Product Description

AutoCAD LT software is known for its efficiency, power, and reliability. Now we've made it even better with 2D tools and commands you've been asking for. We also added PDF underlay capabilities and improved the quality of your PDF output. Take full command with AutoCAD LT 2010.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38 in Software
• Brand: Autodesk
• Model: 057B1-05A001-P101A
• Released on: 2009-03-30
• Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows XP
• Format: DVD-ROM
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds

Features

• A powerful solution for designers who need full DWG native file format compatibility without 3D capabilities or advanced customization
• AutoCAD LT 2D drafting and detailing software provides a comprehensive set of tools allows you to accurately and efficiently create, document, and share your drawings
• Use a complete set of 2D drafting and detailing tools to accurately and efficiently create precise technical drawings
• Create in the genuine DWG file format to share your work seamlessly with anyone in the world; electronically publish and distribute drawing sets in a single DWF or PDF file for fast, secure collaboration with team members
• Make AutoCAD LT work the way you work with a selection of menu and user interface options

Amazon.com Product Description
AutoCAD LT 2D drafting and detailing software is the professional choice because we focus on boosting your productivity. A comprehensive set of tools allows you to accurately and efficiently create, document, and share your drawings. Using the genuine DWG file format provides stability and compatibility when you communicate with clients and colleagues. And you can optimize the software for the way you work with menu and user interface options. Packed with powerful features, AutoCAD LT is built for drafting.

Electronically publish and distribute drawing sets in a single DWF or PDF file for fast, secure collaboration with team members.

Make AutoCAD LT work the way you work with a selection of menu and user interface options.

Use a complete set of 2D drafting and detailing tools to accurately and efficiently create precise technical drawings.

AutoCAD LT 2D drafting and detailing software is the professional choice because it boosts your productivity.

A comprehensive set of tools allows you to accurately and efficiently create, document, an share your drawings. Using the genuine DWG file format ensures stability and compatibility when you communicate with clients and colleagues. And you can optimize the software for the way you work with menu and user interface options. Packed with powerful features, AutoCAD LT is built for drafting.

Document

Use a complete set of 2D drafting and detailing tools to accurately and efficiently create precise technical drawings.

Create and Annotate
Create simple or complex drawings from standard shapes such as lines, arcs, and circles. Modify existing geometry with commands like stretch, copy, rotate, and scale. Add annotations such as text, dimensions, and tables to your drawings to help convey your ideas.

Collaborate

Create in the genuine DWG file format to share your work seamlessly with anyone in the world. Attach Image Files and DWF & PDF Underlays Reference external information--such as images (JPG, TIF, etc.), Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and DWF and PDF underlays--in your drawing, in addition to DWG files. Use object snaps to locate new geometry relative to the objects in the DWF or DWG underlay.

Publish to DWF or PDF Format
Electronically publish and distribute drawing sets in a single DWF or PDF file for fast, secure collaboration with team members.

Optimize

Make AutoCAD LT work the way you work with a selection of menu and user interface options.

Attach PDF, DWF, DGN, and image files as underlays.

The ribbon user interface reduces the number of steps needed to reach commands, helping to increase your overall drafting productivity.

AutoCAD LT 2010 incorporates several block and external reference tools previously available only in AutoCAD software.

New options make it easy to control the display and format of all types of dimensions.

Several new and improved 2D tools make drafting easier and more productive than ever.

Organize Content
Organize content within your drawing and your digital library. Separate objects onto layers to control screen displays and plotted outputs. Save time and standardize drawings by using blocks. Add dynamic properties to blocks to accommodate multiple sizes or views in a single block. Use Tool Palettes to quickly access frequently used content, such as blocks, hatches, and commands.

On-Screen Shortcuts
Quickly find your way around the screen with tools to locate commands, view all open drawings, and navigate between different areas in an open drawing. Optimize your work environment by tailoring the location and appearance of commands to meet your needs and company standards.

Take Full Command

File Format Compatibility
With AutoCAD LT 2010 software you can open DWG files received from colleagues and clients, regardless of the version of AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT software used to create them. Save your own work to a variety of file formats that are supported by previous versions of Autodesk products, as far back as R14-compatible DWG files and R12-compatible DXF files.

RESULT: Reduced risk of object display inconsistencies due to file format changes.

Attach PDF, DWF, DGN, and Image Files as Underlays
The External References palette now supports the use of PDF, DWF, DGN, and image files (JPG, TIF, etc.) as underlays in DWG files, in addition to the traditional DWG references. If the PDF or DWF file is vector-based, you can use object snaps to locate new objects relative to objects in the underlay.

RESULT: Increased security and flexibility when sharing files.

Streamlined User Interface
The ribbon user interface reduces the number of steps needed to reach commands, helping to increase your overall drafting productivity. The ribbon presents commands in a concise visual format and also responds to both active commands and object selection. Based on the command or object, it adjusts to show you the most appropriate tools for the task at hand. Quick View Layouts and Quick View Drawings provide fast and visual methods for activating a layout in an open drawing. The Quick Access toolbar provides constant one-click access to your most frequently used tools and commands.

RESULT: Less time spent locating commands and switching between open drawings.

The Layer Properties Manager has been converted to a palette, so that any changes you make are instantly applied to the drawing.

With Dynamic Blocks, you can modify a block's geometry without editing the block definition or erasing it and inserting a different block.

With True Color support, you can specify a color by HSL or RGB values, or choose from a variety of Pantone and RAL color books, making it easy to match colors in your drawing with real-world colors of actual materials.

Block and External Reference Tools
AutoCAD LT 2010 incorporates several block and external reference tools previously available only in AutoCAD software. With the Synchronize Attributes command, you can easily add or remove attributes from existing block definitions. The Enhanced Attribute Editor enables you to quickly change the properties of individual attributes, in addition to entering values. Externally referenced files of any format can be opened with a simple click of the mouse. Or, edit your DWG references in-place to make changes while continuing to view the host drawing's geometry. If you only need to show a portion of the referenced file, use the Clip External Reference command to hide the unwanted areas of the file.

RESULT: More control over your blocks and external references.

Intuitive Text and Tables
Significant improvements to text and tables enable you to create and edit them faster and with more flexibility. Tables can be easily split into columns to fit them into the available space. Spell checking is done automatically, and misspelled words are indicated with a dashed red underline. The Annotation Scaling feature automatically calculates text and dimension sizes, as well as block and hatch pattern scales, based on the drawing scale.

RESULT: Easier text editing and greater flexibility in the display of annotations.

Better Dimensions and Leaders
New options make it easy to control the display and format of all types of dimensions. This includes the ability to add jog lines, control the linetype of extension lines, and break extension lines around objects. With the introduction of multileaders, text and leader lines are now combined into one object, allowing for easy alignment, grouping of similar keynotes, and generating multiple leaders from one note.

RESULT: More intuitive dimensioning and annotating.

Improved Drafting Tools
Several new and improved 2D tools make drafting easier and more productive than ever. Hatch objects no longer need to be associated with a boundary for you to be able to modify their shape. The direction of lines, polylines, and splines can be reversed, providing more control over the display of special linetypes containing text or symbols. When rotating a viewport, you can choose whether the view shown will maintain its original orientation or rotate along with the viewport.

RESULT: Fewer steps needed to accomplish everyday drafting tasks.

Easier Layer Management
The Layer Properties Manager has been converted to a palette, so that any changes you make are instantly applied to the drawing. The same layer can now have different properties, such as color or linetype, in different viewports, enabling you to easily highlight specific information in each viewport. Layer management tools also let you select objects in the drawing to freeze, turn off, isolate, or lock their layer.

RESULT: Faster viewing of layer properties changes and clearer drawings with fewer layers.

Dynamic Blocks
The flexibility of Dynamic Blocks provides a powerful alternative to bloated block libraries containing multiple variations of similar block definitions. With Dynamic Blocks, you can modify a block's geometry without editing the block definition or erasing it and inserting a different block. The Block Editor environment provides a place to create or edit block definitions without affecting surrounding geometry. Use the Block Authoring tools to apply parameters and actions that turn a traditional block into a dynamic one. The new Test Block tool enables you to test the functions of your dynamic block without affecting the other instances of the block in the drawing.

RESULT: More efficient block libraries, featuring the advantages of regular blocks plus the flexibility of modification.

Additional AutoCAD Functionality
Several additional tools, previously available only in AutoCAD software, have been incorporated into AutoCAD LT 2010 software. Use the Align command to move, rotate, and scale objects to line up with other objects. With True Color support, you can specify a color by its Hue, Saturation, and Luminescence (HSL) or Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) values, or choose a color from a variety of Pantone and RAL color books, making it easy to match colors in your drawing with real-world colors of actual materials. Non-rectangular viewports are also supported, enabling you to create a viewport in any shape you need, either by drawing the outline or by converting an existing object to a viewport.

RESULT: More tools to enhance productivity.

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Customer Reviews

Excellent Choice for 2D Drafting w/ New Features
Although the new AutoCAD LT 2010 may not offer everything its big brother does, it's a great choice if you only need to do 2D drawings.

+DWG is the most commonly used design format
+Save in older file formats for collaborators using older versions
+Supports PDF files as an Underlay
+Improved Layer Management
+True Color Support
+Publish to PDF format for anyone to view project even without having a CAD program
+You can upgrade if you are using AutoCAD LT 2007 or higher

Keep in mind the limitations of the LT Version of AutoCAD 2010 such as:
-No 3D drawings are possible, 2D only
-No 3D modeling, so no walk-through or photorealistic rendering
-No Network Licensing

Bottom Line: AutoCAD LT 2010 is a great product if you need to do 2D drawings. The price point is probably worth it to professional users because of the new options and being able to open all DWG formats, as well as save in older formats in case you collaborate with others using older versions. Those unable to afford the Full AutoCAD package may find the LT version meets their needs.

I love AutoCAD. 5 years experience.
I've been using AutoCAD for at least 5 years now. I was using the 2004 edition and decided it was time to upgrade to the latest version. 2010 has so many more options and easier handling methods to expedite your drawings. What was once a 3-step process, is now only one. Some items though are taking time to get used to. For instance, I used to have a command down below for lengths and shape options, now its hovering over the actual shape. For any Architect, Inventor, or hobbyist, this is the program to go for. There is also a sweet rebate right now for like 400 off the price.

I also own the Inventor LT Suite, which will turn you 2d drawings to 3d. You can also buy a logitech or other spacenavigator (search 3Dconnexion) which will let you hover over and move around your 3d object and change details and colors. You should definitely check out the Autodesk website. It has great videos and demonstrations which instantly made up my mind. Depending on your budget, you might even spend 5K+ on the full unlimited version of AutoCAD (not just the LT). The LT is strictly 2d but still useful. The full version will let you walk around a 3d building you created. Please take a look at the website. My review cannot explain just how awesome these products are, you have to see it to want it too.

Best 2D Drafting Software Ever!
I remember using LT several years ago and not liking it because it was so cumbersome to use. So initially, I was skeptical about purchasing LT until I downloaded a trial version from Autodesk. I ended up purchasing it because it is not like the old versions of LT but has a significantly improved set of tools. I like the new interface with ribbons as well. I am using another 3D software with LT to compensate for its weakness - very limited 3D tools. I think it offers a very good value for the money and allows you to handle small to medium size projects efficiently. It is a lean, easy-to-use and inexpensive, yet powerful program. In 2D environment, I can't tell the difference between LT and AutoCAD. I love it and would highly recommend it.