The imported models can be instantly updated to reflect engineering changes that affect view entities, edge displays, scale and location.įinally, this version of AutoCAD for Windows supports AutoCAD WS, the company’s mobile device and Web-based collaboration tool, which debuted last year in conjunction with the launch of AutoCAD for Mac 2011. Users can easily import models from a variety of tools, including Parametric Technology’s Creo Elements/Pro (formerly Pro/Engineer), CATIA and SolidWorks from Dassault Syst?mes, Siemens NX and Rhinoceros from McNeel and Associates. The converter also works on batches of files, allowing the mass conversion of file libraries that might have become dusty in the intervening years.ĪutoCAD 2012 also boasts improvements to the model documentation tools, which allow users to generate intelligent drawing views for models created with AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and other modeling tools. It’s now possible for AutoCAD users to publish PDF files from within an AutoCAD drawing, and to use PDF files as underlays, with attach and snap-to capabilities.Įqually valuable is a new DWG conversion tool, which allows users to translate DWG files that were created in AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT and other applications that are built on AutoCAD into five versions of the DWG specification: R14 (which dates back to 1997), DWG 2000, DWG 2004, DWG 2007, and the current version, DWG 2010. First among the new features designed to make it easier for AutoCAD users to work with others is the integration of PDF creation and consumption tools. Perhaps the most notable thing about this release of AutoCAD is the emphasis on collaboration and communication. The 2012 version of the gold standard in CAD software boasts new features designed to make users more productive, without compromising performance or utility.

As with many simple assumptions, that simply isn’t the case. One might be forgiven for thinking that after 25 releases, Autodesk had run out of things to put into its flagship product, AutoCAD.

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