2015 to 2018 - is it worth the upgrade?

[andrewp]

I hate upgrading every year when the new version of AutoCAD is released. that's why I tend to only upgrade every 3rd version. I’ve been using 2015 for a long time and I’m contemplating whether to upgrade to 2018. Is it really worth it, or should I stay at 2015? Any thoughts, opinions?

thanks
drew

[cadtag]

Not really an upgrade -- since you'll be renting the software monthly/quarterly/annually. Of course compatibility between 2015 and 2019 is one-way only, so it's going to be work if you decide after trying 2019 to go back to the software you own.

But, try it for a month and see what you think -- no-one else can determine if it's beneficial to your situation

[dgorsman]

There's no need to upgrade just because a new version is released. If it doesn't do anything for you compared to the amount of work to migrate, then don't.

There's more that can be done on the customization side, since it supports dotNET 4.5. It's compatible with Win 10, which is something to consider if you're even looking at that in the near future. Also makes use of some of the newer graphics technology (if you have an old GPU you could end up with compatibility issues though). There's a few interesting things going on with caching of 3D solid data, which can help if you're doing that. Point cloud handling is better.

DWG format has changed, but you can still save basic content (lines, circles, dimensions, etc.) to earlier DWG formats.

If you are not keeping up with support payments you'll need to purchase a new license. However, it's a good time to do so - you'll be getting the "One AutoCAD" which includes most of the verticals along with the vanilla. It is rental which some don't care for, but it's easier if your work is month-to-month. There's also better tools for managing licenses e.g. clients may be able to provide you with a Desktop license for the term of work under their contract rather than you needing your own.

[rkmcswain]

I hate upgrading every year when the new version of AutoCAD is released. that's why I tend to only upgrade every 3rd version. I’ve been using 2015 for a long time and I’m contemplating whether to upgrade to 2018. Is it really worth it, or should I stay at 2015? Any thoughts, opinions?

thanks
drew

Are you a perpetual license holder?

If so, are you on maintenance?
If not, then your only move will be to 2019, not 2018.
And you'll be renting from this point on, which means you have to pay annually, period, or the software stops working (no more sitting on an old license).
And you'll have to decide whether you want to "Trade in" your 2015 for a nominal discount on your first year rental, or keep it and just rent the 2019 outright as a new license.

Do you have to use AutoCAD to make .DWG files, or are you open to an alternative?

[andrewp]

Yeah, I’m a habitual perpetual user, and I also maintain a maintenance license... so, upgrading to a new version isn't a big deal, I just hate the migration if it's not beneficial. At the moment, the one benefit that I see is not asking others to save their files back to 2015 all of the time.

[pendean]

At the moment, the one benefit that I see is not asking others to save their files back to 2015 all of the time.

Go grab the free Autodesk DWGTRUEVIEW converter and handle all the conversions yourself at your PC and never worry about it.