Autodesk has announced the release of AutoCAD for Mac 2015 with a feature-set that for the first time brings it close to that of the Windows version. The lower-cost AutoCAD LT for Mac version has also been updated.
Autodesk is emphasizing cross-platform compatibility for companies using a mix of OS X and Windows machines. The ability to save layer information like color and line type has been added to the Mac version in line with the Windows edition.
The company also says AutoCAD for 2015 is faster at the same time as offering improved stability …
“The new releases of AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD LT for Mac are among the most significant updates in the products’ five-year history,” said Amy Bunszel, vice president of AutoCAD products at Autodesk. “This release has some rich new features but at its core, it is about eliminating dead ends that prevent people from being as effective as they can be when working together on design projects.”
A key new feature for the Mac is Dynamic Blocks, which allow users to create a single element like a window in a building and then replicate it as many times as required, changing the size and shape as desired.
A new Quick Select tool allows objects to be selected based on query criteria, with a preview function providing confirmation that the query has selected the desired set of objects.
Autodesk has retained existing pricing: $4195 or $210 per month for the full version, and $1200 or $45 per month for the cut-down AutoCAD LT. The full press release can be viewed below.
AutoCAD for Mac 2015 and AutoCAD LT for Mac 2015 Now Available
New Functionality Helps Mac and Windows Users Work Together More Efficiently
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 9:00 am EDT
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced the 2015 releases of AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD LT for Mac software, two of the leading computer-aided design (CAD) tools for Mac users.
The new software makes it easier than ever for businesses and students to create drawings and designs on the platform of their choice without sacrificing important functionality that is key to everyday design workflows. Users can also share their work with colleagues that are using Windows versions of the software for uninterrupted collaboration.
“The new releases of AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD LT for Mac are among the most significant updates in the products’ five-year history,” said Amy Bunszel, vice president of AutoCAD products at Autodesk. “This release has some rich new features but at its core, it is about eliminating dead ends that prevent people from being as effective as they can be when working together on design projects.”
Key new enhancements include:
- Dynamic Blocks. Mac users gain the ability to create and edit Dynamic Blocks—a capability previously limited to Windows users. This feature enables them to insert one block that can change shape, size, or configuration instead of inserting several static blocks.
- Layer States. Mac users can also now save their layer settings as Layer States, which store information like color, linetype, and information about whether a layer is turned off, frozen, or locked. Prior to the 2015 releases, Mac users were unable to view any of the layer states information their Windows colleagues had embedded within a drawing.
- Data Linking. Users who need to link a table to data in a Microsoft Excel file can use the new Data Linking feature, and their table will automatically update as external changes are made. This feature is especially helpful when managing large amounts of information about things like materials or fixtures.
- Quick Select. The Quick Select tool allows users to quickly select objects based on query criteria, enabling users to easily select exactly what they need in their drawing. The Quick Select tool also includes a “preview” option so that users can see what they’re about to select before they commit to the selection.
“AutoCAD for Mac 2015 is a fantastic release with a surprising number of significant new features,” said Graham Merritt, intern architect at FRANCL Architecture. “We’re very pleased with where this product is going.”
“With the newest release and its added functionality, I can finally leave Windows behind and use AutoCAD LT for Mac as my drafting and design software of choice,” said Kendra Swartz, lead designer, Liederbach and Graham Architects.
Additional details about the software, including pricing and availability, are available here.
About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone–from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.
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What if I just want an AutoCad viewer? Any suggestions?
Does anyone still use Autocad? Let’s focus on Revit.
I’m currently learning AutoCAD and, coming from a design background, I have a Mac. I was very happy to find auto cad on the mac platform. However Autodesks decision to give it “the traditional look and feel of a Mac” was a huge mistake. 99% of AutoCAD users use the PC version with the PC interface. The vast majority of AutoCAD classes tutorials and books detail the PC interface version. So whether you are learning by yourself or as part of a class anything in your manual will likely only have instructions which focus on the PC interface. Because the feature set isn’t identical, if you are trying to find instructions on how to perform a task it is very troublesome and time consuming to find the answer for how its done on the Mac, and you may, after hours of searching, discover that the reason you can’t find out how it’s done on the Mac is because the feature does not exist of the Mac version.
On their website Autodesk is quick to point out how they spent 30 years designing and refining AutoCAD. Then they go on to say that instead of bringing that 30 years of experience to the Mac instead they are going to do a completely different interface that drops all of their experience and expertise for something they’ve never done before.
My textbook is for the PC version and after reading through several chapters on how its done on the PC I can say that it appears to be a very functional and well thought out design. Why would you change it? Remember that the people who are going to purchase the mac version will almost certainly be people who are coming from the PC version. So everyone who learned on the PC will have to spend the annoying time relearning the mac interface. And those who have macs, such as students, will be learning an interface that does not exist in the professional world. They will be forced to struggle with an interface they didn’t study — most likely while trying to not look like an idiot because they stated on their resume they knew AutoCAD or had certification.
All of this to give a handful of die hard mac users, of which I’m one, the feel of a real mac application. It’s just not worth it. It ignores 30 years of design and refinement, 30 years worth of educational software and books, 30 years worth of experienced user base, 30 years of online resources. And when all is said and done they will probably drop the software stating “Mac users just don’t do CAD”.