Where to find AUTOCAD for Plasma Cam

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I've been hearing that Autocad is a great program to draw images on and then transfer them to Plasma cam software. Seems like people tend to like autocad better than the plasma cam software for doing drawings period.What version do I need. They are really expensive, and probably way more advanced than what I need.Its not like im doing house plans or building buildings...Just 2D images.Any advice on what I need and where I should go to find it. I went on Autocad.com but they just have the newest versions avaliable.
Reply:Wanted to add this little bit. I have never used AutoCad so its not like I have to have it. Im just going off of what everyone tells me.  People may like to use AutoCad mainly because its commonly used and some people might already have experience with it beforehand and don't want to bother learning the Plasmacam software. Why use it if you already know a similar program.  For all I know I might be able to do everything I need on the Plasma Cam software, as long as I learn the program. If this is the case I might want to just work with it and try to learn it instead.I need a little advice here.
Reply:Autocad 2000 and up should work just fine for you.  Its more mechanical based. For general drawing stuff several prefer corel draw for CNC art.
Reply:PlasmaCam software will do everything you need to do for ur plasmacam table. AutoCAD is exactly what you said, something I use everyday. I can design parts in my sleep almost at this point. I don't have to go looking for features, I know how and where to find everything, then again, I have been using it for 10yrs I better know how to use it. I have found with my waterjet software some of the features are watered down some, then some features are much better then AutoCAD. If your just looking to master your plasma cam table stick to their software. If you think you might branch out into 3D design work and more in depth machining I would skip AutoCAD and go strait to AutoDesk Inventor. The 2009 Version actually comes with AutoCAD Mechanical included, but the price is not cheap. I think mine cost $4500 or so.If you cannot convince them, confuse them.         Harry S Truman
Reply:Ok guys, this makes me feel alot better, I mean Plasmacams softwars is over 2 grand so it should be Darn good actually.  I'm already gonna have to learn to run one program, I'd hate to have to learn them both at the same time. I am fairly good with computers as I am a young guy who grew up with a computer in my face starting at Junior High. Now days kids get introduced much earlier.I think I was just getting a one sided story from all of my friends who run Autocad.Plasmacams software is probably as good as you take the time to make it.  Plus Im gonna be scanning photos mostly and editing them. I won't be doing much hardcore drawing.Thanks for all the input
Reply:I draw almost everything with the PlasmaCam drawing software.....takes a little while to get really good with it...but it works very well. The PlasmaCam software easily imports an already drawn file from Autocad, Solidworks and many other drafting softwares in the industry standard .dxf format......o if you are looking to cut a part for someone that already has a drawing...get it in .dxf format and it instantly imports into the PlasmaCam format.Jim
Reply:Jim,Do you have a scanner?  Plasmacam promotes the scanner big time.I'd think it would be super easy to print off an image online or even drawn on Paint on my computer and just scan it.
Reply:As much as I like my PlasmaCam.....the one thing that does not meet expectations (after watching their videos) is the ability to scan and convert it to a cut path. It may be me.....but I have never been able to make this work well.....I always end up with a reallt distorted shape that needs a lot of rework.If you scan a line drawing...such as a drawing in a childrens coloring book...that converts quite well....but pictures do not seem to have enough contrast. I actually used a copy of some raster to vector software called "Arbor Image" that works a lot better.Also...you will find that the PlasmaCam software is easier to use than Paint...or most other graphics drawing packages.Jim
Reply:Jim- Don't feel too bad. OMAX's autopath feature is nothing to get excited about either. Just like you said, black and white line drawings come out ok, but anything beyond that its easier for me to just draw it myself.If you cannot convince them, confuse them.         Harry S Truman