What is AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is a computer-aided design software developed by Autodesk in 1982. Computer-Aided Design software (CAD) is a program that allows users to draft 2D drawings on computers for use in many different fields. AutoCAD focuses on providing tools for operators to create high quality, scalable, and highly accurate drawings. Before AutoCAD’s release the majority of people would have to create drawings and craft models by hand. This took a lot of time, money, and expertise.
AutoCAD revolutionized the Engineering, Design, and Architectural industries by allowing designers to create more complex and efficient drawings, faster, and more accurately. Designers could quickly make changes and revisions to their work without needed to redraw the drawing from scratch. It simplified the entire workflow, allowing more designers to demonstrate their designs, while improving the end product and overall drawing quality.
AutoCAD has become the most ubiquitous CAD program worldwide. AutoCAD is used in various industries such as by architects, project managers, engineers, graphic designer, city planners, HVAC, plumbing, and many other professionals.
Features
AutoCAD is first and foremost a 2D drafting program. AutoCAD has developed a lot over the years and now features tools for 3D modelling within the program. Some of AutoCAD’s key features are as follows:
· Infinitely scalable, unitless model space
· Drawing Aids for quick and accurate sketching
· Drawing layers
· Annotation tools for text, dimensions, and leaders
· Ease of adoption
· Widely supported
· Interoperability with other CAD software
· 3D Modelling and Visualisation
· Re-usable blocks with custom attributes
· Custom templates for different drawing standards
· Powerful AutoLISP Scripting Language
AutoCAD is an extremely versatile program and with the long legacy it has accumulated a large variety of powerful tools commonly needed across many different industries.
AutoCAD LT
AutoCAD LT is a lower-cost lighter version of AutoCAD. It was first released in 1993 as an entry-level CAD package. AutoCAD LT functions nearly identically to its full-priced counterpart. The only difference is a lack of access to certain tools such as:
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· 3D Capabilities
· Network Licensing
· Use of Scripting Languages
What’s New
AutoCAD is constantly being developed by Autodesk with new versions releasing each year, and updates spaced out throughout the year. The majority of updates are focused on improving existing tools, and overall performance with handling large drawings. Some of the new features that have been implemented since 2016 are:
· Dark Theme
· Improvements to 2D and 3D navigation
· Faster saving times
· PDF Importing
· Blocks Palette
· Xref Compare
· AutoCAD Anywhere (PC, Mac, Android, and iOS)
· Shared Views
· Autodesk App Store
· Many improvements to different tools
Evolution and Future of AutoCAD
AutoCAD is not going anywhere anytime soon. It has become a crucial component in nearly every industry workflow at some stage. AutoCAD will continue to receive new updates and changes with each year to accommodate the needs of the industries it supports. AutoCAD has come a long way since it’s introduction in 1982 and has since become a very refined and polished program.
There has been a large shift towards 3D modelling and design workflows in the industry. This led to a question of AutoCAD’s place in the industry. Would AutoCAD begin to morph into a new program to adapt to these changes? The overall consensus is “No”, AutoCAD has a very special place in the overall workflows of the industry. It is a very well-established and relied upon piece of software. A huge number of clients require nothing more than the already large array of tools AutoCAD offers.
Autodesk will likely focus their attention on improving the overall performance and reliability of AutoCAD while giving it a more modern and sleeker user interface. There have been some attempts to remove the command bar as it is a very old part of AutoCAD. However, it is unlikely to be removed to maintain support for legacy users.
AutoCAD will remain relevant for the foreseeable future and Autodesk is unlikely to tinker with its successful formula. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
