AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided

design (CAD) and drafting software
application. Developed and marketed by
Autodesk,[1] AutoCAD was first released in
December 1989 as a desktop app running
on microcomputers with internal graphics
controllers.[2] Before AutoCAD was
introduced, most commercial CAD
programs ran on mainframe computers or
minicomputers, with each CAD operator
(user) working at a separate graphics
terminal.[3] Since 2010, AutoCAD was
released as a mobile- and web app as well,
marketed as AutoCAD 360.
 AutoCAD

Developer(s) Autodesk

Initial release December 1982

Stable release 2020 / March 28, 2019

Operating system Windows, macOS, iOS,

Android

Available in English, German,

French, Italian, Spanish,
Korean, Chinese
Simplified, Chinese
Traditional, Brazilian
Portuguese, Russian,
 Czech, Polish and
Hungarian

Type Computer-aided design

License Trialware

Website autodesk.com/autocad

AutoCAD is used in industry, by architects,

project managers, engineers, graphic
designers, city planners and other
professionals. It was supported by 750
training centers worldwide in 1994.[1]

Introduction
AutoCAD was derived from a program that
began in 1977, and then released in
1979[4] called Interact CAD,[5][6][7] also
referred to in early Autodesk documents as
MicroCAD, which was written prior to
Autodesk's (then Marinchip Software
Partners) formation by Autodesk cofounder
Michael Riddle.[8][9]

The first version by Autodesk was

demonstrated at the 1982 Comdex and
released that December. AutoCAD
supported CP/M-80 computers.[10] As
Autodesk's flagship product, by March
1986 AutoCAD had become the most
ubiquitous CAD program worldwide.[11]
The 2020 release marked the 34th major
release of AutoCAD for Windows. The 2019
release marked the ninth consecutive year
of AutoCAD for Mac. The native file format
of AutoCAD is .dwg. This and, to a lesser
extent, its interchange file format DXF, have
become de facto, if proprietary, standards
for CAD data interoperability, particularly
for 2D drawing exchange. AutoCAD has
included support for .dwf, a format
developed and promoted by Autodesk, for
publishing CAD data.

Features
Compatibility with other software

ESRI ArcMap 10 permits export as

AutoCAD drawing files. Civil 3D permits
export as AutoCAD objects and as
LandXML. Third-party file converters exist
for specific formats such as Bentley MX
GENIO Extension, PISTE Extension
(France), ISYBAU (Germany), OKSTRA and
Microdrainage (UK);[12] 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 vendors provide online
conversions for free such as Cometdocs.

Language

Auto CAD and AutoCAD LT are available

for English, German, French, Italian,
Spanish, Korean, Chinese Simplified,
Chinese Traditional, Brazilian Portuguese,
Russian, Czech, Polish and Hungarian,
Albanian (also through additional language
packs).[13] 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.

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 base for:

products extending AutoCAD

functionality to specific fields
creating products such as AutoCAD
Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical,
AutoCAD Civil 3D
third-party AutoCAD-based application

There are a large number of AutoCAD

plugins (add-on applications) available on
the application store Autodesk Exchange
Apps.[14] AutoCAD's DXF, drawing
exchange format, allows importing and
exporting drawing information.
Vertical integration

Autodesk has also developed a few

vertical programs for discipline-specific
enhancements such as:

AutoCAD Advance Steel

AutoCAD Architecture
AutoCAD CIVIL 3D
AutoCAD Electrical
AutoCAD ecscad
AutoCAD Map 3D
AutoCAD Mech
AutoCAD MEP
AutoCAD Structural Detailing
 AutoCAD Utility Design
AutoCAD P&ID
AutoCAD Plant 3D

Since AutoCAD 2019 several verticals are

included with AutoCAD subscription as
Industry-Specific Toolset.

For example, AutoCAD Architecture

(formerly Architectural Desktop) permits
architectural designers to draw 3D objects,
such as walls, doors, and windows, with
more intelligent data associated with them
rather than 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 pricing,
materials estimation, 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 data-specific
objects facilitating easy standard civil
engineering calculations and
representations.

Softdesk Civil was developed as an

AutoCAD add-on 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. Civil 3D was later developed and
Land Desktop was retired.

Variants
AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD LT is the lower 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 in the lower
price level. Priced at $495, it became the
first AutoCAD product priced below $1000.
It was sold directly by Autodesk and in
computer stores unlike the full version of
AutoCAD, which must be purchased from
official Autodesk dealers. AutoCAD LT
2015 introduced Desktop Subscription
from $360 per year; as of 2018, three
subscription plans were available, from
$50 a month to a 3-year, $1170 license.

While there are hundreds of small

differences between the full AutoCAD
package and AutoCAD LT, there are a few
recognized major differences[15] in the
software's features:
 3D Capabilities: AutoCAD LT lacks the
ability to create, visualize and render 3D
models as well as 3D printing.
Network Licensing: AutoCAD LT cannot
be used on multiple machines over 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 360
Formerly marketed as AutoCAD WS,
AutoCAD 360 is an account-based mobile
and web application enabling registered
users to view, edit, and share AutoCAD
files via mobile device and web[16] using a
limited AutoCAD feature set — and using
cloud-stored drawing files. The program,
which is an evolution and combination of
previous products, uses a freemium
business model with a free plan and two
paid levels — marketed as Pro ($4.99
monthly or $49.99 yearly) and Pro Plus
($99.99 yearly) — including various
amounts of storage, tools, and online
access to drawings. 360 includes new
features such as a "Smart Pen" mode and
linking to third-party cloud-based storage
such as Dropbox. Having evolved from
Flash-based software, AutoCAD 360 uses
HTML5 browser technology available in
newer browsers including Firefox and
Google Chrome.

AutoCAD WS began with a version for the

iPhone and subsequently expanded to
include versions for the iPod Touch, iPad,
Android phones, and Android tablets.[17]
Autodesk released the iOS version in
September 2010,[18] following with the
Android version on April 20, 2011.[19] The
program is available via download at no
cost from the App Store (iOS), Google Play
(Android) and Amazon Appstore (Android).

In its initial iOS version, AutoCAD WS

supported drawing of lines, circles, and
other shapes; creation of text and
comment boxes; and management of color,
layer, and measurements — in both
landscape and portrait modes. Version 1.3,
released August 17, 2011, added support
for unit typing, layer visibility, area
measurement and file management.[16]
The Android variant includes the iOS
feature set along with such unique features
as the ability to insert text or captions by
voice command as well as manually.[19]
Both Android and iOS versions allow the
user to save files on-line — or off-line in the
absence of an Internet connection.[19]

In 2011, Autodesk announced plans to

migrate the majority of its software to "the
cloud", starting with the AutoCAD WS
mobile application.[20]

According to a 2013 interview with Ilai

Rotbaein, an AutoCAD WS Product
Manager for Autodesk, the name AutoCAD
WS had no definitive meaning, and was
interpreted variously as Autodesk Web
Service, White Sheet or Work Space.[21]
Student versions

AutoCAD is licensed, for free, to students,

educators, and educational institutions,
with a 36-month renewable license
available. The student version of AutoCAD
is functionally identical to the full
commercial version, with one exception:
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 by any version of AutoCAD
(commercial or student) older than
AutoCAD 2014 SP1 or AutoCAD 2019 and
newer, the output includes a plot
stamp/banner on all four sides. Objects
created in the Student Version cannot be
used for commercial use. Student Version
objects "infect" a commercial version DWG
file if they are imported in versions older
than AutoCAD 2015 or newer than
AutoCAD 2018.[22]

Ports
Windows

An architectural detail drafted in AutoCAD (Windows)

AutoCAD is a software package created
for Windows and usually, any new
AutoCAD version supports the current
Windows version and some older ones.
AutoCAD 2016 to 2020 support Windows 7
up to Windows 10.[23]

Mac

Autodesk stopped supporting Apple's

Macintosh computers in 1994. Over the
next several years, no compatible versions
for the Mac were released. In 2010
Autodesk announced that it would once
again support Apple's Mac OS X software
in the future.[24] Most of the features found
in the 2012 Windows version can be found
in the 2012 Mac version. The main
difference is the user interface and layout
of the program. The interface is designed
so that users who are already familiar with
Apple's macOS software will find it similar
to other Mac applications.[18] Autodesk has
also built in various features in order to
take full advantage of Apple's Trackpad
capabilities as well as the full-screen mode
in Apple's OS X Lion.[17][18] AutoCAD 2012
for Mac supports both the editing and
saving of files in DWG formatting that will
allow the file to be compatible with other
platforms besides the OS X.[17] AutoCAD
2019 for Mac requires Apple OS X v10.11
(El Capitan) or later.

AutoCAD LT 2013 was available through

the Mac App Store for $899.99. The full-
featured version of AutoCAD 2013 for Mac,
however, wasn't available through the Mac
App Store due to the price limit of $999 set
by Apple. AutoCAD 2014 for Mac was
available for purchase from Autodesk's
Web site for $4,195 and AutoCAD LT 2014
for Mac for $1,200, or from an Autodesk
Authorized Reseller.[24] The latest version
available for Mac is AutoCAD 2019 as of
December 2018. As of 2019, no AutoCAD
release is listed for purchase on the Mac
App Store.

See also
Autodesk 3ds Max
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Revit
AutoShade
AutoSketch
Comparison of CAD editors for CAE
Comparison of computer-aided design
editors
Design Web Format
Feature creep
 LibreCAD - cross-platform, free and
open source 2D CAD
FreeCAD - cross-platform, free and open
source 3D CAD
BRL-CAD - cross-platform, free and
open source 3D CAD

References
1. "Autodesk, Inc" . FundingUniverse.
Lendio. 2012. Retrieved 29 March
2012.
2. "Chapter 8 : Autodesk and AutoCAD"
(PDF). Cadhistory.net. Retrieved
2016-03-30.
3. "Chapter 2 : A Brief Overview of the
History of CAD" (PDF).
Cadhistory.net. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
4. Riddle, Michael. "About" . Retrieved
24 January 2014. "I’ve been building
CAD products for over 29 years now,
starting with Interact for the Marinchip
9900 released back in 1979, one of
the first PC-based CAD programs
available. Interact went on to become
the architectural basis for the early
versions of AutoCAD. I was one of the
original 18 founders of that company."
5. http://www.studiodaily.com/2012/01/t
he-fascinating-story-of-how-autodesk-
 came-to-be-part-1/
6. http://www.michaelriddle.com/?
page_id=2
7. http://www.retrothing.com/2007/05/mi
ke_riddles_pr.html
8. Walker, John (1 May 1982).
"Information letter #5" . Retrieved
24 January 2014.
9. Yare, Evan (17 Feb 2012). "AutoCAD's
Ancestor" . 3D CAD World. Retrieved
24 January 2014.
10. One Company's CAD Success Story ,
InfoWorld, 3 December 1984,
retrieved 19 July 2014
11. "Part 2 CAD/CAM/CAE", 25 Year
retrospective , Computer Graphics
World, 2011, retrieved 29 March 2012
12. "AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 Drawing
Compatibility" (PDF). AutoCAD Civil
3D 2011 User's Guide. Autodesk.
April 2010. pp. 141–142. Retrieved
January 29, 2013.
13. "AutoCAD 2016 Language Packs |
AutoCAD | Autodesk Knowledge
Network" . knowledge.autodesk.com.
Retrieved 2016-11-03.
14. "AutoCAD Exchange Apps" .
Autodesk. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
15. "Questions and Answers" (PDF).
Images.autodesk.com. Retrieved
2016-03-30.
16. Autodesk. "AutoCAD WS" . iTunes
Preview. Apple. Retrieved
30 September 2011.
17. Ozler, Levent. "AutoCAD for Mac and
AutoCAD WS application for iPad and
iPhone" . Dexigner. Dexigner.
Retrieved 30 September 2011.
18. Ozler, Levent. "AutoCAD for Mac
2012: Built for Mac OS X Lion" .
Dexigner. Dexigner. Retrieved
30 September 2011.
19. Ozler, Levent. "AutoCAD WS for
Android" . Dexigner. Dexigner.
Retrieved 30 September 2011.
20. Thomson, Iain. "Autodesk Shifts
Design Apps to the Cloud" . The A
Register. The A Register. Retrieved
30 September 2011.
21. "AutoCAD WS: Moving Forward" .
Augi Autodesk Users Group
International, January 29th, 2013.
Retrieved 26 April 2013.
22. "Overview of Plotting" . Retrieved
19 March 2016.
23. "System requirements for AutoCAD
2016 | AutoCAD | Autodesk
 Knowledge Network" .
Knowledge.autodesk.com. 2015-12-
16. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
24. Clark, Don (16 August 2011).
"Autodesk Adopts Apple App Store
for Mac Software" . The Wall Street
Journal. Retrieved 30 September
2011.

Further reading
Hurley, Shaan. "AutoCAD Release History" .
Between the lines.
"Mike Riddle & the Story of Interact, AutoCAD,
EasyCAD, FastCAD & more" . DigiBarn
Computer Museum. Retrieved 12 November
2016.
 "About" . Michael Riddle's Thoughts.
Retrieved 12 November 2016.
Plantec, Peter (7 January 2012). "The
Fascinating Story of How Autodesk Came to
Be (Part 1)" . Studio Daily. Access
Intelligence.
Grahame, James (17 May 2007). "Mike
Riddle's Prehistoric AutoCAD" . Retro Thing.

External links

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AutoCAD

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related to AutoCAD.
 Official website

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