AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD LT Comparison
How AutoCAD compares to AutoCAD LT? What are the differences?
Use AutoCAD for 2D drafting, drawings, and documentation, and for 3D modeling and visualization. Use AutoCAD LT for 2D drafting, drawings, and documentation. Enjoy improved workflows across desktop, web, and mobile in both.
If you’re a professional looking to get into 2D or 3D modeling, you’re likely considering some of Autodesk’s products. The company has made a name for itself over the past two decades for its product lines that are perfectly geared for graphic designers and design engineers in different industries.
Two of its most popular CAD products are AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. Although similar by name and function, these two products have many different features. These features will make all the difference if you’re looking for a product to suit a specific need.
In this article, we will be going over the key differences between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, as well as their best uses and similarities.
Compare AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD LT
| AutoCAD | AutoCAD LT | |
|---|---|---|
| Short description | Design every detail with 2D and 3D CAD software. Now includes access to industry-specific toolsets and improved workflows across desktop, web, and mobile. | Create 2D drawings faster and with more precision. Enjoy improved workflows across desktop, web, and mobile. |
| What it does |
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| Licensing |
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| Includes |
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| Annual Subscription – Current Price | $1,865.00 /year | $460.00 /year |
| All Subscription Options | All Subscription Options |
AutoCAD: An Overview
AutoCAD is a design software whose key features revolve around 3D modeling. It’s used by architects, industrial designers, and engineers around the world to design, draft, and model different projects. These projects can range from individual models and products to complex piping systems and buildings.
However, the use of AutoCAD is not limited to designers. Project managers can also use its workflows, and its industry-specific toolsets make it possible for professionals from different industries to get the most out of this software.
Its key features include:
- 3D modeling and visualization;
- 2D graphics;
- Print Studio;
- Application Programming Interface (API);
- PDF import.
The list of features that make 3D modeling a breeze is endless. If you decide to go for this product, you also get the industry-specific toolsets we mentioned before. These are as follows:
- Architecture,
- Electrical,
- Mechanical,
- Map 3D,
- Raster Design,
- Plant 3D,
- MEP.
AutoCAD LT: An Overview
Just like AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT is also geared towards design engineers and project managers. The key difference between these two programs is that AutoCAD LT doesn’t have 3D modeling capabilities. This means you can only use it to draw lines and you don’t have the ability to work with projects in space.
That being said, AutoCAD LT certainly has its own advantages. It’s very sleek and it’s filled with a lot of features that will please even the engineers with the most complicated projects in mind. When it comes to 2D modeling, you will have to try very hard to find a better program on the market.
AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD LT: What Is the Same?
Apart from their name and ownership, these two products have much in common. They share a lot of features that make it easy to switch from one to another, once you’ve mastered one of them.
Some key features that are a trademark of Autodesk and one of the main reasons this company has seen such success remain unchanged.
Here are the things that are the same in both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.
- 2D modeling
Although this feature isn’t exactly the same in both programs, they both have this capability. You can use both of these programs for 2D drafting, designing, and documentation. You can also create and edit all kinds of 2D geometry.
- Import from PDF
An important feature for many design professionals, both of these programs let you import and attach data from PDF files.
- Customize ribbon and tool palettes
To make sure everyone has a personal experience tailored to their needs, both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT allow you to customize all ribbon and tool palettes.
- Drawing annotation
Both of these programs allow you to annotate your drawings with text, leaders, dimensions, and tables.
- Share data
Both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT give you the opportunity to use and share data from Bing Maps and DGN files. However, a slight difference here is that AutoCAD also enables you to share and use data from Navisworks as well.
AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD LT: Key Differences
Although they do have some similarities, these two products are very different in many aspects. They have many different features which make both of these products perfect for one set of professionals and less perfect for others.
Here are some key differences between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.
- 3D modeling
As we mentioned above, AutoCAD LT doesn’t have 3D modeling capabilities, which can be a deal breaker for engineers that work with objects in space. While AutoCAD LT can be useful for diagrams and 2D drawings (for artists, environmental graphic artists, and event planners), AutoCAD is of more use to architects, civil planners, and engineers.
- Industry-specific toolsets
The useful toolsets we mentioned at the beginning of the article are only available with AutoCAD. Given the fact that some of these toolsets can be very useful for electrical engineers, architects, and builders, these groups may be more likely to go for AutoCAD. But, if you don’t need these extra features, you could satisfy all your needs with AutoCAD LT.
- Price
An important factor that affects the buying decisions of many people is price. When it comes to this factor, AutoCAD LT is the clear winner. However, as 3D modeling is very important in some industries, certain users have to ignore the price difference and go for AutoCAD. But, if you don’t need 3D modeling, there is no need to pay extra for it. You can stick to the LT and save some money.
- Customization options
One of the main advantages of AutoCAD is being able to customize it to perfectly suit your needs. Every user likes to keep their AutoCAD in a specific way, so not having this opportunity in AutoCAD LT is a big knock against this program. Although some basic modifications are available (like writing scripts, creating and modifying toolbars), high-level programming options are not available in the LT version.
- Parametrics
While both programs have the Parameter Manager and the Parametric tab, AutoCAD LT’s parametric options are very limited. This means that your drawing geometry won’t change when you change a dimension value. AutoCAD LT can, however, delete parameters, which can cause damage to your files.
- Licensing
If you have multiple machines that all need to run the program, you’re better off with AutoCAD. The reason for this is simple – AutoCAD offers you a network license that allows you to run the program on 10 machines (as long as you don’t do it at the same time). If you want to get AutoCAD LT, you’ll need a separate license for every machine.
- Standards checking
Standards are very important in industrial design. AutoCAD enables you to create a DWS file (a file that is set up with standard text, layers, and dimension styles) and compare all current drawings with that file. This gives you an easy way to make sure all of your work (or the work of your consultants) conforms to certain standards. AutoCAD LT doesn’t support this.
- MLine vs. DLINE
One of the rare features which are better on the AutoCAD LT, the MLine command for drawing multiple parallel lines in AutoCAD doesn’t really knock us off our feet. While it doesn’t have this option, AutoCAD LT has the DLINE (Double line) command which works much better. It’s easier to edit and more logical to use.
- Profiles
The Options box is what allows you to make important changes and configurations to make sure the program works exactly as you want it. AutoCAD allows you to save these options and create named profiles. You can then switch between profiles easily, using the Profiles tab. AutoCAD LT doesn’t have this tab. Whatever changes you make in the Options dialog box, they become your current default settings.
- Express tools
A set of useful features that includes useful previews and utilities, many express tools are limited only to the full version. These include some useful editing and drawing commands, a great hatch routine compared to the stock Hatch command, and many commands for working with text, layouts, and dimensions.
As you can tell, the key difference between these two programs is 3D modeling. While other differences pertain to the ease of use or complexity of the product, this is a fundamental function that many people find very important for their line of work. It is also one of the key reasons why AutoCAD is the more expensive option.
Who Uses Them?
Both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are widely used by designers, engineers, and artists. However, because of its 3D modeling options, AutoCAD is of more use to civil planners, architects, builders, and mechanical engineers, simply because their jobs often include envisioning objects in space.
Another reason why these professions are more attracted to AutoCAD is its toolsets that can be very useful for people in these fields.
On the other hand, AutoCAD LT is useful for artists and professionals who don’t need 3D modeling. Those include electrical engineers, event planners, and 2D artists.
The Bottom Line
So, which one should you get – AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT?
By now, you should know that the answer to this question depends entirely on your needs. If 3D modeling is of any importance to you, there is no question you should go for AutoCAD. The answer is the same if you own or manage a larger company, as network licensing allows you to have the program on multiple machines.
However, if you’re only interested in 2D modeling and you only need the program for yourself, AutoCAD LT should do the trick.
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