AutoCAD 2017 for Mac Released

Autodesk has announced the release of AutoCAD 2017 for Mac and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Mac. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

Autodesk has announced the release of its 2017 editions of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT for Mac OS. Among the features introduced in AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Mac detailed by Autodesk are a better organized and more intuitive user interface (UI), customizable tool sets as well as greater control for importing PDF files.

Autodesk reports that it has made “significant changes” to AutoCAD for the Mac UI, including redesigned tool sets and a number of new tabs. The redesigned tool sets, says Autodesk, provide users access to more tools in a more organized fashion, adding that this Mac-native AutoCAD application’s new file tabs provide easy, single-click access to all the open drawings. Additional UI enhancements include new Model and Layout tabs and an updated Status Bar. The command line is now anchored at the bottom of the drawing area.

The 2017 release of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT for Mac introduces an updated user interface that includes redesigned tool sets, new Model and Layout tabs as well as new file tabs that provide single-click access to all open drawings. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

Autodesk adds that it divided the tool sets into two tabs—Drafting and Modeling—for easy access to tools and commands. Each tab contains predefined standard panels that group related commands together. Users can customize any standard panel by clicking on it to select which commands to show or hide from that set. Further, users can collapse, move, reorder and resize panels in real time. Users can also create their own panels by adding commands by dragging from the complete command list.

With AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Mac, Autodesk divided the user interface into two tabs, Drafting and Modeling, which, says the company, provides easy access to tools and commands. Each user-customizable tab contains predefined standard panels, grouping related commands together. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

The 2017 versions of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT for Mac extend the applications’ PDF functionality with the ability to import the geometry, TrueType text and raster images from a specified page in a PDF file as well as from all or part of an attached PDF underlay. The Import tool now enables users to import geometry from a PDF page into the current drawing as AutoCAD objects.

The Import tool in the 2017 release of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT for Mac now supports PDF file import, enabling users to import geometry from a PDF page into their current drawing as AutoCAD objects. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

With this new functionality, explains Autodesk, users can specify the scale, rotation and insertion point of the imported geometry; control the types of data imported from the PDF (geometry, solid fills, text and raster objects); control how layers are assigned to imported objects; and set different post-processing options for imported geometry.

A new PDFIMPORT command also provides an alternate method for importing geometry into a drawing. The initial options, says Autodesk, provide a choice either to select an attached PDF underlay or to specify a PDF file.

AutoCAD 2017 for Mac also now supports OS X native Full Screen mode. This functionality provides the ability to use a split view with AutoCAD.

AutoCAD 2017 for Mac now supports OS X native Full Screen mode. The Full Screen mode enables split-screen views with AutoCAD as shown here. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

Miscellaneous features debuting in the 2017 versions of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT for Mac include the ability to sign in and access Autodesk accounts from within the application window, support for multiple open AutoCAD sessions, associative centerlines and center marks as well as enhancements to the text editor visor. AutoCAD 2017 for Mac also introduces a new License Manager that, says Autodesk, makes it easier for users to change between license types and save work when a network license loses connection with the License Manager.

Autodesk says that the new file tabs in AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Macintosh computers provide a simple way to access all open drawings. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

“The enhancements in this release were designed to match your familiar workflows, making this the ultimate Mac-native AutoCAD release,” said company spokesperson Marielle Covington in the AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017 blog announcement. “From modern, customizable tool sets to importing PDFs and running multiple AutoCAD sessions side-by-side, we’ve added many sought-after features, allowing you to focus on designing.”

For more details on the 2017 editions of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, click here.

Watch video introductions of AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Mac.

Download the AutoCAD 2017 for Mac Preview Guide.

Download a free trial of AutoCAD 2017 for Mac.

Go here for the blog announcement of AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Mac.

See why DE‘s Editors selected AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017 for the Mac as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.