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Considering Making Quantum Leap From DC10.05 to DC18

PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 8:35 pm
by BEMArchitect
I've been using DC10.05 since it was released, and recently felt this "mysterious and bothersome" impression that I need to upgrade. So, I've downloaded the trial version on my laptop and kept "old faithful" (DC10.05) intact on my desktop; not wanting to take a chance that the download of the trial version of DC18 might interfere with DC10.05. I have two questions:
1. Will the download of the trial version of DC18 onto the same computer that DC10.05 is on, interfere with, alter, etc. the performance of DC10.05?
2. Can a drawing, produced with DC18, be saved as a DXF and imported into DC10.05 without the attributes of the drawing being altered like they are when you import a DWG?

I must issue a warning; I will have MANY more questions. I'm a "mature dog" that isn't thrilled with learning any new tricks. I asked the support staff when I had a few early questions if there was a "DC18 for Complete Idiots"; they said there wasn't but referred me to this forum and sent me the DC18 manual in PDF format. So, there will be more questions coming.

Re: Considering Making Quantum Leap From DC10.05 to DC18

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 5:41 am
by joshhuggins
BEMArchitect wrote:1. Will the download of the trial version of DC18 onto the same computer that DC10.05 is on, interfere with, alter, etc. the performance of DC10.05?
Should work fine as long as you let Datacad install to the default and not to your Datacad 10 location.
BEMArchitect wrote:2. Can a drawing, produced with DC18, be saved as a DXF and imported into DC10.05 without the attributes of the drawing being altered like they are when you import a DWG?
No need to export to DXF, you can save down to a previous AEC version using File, Save As, for your use you could save down to v14 AEC. Should translate just fine. EDIT: Sorry I read your post as you were on v15 originally. Going back to v.10 will require exporting the file, but I would use DWG vs DXF or you will loose any custom linetypes other than the first default 4.
BEMArchitect wrote:I must issue a warning; I will have MANY more questions. I'm a "mature dog" that isn't thrilled with learning any new tricks. I asked the support staff when I had a few early questions if there was a "DC18 for Complete Idiots"; they said there wasn't but referred me to this forum and sent me the DC18 manual in PDF format. So, there will be more questions coming.
This is the place to be! Bring your questions and a sharpened pencil for notes and we will get you up to speed.

Re: Considering Making Quantum Leap From DC10.05 to DC18

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 8:21 am
by David A. Giesselman
joshhuggins wrote:
BEMArchitect wrote:2. Can a drawing, produced with DC18, be saved as a DXF and imported into DC10.05 without the attributes of the drawing being altered like they are when you import a DWG?
No need to export to DXF, you can save down to a previous AEC version using File, Save As, for your use you could save down to v14 AEC. Should translate just fine.

Actually, DataCAD 18 can only Save As back as far as v11. There is no facility to save back to v10 format, which was the last version to use a single-precision database.

Dave

Re: Considering Making Quantum Leap From DC10.05 to DC18

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 6:56 pm
by joshhuggins
David A. Giesselman wrote:Actually, DataCAD 18 can only Save As back as far as v11. There is no facility to save back to v10 format, which was the last version to use a single-precision database.
Could have sworn I read he was using v.15. Think I'm getting my posts mixed up, sorry for confusion gents.

Re: Considering Making Quantum Leap From DC10.05 to DC18

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 12:56 pm
by Roger D
BEMArchitect wrote:I've been using DC10.05 since it was released, and recently felt this "mysterious and bothersome" impression that I need to upgrade.


Unlike Microsoft who change menus, interface and how you use the program, one of the many good things about DataCad and all the upgrades, you can still work like you always have, and you can slowly migrate to using the new features.

I would advise to go through the different What's New and Revision History pages, and read them and note what few things you want to learn about first. Nail those new features, and then go back and reread again until you think you are using all the features that you need.
While I am on the latest version and upgrade each time when released, I still go back through the Rev History pages to see if there was a new feature added that I have not used.