Expert: Bob - 2/5/2008

Question
We bought the student version of autocad in order to gain some familiarity with the program before commiting to the cost of the licence. I have been using the student version of autocad for some time and have many drawings that I don't want to lose.  I am curious if the drawings that I have created in the student version will transfer to the full version even if we only buy LT?  Also if the drawings would even transfer to TurboCad, If we wanted to be really cheap?

Answer
Hi -- this is a tough one! Not because I don't know the answer, but because it brings the following to my mind:

1 -- Honestly, most of the questions on this subject are asking me for an illegal hack. I have no respect for those people, but I feel I must respond as if you are legit, in case.

2--  It is VERY hard for me to understand you did not read the clear information about  the plot stamp. I would also think that you might reason out that Autodesk would naturally want you to not use the student software. They provide a 30-day trial, which is normally enough for people to determine the value to them of the software.

3-- Again, I do not understand why you think the drawings would transfer, but, since you do not explain your background, location, or type of work to me, I can only go on my own perspective.
Since AutoCAD is way, way the dominant program in most industries, I compare your doing a lot of drawings on the cheap/free software to try it, as being like test driving a dealer Toyota vehicle for 2000 miles to see if it is reliable-- the result is obvious sooner than that.

4-- I cant advise whether you would be fine with LT, since I dont know what you do. There are millions of LT users.  I DO think it MIGHT be easier to ask Autodesk to help you if you purchased the full program. Sometimes they will clean drawings of the stamp when they are caused by including blocks from one you received that was polluted without your knowledge --- I have to doubt they would help in your case, without facts you have not told me.

5-- Turbocad????  I know some people use it, but it is not the standard of most industries. I am one who believes in having the right tools -- and right includes the cost. In many fields I know, you would be laughed at  if you offered Turbocad drawings. It may be fine for you, you gave me no way to know. I imagine that it takes dwg files, but it has no magic eraser.

6-- Once in awhile, I get questions from very poor countries, where the people find the cost of software to be hard. I sympathize. Your English is good, so??????????????

So the answer about the AutoCAD is that the VERY BEST you can expect is to be able to xreference them into a new drawing and use them only to draw over, then detach the xref. (and I am not positive that is safe) I have NEVER EVER had anyone tell me he had a lot of drawings he created on student software with plot stamps before.

Please write back with more facts if I have mistaken you.

BOB