Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 28, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
With the AutoCAD 2009 software family, Autodesk presents an application for conceptual design, technical drawing and detailing in mechanics and mechanical engineering (AutoCAD Mechanical 2009 and AutoCAD Electrical 2009), construction and architecture (AutoCAD Architecture 2009, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009 and AutoCAD MEP), and geospatial information (AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 and AutoCAD Raster Design 2009). The user interface of the new versions is intended to enable AutoCAD users to work more productively and quickly and realise their ideas.
For example, the optimised AutoCAD 2009 user interface is intended to provide faster workflows, intuitive access to commands and a quick start for inexperienced users. The ribbons promise significantly more efficient drawing creation. Users can customise and expand them so that individual approaches or company standards can be taken into account. With the new Action Recorder, drawing tasks can be automated without programming knowledge and streamlined further.
Other tools include tips that provide detailed information about commands, links to help documentation and “Show Me” animations intended to improve learning within the application. Relevant information can be displayed through the Menu Browser and Quick View options. In addition, the new AutoCAD versions are said to offer profound improvements in 3D navigation with the new ViewCube and SteeringWheels tools.
AutoCAD 2009 is certified for the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, so that the solutions meet Microsoft Windows Vista standards for compatibility, reliability and security. AutoCAD Subscription customers also benefit from Autodesk Impression illustration software for creating presentation-ready graphics.
“The AutoCAD 2009 portfolio is designed to increase the productivity of experienced users and enable new users to become productive more quickly,” emphasises Amar Hanspal, Senior Vice President, Platform Solutions and Emerging Businesses. “The innovations in AutoCAD 2009 expand a product portfolio that is unrivalled in its breadth, depth and first-class solutions, and that helps our customers improve their design ideas and bring them to life.”
The entire AutoCAD portfolio includes applications for a wide variety of uses:
Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering
- AutoCAD Mechanical 2009 is designed to accelerate the mechanical design process. To this end, standards-based symbol libraries, engineering calculators and mechanics-specific workflows have been created, intended to significantly increase the productivity of AutoCAD users in manufacturing.
- AutoCAD Electrical 2009 was developed specifically to design electrical control systems quickly and accurately. It offers automated tasks, extensive symbol libraries and an electrical-engineering-specific workflow intended to significantly increase the productivity of controls engineers.
Architecture and Construction
- AutoCAD Architecture 2009 delivers intuitive architectural drawing and design tools within a familiar AutoCAD workflow and gives users the flexibility to learn new applications at their own pace, thereby increasing productivity.
AutoCAD MEP is AutoCAD-based planning and construction documentation software designed specifically for building services, intended to enable more productive workflows, greater accuracy and improved coordination for engineers, planners, contractors and technical draughtspeople.
Geospatial
- AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 bridges CAD and GIS information by providing direct access to data and enabling the use of AutoCAD 2009 solutions to maintain a wide range of design and geospatial information.
AutoCAD LT 2009 and Autodesk Design Review
Selected innovative features of AutoCAD 2009 are included in AutoCAD LT 2009. AutoCAD LT 2009 promises an enhanced user interface, improved dynamic blocks, streamlined annotation functions and better data exchange and publishing functions.
Users of AutoCAD 2009 solutions also benefit from the free Autodesk Design Review 2009 software. The ability to electronically view, annotate and review designs involves all project participants in the digital review process.
Availability
The new AutoCAD 2009 solutions are expected to be available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from spring 2008
