AutoCAD® 2009 & AutoCAD LT® 2009 All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies®

Chapter 1. The LT Difference

This minibook of the AutoCAD 2009 & AutoCAD LT 2009 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies takes a look at the differences between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. If you are considering purchasing AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT, you should understand what the strengths and weaknesses of the two programs are before making your final decision. Or maybe you already have AutoCAD LT and want to know what you might be missing out on by not having AutoCAD. In this minibook, I try to give you a good understanding of the differences between the two programs.

Understanding the Boundaries and Limitations of AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD LT is a scaled-back version of AutoCAD targeted at companies that create only 2D drawings and can't (or don't want to) afford the higher price of AutoCAD. AutoCAD LT is what Autodesk refers to as an AutoCAD OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) program: AutoCAD OEM is simply the AutoCAD platform or engine with some features removed and others added to make a new program without the need to reinvent the wheel — or re-create the program, in this case. Using AutoCAD as the basis for AutoCAD LT guarantees that the files created in AutoCAD can be read by AutoCAD LT without any problems.

AutoCAD LT contains roughly 80 percent of the functionality of AutoCAD for about roughly 20 percent of the price. Most of the features that don't make it into AutoCAD LT are based on project collaboration, 3D, and the ability to create custom programs — or add-ons as they are known ...