Autodesk launches latest CAD software — said to be 30% faster

Autodesk, which dominates the design and drafting software market for building professionals in North America, launched its latest series of AutoCAD products today (March 3) in Toronto. The software is used by three million professionals around the world.

AutoCAD 2004, code named “Red Deer” comes 15 months after Autodesk 2002. The new series is focused on a network environment. It includes a broad set of improvements, aimed at speed; easier sharing, and efficiency.

On the speed front, it is said to open files 30% faster than in AutoCAD 2002, with drawing files 52% smaller than DWG files in the predecessor series. Other new features include easier drawing annotation, drag and drop blocks and hatches, automatic notification of drawing changes and notification of a breach of drawing standards.

There are also tools for high quality presentation graphics. At present building desigenrs tend to design on a “wireframe” program and then convert to other graphics packages.

Autodesk 2004 also has new DWF file formats for secure sharing and for publishing files through a free downloadable “express viewer,” said to operate in a similar way to the Adobe PDF/Acrobat system.

The new AutoCAD runs side-by-side installations with previous releases all the way back to Release 14.

The new series is to sell for the same price as AutoCAD 2002, and upgrades are U.S. $495.

Visit www.autodesk.com