Autodesk Updates AutoCAD WS with Support for Offline Editing

By DE Editors

Autodesk, Inc. has announced updates to AutoCAD WS, a free web application that uses cloud computing to enable AutoCAD software users to view, edit and share their AutoCAD designs and DWG files through web browsers and mobile devices. The updated mobile application, which will soon to be available through the App Store, makes designs accessible even when users are not connected to the Internet, and offers support for opening email attachments directly into AutoCAD WS.

“AutoCAD WS has been overwhelmingly embraced by users,” says Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk Platform Solutions and Emerging Business. “In just eight weeks, over 410,000 users have registered, 430,000 drawings have been uploaded and the mobile application has been downloaded from Apple’s App Store over 560,000 times. With the update to AutoCAD WS, we are directly responding to user feedback. We have added requested features, including the ability to access designs while offline. This will encourage even more designers to start using this free and groundbreaking product.”

AutoCAD WS connects AutoCAD users through an online workspace that is accessible directly from their AutoCAD desktop software or on iOS devices, including Apple iPhone and iPad. The 1.1 version of the AutoCAD WS mobile application will expand design accessibility through features that include:

• Offline support: Most requested from existing AutoCAD WS users, designs can now be viewed and edited from mobile devices, without the need for Internet connectivity.
• Direct file uploads from an iPad: Users can now open an email attachment and upload it to their AutoCAD WS account directly from their device.
• Simplified gesture interface: Editing, drawing and markup has been enhanced to be more intuitive and similar to AutoCAD.

For more information or to download the plug-in visit the AutoCAD WS site.

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