Autodsys' $99 CAD website...

> Personally, the biggest issue that I have had with Carlson was its imbedded IntelliCAD: maybe V7 has been improved.

Hey, it's $99. You can have Carlson with embedded AutoCAD for an extra $1400.

Thanks for the link. I might make myself a Christmas present of this. Have you purchased anything from these people?

You can have Carlson with embedded AutoCAD for an extra $1400.

Better check the latest prices

> Better check the latest prices

From their website....

Carlson Survey 2011 with Intellicad .................... $1595
Carlson Survey 2011 w/Embedded AutoCAD 2010 engine built-in $2995

You do the math.

No, I have not dealt directly with Autodsys: but my understanding is that IntelliCAD is Autodsys, so, basically when we purchased from Carlson with IntelliCAD, we have purchased from Autodsys.

Yes, just a mere $1500 more per unit and I need at least two. That is why I am hoping that V7 of IntelliCAD will be better than V6.

IntelliCAD is an inferior product, hence its price.

> IntelliCAD is an inferior product, hence its price.

That may be true, but at least it's not created/promoted/sold by blood sucking parasites who have been ripping off the surveying community for years. Civil3D? Really? Not for me. I'll gladly work around some of the minor issues with IntelliCAD/Carlson rather than support SoftDesk,or whatever they're calling themselves this year.

Eric,

Anyone that knows me is aware that I am a big fan of Carlson. I have been using their products since 2006 (SurvCADD days). Back in those days, SurvCADD which became called Carlson Civil Suite could be purchased with AutoCAD, as a combo deal.

A few years after, the combo deal came to an end. I would suspect that Autodesk did realize that the Carlson program was indeed an excellent program. It must also have been noted that this business agreement was not helping out the sales of their own civil program (Civil 3D) that was being introduced to a reticent industry, an industry comfortable and efficient with the LDD product.

Maybe eventually IntelliCAD will grow to become a great product. And it may be perfectly fine for many survey applications. But if you are into heavy 3D modeling and demanding CAD power, in my opinion, the product is not. Ask anyone who has used both.

As a comparison, using this great product (Carlson) on a a low budget platform is like having a '68 Chevelle mounted on a set of four Pontiac Aztek tires. You will get to where you want to be but the ride won't be as nice. And the frequency of the smiles of the pretty girls will be reduced.

And that is my honest opinion based upon experience.

> No, I have not dealt directly with Autodsys: but my understanding is that IntelliCAD is Autodsys, so, basically when we purchased from Carlson with IntelliCAD, we have purchased from Autodsys.
>
> Yes, just a mere $1500 more per unit and I need at least two. That is why I am hoping that V7 of IntelliCAD will be better than V6.

IntelliCAD is open source software. If you purchase some version of IntelliCAD from Autodsys, you are purchasing a special version they have modified OR they are selling you something which you could get other places for free.

Carlson uses IntelliCAD as the base for extensive modification and customization.

Larry P

Like my General Cad, upgraded Generic Cad which autodesk bought and killed. Most surveyors could get along with using Traverse PC as their stand alone software, especially if the one using it is the one paying for it. Who gets to pay for the software often has the opinion of the user at odds with value and practicality.
jud

Another thing to remember is the format of the deliverables.

If those are hard copies (paper, mylar paper) or standard PDF, as long the information is correct and the product looks good, that's all that matter. So in that regard, a free share platform may be perfectly suitable. One less software to deal with.

And yes when the same person that buys the software uses the software, usually the decision in the acquisition is a sound one, regardless of the price tag associated with the software.

It all goes back to the business plan.

I purchased AUTOLINE from these folks so long ago I don't remember when.It was prior to the existence of Carlson. At that time they were good people to deal with. They have been selling their own version of Intellicad for many years.

I'd like to take this opportunity to clear up a few misconceptions within this thread:

> my understanding is that IntelliCAD is Autodsys, so, basically when we purchased from Carlson with IntelliCAD, we have purchased from Autodsys.

Actually, Autodsys is currently listed as a Commercial Member of the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium (ITC) as is Carlson Software. As Commercial Members of the ITC, both Autodsys and Carlson are entitled to certain benefits related to the development and distribution of our own releases of IntelliCAD. From the ITC General Information page:

>Commercial Members are authorized to provide stand-alone versions of IntelliCAD and applications "Powered by IntelliCAD Technology."

This being said, Autodsys and Carlson Software are separate business entities and purchasing an IntelliCAD product from one does not equate to purchasing an IntelliCAD license from the other.

In [msg=108238]another post[/msg]:

>IntelliCAD is open source software.

Just to clarify, this is only accurate for Commercial Members who are in good standing with the ITC. From the Joining the ITC page:

>The ITC is a non-profit organization and invests over 70% of revenue to research and development. The ITC development team are seasoned programmers expert in 2D and 3D math and visualization.
>
>Commercial Members... have access to source code and development support. Commercial members also participate in the governance of the ITC.

As a supportive Commercial Member of the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium, Carlson Software is appreciative of all the work and effort provided by the ITC and its members to bring an alternative CAD product to the markets we serve.

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Ladd Nelson

Autodsys' $99 CAD website...Ladd Nelson

Ladd Nelson, where is intellicad produced? I mean where is the main office, who writes the code?

Autodsys' $99 CAD website...Ladd Nelson

The contact page at www.intellicad.org states their place of business as:

>The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium
>10260 SW Greenburg Road, Suite 400
>Portland, Oregon 97223

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Ladd Nelson

Ladd,

First: Thanks you for the clarification.

Second: It is my understanding that Carlson had devoted a couple of its programs just to the intellicad engine (V.7)? Was this just for Carlson’s personal use or was it for the consortium?

I don't have direct access related to the type of content that the Carlson programming team would (or does) contribute back to the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium but it is my understanding that our contributions are mainly in the form of generic bug-fixes to IntelliCAD rather than bulk code itself.

Since Carlson's efforts with IntelliCAD are "verticals" (i.e. Survey, Civil, Hydro, Mining, Construction data prep, etc), the functionality found in these types of routines wouldn't generally be palatable to the "horizontal" (e.g. general IntelliCAD) functionality nor the "verticals" of other disciplines (i.e. Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, etc).

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Ladd Nelson