Expert: Bob - 1/4/2008

Question
Hello, I work for a civil engineering company and a few years ago the company made the switch to AutoCAD and left Microstation behind.  My problem is, while I am proficient in drafting in AutoCAD I have little experiance using the tools available in Land Desktop.

The training class we took was rushed and not very good and the only person in our company that can use it is in an office 4 hours away.  We have been trying to organize time for him to come here and train but both of our workloads get in the way.  So I'm left doing projects without fully maximizing the potential of the software and doing things thge old fashioned way.

In the event that this training never comes, what books could you recommend that would help me train myself.  I've been working with AutoCAD since release 10 so I'm good with the base program.

Answer
Hi -- sorry for delay, and sorry they have given you OLD software -- engineers tend to not understand moving on with software when there is good reason.
Here is a clip of my reply to an individual who was using ADT2004 on his own---
____Third (you didnt ask) -- if you are using the program for work, and using it as ADT, not just as AutoCAD, 2008 is twice or three times as good, and less than half the trouble, thus much quicker. Remember, 2004 was only the 2nd release that was truly useable. (it's not like AutoCAD, where it has been good for 15+ years, so 4 releases make a good, but not essential, difference.)_____________________  
If you really use the ADT features and are someone who is busy with lots of work, you could probably increase your job load significantly with the same or fewer hours, by upgrading.
If you want to quote me to the Boss, it is RIDICULOUS to spend money and billable hours learning an early, clunky version of the software. If they pay you by the hour, they are pXXXing away money to expect you to learn a difficult version of software that is now better/easier.
However, if you are stuck with it, get a good book and plow through the exercizes. I am an Interior Designer, so I cant really recomment LDT books, but you might look in the Autodesk Discussion Group.
_________http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=83

TRY to get the boss to get you a trial copy of 2008 with the idea of buying 2009 in April.  Otherwise, figure out a few basic parts, and leave the rest. Be sure to update your AutoCAD knowledge to 2004, if you have old habits -- that is an extremely common error of omission.

BOB