AutoCAD

AutoCAD is computer-aided design software used for 2D drafting and 3D modeling. It is currently developed and marketed by the Autodesk company. The name AutoCAD arises as a creation of the Autodesk company, where Auto refers to the company and CAD to computer-aided design (for its acronym in English Computer- Aided Design), having its first appearance in 1982 [1] and the latest version is lav6.5.0. AutoCAD is internationally recognized software for its extensive editing capabilities, which make it possible to digitally draw plans of buildings or the recreation of 3D images; It is one of the programs most used by architects, engineers, industrial designers and others.

In addition to accessing commands from the command prompt and menu interfaces, AutoCAD provides application programming interfaces (APIs) that can be used to determine drawings and databases.

The programming interfaces that AutoCAD supports are ActiveX Automation, VBA (Visual Basic® for Applications), AutoLISP, Visual LISP, ObjectARX, and.NET. The type of interface used will depend on the needs of the application and the programming experience of each user.

Introduction

AutoCAD was derived from a program started in 1977 and later released in 1979 9 called Interact CAD, also known in early Autodesk documents as MicroCAD, which was written before Autodesk (then Marinchip Software Partners) by Autodesk co-founder Michael Riddle.

Autodesk's first version was demonstrated at COMDEX in 1982 and released in December for AutoCAD-compatible CP/M-80 computers. As Autodesk's flagship product, by March 1986 AutoCAD had become the leading CAD program. more ubiquitous worldwide. The 2020 release marked the 34th major release of AutoCAD for Windows. The 2019 release marked the ninth consecutive year of AutoCAD for macOS. AutoCAD's native file format is.dwg. This and, to a lesser extent, its DXF interchange file format, have become de facto, albeit proprietary, standards for CAD data interoperability, particularly for interchange of 2D drawings. AutoCAD has included support for.dwf, a format developed and promoted by Autodesk, for publishing CAD data.

Functions

Compatibility with other software

ESRI ArcMap 10 supports export as AutoCAD drawing files. Civil 3D supports export as AutoCAD and LandXML objects. There are third-party file converters for the specific formats, such as Bentley MX GENIO Extension, PISTE Extension (France), ISYBAU (Germany), OKSTRA and Microdrain (UK); also, conversion of.pdf files is feasible, however, the accuracy of the results may be unpredictable or distorted. For example, jagged edges may appear. Several providers offer online conversions for free, such as Cometdocs.

Language

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are available for English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Polish, and Hungarian (also through additional language packs). The scope of localization varies from full product translation to documentation only. The AutoCAD command set is localized as part of the software localization.

Extensions

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 basis for:

• products that extend AutoCAD functionality to specific fields
• creation of products such as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D
• third party applications based on AutoCAD

There are a large number of AutoCAD add-ons (add-on applications) available in the Autodesk Exchange Apps store. AutoCAD DXF, the Drawing Exchange Format, allows you to import and export drawing information.

Vertical integration

Autodesk has also developed some discipline-specific enhancement programs, such as:

• AutoCAD Advance Steel
• AutoCAD Architecture
• AutoCAD Electrical
• AutoCAD ecscad
• AutoCAD Map 3D
• AutoCAD Mech
• AutoCAD MEP
• AutoCAD Structural Detailing
• AutoCAD Utility Design
• AutoCAD P luminousID
• AutoCAD Plant 3D
• Autodesk Civil 3D

Since AutoCAD 2019, several verticals are included with the AutoCAD subscription as an industry-specific toolset.

For example, AutoCAD Architecture (formerly Architectural Desktop) allows architectural designers to draw 3D objects, such as walls, doors, and windows, with more intelligent data associated with them instead of simple objects, such as lines and circles. The data can be programmed to represent specific architectural products sold in the construction industry, or extracted into a data file for prices, material estimates, and other values related to the objects represented.

Additional tools generate standard 2D drawings, such as elevations and sections, from a 3D architectural model. Similarly, Civil Design, Civil Design 3D, and Civil Design Professional support specific data objects that facilitate standard civil engineering calculations and representations.

Softdesk Civil was developed as an add-in to AutoCAD by a company in New Hampshire called Softdesk (originally DCA). Softdesk was acquired by Autodesk, and Civil became Land Development Desktop (LDD), later renamed Land Desktop. Later Civil 3D was developed and Land Desktop was retired.

Variants

AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD LT is the lowest cost version of AutoCAD, with reduced capabilities, first released in November 1993. Autodesk developed AutoCAD LT to have an entry level CAD package to compete at the lowest price level. Priced at $495, it became the first AutoCAD product priced under $1,000. It was sold directly by Autodesk and in computer stores, unlike the full version of AutoCAD, which must be purchased from official Autodesk resellers. AutoCAD LT 2015 introduced desktop subscription starting at $360 per year; As of 2018, three subscription plans were available, from $50/month to a 3-year license of $1,170.

While there are hundreds of small differences between the full AutoCAD suite and AutoCAD LT, there are some important recognized differences in software features:

• 3D Capabilities: AutoCAD LT lacks the ability to create, visualize and render 3D models as well as 3D printing.
• Network Licenses: AutoCAD LT cannot be used on several machines in a network.
• Customization: AutoCAD LT does not support customization with LISP, ARX,.NET and VBA.
• Management and automation capabilities with Sheet Set Manager and Action Recorder.
• CAD standards management tools.

AutoCAD Mobile and AutoCAD Web

AutoCAD Mobile and AutoCAD Web (formerly AutoCAD WS and AutoCAD 360) is an account-based mobile and web application that allows registered users to view, edit, and share AutoCAD files via web and mobile devices using a limited function of AutoCAD and using drawing files stored in the cloud. An evolution and combination of previous products, the program uses a freemium business model with a free plan and two paid tiers, including various amounts of storage, tools, and online access to drawings.. 360 includes new features such as "Smart Pen" and linking to third-party cloud-based storage like Dropbox. AutoCAD Web, which has evolved from Flash-based software, uses HTML5 technology available in newer browsers, including Firefox and Google Chrome.

AutoCAD WS started with a version for iPhone and later expanded to include versions for iPod Touch, iPad, Android phones and tablets. Autodesk released the iOS version in September 2010, following with the Android version on September 20 April 2011. [21] The program is available as a free download from the App Store (iOS), Google Play (Android), and Amazon Appstore (Android).

In its initial release of iOS, AutoCAD WS supported drawing lines, circles, and other shapes; creation of text boxes and comments; and management of colors, layers and measurements, both in landscape and portrait mode. Version 1.3, released on August 17, 2011, added support for unit writing, layer visibility, area measurement, and file management. The Android variant includes the iOS feature set along with unique features such as the ability to to insert text or subtitles via voice commands, as well as manually. Both the Android and iOS versions allow the user to save files online or offline in the absence of an Internet connection.

In 2011, Autodesk announced plans to migrate most of its software to the "cloud," starting with the AutoCAD WS mobile app.

According to a 2013 interview with Ilai Rotbaein, AutoCAD WS Product Manager for Autodesk, the name AutoCAD WS had no definitive meaning and was variously interpreted as Autodesk Web Service , White Sheet or Work Space. In 2013, AutoCAD WS was renamed AutoCAD 360. Later, it was renamed to AutoCAD Web App.

Student versions

AutoCAD is licensed free for students, educators, and educational institutions, with a 12-month renewable license available. Licenses purchased before March 25, 2020 were a 36-month license, last renewed on March 24, 2020. The Student Version of AutoCAD is functionally identical to the full retail version, with one exception: the files DWG files created or edited by a student version have an internal bit-flag set (the "educational flag"). When such a DWG file is printed with any version of AutoCAD (commercial or student) prior to AutoCAD 2014 SP1 or AutoCAD 2019 and later, the output includes a plot/banner stamp on all four sides. Objects created in the student version cannot be used for commercial use. Items in the student version "infect" a commercial version DWG file if imported into versions prior to AutoCAD 2015 or later than AutoCAD 2018.