AutoCAD information

AutoCAD is a CAD (Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting) software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting. First released in December 1982 by Autodesk, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers.

AutoCAD - find out what the news are in:

• AutoCAD 2011
• AutoCAD 2010
• AutoCAD 2009
• AutoCAD 2008
• AutoCAD 2007
• AutoCAD 2006
• AutoCAD 2005
• AutoCAD 2004
• AutoCAD 2004 tips & trix
• AutoCAD bugs
• AutoCAD tips & trix

Early releases of AutoCAD used primitive entities — lines, polylines, circles, arcs, and text — to construct more complex objects. Since the mid-1990s, AutoCAD has supported custom objects through its C++ Application Programming Interface (API). Modern AutoCAD includes a full set of basic solid modeling and 3D tools. With the release of AutoCAD 2007 came improved 3D modeling, which meant better navigation when working in 3D. Moreover, it became easier to edit 3D models. The mental ray engine was included in rendering, it was now possible to do quality renderings. AutoCAD 2010 introduced parametric functionality and mesh modeling.

AutoCAD supports a number of APIs for customization and automation. These include AutoLISP, Visual LISP, VBA, .NET and ObjectARX. ObjectARX is a C++ class library, which was also the base for products extending AutoCAD functionality to specific fields, to create products such as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or third-party AutoCAD-based applications.

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are available for English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Russian, Czech, Polish, Hungarian, Brazilian, Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Vietnamese. The extent of localization varies from full translation of the product to documentation only. The AutoCAD command set is localized as a part of the software localization.

AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD Freestyle are built on the AutoCAD platform.

AutoCAD for Mac will be released during fall 2010.

AutoCAD WS is for iPad, iPod and iPhone and will be released during fall 2010. (No built on the AutoCAD platform)

AutoCAD vertical products

Autodesk has also developed a few vertical programs, for discipline-specific enhancements. AutoCAD Architecture (formerly Architectural Desktop), Civil Design, Civil Design 3D, and Civil Design Professional, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD P&ID, AutoCAD Plant 3D and AutoCAD Structural Detailing.

AutoCAD version history

DWG Version History

DWG ("drawing") is a file format used for storing two and three dimensional design data and metadata. The .bak (drawing backup), .dws (drawing standards), .dwt (drawing template) and .sv$ (temporary automatic save) files are also DWG files.

AutoCAD 2011 training video

Looking for great AutoCAD training for yourself or your users? No previous AutoCAD knowledge and experience needed.

AutoCAD is an industry standard design and documentation software program that is easy to learn, but complex to master. In this video training CD, expert author Brian Benton guides you through the fundamentals of AutoCAD 2011 and teaches you everything you need to know to be on your way to becoming an fully functioning AutoCAD user. Starting with the basics what AutoCAD can do, Brian quickly brings you up to speed on the interface, and then dives right into applying the basics, and ends each important chapter with a project that reviews everything you have learned in each section. Using this hands on approach allows you to more quickly absorb and apply the material being communicated, increasing your retention and understanding of AutoCAD 2011. By the completion of this 10 hour tutorial, you will be familiar and comfortable with AutoCAD, and capable of drawing, decorating and annotating an AutoCAD project. Also included are work files to allow you to work along side the author, and further understand what he is showing you, step by step. The training consists of 103 mini-lessons.
The video is available here as download or DVD.

This training is also available for AutoCAD 2010 here as download or DVD.

(the above is an affiliated ad)

JTB World's software for AutoCAD 2011

• JTB FlexReport (license reports)
• SmartPurger (automate and run script on multiple drawings)
• AutoCAD Automation Tools
• SSMPropEditor (edit multiple sheet properties at the same time)
• DwgNotes - Add and edit drawing notes
• DimNotes
• DwgInfoTip - Show metadata in Windows Explorer
• DWG Columns - Show metadata in Windows Explorer
• Sheet Set Manager Path Edit
• XClipClean

Freeware for AutoCAD

• Close License Borrowed dialog boxes automatically freeware
• Automatically close Select Shape File dialog boxes freeware
• AutoCAD/ADT/ABS/ACA/AMEP Palette Auto-hide Speed freeware.
• Background color changer for OSNAPZ - link.
• DWF Print
• ACA/ADT/ABS/AMEP ADTListDefinition. Import, create and export ListDefinitions quick and easy.
• RemIcons.lsp - Removes the icons Buzzsaw, RedSpark, Point A and FTP in Open dialog box.  Or download the following files that can be run without AutoCAD running: remicons.vbs and addicons.vbs.  Now for AutoCAD 2002 LT. Download the following files: remiconsLT.vbs or for only RedSpark remRedSparkLT.vbs

More resources on JTB World

• AutoLISP
• VBA for AutoCAD
• DWF
• CAD Software by JTB World
• Freeware for AutoCAD by JTB World
• Miscellaneous fun stuff
• Articles (in Swedish)
• CAD links
• Autodesk  Direct Link List
• Autodesk network license feature codes (FlexNet/FLEXlm)