The new generation of the AutoCAD platform increases designers' productivity

Autodesk, the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for manufacturing, construction, media, and entertainment, announced at its regional press conference Autodesk World Press Days Europe 2008 a range of software AutoCAD 2009, including the AutoCAD 2009 product, one of the most widely used applications for conceptual design and drafting. Significant improvements to the user interface in the new version will help customers at all levels create competitive design ideas and compelling presentations more productively.

AutoCAD 2009, as the first computer-aided design (CAD) application, offers a task-based user interface that enables both new and experienced AutoCAD users to achieve greater efficiency. The new version also introduces automation tools that require no programming knowledge, as well as new 3D navigation tools. Customers of AutoCAD 2009 who are members of the Subscription program will also receive the illustrative software Autodesk Impression for creating presentation graphics.

“The AutoCAD 2009 portfolio increases the productivity of experienced users and allows new users to start being productive much faster,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president of Autodesk for platform solutions and new business areas. “Autodesk has long helped our customers contribute to people's lives through better building designs where we live, work, and play, the roads we travel, and the products we use. The innovations in the AutoCAD 2009 platform expand the product portfolio, unrivaled in breadth, depth, and quality of solutions, that helps our customers refine their design ideas and bring them to life.”

The software integrates drawing and visualization functions and speeds up workflow

The new user interface of the AutoCAD 2009 software portfolio supports the needs and preferences of individual users. It accelerates routine CAD tasks and makes it easier to find less common commands. The new interface of AutoCAD 2009 with the ribbon displays relevant operations for the current working environment in a single, compact location. It is highly customizable and extensible, and the option to set a classic workspace with traditional toolbars and menus allows for a smooth transition from previous versions of AutoCAD. Other useful tools include enhanced tooltips that provide more information about commands, links to help, and Show animations to support better in-application learning. The menu browser, quick access to properties, and QuickView tool display relevant information quickly and visually.

In addition to the improved user interface, new productivity-enhancing features include the Action Recorder, which allows users to automate drawing tasks without any programming. Users can view layer setting changes without closing the Layer Manager window. Significant enhancements to 3D navigation also include new ViewCube and SteeringWheel tools for AutoCAD 2009 users. AutoCAD 2009 is certified for both 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems, meeting Microsoft Windows Vista standards for compatibility, reliability, and security.

As part of the purchase of AutoCAD 2009 under the Subscription program, the Autodesk Impression application allows customers to quickly and easily create presentation graphics that look hand-drawn from DWF and DWG files. The features of Impression enable AutoCAD customers to create compelling images that they can share with clients and broader design team members.

Portfolio of industry-specific solutions based on the AutoCAD 2009 platform

The portfolio of software based on the AutoCAD platform includes specific applications for various industries.

AutoCAD Architecture 2009 offers intuitive architectural drawing and design tools within the familiar AutoCAD workflow, allowing users to familiarize themselves with the new tools at their own pace and gradually increase their productivity.

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009 provides better features for surveying, design, analysis, and documentation of civil engineering projects in a familiar working environment for experienced AutoCAD users.

AutoCAD Electrical 2009 is a specialized application for fast and accurate design of electrical control systems. It offers automated tasks, extensive symbol libraries, and a workflow that significantly enhances the productivity of electrical control system designers.

AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 bridges CAD and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) by providing direct access to data and allowing the use of AutoCAD 2009 tools while maintaining a wide range of design and surveying information.

AutoCAD Mechanical 2009 accelerates the mechanical design process with standardized symbol libraries, engineering calculators, and a specific engineering workflow that significantly enhances the productivity of AutoCAD users in the manufacturing industry.

AutoCAD MEP 2009 offers intuitive drawing and design tools for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system designers, along with built-in design calculators for more efficient and accurate designs.

AutoCAD P&ID 2009 allows users to create, edit, and manage piping and instrumentation diagrams. Its user interface improvements help automate frequently performed tasks and optimize access to information, making it easier to start, manage, and complete projects sooner.

AutoCAD Raster Design 2009, combined with software applications based on the AutoCAD 2009 platform, is used to convert rasters to vectors, edit rasters, and prepare raster data. This increases the value of scanned drawings, maps, satellite images, etc.

Selected features of AutoCAD 2009 are included in AutoCAD LT 2009, the world’s best-selling 2D drawing tool. The features of AutoCAD LT 2009 help achieve greater productivity when drawing. They include an improved user interface, enhanced dynamic blocks, optimized annotation features, and improved data exchange and publishing capabilities.

Users of any AutoCAD 2009 series application will also appreciate the availability of the free Autodesk Design Review 2009 application, which allows team members to participate in the digital review process with tools for electronic viewing, commenting, and revising designs.

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