This week Autodesk launched the latest (2015) release of AutoCAD for Mac, featuring a number of enhancements that seek to bring new improvements to the drafting and design software package without sacrificing important functionality, key to people's everyday design workflows. According to Amy Bunszel, VP of AutoCAD, "this release has some rich new features but, at its core, is about eliminating dead ends that prevent people from being as effective as they can be when working together on design projects." For example, users can also share their work with colleagues that are using Windows versions of the software for uninterrupted collaboration.
See the new features in full after the break...
New features 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: this 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.
Standard pricing remains the same for the 2015 version, with AutoCAD costing $4195 and the more limited AutoCAD LT priced at $1200. Cheaper upgrade options also available for existing users. The subscription plan sees AutoCAD priced at $210 per month (or $1680 per year), whilst AutoCAD LT will be priced at $45 per month (or $360 per year). Find out more here.
