progeCAD offers robust AutoCAD compatibility at minimal cost. Edit, view, print and convert Autodesk AutoCAD DWG files from most any version of AutoCAD. Icons, commands and interface are similar. Raster image embedding, IntelliCAD AutoLISP interpreter are additional features.

Features: progeCAD offers AutoCAD functionality for a very low ownership cost. It is completely compatible with DWG 2008, DXF read and write. It has a interface that is compatible with that of AutoCAD. Icons and commands used are similar to those of AutoCAD. So there is no re-training involved for operators who move to use this package. It has a AutoLISP interpreter too to make it more or less completely compatible with the AutoCAD. Layers, block etc are similar too. Yet it costs much less. DWG compatibility is more or less complete as is the ACIS 3D modeling/editing features. VBA applications work the same way and it`d be easy to extend functionalities.

A library of 10,000 drafting blocks is included in the software. Extended ACIS 3D libraries and solid modeling features are available too. 3rd party value added packs such as Express-Tools pack is available. Advanced REFEDIT, eTrack and oSnap from commands are present as is XREF management. Raster file manipulations are available as is raster to vector conversion features. JPEG 2000 and ECW support also is available.PDF documents can be imported and exported for collaboration based on drawings in PDF format. progeCAD IntelliCAD also supports the display of special international language characters. Extended features of the Professional series include Quick Dimensioning, Spell Checker, find-and-replace, Google Earth KML, SVG & ECW support, graphics manipulation for embedding images and Express Tools for professional designers.

Overall: For all practical purposes a very low cost replacement for AutoCAD. One should check out for specific standards used in the shop and make sure all the feature are available and work properly.