Hi, I have a friend who is going travelling for ten months and wishes to learn how to use a CAD package while he's away.  I've shown him the rudiments of AutoCAD, but he doesn't have a copy, and is only taking a fairly basic laptop with him anyway. Can anyone here recommend a piece of CAD software which is: - similar to AutoCAD in terms of the content, i.e., layers, blocks, paperspace vs. modelspace, etc.;- preferably similar to AutoCAD in terms of user interface;- available online to download;- free, or available as an evaluation or student copy;- has a help file or manual available online (even if it's not written by the software author);- preferably has tutorials available; and- will run with a Celeron processor with 4GB of RAM (sorry - they're all the details I have). 3D capability would be useful, but is not necessary. Sorry for the fairly vague post.  I only use CAD professionally, and have never had to worry about which software to choose - I just use the packages provided! He's leaving next Wednesday, so a quick response would be appreciated. Thanks, and regards, Sam.

He could always download the strictly 2D CAD program called DraftSight by Dessault Systemes the makers of Solidworks.  It is an AutoCAD clone and FREE.  There is even a FREE guide to the program, online tutorials and a user forum.  

Thanks, John - a colleague suggested that, but their website suggests that a minimum Pentium chip is required, and my friend only has a Celeron processor.  Do you think it might run on this (even if it's slow)?  I'm willing to try it out... Thanks again, Sam.

I do a LOT of long distance flight commuting and have found my netbook (w/ it’s Intel Atom processor) most convenient.Although I cannot comment on DraftSight, I find that I can run Bricscad on it without issues.

Another vote for DraftSight. I run it happily on a tablet PC which has a 1.4GHz Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM and has a 10" screen. It is very much a facsimile of ACAD, commands are near enough the same, has a block editor and can handle ACAD files with ease plus it uses the dwg file format. And best of all it is free!