Discussion Groups

Please excuse all my typos in the above post :) It is the end of the day and I guess that I am more tired than I thought.

We look forward to your responses.

Lisa

Hello Lisa.

As I lurk around in the LT & ACAD2008 groups, I sort of know who you are.

However, you have to be kidding....I don't get it....!!! AutoDesk is
flogging a dead horse now...you have missed the boat. It's not compatible
with your high end packages eg. AutoCAD 2009. It hasn't been compatible
since AutoCAD 2006. People have gone elsewhere...we have...we went to
TurboCAD Deluxe 14.

Q19...new features...??? The software is 4 years old...!!!

I was one of 4 international selected persons for Product Development for
AS9...we saw lots of our input shot down in flames, albiet some being
adapted. I believe it was to do with budget & IMHO, prevention is better
than cure.

The only reason we were forced to choose AutoSketch 9 was to fill licencing
gaps from QuickCAD v7/v8 which as you SHOULD know, was exactly the same as
AS (forget about the 3D rubbish) & discontinued at the same time as the AS9
release. The only reason we canned AutoSketch was because we expected some
inclination there would be another version but after 3 years without
commitment from AutoDesk, it was time to move on and implement new operating
standards. You couldn't cut it.

Unfortunately, TurboCAD is rubbish...probably more frustrating than AS9 and
when we had to evaluate new software, there was nothing else suitable.
ProgeCAD was a strong contender, however it was deemed too complicated for
95% of our 200+ QuickCAD/AutoSketch users.

In saying all that, if AutoDesk get their software & marketing right, you
might be in the running for a second shot. There is a need for an improved
low budget, low end package.

Ric Norris.
















wrote in message news:5920673@discussion.autodesk.com...
hi -

We are currently doin some research around AutoSketch and we'd like your
input. We have posted a surevy at:

http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/adsksurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=n4008nm

It should only take a few minutes of your time (which will be much
appreciated by our team)

Thanks.

Lisa Crounse
Product Manager - Autodesk

Ric Norris schreef:



I strongly agree. When QC7 was discontinued i tried other CAD software
and found there's a lot of rubbish out there. So i moved on to AS9. My
no1 reason for choosing a (albeit low end) Autodesk product (started
with AS5.2 i believe)was compatibility. I want that others can use the
files i make AND i want to be able to use the files others make.

I can't see why a company like Autodesk wouldn't be able to maintain a
program like AS. I guess most people don't want lots of new feature's in
a new version, but do want updates to stay compatible with new .DWG
versions, be able to use the program on new OS's (Vista) and clean up
any bugs.Price is more important. In fact, when i look back through the
versions I've used, 'new features' isn't the word that first comes to
mind. I've never missed anything. I am willing to pay (albeit in modest
quantities...) for updates that will keep me up to date with current CAD
standards en run solid on the latest OS's.

AS is the only Autodesk program I'm interested in. Even LT is way too
expensive and has tons of stuff i will never use. So if AS isn't updated
I'm forced to shop elsewhere, although i already know that probably
won't make me happy either.... I'm guessing this is the case for many
people using AS.

So like Ric said: A solid, up-to-date, low budget, low end package. How
hard can that be Autodesk??

Best Regards,

Richard Herman

I started out with AutoSketch so long ago I'd rather not think about it. Will be interesting to see what becomes of this as, although available here, it appears AutoSketch is barely acknowledged in New Zealand. If you doubt that try & find AutoSketch on Autodesk.co.nz - I couldn't

I was so pleasantly surprised when my AutoSketch communications center sprung to life today after such a long hiatus. AS9 is by far the best kept design / drawing secret there is. I use AS nearly every day for everything from isometric preview drawings to producing .dxf files for our CNC equipment. I have vendors who have the top of the line expensive software call me to do drawings they can't figure out. I strongly encourage AutoDesk to revive this program. A few minor interface fixes and upgraded compatibility will be greatly appreciated.

On 10/05/2008 01:11:08, Lisa Crounse wrote:







I guess it's my NewsReader but the survey ID seems to get corrupted perhaps
you could let me know what the correct survey ID number is?

--
Regards
Barry

It is necesery difference AS8 and AS9. Discussion group mast be separate
for AS8 and less and separate for AS9.
AS 9 is to proceed from ader logic (Drafix,QCad) and AS8 is from old and bad
Auto Sketch! You know this!
m.b.


je napisao u poruci interesnoj
grupi:5927788@discussion.autodesk.com...
Nice to see so many enthusiastic responses here, as well as so many
responses to the survey. I hope that you were all eventually able to get
through - here is the link again -
http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/adsksurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=n4008nm

A number of you have mentioned that you know of specific bug fixes that are
needed and such. If you didn't mention these in the survey, please feel
free to drop me a line directly at lisa.crounse@autodesk.com to discuss.

Thanks for your continued interest in AutoSketch. Its nice to see.

AutoCad initially grew out of satisfying the demand for basic drafting tools useful in multiple disciplines. If AutoDesk is willing to give-up those customers, then an opportunity for a competitor to enter the basic drafting software will be created. Looking back 25 years, I have seen and used a lot of good CAD software products whose basic drafting support withered. They are ither very small companies or are no longer around. We are cuurently look for 20 licenses of a low cost drafting option, which is compatible with our 35 licenses of AutoCAD. This can not be AutoSketch, since it is not compatible with 2009. So we will just keep looking. (GM thought it could sell "feature rich", expensive SUVs forever, in the face of a market that is demanding lower cost basic transportation options.) I hope this helps you make some decisions.

Autosketch is a fantastic program.

I am learning various other packages at the moment, and still find
autosketch the best for 2d drawings.

Bring on autosketch 10, but incorporate some simple 3d options for
presentation 3d drawings. Walk thrus a not required. It takes more brains
and skill to visulize in 2d, than using a 3d package.

Incorporate some options to create macros in a new version.

Incorporate additional estimating options in the new version.

Keep it alive.

wrote in message news:5920673@discussion.autodesk.com...
hi -

We are currently doin some research around AutoSketch and we'd like your
input. We have posted a surevy at:

http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/adsksurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=n4008nm

It should only take a few minutes of your time (which will be much
appreciated by our team)

Thanks.

Lisa Crounse
Product Manager - Autodesk

I think it's also important to know that this is not just a cost thing. I am not saying I want to spend $100,000 outfitting the staff with a drawing software but price was not a factor why we looked at AutoSketch - it was it's features, ease of use, stability and file compatibility.
Just thought i would add that.

It is necesery difference AS8 and AS9. Discussion group mast be separate
for AS8 and less and separate for AS9.
AS 9 is to proceed from ader logic (Drafix,QCad) and AS8 is from old and bad
Auto Sketch! You know this!
m.b.

"Paul Jackson" je napisao u poruci interesnoj
grupi:5933880@discussion.autodesk.com...
Hello

I am not from autodesk, I run a company in Western Australia that writes
modules for autosketch for
the local building industry. AutoSketch has been the CAD package of choice
here since the mid 90's,
because it's easy to use and produces a professional product the other CAD
packages don't seem to
be able to match.

Your question of the future of AutoSketch is interesting.Firstly I feel that
your main criteria is
probably compatibility with LT, as you will need to transfer drawings. The
answer to this is
probably the one AutoDesk will need to address but at the moment it will
import from ACAD 2002 quite
nicely. So as long as your package can "SaveAs" to a DWG version 2002 or
less you are OK.

Apart from that even earlier versions of AutoSketch (AKA Drafix) are still
being used all over the
world. I still have users on versions 6, 4 and 8 with the current versions
being 9. Most of my
users, which is in the hundreds are using version 8, mainly because the add
on packages I produce
are currently written for V8, and when V10 come out I will will probably
re-write for it. If 10
doesn't happen, this will not affect much as there are other ways of
transferring drawings and V8
will still be going in 10 years.

Whatever LT can do, AutoSketch can do and probably easier, with the
exception of flawless
integration with ACAD. Plus if you need modules created for your less
computer literate users,
track me down. I also have a Skype address, with a time stamp of GMT+8.

Paul Jackson
Resolve Computing
www.resolv.com.au


da55 wrote:

Lisa Crounse - could you at least give me a number and a name of someone I could speak to in person at Autodesk to get some kind of response regarding Autosketch? I tried the customer support centre again but all they spew out are canned answers to requests and direct me to the web site if I want to purchase product.
Regards

Can't argue that, I am just clutching at straws but not sure I have any other ideas right now....
Cheers

At the risk of being overly cynical, I have to feel sorry for Lisa. Autodesk has shown absolutely NO interest in Autosketch for almost 4 years, and suddenly Lisa gets assigned to be the new product manager of what for all intents & purposes is a dead product.

As I see it, there are two possibilities:

1) Autodesk has finally come to their senses & is honestly trying to resuscitate AutoSketch, in which case I wish they'd hurry up.

or,

2) Lisa offended somebody & they have handed her AutoSketch with the full expectation that they will kill it off soon & can then lay her off.

I really hope I'm wrong, for all of our sakes.

Hello

I always turn off the "User Account Control" in Vista and then AutoSketch and many other programs
run fine.

UAC is in control panel and users. A better name for it should be "Microsoft Paranoia Control".

None of my customers have complained about having it turned off. If you Google UAC you will receive
about a gazillion hits of people complaining about it.

Paul

djacob wrote:

I tried to resist saying anything - but it appears that there's a great deal of misconceptions around UAC and Vista. I suggest that people read the technical articles about such things as opposed to the articles that fuel the general anti Vista sentiments.
Most O/S have some kind of UAC, Unix, OS X etc have similar safeguards where a PW is required to access areas that normally should not be touched by applications.
Vista is not going to recover from the lashings it has received in the press, Microsoft did an absolutely horrible job marketing and launching it. It's a shame as it's a pretty solid system, probably better that XP was at the same time after it's introduction.
I have had no problem running AutoSketch under Vista or many other programs I use.

I'll pass this information on.

Thanks to you and the others that replied to my post.

Don

The first question is "does it have ANY future"? There are clearly plenty of users who want this product to continue, and there are also a number of compatibility issues with newer OS's that need fixing.

I'm setting up a new computer right now, and I would be delighted to buy another copy of Autosketch for it, IF there was any indication that AutoDesk had any real intention of supporting it.

I too am a lowend user, in my previous life i was a very active commercial user in the computer industry so much so that I was presented with a full blown CAD workstation on my retirement (1991) long since outdated.

Since retirement I have a niche for my skill set and for the last 8 years have been supplying drawings and ligit copies of AS to some of my clients. None of them are potential CAD cuctomers in any other sense but I have now one that wants copies in ACAD 2008 format and I am forced to look for a legit answer.

I am more than happy with the features AS9 offers but compatibility with more ACAD packages would be great.

Kevin H

I found Autosketch 10 on the dabs.com site in the UK today.
Revised product image shown.
List price £201.19 inc. VAT (Not in Stock)
Manufacturer product code 003A10911111001