DesignCAD 3D MAX v.21 review

[cropwell]

Has anyone tried out this software? I have downloaded the demo version to transfer across to my CNC computer and find it will not install due to digital signature problems. Also printed copies of the manual are not available. For me the magic is fading rapidly and if the software support is not responsive to get the demo version running, then the spell will be broken.

[John S]

I bought a copy but then found out it's only one license, pay again for a copy to run on the laptop full price, no discount.

Tried to explain about roving licences but they were not interested in listening. My bad for not doing homework deep enough but they will never catch me again.

[cropwell]

So you don't even get a CD, it's all done by download then ? No good for me if I can't move it across to my CNC computer, which I keep standalone. The internet is not needed and the system is remarkable stable without all those irritating updates.

I have the feeling that I won't be wasting any more time with DesignCAD.

Rob-T

[Magic]

Hi John,

I don't understand, how you can expect a piece of single user software to let you work as a roving license or even giving you a discount on your second license on a piece of £69.95 software.

I googled the term "roving licenses" and got two hits only for the exact term, only one of which was for software (the other was headed "Supreme Court Rejects Roving License to Detain People Incident to Far-Away Search".

But to avoid anyone else feeling "cheated", the license states one license per PC.

[irving2008]

Actually the practice of allowing multiple installs for one user is not uncommon even for low-cost software. Price is irrelevant, it's the useability factor. If I can't use a product on my main PC as well as my laptop then I simply won't buy it. Most software suppliers now recognise that a single user has multiple devices... Or that a single device can run multiple instances of the software in virtual machines - I often work on more than one project at a time...

Examples:
" With a single-user license, you can install QuickBooks on 1 computer and on 1 additional portable computer (e.g., a laptop that you own and use in your business) as long as both devices are used by the same person. ONLY that specified person can access and use QuickBooks on both computers."

" You can install Quicken on up to*three*computers running the same operating system,*as described in their respective*Quicken End User License Agreements. *You do not have to purchase additional copies of Quicken to install it on the second and third computer."

" The end user license agreement (EULA) for our products allows the simultaneous installation on two computers, as long as only one installation is used at any given time."

" If you own, or are the primary user of, a single-user or volume license Adobe product that is installed on a computer at work, you can also install and use the software on one secondary computer of the same platform at home or on a portable computer. However, you may not run the software simultaneously on both the primary and secondary computers.

No more than one user can use a single-user license Adobe product."

"
Simultaneous Installation

A single SynthEyes seat license can be installed and used on a second machine only if all of the following conditions hold:
You are the actual owner of the SynthEyes license—and each machine on which it is installed, AND
You are the only user of those machines, AND
They are being used for the benefit of the same business or person."

Hi John,

I don't understand, how you can expect a piece of single user software to let you work as a roving license or even giving you a discount on your second license on a piece of £69.95 software.

I googled the term "roving licenses" and got two hits only for the exact term, only one of which was for software (the other was headed "Supreme Court Rejects Roving License to Detain People Incident to Far-Away Search".

But to avoid anyone else feeling "cheated", the license states one license per PC.

[Magic]

Hi Irving,

I believe that it's a question of pricing policy, and I think that IMSI/Design and Magic Systems have every right to have their own.

If I can't use a product on my main PC as well as my laptop then I simply won't buy it.

You can use DesignCAD on your main PC as well as your laptop, you just have to have two licenses.

To both Irving and John: Which other CAD software do you use, does the license let you work on more than one PC on one license, and how much did it cost you?

[John S]

Magic,
It's not purely about cost.
Yes as you say I have paid more for the programs I use but feel more loyal to them.
My license allows me to use it on two machines but there isn't a check on it. I probably have it on 4 or 5 machines but I can only use one machine at a time.

Main thing is i don't have to get a new license when i change computers which is quite regular these days.

Another point is also based on price, at the low prices you quote you are targeting people who can't afford high end programs like Solid Works etc. These are usually individuals who are price concious as opposed to large companies who will pay the money to get faster / better results.

This means that like me, even if they have 10 computers they can only use one.

It's all about trust, treat the user like a prospective thief and they will resent it.

Use Vectric as an example, they came from nowhere a few years ago and in the space of 4 years got awarded the Queens Award for industry. Reason ? they have a very loyal user base and a lot of their sales are by referral.

[edit] some posts came in whilst I was typing.

Irving said basically the same as I did so I'm not alone.

JCB121
can't really comment on it.
Downloaded the program onto my main machine and started to do the tutorials.
The tutorials BTW are crap, doing a wine glass doesn't teach you anything. In nearly 50 years in the trade I have NEVER had to machine anything that looks like a wine glass.

Draw a shaped line, revolve it round an axis and you have a glass. Hang on, if you already have the shaped line just bang in on the lathe. you don't need any 3D program for that.

Anyway decided to put it on the laptop so i could play at night away from my desk but no, got to start all over again so lost heart as usually if I'm on my main machine I'm busy with other things.

However since then the desktop machine has been upgraded so i don't even have a working license for the program so basically wasted my money.

[Magic]

Hi John,

I think you may have misunderstood the concept of one PC = one license.

You can install it on one PC, and if you decide to replace that PC, you can uninstall it from PC #1 and install it on PC #2.

You just use the same downloaded installation file and the same serial number and the same activation code that you received via email.

Your comment on the tutorials I'll ignore, as there isn't a tutorial on milling or turning a wine glass. Page 39 in the Introduction to DesignCAD 3D MAX talks about the Sweep function and this is illustrated with a wine goblet (quite a nice one actually in my opinion).

Anyway the Introduction to DesignCAD 3D MAX is meant for new CAD users. So if you don't have any drawing experience at all, this will help you get started.

[cropwell]

[QUOTE=Magic;50742]Hi Irving,

I believe that it's a question of pricing policy, and I think that IMSI/Design and Magic Systems have every right to have their own.

QUOTE]


And every potential customer has a right to walk away !

[cropwell]

It is the difference between making a sale to a person and not making a sale.

For a piece of software a publisher has to decide on what makes an offer attractive enough so that sales volume recoups development costs and then turns into profit. Make it so poor that punters say 'stuff you' then you can consider yourself stuffed.

You have little to lose by allowing a licence term that allows installation on a PC and a laptop as most people would just do it anyway, and those that wouldn't on principle, would look around for something else before making a decision.