulcast a real project was reviewed for the Heathrow Airport expansion in London. A project Web Site is setup where clients, consultants, contractors and product manufacturers can login and find the latest changes to the contract documents and download drawing files, specs and review e-mail correspondence. Dave Arnold, former CEO of Softdesk and now VP at Autodesk, presented a design scenario using CAD ad-ons in which a site and building was developed from sketches to schematic design to design development all on the computer. A site was modeled in 3-D from existing topographic information. Then a building massing was “sketched” in with 3-D solids to approximate dimensions. When the form was approved it was parametrically proportioned to the exact dimensional requirements. Then the 3-D building model was cut into 12’ floor to floor heights and a floor was pulled out and further space planned. The whole process, although noticeably canned, took less than 10 minutes to produce. The specific time required is not as important as the fluidity of the design process and the reuse of 3-D design in working drawings. Release 14 also includes a Learning Assistance CD-ROM which contains 53 lessons covering 150 CAD skills. The CD runs as a stand-alone application or within R14. It gives you the choice of step-by-step tutorials, animated multimedia concepts and Fast Answers in learning to use the new R14 features. At present, third-party vendors such as 'Softdesk', have not released Architectural package updates compatible with R14. They are expected by September or so. For those of you who have skipped the last AutoCAD upgrade, it appears R14 is the upgrade for you. It’s faster, smaller, more functional and less expensive than previous releases at $2,400, $500 for upgrades. Sample ROI calculations predict that the average CAD workstation replacement/upgrade including software upgrades and user training should pay for itself in about a year. Below is a sample ROI calculation: Return On Investment (ROI) Calculation hardware costs $ 1,000 software costs $ 500 training costs $ 400 labor costs $ 4,000 training time (mths) 2 productivity loss 50% productivity gain 15% ROI in 1 year= 88% ROI (mths)= 14
1.1 What is AutoCAD® Release 14?
Built for speed and efficiency, the newest edition of the world's designsoftware standard has arrived. AutoCAD® Release 14 delivers dozens ofenhancements in areas that most influence productivity: exceptionalperformance, precision drawing tools such as AutoSnap™, data-sharingfeatures like raster image and reference file clipping, and presentationcapabilities such as photorealistic rendering, solid fills, drawing order, andTrueType fonts. A streamlined user interface helps you work smarter, whileActiveX™ Automation means a wider range of customization tools andcompatibility with Windows® software. You can even open, save, or drag anddrop drawings over the Web.3.2 How much faster is Release 14?
The speed gains depend on the drawings being used and the operations beingcarried out, and as mentioned above, on the customers themselves. For mostfile, drawing, and editing operations exercised by benchmarks such asAutoGauge, San Diego 2D or the CADALYST ‘96 Benchmark, internal resultsshow that Release 14 is twice as fast as Release 13 and about 20 to 40 percentfaster than Release 12 DOS when running on the same machine!4.2 How close is the third-party developer community in deliveringapplications that are Release 14 compatible?
We have been working very closely with our application developer partnersaround the world for many months now. Some of them were the first ones toreceive alpha copies of AutoCAD Release 14, and we have graduallyexpanded our distribution to include all members of the Autodesk DeveloperNetwork.As the final Software Development Kit (SDK) for Release 14 is expected to beshipped one month prior to the actual shipment of Release 14, we areconfident that all major developers will have an Release 14-compatible productready within 30 days of Release 14 first customer shipment (FCS).4.3 Can AutoCAD Release 14 read older drawings?
AutoCAD Release 14 will read all previous versions of AutoCAD drawingfiles. In addition, it will provide native read/write data round-trip withAutoCAD Release 13 and can write to AutoCAD Release 12 format as well.4.6 Are Release 14 and AutoCAD LT users able to read each other’s files?
Release 14 will read any drawing created by AutoCAD LT Release 1, Release2, and AutoCAD LT for Windows 95. In order for AutoCAD LT to read aRelease 14 file, you must use an explicit SAVEAS command and choose theappropriate file type to save the file.4.8 How large of a task is it to migrate customized menus over to Release 14from Release 12 DOS?
Release 14 should read these menus; however, they wouldn’t include the newRelease 13 and 14 commands. Release 14 supports a new, more flexible menustructure; you may want to explore partial menu loading as a method foradding your special functionality to the base Release 14 menus.4.12 Why should someone upgrade to AutoCAD Release 14 if their add-onapplication is not ready yet?
If you make heavy use of an application and are fully dependent on it forday-to-day productivity, we do not recommend upgrading your entireinstallation to Release 14 until this application is ready. We do recommendgetting a few trial seats installed to become familiar with the user interface andinherent capabilities of Release 14.6.1 How does AutoCAD Release 14 take advantage of the Internet?
Building on the success of the Internet Publishing Kit, AutoCAD Release 14continues to expand your access to quick-start Internet tools. Built-in tools forpublishing, sharing, and accessing information on the Web make it easy andinexpensive for you to share designs over the Internet. Autodesk is committedto making the Internet a more effective and practical medium for you to use inyour business—and for keeping in touch with Autodesk.6.4 Why should I care about object technology?
Object technology represents the paradigm upon which design software forthe next decade will be built. For many years, CAD products have beenefficient geometry engines. Object technology promises to remove theabstraction of real-world objects into geometry, which should improve userproductivity, design integrity, and the integration of applications leveragingthis technology.You should care about object technology because it will result in smaller files,faster drawing operations, and easier learning. Applications that leverage thistechnology are likely to be vastly superior to those that do not.As with any new technology, objects will take some time to realize their fullpotential. Many independent application developers are already takingadvantage of AutoCAD software’s object technology. Many existingthird-party applications will have to be rewritten to leverage this capability. AutoCAD Release 14 represents a step into the future of design software withits object-oriented database, Web connectivity, and new graphics enginewhile maintaining the present—a great production drawing product.6.5 Will Release 14 take advantage of the new MMX technology?
No, Release 14 does not take advantage of the MMX technology.6.7 Will Release 14 take advantage of dual Pentium systems (doubleprocessors)?
No. Customers running multiple sessions of Release 14 on dual processorsystems cannot run each AutoCAD on a different processor.7.1 Which platforms does AutoCAD Release 14 support?
AutoCAD Release 14 runs on Intel microprocessor-based machines runningWindows NT 4.0, Windows NT 3.51, and Windows 95. We have no plans tosupport Alpha or compatible platforms at this time. We will continue to sellDOS, UNIX, and Windows 3.1x versions of AutoCAD Release 13 and/orAutoCAD Release 12 as demand warrants.7.8 Will Release 14 work with my digitizer?
Release 14 supports many digitizers and the Wintab interface. Contact yourmanufacturer for a Wintab driver that works with Release 14.9.1 What is the price for AutoCAD Release 14?
US upgrades will be US$495 suggested retail price (SRP) from Release 13 toRelease 14, and US$695 from earlier versions to Release 14. Full unit pricingwill be US$3,750 on CD-ROM. For pricing outside the US and Canada, pleasecontact your local Autodesk office.12.1 How much learning is involved before becoming productive withAutoCAD Release 14?
Because the focus of the release was on improving an existing, familiar set ofeveryday tools for our customers, we have made progress in the area oflearning tools. Autodesk is providing an interactive multimedia learningtool—AutoCAD Learning Assistance—which should shorten the timerequired to become productive with the new features.Also included with the product is an online Quick Tour and What’s New. TheQuick Tour is for new users and provides an online overview of basicAutoCAD concepts and functions. The What's New is for users upgradingfrom AutoCAD Release 13 and provides an online presentation highlightingthe significant new features of AutoCAD Release 14. More detail about thefeatures described in What's New can be found in the User's Guide and in theCommand Reference.12.2 What is the AutoCAD Learning Assistance? Is this just for new users?
AutoCAD Learning Assistance is a multimedia learning tool meant to provideon-demand education for experienced AutoCAD users. Designed for Release12 DOS users moving to a Windows environment for the first time withRelease 14 and Release 13 Windows users upgrading to Release 14, the CDcontains over 50 tutorials on new features and user-interface elements presentin Release 14.New users can use this tool to become familiar with specific features andconcepts present in Release 14. New users can also see an online overview ofbasic AutoCAD concepts and functions in the Quick Tour. The AutoCADLearning Assistance does not, however, attempt to help transition customersaccustomed to paper-based drawing to CAD.12.3 What training support will be available for Release 14? How cancustomers obtain training?
Customers can obtain training through Autodesk Training Center (ATC®)locations around the world. Autodesk Official Training Courseware (AOTC),part of the training that ATCs provide, is the new training initiative thatdemonstrates Autodesk’s ongoing commitment to supporting customers.AOTC represents a standard of excellence in technical training coursewareand communicates a consistent training message. AOTC assures thatcustomers are exposed to the highest-quality, authorized training materialavailable.
