AutoCAD is a commercialcomputer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk,^[1] AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 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 is used in the industry, by architects, project managers, engineers, graphic designers, city planners and other professionals. It was supported by 750 training centers worldwide in 1994.^[1]

• 2Features
• 3Variants
• 4Ports

History[edit]

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.^{[citation needed]} AutoCAD has included support for .dwf, a format developed and promoted by Autodesk, for publishing CAD data.

Features[edit]

Compatibility with other software[edit]

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.autoCAD commonly use in all purposes.

Language[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Autodesk has also developed a few vertical programs for discipline-specific enhancements such as:

• AutoCAD Advance Steel
• 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 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[edit]

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[edit]

Windows[edit]

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[edit]

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 MacOS App Store.

See also[edit]

• 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[edit]

1. ^ ^ab'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/the-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/mike_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. ^ ^abAutodesk. 'AutoCAD WS'. iTunes Preview. Apple. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
17. ^ ^abcOzler, Levent. 'AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD WS application for iPad and iPhone'. Dexigner. Dexigner. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
18. ^ ^abcOzler, Levent. 'AutoCAD for Mac 2012: Built for Mac OS X Lion'. Dexigner. Dexigner. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
19. ^ ^abcOzler, 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. ^ ^abClark, Don (16 August 2011). 'Autodesk Adopts Apple App Store for Mac Software'. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 30 September 2011.

Further reading[edit]

• 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[edit]

Solution:

A common troubleshooting practice for installation problems is to install the software while in safe mode. However, this approach will not work on Windows XP or Windows Vista, because the installer cannot be loaded while in safe mode.

The best alternative is to use MSCONFIG to restart the system in a state similar to safe mode but with the installer services running. Follow these steps:

Note: By default, MSCONFIG is not installed on Windows 2000, so the following solution will only work on Windows 2000 if you copy the msconfig.exe file from a Windows XP computer first.

1. Click Start menu > Run (Windows XP), or Start menu > StartSearch (Windows Vista)
2. Enter msconfig and click OK.
3. Select Diagnostics Start Up to turn off most Windows services.
4. Click the Services tab and select the Windows Installer check box.
5. Click OK and restart Windows when prompted.

Note: This procedure does not require that you copy the contents of the CD to the hard disk, because the basic CD drivers will still be loaded in Diagnostic mode. However, you will not be able to access network resources.

To return to normal start up mode:

1. Click Start menu > Run (Windows XP), or Start menu > StartSearch (Windows Vista)
2. Enter msconfig and click OK.
3. In the System Configuration dialog box, select Normal Start Up.
4. Click OK and restart Windows when prompted.