BricsCad 5.0

Introduction to BricsCAD: I have evaluated IntelliCAD 98 before and back then the result compared with AutoCAD was not satisfactory. Since then, IntelliCAD has continuously improved its program until the latest version, BricsCAD 5.0.

Here, BricsCAD 5.0 has improved a lot and is very ideal for basic drafting purposes that goes right up to cater for 3 Dimensional objects.

Interface: The interface of BricsCAD and its toolbar/commands/shortcut keys are quite similar to AutoCAD 2002, which makes it friendly for existing AutoCAD users. There are additional feature in BricsCAD such as informative status display in the status bar such as showing of current layer, current layer color, current line type, current font style and current dimension style. But unlike AutoCAD, BricsCAD does not allow you to copy text from the prompt history (text window).

For instance, you will have to memorize or note down coordinates and later key them in. However, since there?s a floating command bar that allows you to dock anywhere, you can actually change the view to have both the prompt history box and command bar on display to eliminate noting down the coordinates.

Features BricsCAD definitely have fewer features or functionalities compared to AutoCAD. It does not have any Security and Internet related features that are available in AutoCAD. There is one feature in BricsCAD that I find it very useful, that is the BricsCAD Explorer.

Apart from adding, deleting and editing the layers, BricsCAD Explorer allows you to copy a layer from one file to another easily, which is not available in AutoCAD. Some features from AutoCAD is also available in BricsCAD but is not in full component. For example, the copy entity formatting does not copy the thickness of a line whereas it does in AutoCAD.

Compatibility Files from BricsCAD do not require any conversion to open in AutoCAD or vice versa as it?s native file format is .dwg.

However, it does not mean that they are fully compatible. For instance, BricsCAD does not support linetype features from AutoCAD but AutoCAD are able to support any linetype from BricsCAD. It also does not support layout mode and any Internet features from AutoCAD.

Conclusion BricsCAD is a good program for basic CAD users where complex functionalities are not required. It is easy to use and is user friendly. It is not an expensive program compared to other CAD software.