IMSI TURBOCAD 9 PROFESSIONAL

Rating:
Summary: Preofessional and Ease of Use.
Review: I am not in any way involved with TurboCAD/IMSI, but I do feel it is a quality product that offers similar functionality to that of AutoCAD. (I use both products)
If you are used to Autocad, then you will be surprised how much easier it will be to get things done in this. Just dont expect it to be a parametric modelling package - it is not. However, it is much easier to set up a 2D drawing in my opinion, and for me I find the standard drawing, dimensioning, measurement and layout to be quite intuitive.
While it doesnt offer the 3D modelling flexibility of the parametric modellers like Solidworks, Catia Pro/E etc, it is a great 2D/3D drawing package with many extras such as rendering, macro recorder, and usability enhancements such as single key input for many commands, saving overuse of the mouse.

Rating:
Summary: great software
Review: I love this software! Having consulted with 3 friends using AutoCAD (2 ACAD 2000, 1 ACAD 2002) I can find nothing that they can do in AutoCAD that I cannot do in TurboCAD. This tells me that either TurboCAD v9 does everything ACAD does, or the features additional to ACAD are so esoteric that no-one uses them! TCAD will be readily learned by an ACAD user, but is, in many respects simpler to use, particularly with respect to viewports. The toolbar default arrangement is handier (IMO), and portability tests (ACAD to TCAD and vice vs.) have been 100% successful. For those with anything but a limitless budget, I think TCAD is the hands-down winner!

Rating:
Summary: Vastly better than AutoCAD LT
Review: I've used TurboCAD pro for years. For about the same price as the crippled AutoCAD LT, this gives you maybe 90% of what the full version of AutoCAD can do at the level of a straight-ahead 3D CAD package; it is mostly missing stuff like support for AutoLISP, plug-ins and layered applications available from AutoDESK and third parties, CAM support, and 100% file compatibility. However, TurboCAD does have some capabilities not available in AutoCAD, and for from-scratch 2D and 3D drafting and design, this does everything you want and more. Its AutoCAD file import and export is very good, and it can use most parts libraries available from manufacturers. Its capabilities go far deeper than other consumer-grade CAD packages; it is a serious professional package. I have AutoCAD mechanical desktop at work but actually prefer TurboCAD for the stuff I do at home.