ACA and AutoCAD 2009 Feature comparison

[ccaron]

Does anyone know of or have a feature comaparison list of what Vanilla AutoCAD 2009 has verses Architecture 2009?

[cadpro78]

Have you tried going to Autodesk.com?

[ccaron]

Have you tried going to Autodesk.com?

Yea, couldn't find a real comparison list.

[cadpro78]

Try a google search. I havelink below that can take you to a brochure for AutoCAD Architecture...


http://resources.autodesk.com/adsk/s...ture/white.htm

[ccaron]

I found this from before. I'm looking for something that can justify buying Architecture over AutoCAD. Something that I can apply to our work environment and judge whether one is a better fit than the other.

Currently we are using ADT 2007, but mainly just the Vanilla AutoCAD portion. Looking forward I need to know what I would be loosing if I bought Vanilla instead of Architecture.

And I did scoure the internet for something to no avail. AUGI is my last stop.

[Brian Myers]

I'm about ready to say something that may sound totally stupid, but it really isn't meant to be. The difference is the architectural content. Yes there are some other features ( gbXML stands out ) that one program has over the other, but 99% of the benefit comes from the architectural content and (if you utilize it) the project browser. Also, if your clients/contractors utilize MEP or AutoCAD Architecture, you will better be able to make use of their models.

Beyond that... in my opinion... they are about the same. But it's the architectural content (and features such as automated scheduling) that's worth the price for most firms.

[ccaron]

So! Project Browser is not in Vanilla Acad? That's the type of information I'm looking for. Only wish I had an side by side comparison.

[Brian Myers]

I don't know of one. But:

Architectural Content
Generated Elevations/Sections
Schedules
Export to various analysis software
Project Navigator
Functionality in reading and revising client and legacy projects created in ADT/ACA and AutoCAD MEP

...these are the big reasons. If that's not enough to keep you from switching "back" to AutoCAD then you likely are not using the product enough anyway to realize what you are missing. But I would be more tempted to invest in training on how to use ADT/ACA to be the product it's capable of being. The return on your investment will more than make up for any cost associated.

[Ed Jobe]

But I would be more tempted to invest in training on how to use ADT/ACA to be the product it's capable of being.

It actually costs more to downgrade or crossgrade than to upgrade the same procuct. Use the money you save by sticking to ACA for training on ACA.

[ccaron]

It actually costs more to downgrade or crossgrade than to upgrade the same procuct. Use the money you save by sticking to ACA for training on ACA.

Funny how that works. Anyway, seems downgrading isn't the best choice.

Thanks for all the input.