Design 8.16, the day AutoCAD for Mac expanded from a product to a product portfolio.
AutoCAD for Mac 2012 has been joined by AutoCAD LT 2012 for Mac and a dedicated AutoCAD WS for Mac desktop application. Although it is all about the Mac platform the arrival of Network License support has some interesting possibilities for mixed platform environments. But first what is new about AutoCAD for Mac?
AutoCAD 2012 for Mac
AutoCAD for Mac gets an update built specifically for OS X Lion (supports Snow Leopard) and matching many of the features seen in the recent 2012 Windows application. Those include:
- Moveable UCS icon
- Auto-complete commands (for dynamic input & command line)
- Multi-function grips
- Associative array
- AutoCAD WS integration (upload, manage & edit)
Some AutoCAD functionality omitted from AutoCAD 2011 for Mac has been added:
- Edit in place (External Reference & Blocks)
- Plot style creation & edit support (2011 could only use existing)
- Layer manager: Dynamic & Manual Filter Groups
Unique to Mac OS features like Spotlight Search, Cover Flow and Menu/Live Tool Palettes interface make this native Mac application fit Mac user expectations.
AutoCAD for Mac & Windows – Sharing files and Network licenses
AutoCAD Windows, Mac & WS use the same dwg file format making life simple multi-platform offices. If you use network licensing AutoCAD for Mac 2012 now supports the same FLEXlm system as Windows. You can download, install & run AutoCAD for Mac accessing your existing license server but, of course, it will consume an AutoCAD network license when active!
What is missing?
Unsurprisingly, technologies specific to Windows such as Visual Basic for Applications, OLE objects, and Windows Media® Audio and DCL (dialog control language) are not supported. Sadly, surprisingly, there is still no support for AutoCAD Sheetset Manager. If you use this in the Windows version (and you should) its a significant omission.
AutoCAD 2012 LT for Mac hits the (US/Canada) App store
AutoCAD LT for Mac is, like its Windows cousin, AutoCAD with no support for LISP or 3D modelling or rendering. It concentrates on the 2D functionality required for drafting & documentation. Like the full version AutoCAD LT for Mac is a native OS X application & shares many of the same features.
AutoCAD LT for Mac will only be sold in the Mac App Store (from August 19th US PT) making purchase and delivery an all digital transaction.
The initial release is limited to the US/Canadian App Store and does not offer subscription. Support will be offered via a direct Autodesk web support channel.
AutoCAD WS for Mac
Although AutoCAD WS will run in the Safari, or any other, Browser there is now a dedicated free native OSX application.
It offers the same capability as the browser version, integrates with your existing AutoCAD WS account and adds native Mac features like Multi-touch.
Get it from www.autocadws.com or the Mac App Store (from the 19th US PT)
