AutoCAD on tablet computers

[jim.morey]

Has anybody got any experience or advice on using CAD on a tablet device?

I am looking at getting a tablet device in order to do general work, college and consultancy stuff both on the move and in the field (including surveys). This is intended to augment my desktop at home / in the office.

So, which operating system: iOS, Android or WIndows 7?
Windows might be good because it means all my files will be compatible with my desktop and I can have the same software everywhere. BUT as far as I'm aware, the only Windows OS that operates touch-screen devices is Windows 7 - and it's not as good as the Apple OS or Android for touch-screen usability anyway. Also - having Windows 7 will limit the usable software to only the newest versions. And Windows 7 requires a 3Ghz processor to do the same work as a 1.6Ghz in Windows XP, etc.
Apple / Android? Well, the touch-screen is better on both of these than on the Windows. But what other software is there? Last time I looked, the iPad didn't even allow 'Flash' or have a USB port. Plus how compatible would either OS be with my desktop?

I've been looking at AutoCAD WS, which works on iOS and Android. How useful is it in reality? I'm looking at something I could use for survey, mark-up, GIS and editing.

[ckidd]

Has anybody got any experience or advice on using CAD on a tablet device?

I am looking at getting a tablet device in order to do general work, college and consultancy stuff both on the move and in the field (including surveys). This is intended to augment my desktop at home / in the office...................

I've been looking at AutoCAD WS, which works on iOS and Android. How useful is it in reality? I'm looking at something I could use for survey, mark-up, GIS and editing.

AutoCAD WS is a neat tool, but little more than a toy at this point. I've used it on Android 2.2 and on iOS (1st Gen Ipad), and I wouldn't try using it in a professional setting, at least not yet. The software has a long way to go, IMO.

.......
So, which operating system: iOS, Android or WIndows 7?
Windows might be good because it means all my files will be compatible with my desktop and I can have the same software everywhere.

If by "files" you mean your .dwgs, then the format is not "incompatible" with any of these operating systems. File types are not dependent on the OS, so the limiting factor will be what software is available to open and edit those files. I think that keeps you limited to AutoCAD WS on Android and iOS. (but there may be another option, read below)

.......
Also - having Windows 7 will limit the usable software to only the newest versions.

Here, I'm not sure what you mean. Limit you to the newest versions? Windows 7 can run most legacy software. It's very few, and mostly very old programs that must be run in a virtual machine (Windows 7 Pro comes with "XP Mode", which is little more than a 32-bit virtual machine provided by MS). ACAD 2007 won't work, but the only other two programs that wouldn't work in Windows 7 x64 were over 10 years old. Those 3 programs were the only problems we had at work after switching from XP to Win7. At home, I haven't even set up XP mode, because I haven't found anything that couldn't be run in Win7.

.......
And Windows 7 requires a 3Ghz processor to do the same work as a 1.6Ghz in Windows XP, etc.

I'm not sure what you mean here, can you cite a source? Win7 has been the most stable and efficient Windows OS I've ever installed. The Operating Frequency of a CPU is only a good measurement among similar processors, and even then, it doesn't really tell you what the difference in performance is. Those two Operating systems are two generations apart, and the hardware intended to run them is at least four.

The only Win7 Tablet I've used was less of a tablet and more of a netbook with a touch screen. Windows 7 is going to be the most capable and versatile OS on a laptop, whether it's touchscreen or not. For the purposes of a Tablet, though, I think iOS and Android work better, but as a companion device.

Apple / Android? Well, the touch-screen is better on both of these than on the Windows. But what other software is there? Last time I looked, the iPad didn't even allow 'Flash' or have a USB port. Plus how compatible would either OS be with my desktop?

Android and iOS tablets are companion devices. The files will work on the different OS, if the OS supports software to open the files. The device will be 'compatible' with the desktop for file transfers. You are correct, that the touch-screen interface is better on iOS and Android. This is fairly subjective, but Win7 on a touchscreen just doesn't feel as smooth as the other two.

I haven't used it personally, but I believe you can use Citrix software similar to(or maybe exactly) GoToMyPC on tablets. As I understand it, you can then use the full capabilities of your desktop over the internet, including any software installed. I'm not sure if it's available yet, or which OS it's available for.

As far as tablet use, I like my wife's Ipad, but I'd get a 10" Android tablet (like Xoom) if I were to buy a new tablet today.

[cad.238271]

Thank you very much for that. A lot to consider, but it has arrested a few unfounded fears.

Cheers

[ckidd]

.....................Also - having Windows 7 will limit the usable software to only the newest versions. And Windows 7 requires a 3Ghz processor to do the same work as a 1.6Ghz in Windows XP, etc..................

I'm not sure what you mean here, can you cite a source? Win7 has been the most stable and efficient Windows OS I've ever installed. The Operating Frequency of a CPU is only a good measurement among similar processors, and even then, it doesn't really tell you what the difference in performance is.

Okay, so I re-read my post and wanted to make sure it didn't come across as condescending. I think I found your source: LINK
Autodesk's posted "requirements" should be taken with a grain of salt, but you're definitely putting in the research before making a purchase, so kudos. "Windows 7 requires a 3Ghz processor to do the same work as a 1.6Ghz in Windows XP" doesn't quite describe the situation. The examples from Autodesk:

For Windows Vista or Windows 7: Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon® dual-core processor, 3.0 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology; for Windows XP: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon dual-core processor, 1.6 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology

For Microsoft Windows XP: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon dual core, 1.6 GHz (or higher) with SSE2 technology

Pentium 4 CPUs are old, and while this may be the bare minimum, the technology is obsolete. Any new(ish) CPU us going to exceed those requirements. (Bare with me for this explanation, as I'm using benchmarks for processing power comparison. They can be found here: LINK)
A Core i7-880 @3.07 GHz (already a generation old) scores a 6,503. A (brand new) Core i3-2100 @3.1 GHz scores 3,829, while a Pentium 4 @3.8 GHz scores a 638. The generation of processor and when it was designed have a much greater impact on performance than operating frequency.

Back to your original post: I'm not sure how much real-world use you'll get out of a tablet, but it's really subjective to how you use AutoCAD and how comfortable you are working on a 10" screen. You'll be working from the cloud on either Android or iOS, so I'd check out what is available from Citrix regarding their Autodesk compatible products first.

[jim.morey]

Thanks again.

I have two jobs using AutoCAD in 2 different environments in 2 different specialisations. I am also a part-time MSc student.

I am out and about a lot (both travelling and field work) and really I was wondering aloud useful it would be to have my applications on the go with me. I don't want to be carrying masses of equipment around with me everywhere all the time, so I was looking to see if the new generation of tablets would be of any use.

AutoCAD WS can be accessed via the web on any browser, so I'll have a play with it to see if it is of any use.

One of my employers / clients uses Citrix for its everyday software (including ESRI GIS). However, we are still waiting for the start of a trial of CAD in Citrix - which may be a long way off yet, so CAD will remain on the desktop for the forseeable future.

If I can use older software in WIndows 7 without fear of freezing up, then I may well veer towards getting a Windows 7 tablet - though I'm still open to suggestions

I'm still curious to see how well CAD can be used on a tablet.

Cheers, Jim

[ckidd]

I thought I had read something on this recently, but only found the bookmark today for Melanie's article: On-Site iPads Change the Game

Now that the wait is over for Apple’s iPad 2, you might be wondering if it could be the best option for your work. Technology enthusiast Dustin Hutsell, a CAD manager at Mangini Associates in Visalia, California, has some advice on tablet choices. He said, “Apple is a safe bet today. Autodesk and other companies have rolled out multiple iOS applications and are likely to continue to do so. That being said, if someone were in the market to make a long-term commitment to tablet computing, they’d owe it to themselves to wait until [fall 2011] at least.”

[DonWonnSSUSA]

Don't know if this thread has been responded to lately regarding the Citrix approved software, but 2014 came out Citrix ready. The use of a tablet now would be useful as long as the software supported it, which IMO only AutoCAD does at the time being, support the touch screen use. Even then it does not work completely with the touch screen and therefore would need the use of a mouse and keyboard.

My two cents worth.

[rbcameron1]

This is going to sound crazy, but it does exist. A portable, reasonably large monitor that DOES NOT REQUIRE a power brick but runs SOLELY off of USB 3.0. Picture AND power!
Google ASUS usb 3.0 168b or follow this link on newegg.com
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...140225220722:s

ASUS makes a 15.6" screen (not touch) that you can plug into the usb port on a transformer tablet (with keyboard dock) that you can either mirror your desktop or extend your desktop.
Lenovo makes something like this too but its 14".

Best of all, it's roughly $100. No joke.

[Wanderer]

This is going to sound crazy, but it does exist. A portable, reasonably large monitor that DOES NOT REQUIRE a power brick but runs SOLELY off of USB 3.0. Picture AND power!
Google ASUS usb 3.0 168b or follow this link on newegg.com
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...140225220722:s

ASUS makes a 15.6" screen (not touch) that you can plug into the usb port on a transformer tablet (with keyboard dock) that you can either mirror your desktop or extend your desktop.
Lenovo makes something like this too but its 14".

Best of all, it's roughly $100. No joke.

Huh.
I've resisted getting another monitor for my laptop just because of the bulk factor... this just might convert me...

[darren.edmonds6575274]

Hi guys,

I don't know if this has been mentioned previously - I use an android app called 'Redstick Pro' for all my CAD site work - It kicks the *** out of drawing on paper and it can output 3d models too!

I have been using this software for nearly two years now and have completed 100's of drawings on it - this then gets transferred into my autocad and I edit as necessary! (I saved about 70% of my time using this bit of kit and the company I worked for saved £££ because of it!)

I wouldnt go on site without it now! (it does have issues with some things every now and then but if you can use cad then you gradually learn how to combat these and be more efficient!)

Has anyone else used this software?