AutoCAD OEM Version: F/X CAD

Autodesk has recently accepted our application into their OEM program.
What this means, is we will have the ability to sell a customized version of AutoCAD that is pre-configured for Land F/X.
The Pros of such a version -- the interface will be simplified and customized by us, to have just the basic AutoCAD commands necessary, and the full suite of Land F/X tools. It will be a fully licensed version of AutoCAD 2012. It will cost less than $2,000 (note that does not include the Land F/X license cost), and the yearly upgrades will be less than $350.
The Cons of such a version -- it will have none of the AutoCAD 3D features. It will not have any ability to load any LISP file or any other type of customization. The interface can not be customized, and will be locked in the form that we deem (thus, no Ribbon).

In order to proceed, we will have to pre-order 25 copies. As we debate whether this would be a wise investment, we'd like to use this forum to discuss the issue further, and get input from users. Please chime in if you'd be interested, and if you might be able to commit to a deposit. Please let us know what rare AutoCAD commands you would want to be sure are included, and what reservations you might have about it.

The interface will look like AutoCAD 2012, set to Classic Mode, with just the toolbars and icons that are necessary.
We will post a screen-shot in the next couple weeks of the interface as we have customized it.
But please feel free to use this thread to post the rare AutoCAD command that you could not live without, so we are sure to include it.

Q: The OEM version sounds interesting. Being a civil engineering shop, we would stick with Civil 3D and have Land FX as an add-on. Although, I can see the few landscape artchitects in our office possibly prefering such a srtipped down version.

For planning purposes, i presume the larger community is driving your decision to maintain the app without the Ribbon. Every person in our office resisted, and can't remember now why they did.

Isn't the very nature of Land FX a tool for overcoming what's inherently not in the software? If you don't like the ribbon, and most people abhor toolbars the birth more toolbars, why not create your own version of the ribbon? At the end of the day, the ribbon is made of panels which are nothing more than docked tool palettes.

A: We did experiment with creating a ribbon -- when we were done, we ended up having recreated an interface that was nearly identical to a toolbar-based one, yet with tools having to be weirdly wrapped into groups and flyouts, and hidden among different panels.

Our experience has been that a ribbon slows a user down. This is actually not conjecture, this is straight fact -- in order to do the same work, it requires more clicks, as a user is repeatedly required to switch among ribbon panels. Further, in maintaining compatibility with the Bricscad and AutoCAD Mac versions, which don't have ribbons, we opted for the same toolbar interface for all, rather than confusing the matter.

As we hear from more users demanding a ribbon, and if AutoCAD Mac ships with a ribbon, we will most certainly come out with one ourselves.

Q: I have a toolbar that I have created that has my commonly used commands on it. Instead of having to have multiple toolbars open that I only use one or two commands off of each i combined those commands into my own toolbar. Will this still be possible?

In summary will we be able to relocate commands from one toolbar to another or create our own toolbars?

A: That is probably the most important point to note.
You will in fact, NOT be able to make a custom toolbar like that.
However, we will be! So we are open to your ideas and help, to create an interface that has those common buttons.
As you can see in the above screenshots, we have begun taking a stab at this, essentially duplicated our preferred toolbar organization on our machines here. But the webinar next Friday is going to show a more complete version of this, in the actual OEM program. We encourage people to bring their ideas and needs, to help us make the perfect toolbar layout.

Q: Has there been any more interest in this? I have only just see this post. I am a landscape architect here in Austin TX and am interested in this option. I have heard that Land F/X is the way to go for irrigation and so am interested.

The screen shots looked OK to me on a first glance. I still use some one, two and three key shortcuts (IE> l for line, c for circle many more that I know I do without thinking) that were used on Autocad Ver 10 or something. I have been an Autocad user since 1994. Any idea if those commands will still be functional? I adapt fairly well to new programs so I am not overly concerned if they are not. What would the deposit be to secure one of the seats?

A: There has been a tremendous amount of interest in this.
We are still taking $1,000 deposits to be the first to receive it when we begin shipping.

As for the keyboard commands, you will have the same full customization possible through the PGP file.

The toolbar arrangement and physical appearance is virtually identical to the above screenshots, save for a couple minor buttons that were changed, and the branding of the icon in the upper left. Beyond that it looks and feels like an AutoCAD installation that has had the interface customized and cleaned up.

We are currently addressing a few remaining minor issues, regarding the installation and activation. But we are squarely on schedule to begin shipping in August to those who placed deposits.

Q: I was wondering, on the OEM version could I still run some plugins? Specifically I am currently using 'M-color'. Would this be possible to use with the OEM version?

A:  M-Color would not be able to run.