Description
Design and shape the world around you with the powerful, flexible features found in AutoCAD design and documentation software, one of the worlds leading 2D and 3D CAD tools. It is possible to speed documentation, share thoughts gradually and explore ideas more intuitively in 3D. AutoCAD software provides the ultimate in flexibility, customized for your specific needs with thousands of available add-ons. Its high time to take design further.
AutoCAD software enables you to create and explore ideas like never before. With AutoCAD software Autodesk has just one goal in mind: increasing your productivity. From conceptual design through drafting and detailing, AutoCAD is all you need to create, visualize and share your ideas. AutoCAD combines the familiar AutoCAD commands and user interface that you already know with an updated design environment, giving you the power to shape and explore your ideas like never before.
New and/or enhanced functions:
* Initial Setup is displayed the first time you start AutoCAD 2010 and allow you to select the industry that most closely describes your work like Architecture or Civil Engineering for example. Depending on your choices the following will be set: the default settings of various AutoCAD functionality, including drawing templates, Autodesk Seek filters, Autodesk Developer Network partners, the Unified Online Experience portal, and workspaces. If you later want to access Initial Setup it is available via Options>User Preferences.
* The ribbon has been updated. You can drag a ribbon panel off the ribbon to display it as a sticky panel. Sticky panels remain displayed, even when selecting a different tab, until you select the option to Return Panels to Ribbon.
* The vertical ribbon has been updated to show the tab names along the side. The panel titles are displayed by default and those with additional tools include slide-out panels. When resizing the vertical ribbon, buttons automatically flow to the next or previous row and other elements, such as slider bars, automatically shorten or lengthen.
* You can customize contextual ribbon tab states which control the display of ribbon tabs and panels based on either the type of object selected in the drawing window or the active command. You can display a ribbon tab that is assigned to a ribbon contextual tab state either on its own tab or with its panels merged onto each of the ribbon tabs in the current workspace. To add a ribbon tab, drag it from the Tabs node in the Customizations In pane to the contextual tab state. For example, if you want the Home tab to become active whenever you select an Arc object, drag the Home-2D ribbon tab to the Arc selected node under the Contextual Tab States. Select it and modify its display type to indicate if it should be displayed as its own tab or merged onto each ribbon tab.
* The Quick Access toolbar has been enhanced with more functionality and to ensure consistency with other Windows applications. The Undo and Redo tools include history support and the right-click menu includes new options that enable you to easily remove tools from the toolbar, add separators between tools, and display the Quick Access toolbar above or below the ribbon. The Quick Access toolbar includes a new flyout menu, which displays a list of common tools that you can select to include in the Quick Access toolbar. The flyout menu provides easy access to additional tools using the Command List pane in the CUI Editor. Other options enable you to show the menu bar or display the Quick Access toolbar below the ribbon. The Quick Access toolbar can be customized using the new Quick Access toolbars node in the CUI Editor. Multiple versions of the Quick Access toolbar can be created and added to different workspaces.
* Enhanced PDF Support. Sharing and reusing designs has never been easier thanks to enhanced PDF support within AutoCAD. Publishing improvements include smaller file sizes and TrueType font support. And new import and underlay capabilities mean you can bring PDF files directly into AutoCAD drawings.
* Send an AutoCAD Model to a 3D Printer. Do more than just visualize your designsmake them real. Whatever youre designing can be made into a physical prototype through a 3D printer, either your own or through a connected service.
* Cut Design Time with Parametric Drawing. Dramatically slash your design revision time with parametric drawing. By defining persistent relationships between objects, parallel lines remain parallel and concentric circles remain centered, all automatically.
* Dynamic Blocks supports geometric and dimensional constraints. They also support the ability to define a table of variations of the dynamic block.
- Constraint Parameters behave like dimensional constraints but also expose their name as a property for the block reference similar to dynamic block parameters. You can access constraint parameters from the Dimensional panel of the Block Editor tab in the ribbon or with the BCPARAMETER command. Constraint parameter options include Linear, Aligned, Horizontal, Vertical, Angular, Radial, and Diameter.
- Construction geometry (BCONSTRUCTION command) enables you to convert existing objects to construction geometry. The construction geometry is visible in the Block Editor and can be constrained, but it does not display or plot in the block reference.
- The Parameters Manager is available in the Block Editor. It lists user parameters, legacy action parameters, block constraint parameters, and attributes. Using the Parameters Manager, you can control whether or not a parameter is displayed in the Properties palette for a selected block reference and you can specify the order in which the parameters appear.
- The Test Block tool (BTESTBLOCK command) enables you to test a block definition while authoring dynamic blocks. When you use this tool, AutoCAD opens a temporary window, similar to a drawing window, with the block reference already inserted. The Test Block Window is easily identifiable by the title bar, background color, and the contextual ribbon tab which includes a button to Close Test Block. When you close the test block, youre automatically returned to the Block Editor.
- The Block Table tool is accessible from the Dimensional panel of the ribbon, or the BTABLE command, it displays the Block Properties Table where you can define different variations of a property set for the block reference. You can enter properties manually or copy and paste from a Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet.
- Block Editor Settings is launched with the command BESETTINGS and enables you to control all the settings for the Block Editor environment in one place. You can apply colors to objects based on their constraint status, making it easy to identify objects that are partially, fully, or over-constrained, or that have no constraints at all. The system variable BCONSTATUSMODE controls whether this shading is used.
- Color Selection - you can set layer colors and pick from the AutoCAD Color Index with ease. Access the Select Color dialog box directly from the Layer drop-down list by selecting on the layer color swatch. If the layer has a viewport color override, the color swatch has a white border. The new color you select applies to the appropriate viewport color override or global color.
- Measure Tools - The new MEASUREGEOM command enables you to measure the distance, radius, angle, area, or volume of a selected object or a sequence of points. You can access these tools from the Utilities panel of the Home ribbon tab.
- The Distance tool enables you to measure the distance between two points. AutoCAD visually displays the distance, delta x, delta y, and angle in the xy plane within the Drawing Editor. If you select the Multiple option, you can continue picking points and, with each pick, AutoCAD displays the cumulative distance.
- You can use the Volume tool to specify boundary points with visual feedback similar to the Area option, and then specify a height to determine the volume. Additionally, you can display the volume of selected solids or regions.
and much more
AutoCAD software enables you to create and explore ideas like never before. With AutoCAD software Autodesk has just one goal in mind: increasing your productivity. From conceptual design through drafting and detailing, AutoCAD is all you need to create, visualize and share your ideas. AutoCAD combines the familiar AutoCAD commands and user interface that you already know with an updated design environment, giving you the power to shape and explore your ideas like never before.
New and/or enhanced functions:
* Initial Setup is displayed the first time you start AutoCAD 2010 and allow you to select the industry that most closely describes your work like Architecture or Civil Engineering for example. Depending on your choices the following will be set: the default settings of various AutoCAD functionality, including drawing templates, Autodesk Seek filters, Autodesk Developer Network partners, the Unified Online Experience portal, and workspaces. If you later want to access Initial Setup it is available via Options>User Preferences.
* The ribbon has been updated. You can drag a ribbon panel off the ribbon to display it as a sticky panel. Sticky panels remain displayed, even when selecting a different tab, until you select the option to Return Panels to Ribbon.
* The vertical ribbon has been updated to show the tab names along the side. The panel titles are displayed by default and those with additional tools include slide-out panels. When resizing the vertical ribbon, buttons automatically flow to the next or previous row and other elements, such as slider bars, automatically shorten or lengthen.
* You can customize contextual ribbon tab states which control the display of ribbon tabs and panels based on either the type of object selected in the drawing window or the active command. You can display a ribbon tab that is assigned to a ribbon contextual tab state either on its own tab or with its panels merged onto each of the ribbon tabs in the current workspace. To add a ribbon tab, drag it from the Tabs node in the Customizations In pane to the contextual tab state. For example, if you want the Home tab to become active whenever you select an Arc object, drag the Home-2D ribbon tab to the Arc selected node under the Contextual Tab States. Select it and modify its display type to indicate if it should be displayed as its own tab or merged onto each ribbon tab.
* The Quick Access toolbar has been enhanced with more functionality and to ensure consistency with other Windows applications. The Undo and Redo tools include history support and the right-click menu includes new options that enable you to easily remove tools from the toolbar, add separators between tools, and display the Quick Access toolbar above or below the ribbon. The Quick Access toolbar includes a new flyout menu, which displays a list of common tools that you can select to include in the Quick Access toolbar. The flyout menu provides easy access to additional tools using the Command List pane in the CUI Editor. Other options enable you to show the menu bar or display the Quick Access toolbar below the ribbon. The Quick Access toolbar can be customized using the new Quick Access toolbars node in the CUI Editor. Multiple versions of the Quick Access toolbar can be created and added to different workspaces.
* Enhanced PDF Support. Sharing and reusing designs has never been easier thanks to enhanced PDF support within AutoCAD. Publishing improvements include smaller file sizes and TrueType font support. And new import and underlay capabilities mean you can bring PDF files directly into AutoCAD drawings.
* Send an AutoCAD Model to a 3D Printer. Do more than just visualize your designsmake them real. Whatever youre designing can be made into a physical prototype through a 3D printer, either your own or through a connected service.
* Cut Design Time with Parametric Drawing. Dramatically slash your design revision time with parametric drawing. By defining persistent relationships between objects, parallel lines remain parallel and concentric circles remain centered, all automatically.
* Dynamic Blocks supports geometric and dimensional constraints. They also support the ability to define a table of variations of the dynamic block.
- Constraint Parameters behave like dimensional constraints but also expose their name as a property for the block reference similar to dynamic block parameters. You can access constraint parameters from the Dimensional panel of the Block Editor tab in the ribbon or with the BCPARAMETER command. Constraint parameter options include Linear, Aligned, Horizontal, Vertical, Angular, Radial, and Diameter.
- Construction geometry (BCONSTRUCTION command) enables you to convert existing objects to construction geometry. The construction geometry is visible in the Block Editor and can be constrained, but it does not display or plot in the block reference.
- The Parameters Manager is available in the Block Editor. It lists user parameters, legacy action parameters, block constraint parameters, and attributes. Using the Parameters Manager, you can control whether or not a parameter is displayed in the Properties palette for a selected block reference and you can specify the order in which the parameters appear.
- The Test Block tool (BTESTBLOCK command) enables you to test a block definition while authoring dynamic blocks. When you use this tool, AutoCAD opens a temporary window, similar to a drawing window, with the block reference already inserted. The Test Block Window is easily identifiable by the title bar, background color, and the contextual ribbon tab which includes a button to Close Test Block. When you close the test block, youre automatically returned to the Block Editor.
- The Block Table tool is accessible from the Dimensional panel of the ribbon, or the BTABLE command, it displays the Block Properties Table where you can define different variations of a property set for the block reference. You can enter properties manually or copy and paste from a Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet.
- Block Editor Settings is launched with the command BESETTINGS and enables you to control all the settings for the Block Editor environment in one place. You can apply colors to objects based on their constraint status, making it easy to identify objects that are partially, fully, or over-constrained, or that have no constraints at all. The system variable BCONSTATUSMODE controls whether this shading is used.
- Color Selection - you can set layer colors and pick from the AutoCAD Color Index with ease. Access the Select Color dialog box directly from the Layer drop-down list by selecting on the layer color swatch. If the layer has a viewport color override, the color swatch has a white border. The new color you select applies to the appropriate viewport color override or global color.
- Measure Tools - The new MEASUREGEOM command enables you to measure the distance, radius, angle, area, or volume of a selected object or a sequence of points. You can access these tools from the Utilities panel of the Home ribbon tab.
- The Distance tool enables you to measure the distance between two points. AutoCAD visually displays the distance, delta x, delta y, and angle in the xy plane within the Drawing Editor. If you select the Multiple option, you can continue picking points and, with each pick, AutoCAD displays the cumulative distance.
- You can use the Volume tool to specify boundary points with visual feedback similar to the Area option, and then specify a height to determine the volume. Additionally, you can display the volume of selected solids or regions.
and much more