AutoCAD 2000 Mechanical Desktop to iCAD Pro +

#1
I am an experienced AutoCAD 2000 & Mechanical Desktop user. Currently unemployed, I would like to purchase IntelliCAD to work with some of the models and drawings I created with AutoCAD.

I tried a standard version (similar to LT) but of course it would not show the 3D Solid Model nor any layout pages which had model viewports. If I buy the iCAD Pro + version, will it allow me to edit my AutoCAD solid models and drawings as well as to create new ones that are AutoCAD compatible, at least to 2000? 2002? 2004?

I would like to be able to do some free-lance engineering consulting, but I am sure most clients would require an AutoCAD .dwg compatible file when the work was complete.

Also, what is the difference between the CMS version and the BricsCAD version as sold by Autodsys?
cron