Key features of AutoCAD 202412123

Stay connected to data throughout your project lifecycle with details of multi-user activities in a DWG file. Be informed of relevant file changes and access with an activity log. Activity Insights helps bridge information gaps in your collaborative AutoCAD workflows. (video: 1:38 min.)

Quickly find the blocks you need and replace one or more blocks via machine learning-based suggestions, recently used blocks, and manual substitute block selection. (video: 1 min.)

Automatically place blocks in your drawing in the right position and scale based on where you’ve inserted the same ones thus far in your DWG file, reducing the number of clicks required and saving you time in the process. (video: 48 sec.)

Rapidly send and incorporate design feedback. Import feedback from printed paper via mobile or PDFs and add changes to your drawings automatically. AutoCAD uses machine learning to detect and execute certain instructions in markup text including "MOVE," "COPY," or "DELETE" commands. (video: 1:59 min.)

AutoCAD subscribers receive exclusive additional functionality in AutoCAD on the web, including AutoLISP API on the web and batch plot to PDF(s).

AutoCAD for Mac 2024 now runs natively on Apple Silicon Mac machines (M1 and M2).

Create single or multiline text (mtext) as a single text object. Easily format text, columns, and boundaries.

Create dimensions automatically. Pass the cursor over selected objects to see a preview before you create it.

Apply formulas, link to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and create tables with data and symbols. Automatically import data to tables using features like Count.

Create leaders with a variety of content, including text or blocks. Easily format leader lines and define styles.

Create and edit centerlines and center marks that automatically move when you move the associated objects.

Draw revision clouds around new changes in a drawing to quickly identify your updates.

Save views by name to easily return to a specific view for quick reference or for applying to layout viewports.

Specify the size of your drawing sheet, add a title block, and display multiple views of your model.

Use fields in text objects to display text that can be updated automatically as the field value changes.

Enable simultaneous updates by creating a live link between a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and a table in your drawing.

Extract information from objects, blocks, and attributes, including drawing information.

Add flexibility and intelligence to your block references, including changing the shape, size, or configuration.

Create and modify objects in circular or rectangular patterns, or along a path.

Apply geometric and dimensional constraints to maintain relationships between drawing geometry.

Remove multiple unneeded objects at once with easy selection and object preview.

Create realistic 3D models of your design using a combination of solid, surface, and mesh modeling tools.

Use 3D viewing and navigation tools to orbit, swivel, walk, and fly around a 3D model to showcase your design.

Apply visual styles to control the display of edges, lighting, and shading of your 3D model.

Create section planes to display cross-sectional views through solids, surfaces, meshes, or regions.

Apply lighting and materials to give your 3D models a realistic appearance and to help communicate your designs.

Render 3D models online without consuming processing power or disk space on your local computer.

Attach point cloud files acquired by 3D laser scanners or other technologies to use as a starting point for your designs.

Generate 2D drawings including base, projected, section, and detail views from 3D models.

Compare two versions of a drawing, including external references (xrefs).

Share and reuse data from PDF files by importing, exporting, or attaching them as underlays.

Share and reuse data from DGN files by importing, exporting, or attaching them as underlays.

Compare two versions of a drawing without leaving your current window.

View, access, manage, and plot multiple drawings as sheet sets.

Attach Navisworks models as underlays to your drawings, and import models from other applications.

Insert geographic location information into a drawing, and display a map in the drawing from an online map service.

Reduce the amount of time you spend setting up AutoCAD with faster and customizable installations.

The new AutoCAD Start tab lets you easily access files and other helpful content directly from the home screen.

TrustedDWG® technology alerts you to a possible incompatibility when a file was not last saved by Autodesk software.

Customize the user interface to improve accessibility and reduce the number of steps for frequent tasks.

Specify security restrictions for running executables in AutoCAD to help protect against malicious executable code.

Record commands and input values that can be played back as an action macro.

Monitor current system variables against a preferred list of values. Notification balloons alert you to deviations.

Define and monitor CAD standards to maintain consistent styles for layers, linetypes, text, and dimensions.

Control drawings and databases with ActiveX, VBS, AutoLisp, Visual LISP, ObjectARX, JavaScript, and .NET.

Customize your software with Autodesk-approved extensions.

• Access to industry-specific toolsets, including:
  • Architecture
  • Mechanical
  • Electrical
  • Map 3D
  • MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing)
  • Plant 3D, including P&ID functionality
  • Raster Design

• AutoCAD on the web: View, create, and edit AutoCAD drawings from any computer with no software install required.*
• AutoCAD on mobile: View, create, and edit AutoCAD drawings via iOS and Android devices.
• Integrated workflows: Work smoothly across desktop, web, and mobile devices.*
• Cloud storage connectivity: Access any DWG file in AutoCAD with Autodesk’s cloud, as well as with leading cloud storage providers.

• Smart Blocks: Automatically place blocks based on previous placements or quickly find and replace existing blocks.
• Markup Assist and Markup Import: Import feedback and incorporate changes to your drawings automatically.
• My Insights: Learn valuable tips and new features to help you work faster.
• APIs for AutoCAD on the web: Automate processes with the AutoLISP API in AutoCAD on the web.
• Trace: Safely review and add feedback directly to a DWG file without altering the existing drawing.
• Count: Automate counting blocks or geometry with the COUNT command.
• Share: Send a controlled copy of your drawing to teammates and colleagues to access wherever they are.
• Push to Autodesk Docs: Push your CAD drawing sheets as PDFs to Autodesk Docs from AutoCAD.
• Drawing history: See changes made to your drawing over time.
• Xref Compare: Compare two versions of an external xref and implement changes without leaving your current drawing.
• Blocks palette: Insert blocks efficiently from the Libraries tab on desktop or in the AutoCAD web app.
• Quick measure: Quickly display all nearby measurements in a drawing, including areas and perimeters, by hovering your mouse.
• Trim and extend (enhanced): The default Quick mode now automatically selects all potential boundaries.
• Purge (redesigned): Remove multiple unneeded objects with easy selection and object preview.
• DWG™ Compare: Compare two versions of a drawing or xref without leaving your current window.
• Attach/extract point cloud data: Attach point cloud files acquired by 3D laser scanners or other technologies.
• PDF import: Import geometry (SHX font files, fills, raster images, and TrueType text) into a drawing from a PDF.
• AutoCAD anytime, anywhere: Access AutoCAD from your desktop, web, and mobile devices.*
• Save to web and mobile: Save drawings and their associated xrefs from your desktop to view and edit in the AutoCAD web and mobile apps.
• New views and viewports: Easily add saved views to your layouts.
• High-resolution monitor support: View your designs on 4K- and higher-resolution displays.
• Off-screen selection: Selected objects stay in the selection set, even if you pan or zoom off screen.

• Activity Insights: Keep informed of recent changes to a shared DWG through an activity log.
• 2D graphics: Stability, fidelity, and performance improvements including up to 9x faster switching between layout tabs compared to AutoCAD 2023.**
• Floating windows: Pull away drawing windows to display them side by side or on multiple monitors without opening another instance of AutoCAD.
• Sheet Set Manager: Plot your sheet sets more quickly with the Autodesk platform.
• Save in half a second: Shave one second off each save on average.
• Speedy install time: Up to 50% faster for solid state hard drives.
• New dark theme: Modern blue aesthetic with contrast and sharpness improvements.
• User interface: Flat-design icons and intuitive dialog boxes and toolbars.
• 3D navigation performance: Up to 10x faster.
  
• Save, move/copy performance boost with new 2018.dwg file format.
• Autodesk App Store with 1,000+ AutoCAD apps.
• The TrustedDWG® file format.
• Improved Install: AutoCAD 2024 install is up to 2x faster than AutoCAD 2023**

• Technical support
  • Autodesk support specialists: Schedule a call,^† chat online (limited availability), or email us.
  • Remote desktop assistance: Get secure, hands-on troubleshooting.^†
  • Online resources: Access our knowledge base for help documentation, tutorials, training videos, and community support forums.

• Access to the latest software: Instantly access the newest releases and updates.
• Access previous versions: Download and use previous releases.
• Flexible term lengths: Subscribe monthly, annually, or for 3 years.*
• Administrative tools: Easily manage software licenses, seats, and usage from your Autodesk Account.

*Not available to maintenance plan customers.
**As with all performance tests, results may vary based on user experience, machine, operating system, filters, and even source material. While every effort has been made to make the tests as fair and objective as possible, your results may differ. Product information and specifications are subject to change without notice. Autodesk provides this information “as is,” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. © 2023 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
^†Available to maintenance plan customers with Advanced Support.