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AutoCAD is a CAD software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers, notably the IBM PC. At that time, most other CAD programs ran on mainframe computers or mini-computers that were connected to a graphics computer terminal for each user.

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

AutoCAD derived from a program called Interact, which was written in a proprietary language (SPL) and ran on the Marinchip Systems 9900 computer (Marinchip was owned by Autodesk co-founders John Walker and Dan Drake.)

When Marinchip Software Partners (later renamed Autodesk) formed, they decided to re-code Interact in C and PL/1 They chose C because it seemed to be the biggest upcoming language. In the end, the PL/1 version was unsuccessful. The C version was, at the time, one of the most complex programs in that language. Autodesk even had to work with the compiler developer (Lattice) to fix certain limitations to get AutoCAD to run.

Newest Release

The latest AutoCAD release is AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD 2012 for Mac. Both the Windows version and the Mac version can be found on the Autodesk website.

AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD LT is the lower cost version of AutoCAD, albeit, with reduced capabilities, first released in November 1993. AutoCAD LT, priced at $495, became the first product in the company's history priced below $1000 to bear the AutoCAD name. In addition to being sold directly by Autodesk, it can also be purchased at computer stores, unlike the full version of AutoCAD, which must be purchased from official Autodesk dealers. Autodesk developed AutoCAD LT to have an entry-level CAD package to compete in the lower price level.

As of the 2011 release the AutoCAD LT MSRP has risen to $1200. While there are hundreds of small differences between the full AutoCAD package and AutoCAD LT, currently there are a few recognized major differences 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, and VBA.
• Management and automation capabilities with Sheet Set Manager and Action Recorder.
• CAD standards management tools.

AutoCAD WS

In 2010, Autodesk released their first AutoCAD mobile application AutoCAD WS. The mobile app allows registered users to “view, edit, and share” their work wherever they go. The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store for iOS users or from the Amazon Appstore for Android users. A registered license is required to use the mobile app.

Autodesk officially release their iOS mobile app in September of 2010 . This was the start of their mobile application adventure. Since then the release has grown from just the iPhone to the iPod Touch, iPad, Android phones, and Android tablets . The AutoCAD WS app has several of the desktop AutoCAD features, but is also limited too. The app provides the ability to draw lines, circles, and other various shapes. Text and comment boxes are supported features. Colors, Layers, and measurement are also included features found in the mobile app. The latest version, version 1.3, was released on August 17, 2011 and added the following features: unit typing, layer visibility, area measurement, and file management . Both landscape and portrait modes are supported while using the app.

Autodesk announced that they would release their Android mobile app on April 20, 20011 . The app is very similar to the iOS app with basically all the same features and abilities. The Android AutoCAD WS mobile app has some unique features not found in the iOS version. The Android App allows users to insert text or captions by voice commands instead of forcing them to manual input the text into the drawings . This feature is not currently supported on the iOS mobile device.

AutoCAD Freestyle

Built on the AutoCAD platform, AutoCAD Freestyle is a simplified, low-cost (US$149) application that makes it easy to create accurate, professional-looking 2D drawings and sketches. This software has been discontinued by Autodesk.

Student versions

AutoCAD is licensed at a significant discount over commercial retail pricing to qualifying students and teachers, with a 36-month 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), 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 imported.

The Autodesk student community provides registered students with free access to different Autodesk applications.

Vertical programs

Autodesk has also developed a few vertical programs, for discipline-specific enhancements. AutoCAD Architecture (formerly Architectural Desktop), for example, 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. AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD P&ID, AutoCAD Plant 3D and AutoCAD Structural Detailing are other examples of industry-specific CAD applications built on the AutoCAD platform.

File formats

AutoCAD's native file format, DWG, and to a lesser extent, its interchange file format, DXF, have become de facto standards for CAD data interoperability. AutoCAD in recent years has included support for DWF, a format developed and promoted by Autodesk for publishing CAD data. In 2006, Autodesk estimated the number of active DWG files at in excess of one billion.

In the past, Autodesk has estimated the total number of existing DWG files as more than three billion.

See also

• DWF
• Comparison of CAD editors for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC)
• Autodesk
• AutoCAD Architecture
• 3ds Max
• Autodesk Maya
• Autodesk Revit
• AutoSketch by Autodesk
• MicroStation, competitor for AutoCAD by Bentley

References

1. http://www.fourmilab.ch/autofile/
2. http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/autocad_lt_2011_faq.pdf
3. ^ Autodesk. "AutoCAD WS". iTunes Preview. Apple. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
4. Ozler, Levent. "AutoCAD for Mac 2012: Built for Mac OS X Lion". Dexigner. Dexigner Network. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
5. Ozler, Levent. "AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD WS App for iPad and iPhone". Dexigner. Dexigner Network. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
6. ^ Ozler, Levent. "AutoCAD WS for Android". Dexigner. Dexigner Network. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
7. http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2011/ENU/filesAUG/WS1a9193826455f5ffa23ce210c4a30acaf-6050.htm
8. AutoCAD and it's Applications

External links

• Autodesk AutoCAD information
• AutoCAD History by Shaan Hurley

• 1982 software
• Autodesk
• IRIX software
• 3D graphics software
• Computer-aided design software