Punch! Super Home Review
Punch! Architectural Series 5000 V12 Review
Floor Plan 3D V11 Remodel & Home Design Review
Becker Cad Review
BeckerCAD essentially installs itself--the whole process from the moment we inserted the CD-ROM to the time we were able to start designing took about seven minutes. On the surface, BeckerCAD seems a bit simple--professional users may be a bit put off by the less-than-sophisticated packaging and somewhat basic user's manual. However, we strongly recommend giving BeckerCAD a chance to prove its worth as a user-friendly, quick, and relatively easy-to-use drawing and design CAD application.
BeckerCAD packs quite a bit of punch for its low price. Aside from 2-D drawing and editing capabilities, the package also lets you create 3-D objects from 2-D drawings, as well as convert scanned images into CAD drawings. Measuring features allow you to accurately calculate surface areas, volumes, and distances. The application includes a fair amount of sample drawings, building plans, CAD symbols, and 3-D symbols. New users should get a lot out of the tutorial and help sections, as they are designed for people who are just getting started with CAD.
Perfect for home projects, school assignments, and such, BeckerCAD is a useful and effective application. --Gisele Toueg
Doctor Walt's CAD For Kids Review
House Beautiful Home Design Suite Review
Learning SolidWorks 2011 for Mac [Download] Review
Envisioneer Professional 6 Review
IMSI FloorPlan 3D Home Design Suite Version 10 Review
Autodesk Mudbox 2011 Review
 A highly intuitive 3D digital sculpting and texture painting solution designed by industry professionals who understand how you work. Click to enlarge. |
 Quickly and easily deform and pose models to change their design, access occluded regions, present them for approval, or prepare them for map extraction. Click to enlarge. |
 Selectively edit and manipulate existing paint and photo-based layers with new image adjustment brushes. Click to enlarge. |
 Extract maps using a new Vector Displacement method and represent displacements that do not simply follow the normal. Click to enlarge. |
 While painting in 3D space helps with precise placement of detail on the model, in some cases it is easier to paint textures in a 2D format. Click to enlarge. |
 Enhanced Interoperability with Maya, 3ds Max, and Softimage. Click to enlarge. |
Posing Toolset
Quickly and easily deform and pose models to change their design, access occluded regions, present them for approval, or prepare them for map extraction. With tools for quickly creating and editing joints, and the ability to import weighted skeletons from Maya 2011, Autodesk 3ds Max 2011, or Autodesk Softimage 2011 software, the new toolset enables modelers to create and manipulate poses as part of the design, sculpting, painting, or approval process.
Image Adjustment Brushes
Selectively edit and manipulate existing paint and photo-based layers with new image adjustment brushes: Blur, Dodge, Burn, Contrast, Sponge, Hue, Hue Shift, and Invert. These brushes enable existing image data under the brush to be altered or enhanced—for example, color-corrected, brightened, or softened.
Vector Displacements
Extract maps using a new Vector Displacement method and represent displacements that do not simply follow the normal: for example, forms with appendages, undercuts, folds, and bulges, such as a human ear. Once extracted, maps can be used to help recreate detail at render time in supported renderers, or as brush stamps or stencils in Mudbox to sculpt complex detail onto meshes in a single stroke. Artists can build up a library of commonly-used forms and reuse them on models.
Paint in UV Space in the 3D View
While painting in 3D space helps with precise placement of detail on the model, in some cases it is easier to paint textures in a 2D format. An innovative new feature in Mudbox unfolds a 3D model into a 2D representation, based on its UVs, but retains the benefits of working in a true 3D environment such as the ability to analyze lighting and material qualities. Beyond painting, sculpting on the unfolded mesh with tools such as Grab and Smooth enables basic editing of the 3D model's UVs.
Enhanced Interoperability with Maya, 3ds Max, and Softimage
No need to navigate through multiple file browsers and remember path and filenames: now models and scene information transfer between Mudbox 2011 and Maya 2011 with a single click. In addition, Displacement and Normal maps extracted in Mudbox are now associated with models when an Autodesk FBX 2011 file is exported, helping to eliminate the need to manually reassemble the asset when brought into in another program. Meanwhile, using Mudbox in concert with a favorite content creation application is easier than ever with a choice of familiar hotkey setups for common actions.
Blend Modes for Paint Layers
Control how paint layers composite together to help create a final image by selecting from one of the new blend modes: Multiply, Screen, Add, or Overlay. These non-destructive settings help artists to experiment freely when constructing complex multi-layered textures by offering the flexibility to change the blend mode.
Multi-Layer PSD File Exchange with Photoshop
Import and export multiple layers in PSD files to leverage the Adobe Photoshop toolset on more demanding scenes and projects. Now artists can edit layers in the context of the final composite, helping preserve continuity in look and workflow when moving between Mudbox and Photoshop.
High-Quality Turntables
Quickly and easily create high-quality 360 degree turntable movie files directly in Mudbox. Common file formats enable movies to be more easily accessed for remote review or approval via email or on a website; turntables are also useful for showcasing artists' work.
Session Recording
Record a sculpting and painting session in Mudbox and export the recording to a movie. Recorded sessions can be used to share workflows, teach techniques, and showcase talent.
Superior Performance
Work with assets of greater complexity through significant performance increases for scenes with multiple objects.
Enhanced Color Chooser
Store and recall recently-used colors and user-defined palettes, and work in a choice of color spaces using the same new color chooser as Maya 2011.
64-bit Support for Mac OS X and Windows 7
Mudbox 2011 has new 64-bit executables on Mac OS X and Windows 7 operating systems providing more addressable memory to more easily handle the increasingly detailed models required by today's challenging productions.
Mudbox In-product Community
Get more out of your Mudbox experience with online community resources accessible directly from the Mudbox application. Artists can select from hundreds of stamps, stencils, base meshes, and tutorials in the Mudbox Library, and share their work with other users for valuable peer review without ever having to leave their work environment.
Separate Normal Map Channel
View and edit Bump and Normal maps simultaneously, using the new Normal Map channel in the default material to display normal maps.
New Incandescence Channel
Create glows and other self-lit effects with a new Incandescence channel in the default material.
Subdivision-Based Map Extraction
A new subdivision-based map extraction method helps produce higher quality maps more quickly and easily than the traditional Raycast method.
Extended SDK
Write custom brushes for painting and sculpting, with an extended SDK (software development kit) that offers additional examples.
Enhanced User Interface Look
An updated user interface features a dark-gray color scheme that helps reduce eyestrain and makes it easier to evaluate materials and lighting.
AutoCAD LT 2010 [OLD VERSION] Review
 Electronically publish and distribute drawing sets in a single DWF or PDF file for fast, secure collaboration with team members. |
 Make AutoCAD LT work the way you work with a selection of menu and user interface options. |
 Use a complete set of 2D drafting and detailing tools to accurately and efficiently create precise technical drawings. |
Create and Annotate
Create simple or complex drawings from standard shapes such as lines, arcs, and circles. Modify existing geometry with commands like stretch, copy, rotate, and scale. Add annotations such as text, dimensions, and tables to your drawings to help convey your ideas.
Publish to DWF or PDF Format
Electronically publish and distribute drawing sets in a single DWF or PDF file for fast, secure collaboration with team members.
Attach PDF, DWF, DGN, and image files as underlays. |
 The ribbon user interface reduces the number of steps needed to reach commands, helping to increase your overall drafting productivity. |
 AutoCAD LT 2010 incorporates several block and external reference tools previously available only in AutoCAD software. |
 New options make it easy to control the display and format of all types of dimensions. |
 Several new and improved 2D tools make drafting easier and more productive than ever. |
Organize Content
Organize content within your drawing and your digital library. Separate objects onto layers to control screen displays and plotted outputs. Save time and standardize drawings by using blocks. Add dynamic properties to blocks to accommodate multiple sizes or views in a single block. Use Tool Palettes to quickly access frequently used content, such as blocks, hatches, and commands.
On-Screen Shortcuts
Quickly find your way around the screen with tools to locate commands, view all open drawings, and navigate between different areas in an open drawing. Optimize your work environment by tailoring the location and appearance of commands to meet your needs and company standards.
File Format Compatibility
With AutoCAD LT 2010 software you can open DWG files received from colleagues and clients, regardless of the version of AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT software used to create them. Save your own work to a variety of file formats that are supported by previous versions of Autodesk products, as far back as R14-compatible DWG files and R12-compatible DXF files.
RESULT: Reduced risk of object display inconsistencies due to file format changes.
Attach PDF, DWF, DGN, and Image Files as Underlays
The External References palette now supports the use of PDF, DWF, DGN, and image files (JPG, TIF, etc.) as underlays in DWG files, in addition to the traditional DWG references. If the PDF or DWF file is vector-based, you can use object snaps to locate new objects relative to objects in the underlay.
RESULT: Increased security and flexibility when sharing files.
Streamlined User Interface
The ribbon user interface reduces the number of steps needed to reach commands, helping to increase your overall drafting productivity. The ribbon presents commands in a concise visual format and also responds to both active commands and object selection. Based on the command or object, it adjusts to show you the most appropriate tools for the task at hand. Quick View Layouts and Quick View Drawings provide fast and visual methods for activating a layout in an open drawing. The Quick Access toolbar provides constant one-click access to your most frequently used tools and commands.
RESULT: Less time spent locating commands and switching between open drawings.
 The Layer Properties Manager has been converted to a palette, so that any changes you make are instantly applied to the drawing. |
 With Dynamic Blocks, you can modify a block's geometry without editing the block definition or erasing it and inserting a different block. |
 With True Color support, you can specify a color by HSL or RGB values, or choose from a variety of Pantone and RAL color books, making it easy to match colors in your drawing with real-world colors of actual materials. |
Block and External Reference Tools
AutoCAD LT 2010 incorporates several block and external reference tools previously available only in AutoCAD software. With the Synchronize Attributes command, you can easily add or remove attributes from existing block definitions. The Enhanced Attribute Editor enables you to quickly change the properties of individual attributes, in addition to entering values. Externally referenced files of any format can be opened with a simple click of the mouse. Or, edit your DWG references in-place to make changes while continuing to view the host drawing's geometry. If you only need to show a portion of the referenced file, use the Clip External Reference command to hide the unwanted areas of the file.
RESULT: More control over your blocks and external references.
Intuitive Text and Tables
Significant improvements to text and tables enable you to create and edit them faster and with more flexibility. Tables can be easily split into columns to fit them into the available space. Spell checking is done automatically, and misspelled words are indicated with a dashed red underline. The Annotation Scaling feature automatically calculates text and dimension sizes, as well as block and hatch pattern scales, based on the drawing scale.
RESULT: Easier text editing and greater flexibility in the display of annotations.
Better Dimensions and Leaders
New options make it easy to control the display and format of all types of dimensions. This includes the ability to add jog lines, control the linetype of extension lines, and break extension lines around objects. With the introduction of multileaders, text and leader lines are now combined into one object, allowing for easy alignment, grouping of similar keynotes, and generating multiple leaders from one note.
RESULT: More intuitive dimensioning and annotating.
Improved Drafting Tools
Several new and improved 2D tools make drafting easier and more productive than ever. Hatch objects no longer need to be associated with a boundary for you to be able to modify their shape. The direction of lines, polylines, and splines can be reversed, providing more control over the display of special linetypes containing text or symbols. When rotating a viewport, you can choose whether the view shown will maintain its original orientation or rotate along with the viewport.
RESULT: Fewer steps needed to accomplish everyday drafting tasks.
Easier Layer Management
The Layer Properties Manager has been converted to a palette, so that any changes you make are instantly applied to the drawing. The same layer can now have different properties, such as color or linetype, in different viewports, enabling you to easily highlight specific information in each viewport. Layer management tools also let you select objects in the drawing to freeze, turn off, isolate, or lock their layer.
RESULT: Faster viewing of layer properties changes and clearer drawings with fewer layers.
Dynamic Blocks
The flexibility of Dynamic Blocks provides a powerful alternative to bloated block libraries containing multiple variations of similar block definitions. With Dynamic Blocks, you can modify a block's geometry without editing the block definition or erasing it and inserting a different block. The Block Editor environment provides a place to create or edit block definitions without affecting surrounding geometry. Use the Block Authoring tools to apply parameters and actions that turn a traditional block into a dynamic one. The new Test Block tool enables you to test the functions of your dynamic block without affecting the other instances of the block in the drawing.
RESULT: More efficient block libraries, featuring the advantages of regular blocks plus the flexibility of modification.
Additional AutoCAD Functionality
Several additional tools, previously available only in AutoCAD software, have been incorporated into AutoCAD LT 2010 software. Use the Align command to move, rotate, and scale objects to line up with other objects. With True Color support, you can specify a color by its Hue, Saturation, and Luminescence (HSL) or Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) values, or choose a color from a variety of Pantone and RAL color books, making it easy to match colors in your drawing with real-world colors of actual materials. Non-rectangular viewports are also supported, enabling you to create a viewport in any shape you need, either by drawing the outline or by converting an existing object to a viewport.
RESULT: More tools to enhance productivity.
AutoCAD LT software is known for its efficiency, power, and reliability. Now we've made it even better with 2D tools and commands you've been asking for. We also added PDF underlay capabilities and improved the quality of your PDF output. Take full command with AutoCAD LT 2010.
