AboutBob Expertise I am good at helping Architects and Interior Designers who are intimidated by Autocad, ADT, etc. to feel comfortable, get things done. If you are in another field, I will do what I can for you.
Experience Interior Design and Space Planning. Autodesk U. 2000 and 2001. AutoCAD 2000-2009, ADT (now AutoCAD Architecture)
Question I am an Interior Design student (mother of three who is taking classes and set to graduate in 2 years)who has had limited access to CAD. I have taken a 1 semester course then a year hiatus and am taking a class again in the fall 2008 and I am considering buying the Student Version to brush up on skills in order to excel in my classes. If I purchase this Student version in May, and use it for working on assignments at home, versus working in schools's the lab will my drawings transfer to the schools shareware and will I be able to print it w/o a stamp?
Also - what is a perpetual version of Auto Cad - the school I attend is offering that version too and I am unsure of the value of that software?
Thank You
Answer Hi -- good for you.
You dont give your age - but I will lump you in with the Computer Generation, if those 3 kids are young. The reason I refer to your age is simple: your competition is very comfortable with computers.
No -- objects created in student software arent useable elswhere w/o the plot stamp. BUT I am not familiar with exactly how schools are handling this now -- ask!! (or print too large and cut the paper) The last time I looked, the student version was a free download -- but maybe you have to prove enrollment to get it.
If the perpetual (no time limit) student software is what the school recommends, use it. I would find out who the hardest teacher is, ask them what to do, and take their class. You could also download a 30 day trial of the full software.
Few schools say firmly enough: learn this tool very very well if you want a shot at good jobs. You are smart to want to practice between now and Fall. If you have done a studio class by hand, do it all over in AutoCAD --- you learn by first doing exercises, then by doing actual projects. Doing several small ones is great -- and only draw stuff that you can plausibly explain how it would work in the real, if slightly stylized, world. I hate projects which dont make sense, but I also hate projects that are ordinary.
Again, much of our competition is compliant, enthusiastic young girls with talent, and the time to make a cool portfolio. We have to figure out how to use what we have, too. If you are doing this schooling, do it 150% for yourself and your kids --- as I see it.
