Bob Beilfuss, post: 326876, member: 586 wrote: I have been using Carlson Civil, Survey, Hydro and GIS modules with IntelliCad for 5 years now. We currently are using the 2015 versions and while it isn't Acad, it works just fine for me. I do boundary, topo, construction layout and civil design for roads and mass grading. I don't have any issues with the software.
And Carlson's Technical Support is the best I have experienced in 35 years. If I have a question on a routine and either call them or send them a email, I get a response in a hour or less. If I have a Defcon 3 issue and need to talk to someone like RIGHT NOW, they are right there to help me out and talk me off the ledge.
We had C3D for 6 months and dumped it in favor of Carlson. The learning curve is real short. We design alot of road reconstruction projects and while these are not freeways, they do require the attention to detail. We run preliminary topo on the cooridor, create surfaces and new alignments and all our files are set up for machine control. Some of our local contractors are using the Carlson Machine Control package so they have no problems reading our .dwg files into their system.
If I was picking a replacement software for AutoCad and C3D, I would pick Carlson again. IT is the best bang for my buck.
That's my 0.02$ worth.
Peter Ehlert, post: 326990, member: 60 wrote: what platform do you run on?
https://www.bricsys.com/en_INTL/bricscad/comparison/
the Linux version has appeal for me, Acad is the only reason I ever use Windows.
Peter;
The Linux version seems quite stable and functional to me. I haven't had the opportunity to use it in a production environment but experimentally It seems very robust.
Randy
thanks Randy
Frank Willis, post: 326916, member: 472 wrote: We also have used Carlson since their earliest days. It is by far the best for us.
On my last ACAD maintenance subscription renewal they gave me the option to add Civil 3D at a ridiculously low price, which was a no-brainer to do, since I wanted to try it. I tried it and did not like it, and I never used it much. Stayed with Carlson.
When my annual maintenance subscription came around, my annual fee more than doubled because of me having civil 3d. I told them I did not want civil 3d and wanted to remove it. They said to remove from it my costly maintenance subscription, I'd have to cancel my entire license and buy a new seat of autocad. I don't think that is fair. I'd certainly not have done it if I had known that was going to happen.
We got caught in that trap many years ago with AutoCAD Map, so it is not a new trick.
They want an extra $1,600 to downgrade from AutoCAD Map 3D to plain AutoCAD, but the upgrade was free!
Mark Mayer, post: 326929, member: 424 wrote: I'm not sure this new pricing structure is all bad. For one, if you currently have copies on subscription you can continue as before. Two, if you need more copies, you pay more per month but don't have to capitalize the initial purchase. Three, if you find you don't need copies for awhile you can drop them.
That's fine and dandy, just don't be late getting your subscription renewed or your software costs will increase 90% over 10 years (no grace period)
Also, once this new pricing scheme is enacted do you really expect Autodesk to honor your loyalty by continuing to offer low cost subscription when they can simply move you over to a more lucrative pricing scheme?
imaudigger, post: 327439, member: 7286 wrote: ....Also, once this new pricing scheme is enacted do you really expect Autodesk to honor your loyalty by continuing to offer low cost subscription when they can simply move you over to a more lucrative pricing scheme?
I did not say that future pricing schemes would not be worse.
It is my sincere hope that AutoDesk's arrogance will lead to a sharp drop in its market share together with a boost in sales and development of its competitor's products. That competition, which right now is not strong enough to concern AutoDesk, is the one sure thing that will bring them around to lowering its prices and improving its products.
This issue is becoming a trend with most all software. In the future you will pay a monthly fee to "rent" their products. There will no longer be private ownership of software. It's not just Autodesk. Tried to purchase a copy of Adobe lately? Microsoft will soon follow when they see all of the sheep being compliant and not protesting at the cash register.
cptdent, post: 327793, member: 527 wrote: This issue is becoming a trend with most all software. In the future you will pay a monthly fee to "rent" their products. There will no longer be private ownership of software. It's not just Autodesk. Tried to purchase a copy of Adobe lately? Microsoft will soon follow when they see all of the sheep being compliant and not protesting at the cash register.
the sheeple are being fooled
there is also the opensource world. active development out in in the light of day. >> http://opensource.org/
here is just one example>>> common vulnerabilities such as Adobe Flash Player are getting patched rapidly at No cost, no strings attached. Anybody can see and modify the code> https://www.google.com.mx/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=PvqoVbmHDY2BpgWntbP4Dg#q=flashplugin-11.2.202.491&tbs=qdr:w
