Anyone use AutoCAD?

[Razi]

At the moment, the team I work in are using Excel to produce diagrams (aircraft galley plans in particular) and calculate weights. It serves it's purpose and has done for a while, but it's a real faff if anything ever needs to be changed, because it's all made up of rows and columns and Excel was never really intended for drawing. However, it is great at calculating the weights and percentages. I'm looking to get a licence at work for AutoCAD software, but after a bit of searching, I can't seem to find out whether it has the same ability to calculate weights/figures in the same way Excel does? Anyone know?

 

[Lankyseagull]

You can insert Excel spreadsheets into an AutoCAD drawing if that is of any help, but I don't think AutoCAD has the ability to automatically calculate things for you.

There are quite a few versions of AutoCAD out there, so it may be best to speak to AutoDesk about your specific needs.

 

[Ned]

If you want a system that can do such calculations for you Solid Works is much better. It is a 3D modelling suite & is much easier to use than AutoCAD IMHO plus it cabn be used to produce photo real renderings.

 

[Razi]

Only problem is that, as a large company, we generally have to go with what we've already got established licences for. I might have to try and get a trial copy and see if it does the job...

 

[surrey jim]

Have you looked at MS Visio?