Autodesk, Inc. today announced the 2015 releases of AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD LT for Mac software, two of the leading computer-aided design (CAD) tools for Mac users.
The new software makes it easier than ever for businesses and students to create drawings and designs on the platform of their choice without sacrificing important functionality that is key to everyday design workflows. Users can also share their work with colleagues that are using Windows versions of the software for uninterrupted collaboration.
“The new releases of AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD LT for Mac are among the most significant updates in the products’ five-year history,” said Amy Bunszel, vice president of AutoCAD products at Autodesk. “This release has some rich new features but at its core, it is about eliminating dead ends that prevent people from being as effective as they can be when working together on design projects.”
Key new enhancements 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. The Quick Select 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.
“AutoCAD for Mac 2015 is a fantastic release with a surprising number of significant new features,” said Graham Merritt, intern architect at FRANCL Architecture. “We’re very pleased with where this product is going.”
“With the newest release and its added functionality, I can finally leave Windows behind and use AutoCAD LT for Mac as my drafting and design software of choice,” said Kendra Swartz, lead designer, Liederbach and Graham Architects.
