Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    
    > 2) If my brother were to use xcad?  could he transport the results to
    >    an IBM system running autoCAD or some other CAD package? ie:is there a
    >    standard output file type for cad packages or are they all different?
    
    They're all different, but the AutoCAD DFX file format is as standard
    as you'll get.  IGES is another standard more prevelant on
    minicomputers and workstations.
    
    X-Cad Professional for the Amiga can read and write AutoCAD DFX files,
    so he can freely exchange data, but I can't really see the advantage of
    running two completely different CAD packages within the same box.  If
    he's willing to pay for an AT BridgeBoard, why not just stay with
    AutoCAD?
    
    He could install an EGA graphics card (these are really cheap these
    days) in the A2000, and with a multisync monitor and switchbox, pop
    into EGA mode for a high-res flicker free display while AutoCAD'ing.
    
    The AT Bridgeboard uses the Amiga display hardware to emulate a 16
    color CGA display, which is really inadequate for CAD work.
    
    Ed.

    Ed,
    
    If you were to spec out an AMIGA for a CAD application involving
    oil and gas refinery unit design etc. what would you suggest. As I have
    no knowledge of CAD packages, and little of what is available in AMIGA
    hardware etc... I will bow to the greater wisdom in these matters.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Ron

    
    OK, here's my best guess, but my pricing may be off a bit, since I
    haven't been shopping lately...
    
    Amiga 2500 w/ 3 MB RAM & 40 MB HD	$3500
    MicroWay FlickerFixer		$ 450
    Multisync Monitor	        	$ 500		
                                        -----
    					$4450 Hardware, not counting an
    					      outpur device; ie, laser
    					      printer or plotter ($1300)
    
    X-Cad Professional			$ 350
                                        -----
    				Total	$4800
    
    As you can see, it's not too cheap to build an Amiga based CAD system. 
    However, it does compare well with a Mac IIcx based system, which would
    run a few grand more.
    
    I think you'd spend about $3500 for a 16/20 MHz 386 VGA PC Clone with
    similar memory, storage and horsepower to the A2500.   Check Computer
    Shopper for current prices, but I bet I'm not too far off the mark. 
    The drawback to the PC route is that the machine is boring, and there
    is a blatant lack of a unified software standard (user interface).  Add
    to that the confusion about whether to go with Microsoft Windows, OS/2
    or any other of the multitude of 'standards' available, and you're in
    for a joyride of confusion and doubt.
    
    This is not the whole story, however.  The fact is that an Amiga/X-Cad
    system can't hold a candle to a full AutoCAD v10 package in terms of
    features.  (Performance is another story, since X-Cad is a real
    screamer!)  The AutoCAD software alone costs around $3000, but is a
    full 3D package with automatic hidden line removal and most of the
    other features of minicomputer based systems.  
    
    X-Cad is a very powerful 2D drafting system.  A 3D module has been
    hinted at, but not promised.  I'd have a hard time looking someone in
    the eye and recommending an Amiga based system.  All is not hopeless; I
    suspect that Commodore may be subsidizing the development of future
    X-Cad modules, since it is a very good place to start and has an
    established name as the ONLY serious mechanical design package for the
    Amiga.  I have no proof or rumours of any Commodore subsidy, but it
    makes perfect sense.
    
    Ed.

        Just a suggestion...
        
        For about the same $4800 he could get an -
        
                Atari Mega 4 with 4 mb memory
                30 or 40 mb hard drive
                19" Moniterm monochrome monitor
                Atari SLM-804 Laser printer
                DynaCAD V1.9 or V2.x
                68881 floating point co-processor
        
        Plus he could still have access to most of the previously
        mentioned games.
        
        If color is more important than size knock off $1,400 and get a
        multi-sync monitor such as the NEC 3D or Sony 1304.
        
        Bob, who's lurking around the wrong notesfile...
        

                               ;^)

        Yeah, but there are two advantages -
        
                . No IBM PC or clone.
                . No AutoCAD.
        
        Of course the latest version of DynaCAD runs on PCs, thus making
        AutoCAD a bit of a waste of money (DynaCAD - $900 vs. AutoCAD
        $3,000 or more).
        
        Besides, with the recent laid back attitude in this notes file, a
        little "friendly" rivalry is needed... :-)

    
    Another possibility that hasn't been mentioned would be to use a
    Macintosh emulator on either an Amiga or Atari (oooh, that hurts) based
    box.  This would get you access to some excellent Mac CAD software
    (none of which I suspect is quite as full featured as AutoCAD v10)
    
    The Amiga boxes are shipping in volume with 68020 and 68030 processors,
    while the Atari 32 bit system hasn't actually shipped, although it's
    promised soon.  With a 32-bit Amiga box emulating a Mac, you'd have a
    very fast system and still save a bundle in the process.
    
    Ed. 

        Just a small note of contention - DynaCAD is equivlant to, if not
        a superset of AutoCAD V10.
        
        Otherwise, I fully agree.

Re: .4

In case it wasn't obvious, the ST system in .4 is a 68000 system,
as opposed to Ed's suggested system that is a 68020 (about 3-4 times
faster).

Deduct about $2000 plus or minus to make the suggested Amiga into a 68000.

    re:.9
    
    how much do you add to the Amiga MAC emulator price if you want
    it to have/use a hard disk with MAC, IBM, and AmigaDOS partitions?
    
    (I'm assuming heavy duty CAD users want to run from a hard disk,
    not floppies)
    
    re: ST
    
    Naw, I don't want to touch that one.  I'm a sort of fan of it,
    I'm hoping the TT will drive down the price of a 68030 Amiga
    to something I can afford.  Somebody has to keep the pressure
    on CBM, I don't want them to become like a certain Fruit company
    when it comes to prices.  :-)
    
    -Dave