• May 27, 2019  Suddenly AutoCAD is not working properly. I've got 12 days left on my trial, no issues until today. When I open AutoCAD LT it says 'License manager is not functioning or improperly installed. AutoCAD LT will shut down now.
• AutoCAD LT® is computer-aided design (CAD) software that architects, engineers, construction professionals, and designers rely on to produce 2D drawings and documentation. Design, draft, and document with 2D geometry; Access a comprehensive set of editing, design, and annotation tools; Work quickly in an intuitive user interface.

1. What Is Autocad Lt
2. Autocad And Autocad Lt Comparison

Scan2CAD knows all too well how difficult it can be for CAD enthusiasts and professionals alike to figure out the differences between CAD packages. With conflicting information—or none at all—there’s no real way of finding out what capabilities each program has. It’s for this reason that we set out to create comparison guides for the top CAD programs on the market. This week, we’re turning our heads to look at CAD giant Autodesk and its most popular products.

AutoCAD LT is a professional solution that supports industry standards and allows you to significantly increase the productivity of the designer. Compare the features of AutoCAD ® and AutoCAD ® LT, and learn which CAD software is the right solution for your design workflow. Design every detail with 2D and 3D CAD software. Now includes access to industry-specific toolsets and improved workflows across desktop, web, and mobile. After AutoCAD LT 2020 is installed, download and install an AutoCAD LT 2020 language pack to run AutoCAD LT in your preferred language. Installation Instructions: AutoCAD LT 2020 must already be installed. Select and download one of the language packs below. The innovations mentioned above are not only available with AutoCAD 2020, but also with AutoCAD LT 2020. If you’re on a Subscription or Maintenance plan, head over to your Autodesk Account and download the latest release today. If not, download a 30-day free trial of AutoCAD 2020 or AutoCAD LT 2020 to get started.

Since AutoCAD’s inception in 1982, Autodesk has been a large and resounding presence in the CAD industry and beyond. A key player in the evolution of CAD, Autodesk has since released a range of top software packages. None, however, have really been able to surpass the popularity and power of Autodesk’s flagship product, AutoCAD. Offering solutions to a range of industries—from architecture to engineering to entertainment—there’s simply no way of avoiding it. In a measure to broaden its customer base further, Autodesk created a ‘lite’ version in the form of AutoCAD LT.

In this guide, we’ll be examining AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT—looking at the differences in functionality, capability and much more.

History

As one of the front-running products in the CAD industry, we’d like to think you’re already relatively familiar with Autodesk’s flagship product, AutoCAD. Then again, if you’re anything like us, you’ve probably spent most of your time getting to grips with AutoCAD’s capabilities, rather than its history. Before we get stuck into its incredible features, therefore, we’re going to give you a quick overview—looking at how one of the CAD industry’s favorite products came to be.

Although first released in 1982, AutoCAD was conceived much earlier. It was derived, in fact, from a program called Interact CAD—sometimes referred to as MicroCAD—before it was developed further by Mike Riddle. It was then acquired by Autodesk—a move that proved to cement Autodesk’s reigning status in the CAD industry. The first version was demonstrated at the 1982 Comdex, and was released later that year in December. The release proved to be earth-shattering for the CAD industry, with AutoCAD being one of the first CAD packages on the market to run on PCs. As one of the first CAD programs to be so commercially available to customers worldwide, it’s no surprise that it was such a hit.

With no fewer than 33 versions since its first release, AutoCAD certainly hasn’t rested on its laurels. The latest release, AutoCAD 2019, brought in key updates including a change in the way AutoCAD is packages, the launch of the first AutoCAD web app—joining CAD in the cloud—and the introduction of the handy DWG Compare.

What it does

AutoCAD is one of the most flexible software packages available on the CAD market, used by drafters, engineers and architects worldwide. At the time of its inception, it came with only 2D capabilities. As the program evolved, however, it added 3D design and drafting to its long list of capabilities. Although surpassed by programs like SolidWorks, in terms of pure 3D CAD functionality, users can still take advantage of solid, surface and mesh modeling. Available on Windows, Mac and web/mobile apps, AutoCAD facilitates workflows from anywhere in the world. It’s little wonder, then, that its user base is so large.

Although it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking of AutoCAD as a single program, it should instead be thought of as a software suite. As we’ve said, AutoCAD offers solutions to a broad range of industries across the world. In the past, it did this by offering standalone products, ranging from AutoCAD Architecture to AutoCAD Mechanical. Now, with the release of AutoCAD 2019, AutoCAD is packaged as a single product that offers specialized toolsets.

Industry solutions offered by AutoCAD:

• Architecture: including features for architectural drawings, documentation and schedules. Users can create floor plans, sections and other building designs, not to mention use over 8,000 intelligent objects and styles.
• Electrical: comes with electrical design features to allow users to create and modify electrical control systems. Users can take advantage of consistent project standards and a library of over 65,000 electrical symbols.
• Map 3D: incorporates GIS topology, to allow users to use CAD and GIS data in planning, design and data management. Users can access spatial data, use standard data schema and even automate workflows.
• Mechanical: includes a library of standards-based parts and tools, enabling users to create and document mechanical designs. Users can create a realm of parts and assemblies, with over 700,000 manufacturing parts.
• MEP: adds specialized tools to help users design and document MEP building systems. Users can take advantage of precise construction documentation, task-based tools and over 10,500 MEP objects.
• Plant 3D: comes with features to help users create P&IDs and integrate them into 3D plant design models. Users can generate isometrics, create schematic diagrams and take advantage of over 400 plant objects.
• Raster Design: incorporates raster-to-vector tools, enabling users to convert rasters into DWG objects. It also gives users the ability to edit scanned drawings in an AutoCAD environment.

Its immense popularity also means that its native file format—DWG—is one of the most common and ubiquitous file formats in the entire world. With billions of DWG files in existence nowadays, you’d be hard-pressed to navigate the world of CAD without coming across the file type. Fortunately, Autodesk extended the use of DWG to other CAD software, enabling a wider spread of use across industries. Even if you can’t afford the software—or get AutoCAD for free—you can view DWG files without AutoCAD.

Who uses it

As a software suite with broad and ever-expanding functionality, AutoCAD appeals to a large range of sectors and industries. Whether it’s mechanical engineering, architecture or even graphic design, AutoCAD has a place in businesses across the world—no matter how small or large. It’s for this reason that so many careers nowadays require expertise in AutoCAD.

Typically speaking, most of AutoCAD’s users come from the AEC sector—taking advantage of the many specialized features on offer for architecture, engineering and so on. Let’s take a look at some customer stories…

• Tyréns AB: one of Sweden’s leading community development consultancies. The company made use of AutoCAD and the Architecture toolset to design a hospital expansion project—a 4-story, 8000-square-meter complex—in Sweden.
• David Romero: a Spanish architect with an interest in Frank Lloyd Wright. He made use of AutoCAD’s modeling capabilities to recreate destroyed and unconstructed Wright works. He transforms these creations into digital 3D renderings.
• Process Pipeline Services: an engineering and consulting firm for the natural gas industry. The company uses AutoCAD and its Plant 3D toolset to create 3D models to spot conflicts, manage site plans and reduce turnaround time in the piping design process.
• Flo Cycling: a cycling start-up, creating direct-to-consumer bike wheels and rims. The creators use AutoCAD to develop and test their designs, using real-world data to create products with the aerodynamics and speed to match rival competitors.

And now onto AutoCAD’s sister product: AutoCAD LT. Although AutoCAD was met with nothing but commercial success upon its release, Autodesk soon realized that the price alone might be putting offer a broader customer base. With that in mind, they set out to develop an entry-level CAD package that would compete in a much lower price bracket than any of its other products. And that’s how AutoCAD LT was conceived.

Introduced by Autodesk as a lower-cost version of AutoCAD with reduced capabilities, AutoCAD LT was first priced at $495. To put things into perspective, it was one of Autodesk’s first products to be priced below the $1000 mark. And that’s not the only major aspect to note. Unlike AutoCAD, which had to be purchased from official Autodesk dealers, AutoCAD LT was sold directly by Autodesk and in computer stores. Needless to say, this ‘inexpensive’ and ‘lite’ version of AutoCAD was a hit with many.

As with AutoCAD, Autodesk have made an effort in attempting to improve upon AutoCAD LT’s functionality and capabilities. As of 2019, LT moved to a more flexible subscription model, with each release and product update enabling users to take advantage of new features. Additional features from the 2019 release include the new AutoCAD web app, the AutoCAD mobile app and integrated workflows that work smoothly across desktop, web and mobile devices.

What it does

The simplest way to explain AutoCAD LT to people not familiar with it is to describe it as a stripped down version of AutoCAD. In short, it is a simplified 2D drafting and documentation program. The main difference between it and its sister product, is that LT lacks the 3D capacity offered by AutoCAD. That’s not to say that AutoCAD LT is a poorer product—it offers the same level of precision offered by AutoCAD.

With AutoCAD LT, users can create 2D drawings and documentation. The program comes with a variety of tools including: 2D geometry, annotation capabilities, dimensions, leaders and tables. Whilst its customization capabilities are nowhere near as extensive as AutoCAD’s, LT still gives users the ability to customize the ribbon and tool palettes. Additionally, users can attach and import data from PDF files, not to mention share and use data from DGN files and Bing maps. Since its first release, LT has continued to add to its list of capabilities, including:

• DWG compare: enabling users to compare and document the differences between two versions of a drawing.
• High-resolution monitor support: allows users to view designs on 4K and higher-resolution displays—particularly handy if you’re fond of your 4K monitor!
• Off-screen selection: no matter how much you pan or zoom off screen, any of the objects you select will remain in the selection set.
• Shared views: users can publish the design view of their drawings in a web browser—enabling third parties to view and comment on them.
• Save to web and mobile: enabling ultimate accessibility, users can save drawings from desktop to view and edit in AutoCAD web and mobile apps.

So, how does it differ to AutoCAD?

3D modeling

As we’ve said, AutoCAD LT can only be used for 2D drafting. It lacks the capacity to create or render 3D models. For some engineers and designers, this can be a big deal breaker. If you’re only interested in diagrams, floor plans and other 2D drawings, LT isn’t a bad shout.

Industry-specific toolsets

The specialized toolsets mentioned in the AutoCAD section—Architecture, Electrical, Mechanical—are only available with AutoCAD. If you’re part of a small business or a CAD enthusiast, this shouldn’t be an issue. If, however, you’re looking to get your hands on toolsets that will help you simplify your workflow, AutoCAD is the only way to go.

Customization capabilities

Another strength of AutoCAD is that it enables users to customize it entirely to their own preferences. Drafters, designers, mechanical—everyone works differently, and AutoCAD caters to this. LT, however, doesn’t have this capability—it doesn’t support customization with LISP, ARX, .NET or VBA.

Price and licensing

One of the biggest selling points of LT is its price. Much cheaper than the full AutoCAD package, many users are willing to overlook its limited capabilities for the lower price tag. While it is cheaper, it does mean separate licenses. AutoCAD is offered on a network license, which means you can run the program on multiple machines. LT, by comparison, requires you to buy a separate license for every machine.

Who uses it

Much like AutoCAD, LT attracts a rather large customer base. Though limited in capability compared to its older sister, LT still has enough functionality to attract many in the AEC sector. Its main customer base, however, lies with smaller businesses and individuals who work primarily with 2D—not looking for the full functionality offered by AutoCAD. After all, as innovative as AutoCAD is, not everyone in the industry is in need of its full toolset.

A big chunk of LT’s customer base also lies with CAD beginners and enthusiasts. For those just starting out with 2D drafting, LT is an inexpensive option with an easy learning curve. If you’re looking for something cheaper than LT, however, you might want to check out our list of top free CAD packages.

Let’s take a look at some customer stories for AutoCAD LT…

• Benjamin Pratt: a painter who specializes in minimalist art. Pratt begins all of his paintings in AutoCAD LT—sketching different designs on his computer before eventually transferring them onto the canvas. By doing so, he can take the guesswork out of it and minimize the risk of mistakes.
• Julee Wolverton: a Colorado landscape architect. Wolverton uses AutoCAD LT to ensure her drawings are as accurate as possible—especially when working with other professionals. She also uses A360 to access her designs from anywhere.
• Atelier Spina: a team of 4 people working for companies and clients in the Nantes region of France. For their projects, they use AutoCAD LT to keep costs under control, stay up-to-date with industry changes and ensure effective communication between themselves and their clients.
• Square Peg Design: a leading design firm. They make use of AutoCAD LT to create 3D environmental graphics for customers worldwide. They also make use of LT’s collaborative features to ensure smooth communication between designers and clients.

By this point, you should be pretty familiar with both programs—from their histories to main features and customer bases. To help you visualize everything more clearly, we’ve put together a table summarizing some of the main differences between the two…

To sum it up, your choice depends entirely on your needs. If 3D modeling is important, there’s absolutely no question—you need AutoCAD. It’s the same kind of answer if you’re a large company looking for a network license. If, on the other hand, you’re content with just 2D drafting—or you’re lured in by a lower price tag—AutoCAD LT isn’t a bad shout.

There’s certainly plenty to consider when making the choice between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. If you’re still not entirely sure which is the best option for you, you could always try a free trial of both programs to get some hands-on experience and perspective.

Want to see how AutoCAD compares to other CAD software? Check out our guides to AutoCAD vs SolidWorks, AutoCAD vs DraftSight and AutoCAD vs Vectorworks.

Want to stay updated on all the latest CAD, CAM and CNC news and guides? Keep your eyes peeled on the Scan2CAD blog.

Difference Between AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT

A commercial drafting and computer-aided design(CAD) software application are known as AutoCAD. Primarily used for 2D drafting, drawings and documentation, and 3D modeling and visualization. It was first released as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers in 1982 by Autodesk. In 2010, AutoCAD was published as a mobile and web app commonly known as AutoCAD 360. AutoCAD also helps the user to use and manage it on multiple machines using network licensing.

AutoCAD LT is critically a lower version of AutoCAD which was released by Autodesk in a profit of attracting more customers. It is an entry-level CAD software developed with reduced capabilities of AutoCAD. It was first released in 1993 by Autodesk. In 2015, AutoCAD LT was introduced with a desktop subscription. Therefore, AutoCAD LT is a solid but somewhat limited design package. AutoCAD LT is a beginner’s software and is also compatible with Windows, Mac, and mobile application.

3D animation, modelling, simulation, game development & others

Head to Head Comparison between AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT (Infographics)

Below are the top 7 differences between AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT :

Key Differences between AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT

Both AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the significant Difference Between AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT :

• Since AutoCAD LT is a mini version of AutoCAD, it offers only 2D capabilities, whereas AutoCAD has 3D power.
• AutoCAD LT is much more used for working in 2D drafting and even offers a lower price than that of AutoCAD. So, if someone whose priority is 2D, then he can even work solely on AutoCAD LT without taking any trouble to learn the complexity of AutoCAD.
• For 3D specialization, AutoCAD LT will not be enough for the user as it can only move, copy or delete the 3D models but can’t create new ones. Whereas AutoCAD comes with a 3D facility.
• AutoCAD helps a user to customize options without doing any extra effort. AutoCAD supports a variety of application programming interfaces (APIs), which also includes AutoCAD’s default programming language called AutoLISP. Whereas, in AutoCAD LT the user can do simple customization like creating and adjusting toolbars, writing scripts but it is unable to perform higher-level programming.
• AutoCAD LT doesn’t offer network licensing, whereas with AutoCAD the users get a network license that makes their works easy going. For example, the user can have a 10- seat license that lets AutoCAD run on any 10 of the 20 machines in the office if no more than 10 are run at one time. While for an AutoCAD LT user, they have to purchase 20 licenses for 20 machines, that is one per machine.
• Express tools are a set of officially unsupported but still dependable extra tools. The express tools are mostly written by using APIs, so, they don’t work in AutoCAD LT. whereas they can be used in AutoCAD.
• Parametric is extremely restricted in AutoCAD LT. The user gets to see the Parametric tab and the manager but it has little influence in AutoCAD LT. The users cannot create parameters in LT, but they can delete them, which destroys the DWG file. So, for changing drawing of geometry while changing the value of dimension one should consider AutoCAD.
• AutoCAD LT doesn’t support management and automation ability with Sheet Set Manager and Action Recorder while AutoCAD does support them.
• The Options dialog box is where the user balances both drawing specific and system-wide settings as per their wish to work on the software. Profiles are these settings that the user saves and can even switch between them in the options dialog box. Unfortunately, there is no Profiles tab available in AutoCAD LT in the options menu, but in AutoCAD, the user can use it.
• AutoCAD LT lacks Data Extraction Wizard, which gains information from objects and from attributed and no attributed blocks. Instead, the user needs to use AutoCAD LT for extracting data.

AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT Comparison Table

Below is the topmost Comparison between AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT :

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Conclusion – AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD LT can be called as a subpart of AutoCAD. It is a limited version of its parent, software. Though both AutoCAD vs AutoCAD are equally used. AutoCAD is more elaborated in its features and functions and many of them are not included in AutoCAD LT. What makes them different, is just that AutoCAD LT does not support 3D modeling and it doesn’t have a programming language of its own. Also, it has not been introduced with a network license.

Nevertheless, the most important part of the equation is what the customers want. If the market insists on 3D design and drafting files, AutoCAD LT will not be enough. Likewise, developing a capability to use AutoCAD could open doors to new business opportunities. But if the target audience is a specialist in 2D then he can go for AutoCAD LT.

What Is Autocad Lt

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