Autodesk Autocad Software

Autodesk Autocad Software

History

Developers :- Autodesk
Initial release :- December 1982; 35 years ago
Stable release :- 2019 / March 22, 2018; 5 months ago
Operating system :- Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Available in :- English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Polish and Hungarian
Type :- Computer-aided design

   AutoCAD is a commercial computer-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 across a wide range of industries, by architects, project managers, engineers, graphic designers, town planners and many other professionals. It was supported by 750 training centers worldwide in 1994.

   AutoCAD was derived from a program begun in 1977 and released in 1979 called Interact CAD, 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.

    The first version by Autodesk was demonstrated at the 1982 Comdex and released that December. As Autodesk's flagship product, by March 1986 AutoCAD had become the most ubiquitous CAD program worldwide. The 2019 release marked the 33rd major release of AutoCAD for Windows. The 2014 release marked the fourth consecutive year of AutoCAD for Mac.

Features

Compatibility with other software:

     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); 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:

     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). 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:

     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:

1.     products extending AutoCAD functionality to specific fields.
2.     creating products such as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D.
3.     third-party AutoCAD-based application.

        There are a large number of AutoCAD plugins (add-on applications) available on the application store Autodesk Exchange Apps  AutoCAD's DXF, drawing exchange format, allows importing and exporting drawing information.

Vertical integration:

Autodesk has also developed a few vertical programs:

    AutoCAD Advance Steel
    AutoCAD Architecture
    AutoCAD Civil
    AutoCAD Electrical
    AutoCAD ecscad
    AutoCAD Map 3D
    AutoCAD Mech
    AutoCAD MEP
    AutoCAD Structural Detailing
    AutoCAD Utility Design
    AutoCAD P&ID
    AutoCAD Plant 3D

for discipline-specific enhancements.

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 data-specific objects facilitating easy standard civil engineering calculations and representations.

Civil 3D was originally developed as an AutoCAD add-on by a company in New Hampshire called Softdesk (originally DCA). Softdesk was acquired by Autodesk, and Civil 3D was further evolved.

150 AutoCAD Command and Shortcut list:

     In this massive list of approximately 150 AutoCAD commands, I have tried to include some of the most useful commands, Keyboard Shortcuts and Tools which every AutoCAD user must know. Some of the commands in this list are very basic which are used very frequently and also there are commands and tools which are not often used despite their great features.

     This is the list of some of the most basic AutoCAD commands which every AutoCAD user should know. These are some of the Draw and Modify commands which make the very basics of AutoCAD and if you are just starting to learn AutoCAD then you should know all of these basic commands.

Toggle General Features:

Ctrl+E Toggle coordinate display
Ctrl+G Toggle Grid
Ctrl+E Cycle isometric planes
Ctrl+F Toggle running object snaps
Ctrl+H Toggle Pick Style
Ctrl+Shift+H Toggle Hide pallets
Ctrl+I Toggle Coords
Ctrl+Shift+I Toggle Infer Constraints

Manage Screen:

Ctrl+0 (zero) Clean Screen
Ctrl+1 Property Palette
Ctrl+2 Design Center Palette
Ctrl+3 Tool Palette
Ctrl+4 Sheet Set Palette
Ctrl+6 DBConnect Manager
Ctrl+7 Markup Set Manager Palette
Ctrl+8 Quick Calc
Ctrl+9 Command Line

Manage Drawings:

Ctrl+N New Drawing
Ctrl+S Save drawing
Ctrl+O Open drawing
Ctrl+P Plot dialog box
Ctrl+Tab Switch to next
Ctrl+Shift+Tab Switch to previous drawing
Ctrl+Page Up Switch to previous tab in current drawing
Ctrl+Page Down Switch to next tab in current drawing
Ctrl+Q Exit
Ctrl+A Select all objects

Toggle Drawing Modes:

F1 Display Help
F2 Toggle text screen
F3 Toggle object snap mode
F4 Toggle 3DOsnap
F5 Toggle Isoplane
F6 Toggle Dynamic UCS
F7 Toggle grid mode
F8 Toggle ortho mode
F9 Toggle snap mode
F10 Toggle polar mode
F11 Toggle object snap tracking
F12 Toggle dynamic input mode

Manage Workflow:

Ctrl+C Copy object
Ctrl+X Cut object
Ctrl+V Paste object
Ctrl+Shift+C Copy to clipboard with base point
Ctrl+Shift+V Paste data as block
Ctrl+Z Undo last action
Ctrl+Y Redo last action
Ctrl+[ Cancel current command (or ctrl+\)
ESC Cancel current command