Haha, yeah.. bit of an extreme difference in visuals! Lol... but the 2D AutoCAD files were intended to show myself and others how the fixtures would look over a given area rather than to provide colorful, defining artwork - building the actual contraption accomplishes the same intent; fixtures always look better on the screen!
If SolidWorks didn't charge an annual, reoccurring reactivation key for students, I would have been tempted to revisit the skills that I acquired last year from a college course. O well, I guess the real deal beats the rest
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AutoCAD 3D... no thank you