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IntelliCAD® is a full-featured, Computer
Aided Design (CAD) software application, commonly
used as a low-cost replacement for the considerably more expensive
AutoCAD®. It is (like AutoCAD) a general purpose CAD tool, used to produce a
variety of drawings, from basic non-technical drawings, to architectural
plans, civil and mechanical engineering designs and even 3D models,
ready for sophisticated rendering by other software. The current release
(July 2006) is termed IntelliCAD 6. It
runs under the Vista and earlier Windows operating system.
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Dimensioned drawing of the type commonly
produced by mechanical engineers. |
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Civil/Survey drawing in paper space. |
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Piping isometric. |
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Mechanical assembly. |
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Electrical schematic. |
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Shop fitting. |
Vendors of AutoCAD software will often suggest that low
cost CAD software such as IntelliCAD cannot be used for 3D drafting. Here is an image
produced and rendered entirely in standard IntelliCAD which we sell for
$385.00. This price includes a comprehensive 600 page manual.
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Part of a design for a courtyard produced
entirely in the standard version of IntelliCAD. This
courtyard design comes courtesy of Amy Reed. |
Click
here for an in-depth look at
IntelliCAD. Click
here for a link to a detailed discussion paper
on IntelliCAD 6.
We hold stocks of the product in Adelaide. Email:
info@designcad.com.au.
Click here for details
on how to order your copy of IntelliCAD. In our opinion, you do not need
to buy the Professional version of IntelliCAD if you want to work in the
3D environment. The images above were all produced in the standard
version of IntelliCAD. IntelliCAD
is mostly command compatible with AutoCAD and reads and writes its files
in AutoCAD drawing format without the need for conversion.
The current release of IntelliCAD,
IntelliCAD 6
reads and writes AutoCAD 2005 format (and earlier versions of AutoCAD).
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If
you would like to see a very quick comparison between AutoCAD LT 2005 and IntelliCAD
6, click here to play a short movie
. The movie has sound commentary, so your computer needs
external speakers. The movie is 0.9Mb in size and should not take long
to download. |
For the cost of a single
AutoCAD license, more than 10 IntelliCAD workstations can be
deployed. All existing DWG files (including your block library can be
used immediately).
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If
you would like to see the development of IntelliCAD software over time click
here to play a short movie
which shows IntelliCAD 4 in action - a version released in
2004. The movie is 0.4Mb in size. |
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Click
here to play a movie
showing IntelliCAD 6 in action. In this movie we take a
brief look at the interface and
switch from model space to a paper space layout a la
AutoCAD. |
Learning to use IntelliCAD is a straightforward process, since it is a
'clone' of AutoCAD - the widely used, industry-standard CAD software. If
you have AutoCAD skills, these can be used seamlessly in the IntelliCAD
environment. We offer training if required, both in-house and via
distance learning.
Click here to a
link to a discussion paper on CAD training.
Visit www.siacad.com to obtain a trial version of IntelliCAD.
For details on installing and configuring IntelliCAD once you have a
copy, click here.
As
mentioned, we do sell IntelliCAD
(for $A385.00), but are not authorized to sell outside Australia and New
Zealand. Even though we are a commercial tenant of the University of
Adelaide, our copies of IntelliCAD are full versions. As the cost is
very low in comparison to AutoCAD, there is no student version of
IntelliCAD.
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Commands (instructions) used to create
drawings are very similar to those used in the AutoCAD environment. An
alias file is used to translate AutoCAD commands so you can for instance
simply type O; the AutoCAD shortcut for the OFFSET command.
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The AutoCAD command line is supported
although you can dispense with it if required.
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IntelliCAD creates (and reads)
and saves files in AutoCAD's .DWG format. IntelliCAD writes files
back to version 2.5 AutoCAD [1980s file format], a capability long lost
to AutoCAD!
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Users transferring from AutoCAD need spend very little time learning to
use IntelliCAD, because the command environment is so familiar. Their
store of CAD drawings can be opened directly in IntelliCAD. We offer
special deals on bundling IntelliCAD with distance training materials.
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AutoCAD
menu and script files are
supported. Our version of IntelliCAD has a special bonus tools including
hold clouds and layer manager.
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Multiple paper space layouts are
supported.
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In our opinion, the IntelliCAD user interface is more intuitive than
AutoCAD's and the layout and toolbar icons makes it
very straightforward for beginners to use.
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IntelliCAD runs
AutoLISP applications
with little need for conversion along with DCL, and
the ADS system.
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Raster image display is supported. It
is possible to import a wide variety of image files into the IntelliCAD
environment.
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AutoCAD blocks and XREFs
are supported.
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AutoCAD 3D surface commands are
supported.
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True type fonts are allowed.
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Single line and paragraph text are
available.
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An innovative Drawing Explorer has been
developed which enables efficient management of text and dimension styles,
layer control, blocks (a graphical preview is available) and external
references.
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IntelliCAD allows multiple drawings to
be opened in a single
session. Entities can be copied (cut and pasted) accurately between
drawings.
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Those new to CAD will find a rich set of resources available to help
them learn CAD - books on AutoCAD, local technical college courses etc.
which can be directly applied to learning to use IntelliCAD.
If you would like to view a more detailed
specification of IntelliCAD, click
here.
Click here to
visit our downloads page where you can find information on downloading a trial version of
IntelliCAD.
We sell the standard version of IntelliCAD, not the
so-called professional version. The Professional version contains 3D
ACIS solid modelling, rendering tools and the ability to program in
Visual Basic for Applications. Experience has shown us that our users
rarely use these features and do not need to pay the additional cost.
This trial
version of IntelliCAD is fully functional, but does not contain the bonus tools
component which is only available when you purchase the product.
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The IntelliCAD bonus tools
set supplied with SIACAD IntelliCAD. |
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