Mac OS X version of AutoCAD due out in October
Autodesk is bringing AutoCAD, its industry standard design software, back to the Mac in October. A free AutoCAD viewer app for iOS is on its way as well.
Autodesk senior vice-president Amar Hanspal told the Financial Times that a Mac OS X version of its flagship software will be released by the end of October. Pricing will remain the same as the Windows version.
?Apple is thrilled that Autodesk is bringing AutoCAD back to the Mac and we think it's the perfect combination for millions of design and engineering professionals,? said Apple senior vice-president of Worldwide Product Marketing Philip Schiller in a news release.
The last time AutoCAD was available on the Mac was in 1992. 13 releases have followed since then, including the current Windows-only Release 25, which was released in March.
The addition of the $4,000 program to the Mac software lineup could help Apple see continued growth in Mac enterprise sales. According to figures from the June quarter, Mac business sales increased 50% year-over-year, compared to 16% growth in the market.
AutoCAD has over 10 million users, many of whom, according to Hanspal, have requested a Mac version of the software.
Hanspal also announced an upcoming iOS application, AutoCAD WS, that will allow users to view and make small modifications to their designs. The app will work on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.
The iPad's not the only tablet that Autodesk is interested in. "The tablet is becoming an interesting form factor. There are multiple operating systems people are looking at," Hanspal said.
A browser-based limited-function version of AutoCAD is also in development.
In May, screenshots of a Mac OS X beta of AutoCAD were published on an Italian Mac forum, confirming speculation that Autodesk was at work on a Mac OS X release.
Autodesk senior vice-president Amar Hanspal told the Financial Times that a Mac OS X version of its flagship software will be released by the end of October. Pricing will remain the same as the Windows version.
?Apple is thrilled that Autodesk is bringing AutoCAD back to the Mac and we think it's the perfect combination for millions of design and engineering professionals,? said Apple senior vice-president of Worldwide Product Marketing Philip Schiller in a news release.
The last time AutoCAD was available on the Mac was in 1992. 13 releases have followed since then, including the current Windows-only Release 25, which was released in March.
The addition of the $4,000 program to the Mac software lineup could help Apple see continued growth in Mac enterprise sales. According to figures from the June quarter, Mac business sales increased 50% year-over-year, compared to 16% growth in the market.
AutoCAD has over 10 million users, many of whom, according to Hanspal, have requested a Mac version of the software.
Hanspal also announced an upcoming iOS application, AutoCAD WS, that will allow users to view and make small modifications to their designs. The app will work on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.
The iPad's not the only tablet that Autodesk is interested in. "The tablet is becoming an interesting form factor. There are multiple operating systems people are looking at," Hanspal said.
A browser-based limited-function version of AutoCAD is also in development.
In May, screenshots of a Mac OS X beta of AutoCAD were published on an Italian Mac forum, confirming speculation that Autodesk was at work on a Mac OS X release.
Comments
Im in this beta and I must say its absolutely wonderful! They even optimize the multitouch of the trackpad and the magic mouse very well.
I have to admit, I really dislike Autodesk, but this is great news for Apple.
Im in this beta and I must say its absolutely wonderful! They even optimize the multitouch of the trackpad and the magic mouse very well.
Heh, I saw this and wondered - does this mean I'm not under NDA anymore, now that Autodesk seems to have acknowledged the product?
A free AutoCAD viewer app for iOS is on its way as well.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Just had to plug myself here as iPad is for viewing. There was a thread a while back when someone got pissed at me for saying iPad was mostly for consuming info. Here is some more proof.
Someone had to say it.
Heh, I saw this and wondered - does this mean I'm not under NDA anymore, now that Autodesk seems to have acknowledged the product?
Would love to here details if so.
Like is the Mac version on par with the full version of AutoCad? OR is this like an AutoCad LT thing?
Would love to here details if so.
Like is the Mac version on par with the full version of AutoCad? OR is this like an AutoCad LT thing?
Actually I found it too be pretty much the same as the windows version. I've been using it for my architecture class and i have no problems finding stuff
But the Mac has been back for a while and the iPad widely anticipated, so taking this long to jump back on the bandwagon shows how much slower the CAD industry is than other software fields. CAD users are conservative; they learn one complex system and want to stick with it for a long time. The software developers change slowly because their users change slowly.
Bentley was always derogatory towards AutoCAD for being a slow-moving dinosaur, but it looks like the roles have reversed and it's AutoCAD who's more willing to embrace change now.
A virtuous circle has formed.
What sort of CAD is it typically used for then? Architecture or more engineering stuff. I see from a previous post Bentley used it so presumably it must be good for engineering stuff?
"Bentley" refers to the makers of MicroStation CAD software - not Bentley the car company.
This means for many that Mac is really back to stay and the iPad is going to be every engineer and architect's favorite tool.