Carlson 2011 to Carlson 2012 ?

Myself, I install the new release(s) of software once the actual year is reached.

A 2012 software can wait until 2012.

BEEN USING 2008 SINCE END OF 2007

Upgraded from 2011 to 2012 a few days ago. No noticable difference, except a few quirks with points, etc. appear to have been fixed. Overall, 2012 seems to work just fine, and maybe a little better than 2011.

Well, being a nice quiet Saturday morning I thought I would go for it.

BUT I am currently running C2011 in A2007.

AND I noticed the following right before I clicked download:

This is a full version Carlson 2012. The following modules are included: Survey, Civil, Hydrology, GIS, Basic Mining, Geology, Underground Mining, Surface Mining, Natural Regrade, Field, Takeoff, Construction and Point Clouds. This can be installed on AutoCAD 2000-2012 or with included Intellicad 6.6. Intellicad 7.1 is also included, but remain in a beta/preview state, so it should not be used for production work. AutoCADs 2009-2012 are supported on 64-bit Windows. Carlson 2012 Serial number is required for installation. Users on the maintenance agreement can lookup their upgraded serial number by clicking here.
Filename: Carlson2012.exe

I wonder, does "AutoCADs 2009-2012 are supported on 64-bit Windows." mean I will have trouble on my Win7 64 bit Dell PC because I am running inside AutoCAD 2007?

Also, I wonder if there is a lifetime maintenance plan, instead of paying an annual fee for the annual plan?

Thanks, Brad

Brad:

I don't remember Carlson ever asking for my name (except for a call back) or such when I have had the seldom need to call in a question. That is what makes Carlson so special, they will talk to you no crap like other companies we all know.

I don't usually notice much difference in the versions of Carlson but after 4 or 5 years it may become necessary to update then you have to shell out bigger bucks. I just try to keep my version current, it is a lot chaeper than keeping my CAD engine current.

T.Wilson

I am running 2012 with InteliCad 6.x. It fixes a lot of the 2010/2011 issues. I advise you to upgrade. If you use viewports you must keep your 2008 installed for old drawings if you are not using AutoCad. There is no conflict if you install both 2008 and 2012. I am hoping 2012 iCad 7.0 will fix this.

the 2012 (7.0) Beta is not for the timid. I think it will be really good and worth the effort when they turn it loose.

I pay $200 a year for upgrades and support. It is a deal.

The stand alone version gets you a free ArcGIS with a $400 annual - a GREAT deal.

I am wondering if I should get AWAY from AutoCAD totally?

A little scary.

My main client expects the dwgs I've been sending them.

Will they see any difference if I start using IntelliCAD?

Hi Brad,

I'll try to address several of your questions in a single post. You wrote:

>I wonder, does "AutoCADs 2009-2012 are supported on 64-bit Windows." mean I will have trouble on my Win7 64 bit Dell PC because I am running inside AutoCAD 2007?

What this statement tries to convey is:

1. If you have a 64-bit computer, and,
2. If you want a version of AutoCAD that has been specifically compiled to take advantage of the 64-bit architecture, then
3. You should run a version of AutoCAD which has been released for the 64-bit environment (e.g. AutoCAD 2009 and later).

When a compatible version of Carlson is installed as an extension to one of these versions of AutoCAD, Carlson itself will be a 64-bit application.

I've heard and read reports of people running earlier 32-bit versions of AutoCAD and/or Carlson on 64-bit computers without additional problems. As such, you probably won't have any difficulties with this combination. However, if you did encounter a problem, Carlson's ability to address the problem might be limited or otherwise out of our control. Bear in mind that the 32-bit applications running on a 64-bit computer will not be able to take full advantage of the 64-bit architecture.

>Also, I wonder if there is a lifetime maintenance plan, instead of paying an annual fee for the annual plan?

Carlson does not currently offer this service. Pricing for Carlson Maintenance Subscriptions is rather modest but I will relay your query into Carlson management for consideration.

>I am wondering if I should get AWAY from AutoCAD totally?
>
>A little scary.
>
>My main client expects the dwgs I've been sending them.
>
>Will they see any difference if I start using IntelliCAD?

The decision about which CAD platform to use can only be decided between you and your client. Since Carlson provides you with a choice, you have the flexibility to evaluate the merits of each system and provides you with the ability to use either (or both) CAD environments currently supported by Carlson. I suspect with a small bit of diligence and setup/configuration of the IntelliCAD configuration, your client will likely not notice any real difference in the DWGs you deliver. About the only thing they may notice is the standard disclaimer by Autodesk products when they attempt to open a DWG file that wasn't last saved by an Autodesk product:

>Non Autodesk DWG. This DWG file was saved by a software application that was
>not developed or licensed by Autodesk. Autodesk cannot guarantee the
>application compatibility or integrity of this file.

Incidentally, this message is not exclusive to DWG files produced by IntelliCAD... DWG files produced by Bentley MicroStation will produce this same message in AutoCAD even though AutoCAD itself can open the DWGs up and work with them. If you have the time and inclination to do so, it might be helpful to provide your client with a sample from the non-AutoCAD platform and gauge their acceptance of the sample.

I hope this information is helpful.

--
Ladd Nelson

Ladd Nelson

As always, very quick, very responsive, and very helpful!

Thank You Ladd.

Thank You Carlson.

CARLSON

I have to agree... Carlson is the bomb. They stand behind their product and don't hesistate to investigate problems and work hard to keep you happy. The small fee for the yearly subscription is cheap compared to AUTOCRAP. I use AUTOCRAP, but only because I am very familiar with it. I have the IntelliCAD on my home computer and working with it to get use to it. I have gotten drawings from people that done their work in IntelliCAD and got the same message, but did not notice anything different in the drawing. I say... go for it. Keep up with the updates!

I have been fooling with CAD softwre since 1988 and have learned one very important lesson, NEVER load a new relerase when it first comes out. NEVER.
Let someone else be the "beta tester". Always wait until the major bugs have been fixed. There is NO rush or real reason to be the FIRST to use the new product. This avoids the problems of the inherent bugs and clients crying "I cannot open your drawing file!!"
Go ahead and get on the subscription program to save the money, but wait 3 or 4 months and then download the software from the vendor's site to get the latest version with all of the patches and fixes already done.
To some it is a status symbol to be the first with the new product, but I do not have the time to waste on the associated headaches.
I cannot remember the last time anyone released a "perfect package". It all comes from the rush to have something "NEW" every year by the developers and we all blindly follow like good little lemmings.
Patience always pays the best dividends.

Thanks man. That makes sense to me.

I still have not upgraded, been too busy, yippee!