ProgeCAD LT 2006 free for personal use

#1 Sat 21 October 2006, 10:15

ProgeCAD LT 2006 is was free for personal use. Was very popular on ~~Tucows~~. (Link now broken)

"This AutoCAD alternative works with DWG version from 2.5 to 2006, and it can export and import to DXF and DWF. Based on IntelliCAD 6 source code, is a complete 2D and 3D CAD system with all the main functionalities"

Anybody have experience with it?

ger21 · #2 Sun 20 May 2007, 10:22

(copy of post from elsewhere)

If you have a full copy of AutoCAD 2002 or newer, I have a macro that exports Mach3 compatible g-code from within AutoCAD.
No need to offset toolpaths, as it does cutter comp. Just draw all your parts as a single polyline, and include a leadin and leadout, and the code will include the cutter comp. You can also ramp into the cut. There are quite a few options, and it's easy to use.

http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodwork.../AC2GCv039.zip

If I had the time and money, I'd like to get a copy of ProgeCAD (AutoCAD clone, $350) and port the macro over to that to make it accessible to more people. Unfortunately, it's not an option right now.
http://www.progesoft.com/eng_index.p...tml&MAXITEMS=4

Gerald D · #3 Tue 18 September 2007, 02:50

Ger21, any update on the ProgeCAD situation - have you had a chance to see if your macros work with it?

Allegheny · #4 Tue 18 September 2007, 08:46

Gerald,

It may be moot - the download link at the ProgeSoft site is broken, giving the dreaded "404" error.

I'll try again later.

Brian

Gerald D · #5 Tue 18 September 2007, 10:17

The free LT2006 version was apparently stopped recently. However, you may find a "freeware" site that is still distributing it, without realising it is no longer supposed to be distributed.

At the beginning of this year, it was announced that ProgeCAD SMART would replace LT2006 as their free version.....but it hasn't happened yet.

The full versions are very much alive. Here is a review:
http://www.kickstartnews.com/reviews...fessional.html

Greolt · #6 Wed 19 September 2007, 04:38

Don't know how long it will last but this link has it right now.

http://www.softsea.com/download/ProgeCAD-LT-2006.html

Greg

machzip · #7 Fri 28 September 2007, 06:50

thanx for the link, Greolt, it's ok

Prism · #8 Sun 30 September 2007, 19:05

Proge CAD LT doesnt work with the new Vista software. Is there a patch for this?

Thanks,

Curt

Gerald D · #9 Sun 30 September 2007, 20:52

Yes, replace Vista with XP.

domino11 · #10 Mon 01 October 2007, 10:23

Gerald,
Does that mean you prefer XP over Vista? A lot of people say that Windows 2000 is better than XP for CAM applications. What do you think?

Gerald D · #11 Mon 01 October 2007, 10:43

I am completely unqualified to venture an opinion on this.

Prism · #12 Mon 01 October 2007, 20:38

I cant replace Vista with XP now since I have so much stuff on this computer and I dont want to have to reload everything again.
I will see what I can do with the other computer, might have to blow the dust off again and fire it up again.

Thanks,

Curt

Regnar · #13 Tue 02 October 2007, 18:28

This works with Vista and it is free and powerful. http://www.free2design.org/

ger21 · #14 Sat 01 December 2007, 05:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald D

Ger21, any update on the ProgeCAD situation - have you had a chance to see if your macros work with it?

No, and won't have time any time soon. Also, it would require the full version of ProgeCAD, not the free one.

WTI · #15 Sun 02 December 2007, 13:24

I upgraded my new laptop from Vista to XP and it now runs faster and all of my programs work.

Greolt · #16 Tue 15 January 2008, 17:22

Looks like Progecad have released their new version.

The free one is called Progecad 2008 Smart for private non commercial use.

Greg