AutoCAD was simply getting too expensive for us. With Carlson GIS, its like having an AutoCAD replacement.
— Trent V. Massachusetts
IntelliCAD (AutoCAD Clone) and GIS at a great price
One of the least expensive CAD applications in the marketplace is Carlson Software's GIS application. It ships with a complete version of IntelliCAD 6.6, a robust, DWG-compatible CAD platform that has most of the features of its AutoCAD counterpart. If you are looking for an inexpensive CAD package, Carlson GIS might just be the perfect fit.
IntelliCAD is even more powerful that AutoCAD LT. Not only does IntelliCAD natively read / write DWG format files, but it also has support for LISP and does 3D!
In addition to the IntelliCAD DWG CAD platform, the GIS package can be utilized on top of your existing AutoCAD based applications (AutoCAD, AutoCAD Map, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Civil 3D, etc.). If that wasn't enough, you get unbelievable GIS functionality that allows you to connect your drawings to database information.
With tools for data capture and linking, data labeling, import/export of SHP files, polygon topology creation and analysis, and more, Carlson GIS 2010 is an awesome GIS "Swiss Army Knife" for the surveyor or engineer.
Built from the Carlson SurvCADD product line, first introduced in 1989, Carlson GIS 2010 delivers a new level of powerful GIS automation, including this list of standard features:
- Import SHP File
- Export SHP File
- GIS Database Settings
- Input-Edit GIS Data
- GIS Inspector
- GIS Inspector Settings
- GIS Query/Report
- Hatch GIS Polylines
- Mark GIS Polylines
- Label GIS Polyline: Closed Polyline Image
- Label GIS Polyline: Closed Polyline Data
- Label GIS Polyline: Open Polyline Data
- Links Manager
- Create Links
- Erase Links
- Audit Links
- Convert GIS Links to AutoCAD Map
- Convert AutoCAD Map to GIS Links
- Define Template Database
- Define Note File Prompts
- Note File Utilities
- Define Block Database Links
- Update Block Data
- Insert Block with GIS Data
Key Features
General
- Built on AutoCAD: Runs in AutoCAD versions 2010 to 2000 as well as AutoCAD Map, Land Desktop and Civil3D and on IntelliCAD 6.6
- Project Setup: Flexible data storage methods
- Drawing Cleanup: Fix common drafting errors
- Drafting Enchancements: Handy tools for working in AutoCAD such as Join Nearest, Shrinkwrap Entities, Polyline Utilities, Drawing Inspector, Layer Inspector and Twist Screen
- Data Compatibility: Supports industry standard LandXML and scores of specific data conversions
GIS
- Runs with AutoCAD Map 3D: All Map tools are available when running with AutoCAD Map plus additional commands to use Map data such as Label Object Data Areas
- Data Capture: Extracts drawing text or block attributes into database
- Attach GIS Data to Entities: Input, edit, label, inspect and report with simple tools, including querying for parcels or entities that meet conditions
- Polygon Processor: Overlays layered polyline perimeters to create all the subareas
- Import/Export ESRI: Conversions between ESRI Shape data and coordinates and polylines
Points
- Import/Export: User-defined import and export of point data along with conversions with specific other formats
- Draw Points: Draw points with settings for symbols, layers and styles
- Point Groups: Point group manager to define sets of point by filters
- Coordinate File History: Tracks all changes to points with report and undo functions
- Fix Point Label Overlaps: Finds point label overlaps with rule options to fix automatically
- Point Tools: Utilities for modify point labels such as move with leader, twist and resize
Annotation
- Angle & Distance Labels: Flexible routines to label linework in all possible layout combinations plus available rules to automatically fix label overlaps and revise labels when entities move
- Curve Labels: Label curve data in stack, along arc or in table
- Survey Text: Routines to create typical plat labels such as offset and building dimensions
- Label Elevations: Label spot elevations along an alignment
- Linetypes: Draw special linetypes
