Autodesk Introduces Productivity Boosts
to AutoCAD Software
State-of-the-art, Task-based User Interface Improves Design and Drafting Efficiency
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 12, 2008—Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), at its annual World Press Days event today, announced the AutoCAD
2009 family of software including AutoCAD 2009, one of the leading applications
for conceptual design, drafting and detailing. The latest release’s significant
user interface enhancements help AutoCAD customers of all levels work more productively
toward competitive design ideas and compelling presentations.
AutoCAD 2009 includes the first task-based user interface in a computer-aided design
(CAD) application, allowing new and veteran AutoCAD customers to experience greater
efficiency. The new version also delivers automation tools that do not require programming
knowledge, and new 3D navigational tools. In addition, AutoCAD 2009 subscription
customers will receive Autodesk Impression illustration software for the creation
of presentation-ready graphics.
“The AutoCAD 2009 portfolio is designed to improve the productivity of veteran users
and allow new users to become productive more quickly,” said Amar Hanspal, senior
vice president, Platform Solutions and Emerging Businesses. “Autodesk has a long
history of helping our customers make a difference in people’s lives with better
design in the buildings where we live, work and play, the roads we travel and the
products we use. The innovations in AutoCAD 2009 extend to a product portfolio unmatched
for breadth, depth and best-inclass solutions that help our customers improve and
bring to life their design ideas.”
Software Integrates Drawing and Visualization, Speeds Tasks
Updates to the AutoCAD 2009 software portfolio support individual users’ needs and
preferences, making routine CAD tasks faster and less-common commands easier to
find. A new ribbon interface in AutoCAD 2009 software affords the ability to view
operations that are relevant to the current workspace in a single, compact place.
Highly customizable and extensible, the new interface allows a smooth transition
from previous versions of AutoCAD software, and a “classic workspace” option offers
a traditional toolbar and menu interface. Other helpful tools include enhanced tooltips,
which provide more information about commands, links to help documentation and Show
Me animations to improve learning inside the application. The Menu Browser, Quick
Properties and Quick View display relevant information quickly and visually.
In addition to user interface enhancements, new productivity features include the
Action Recorder, which further streamlines drafting tasks by allowing the user to
automate them without any software programming. A mode-less layer manager lets users
view changes to layer settings without exiting the Layer Manager. AutoCAD 2009 users
also will find extensive 3D navigation improvements with new ViewCube and SteeringWheels
tools. AutoCAD 2009 software is certified for the 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Windows
Vista operating systems, helping assure that the product meets Microsoft Windows
Vista standards for compatibility, reliability and security.
Autodesk Impression software also is included with AutoCAD 2009 subscription purchases,
enabling customers to quickly and easily create presentation-ready graphics with
a handdrawn look directly from AutoCAD DWF and DWG files. With the addition of Impression
functionality to the AutoCAD feature set, AutoCAD subscription customers can create
compelling artistic images that they can share with clients and members of their
extended design teams.
The AutoCAD 2009 Portfolio of Industry-specific Solutions
The AutoCAD software portfolio includes discipline-specific applications built on
AutoCAD technology. (See related press releases: “Autodesk Places Digital Prototyping
in Hands of Manufacturers,” “Autodesk Launches New Solutions for Building Information
Modeling” and “Autodesk Enhances Geospatial Software Solutions for Utilities, Telecommunications
and Government,” Feb. 12, 2008.)
• AutoCAD Architecture 2009 features intuitive architectural drawing
and design tools within a familiar AutoCAD workflow, offering users the flexibility
to learn new tools at their own pace and increase their productivity
• AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009 software offers better surveying, design,
analysis and construction documentation for civil engineering, within a familiar
workflow for experienced AutoCAD users.
• AutoCAD Electrical 2009 is purpose-built to design electrical
controls systems quickly and accurately with automated tasks, comprehensive symbol
libraries, and an electricalspecific workflow designed to dramatically increase
the productivity of controls engineers.
• AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 bridges CAD and geospatial information systems
(GIS) information by providing direct access to data and enables the use of AutoCAD
2009 software tools for maintaining a broad range of design and geospatial information.
• AutoCAD Mechanical 2009 is designed to accelerate the mechanical
design process with standards-based symbol libraries, engineering calculators and
a mechanical-specific workflow created to significantly improve productivity for
AutoCAD users in manufacturing.
• AutoCAD MEP 2009, the AutoCAD software for mechanical, electrical
and plumbing (MEP) businesses, features intuitive system drawing and design tools
and built-in design calculators for more efficient and accurate designs.
• AutoCAD P&ID 2009 lets users create, modify and manage piping
and instrumentation diagrams; user interface enhancements help automate even more
common tasks and streamline access to information so that projects start easier,
run better and finish sooner.
• AutoCAD Raster Design 2009 used with AutoCAD 2009 software applications
provides raster-to-vector conversion, raster editing and raster data preparation
capabilities that extend the value of scanned drawings, maps, satellite imagery
and more.
Select, innovative features in AutoCAD 2009 software are incorporated in AutoCAD
LT 2009, the world’s best-selling 2D drafting application. AutoCAD LT 2009 software
features make drafting tasks more productive and include user interface enhancements,
improved dynamic blocks, streamlined annotation features and better data exchange
and publishing capabilities.
Users of any of the AutoCAD 2009 family of products will also benefit from the availability
of free Autodesk Design Review 2009 software, which allows team members to participate
in the digital review process with tools to view, mark up and revise designs electronically.
Availability
Product availability will vary by country. Details and purchasing options
will be accessible starting March 25, 2008, at http://www.autodesk.com/purchaseoptions.
Autodesk Design Review 2009 software ships with all Autodesk design software and
is available as a free* download at http://www.autodesk.com/designreview-download.
Information and selected content from Autodesk World Press Days may be found at
http://www.worldpressdays08.com.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing,
building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction
of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art
digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they
are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate
and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and
money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk,
visit http://www.autodesk.com/.
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*Free products subject to the terms and conditions of the
end-user license agreement that accompanies download of the software.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Civil 3D, DWF and DWG are registered trademarks or
trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. Windows Vista is
either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks
belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product
offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible
for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2008 Autodesk,
Inc. All rights reserved.