TutorCAD Services
Introduction
If you have two or more computers, they can be connected together to form a shared network. From the simplest to the most complicated network, they all require at least 3-items ie, a network adaptor, cable, and a hub or switch. The primary benefits of creating a network are in order to share files, programs, internet, email and peripherals ie, printers/plotters, which obviously saves time and money. For instance, if you have a network license for a particular program, then anyone on the network can use it (subject to the licence agreement).
Network Options
Networking splits into two broad categories:- either you have a server or you don’t. In the latter case, all computers on the network are equals and we have what is known as a peer to peer system. Server based systems (sometimes called client/server networks) are more reliable, perform better and generally keep your data more secure. For a small simple network, TutorCAD can install a peer to peer network system with one PC acting as a "Data Server" but generally for the more demanding networks, a dedicated server PC using an operating system such as Windows 2000 server is recommended.
Internet Options
Once a Network has been installed it normally is useful to share a fast Internet (ADSL) connection with separate email for each PC user, and TutorCAD can advise on the best cost effective installation strategy required. Although using Windows 2000 SBE server would be one of the recommended choices for Internet and email sharing, TutorCAD can install propriety software so that only email and not Internet sharing is available. Security is of prime importance and a good combination of Firewall and Anti-Virus protection is required.
Cabling
TutorCAD will advise on the ethernet cabling required but the most common is Fast Ethernet or Category-5 (CAT5) cable with the most recent CAT5E now being used. This type of cabling resembles a telephone cable with a similar modern telephone connector at each end, and each computer requires a cable connection to a central hub or switch. The allowable speed of the network is dictated by the quality of cable and network adaptors used.
Network Adaptor
One of the most common causes of network problems are cheap network cards and therefore TutorCAD only uses quality network adaptors ie Intel, 3-COM etc. Network allowable speeds needs to be matched by the adaptor speed and typical throughput is measured in mega-bits per second (Mbps). Although the most common network speed is a mixture of 10Mbps (10base-T) and 100Mbps (100base-T), the faster 1000Mbps (1000base-T) is now being used.
Conclusions
Before a network system is agreed, a complete site system audit is recommended and a report written with reference to the clients requirements. TutorCAD’s network engineers can setup all network software efficiently and in most cases in a time frame to minimise office disruption. Please contact TutorCAD and arrange a FREE site meeting now!
Introduction
It was only a short time ago when the scanning of paper drawings was met with much criticism as to the quality and amount of disk space the finished scanned image would produce. Thankfully with the latest breed of scanner technology, this has now been addressed. Imagine the disk size a paper drawing would take if redrawn within AutoCAD, then chop off about 10% and this is the size of the latest high compression files your scanned image would take!!. Also, only if the original is so bad will the scanned results become unacceptable, yet who wants an original that cannot be read!!.
Not only has the scanner hardware been improving steadily but also the various software packages which allow scanned images to be viewed, modified and if necessary vectorised.
Options
TutorCAD prides itself in only using the most advanced technology available and to this end we can supply three options as follows:-
Scanned Paper Drawings. Depending on the quantity of the drawing batch to be scanned this can cost from as little as £1.29 per A0 size drawing. To be able to view and plot the scanned images including performing simple "redlining" (ability to sketch additional information on top of an image) TutorCAD can supply & install Autodesk VoloView software from only £149.00 per CAD workstation.
Hybrid Drawings. The paper drawings still require scanning but additional software allows the user to use similar AutoCAD commands to alter the existing scanned image and then create or modify new geometry on top of the scanned image. This new information is stored in an AutoCAD "vector" format, hence the total drawing consists of both raster (scanned) and vector file data. TutorCAD can supply & install software from £495.00 per CAD workstation giving the benefits of allowing revisions to be completed.
Vectorised Drawings. Again the paper drawing requires scanning but the trick is in the quality vectorisation software which TutorCAD uses to convert the scanned image into a total AutoCAD drawing file. Traditionally, text has been difficult to convert into AutoCAD text but new optical text recognition has improved the situation. The costs for this operation is variable depending on the quality of the original but a decent A0 can be scanned and vectorised for around £60.00. This obviously saves time in not having to trace the paper drawing into a CAD format.
Conclusions
The combination of excellent initial scanned images and leading edge software that TutorCAD can provide is now a powerful argument for all concerned to look again at the benefits that these options can give. The advantages of archiving all the paper drawings within the computer network together with an optional customised drawing management package gives immediate access when you need it.
Please contact TutorCAD and arrange a FREE trial scan of any paper drawing to see for yourself!!