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22 of 24 found the following review helpful:
 Amazon doesn't know what it has here! Awesome product.Jun 07, 2007
By R. Broderick
"broderp"
I purchased this item, then found it was also available on this same site @ $99.99. I had an instant feeling I had purchaced the wrong item, as I was looking for the VISTA compatible version, and the "platforn" listed states "NO OPERATING SYSTEM" What this means, no one at amazon customer support could tell me. They seem to be in INDIA or in ASIA somewheres.
I called customer service and they could not tell me the differences other than the $100 version is from TARGET, and the $70 version is from AMAZON.
Long story short, if you want the PC version of this software, GET THE AMAZON VERSION FOR $70.
Here's what I found out....the ITEM NUMBERS are different (88100 vs 88500) The 88500 being the "newer" more expensive. The bottom line is that the only difference is the SIZE OF THE BOX. I dug around the web for hours and finally was able to find a site with UPC, ISBN and all info on this title. The "old" $70 version is in the larger box with a flap to open up with ideas and pictures that are used to sell the product. The newer on (88500) is the smaller size box that has become popular recently.
Also, right on my box it states WORKS WITH WINDOWS VISTA (the website does not tell you this, unless you look at the picture of the box, and then it conflicts with the information on the site, hense my confusion.)
The detailed specs clearly state VISTA as a supported operating system.
The program install takes a bit of time to install due to tha amount of files to transfer, and on a VISTA system, SEVERAL MINUTES (up to 15?) due to the fact VISTA will read the entire disk, file by file before even starting the install. Be patient, and notice your HD or CD/DVD drive light is still "thinking"
In XP, the program runs flawless. In vista I had to adjust some setting and verify my "OPEN GL" was up to date. I am still having a issue with 3d rendering (it wont all the time, yet at other time sit does perfectly.)but I have only had it for a day, so I'm still on the learning curve. I'm not 100% convinced it's a bug in the software, more a compatibilty issue. It has NO issue on my XP system.
Speaking of learning curve, there IS. On a scale of 1-10 it's a about a 6 for me. If you are familiar with PUNCH! products, this interface should be familiar. It is not as intuitive as other PUNCH! software, but I feel it's because of what this software has to offer....TONS OF FEATURES. They all need a button or two!!
The software is AMAZING for the price. Shorter learing curve, decent features in both 2D and 3D. I was making detailed 3D gears in a day.
You will need to REGISTER this software to use it beyond the default "trial" of 7 days. For those of us who follow EULA, and are honest this is no problem.
You can also download tha latest patch (upgrades to "build 711") for free right away. It's approx. a 7.3MB update.
As with other punch software they have a decent user forum at http://forum.punchcad.com/. As this is a relatively new product, the forum is still developing, and if other PUNCH! sites are any indication, this will be a great site for resources!
OTHER NOTES:
If you sign up for a AMAZON VISA, you can get $30 off your first purchace. This item also has FREE shipping. I opted for NEXT DAY shipping and it set me back $88, but I will get a $30 credit on my new VISA. Can beat that.
I DO NOT work for PUNCH! or any of it's companies, I'm just a user trying to save a buck on something I enjoy doing with my PC.
I rate this item at 4 stars, because of the learning curve, and the apearant left out details in tutorials. Still, this is by far the easiest CAD program to date that I have used. I have used PRO-E, AUDOCAD, TURBO-CAD to name a few. My proficiancy level is "hobbiest, a jack of all trades, master of none" I am a moderate user, not a "power user, to put this review into perspective.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Great ProgramJul 01, 2008
By Dave Wave
Tried several lower price CAD programs and this is by far the best that I have tried. The snap lines have the feel of AutoCAD. The other programs I tried left me guessing about alignment. The software comes with a real 344 page manual and training videos that are build into the program. It has the feel of high-end software.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Supposed to be capable with AutoCAD - but not quiteJun 27, 2008
By L. Rohrer
I downloaded a trial version of this product to see if it is really compatable with AutoCAD. It would have been great if it was. I imported an AutoCAD file, but the text and some other objects appeared out of place compared to the AutoCAD file and the original colors did not import correctly. When I exported the ViaCAD file (as a test.dwg) back into AutoCAD, the undesirable changes were still there. This program is not completely compatable with AutoCAD as advertised. If you need AutoCAD compatibility, get progeCAD, it's a little more expensive than ViaCAD, but much less expensive than AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT, and it has a similar interface.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 SoftwareOnly is Shipping V5Jan 09, 2009
By M. Stolowitz
The Trial Version which I downloaded and tested from ViaCad was V6. Great Product. Amazon direct is shipping V6, but SoftwareOnly is shipping V5. ViaCad would update it for free if purchased from Amazon direct, but for $20 since purchased it was not purchased from the real Amazon.
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based on 4 reviews
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