AutoCAD 2016 is here

The newly available AutoCAD 2016 release includes many new features that accelerate the 2D and 3D design, documentation and collaboration process plus new graphics hardware for better and faster visualization. In addition, users can share their work with others using TrustedDWG™ technology, for the storage and exchange design data.

AutoCAD 2016 includes many new features that accelerate  2D and 3D design

Other enhancements include detailing and documentation made faster, visual enhancements, productivity boosts such as tighter coordination with BIM, and enhanced PDF output.

Many users will welcome how the drawing canvas in AutoCAD 2016 dramatically improves the visual accuracy. According to company materials, enhanced readability and detail means smooth curves and arcs replace jagged line segments. The latest graphics hardware deliver a faster and more visual experience. Other enhancements include:

• AutoCAD 2016 also outputs enhanced PDFs that are significantly smaller, while retaining visual fidelity. PDFs are now fully searchable, maintain all hyperlinks and can be attached to drawings faster.
• Improved Smart Dimensioning automatically creates appropriate measurements based on the type of objects selected, making it easier to accurately calculate measurements based on the drawing context.

Together with new features for reality computing and BIM coordination, new tools in AutoCAD 2016 are said to facilitate increased efficiency and maximize productivity.

Heidi Hewett, technical marketing manager for AutoCAD, answered some questions for AECCafe Voice about the recent release.

AECCafe Voice: Is there any change to the UI?

Heidi Hewett: There are no major changes to the UI. More flexibility wrt behavior has been added for things like file tabs, layouts, status bar, ribbon galleries, and Help. Those enhancements can be found under the User interface section in the attached Preview Guide as well as in this video:

AECCafe Voice: What are the most significant features in this release?

HH: The most significant features probably vary depending who is using AutoCAD and how. For customers who create 2D documentation drawings, there are many enhancements under the Documentation section in the Preview Guide that will enable them to work faster and with more flexibility. Many of these features address top AUGI wishlist requests.

Users who work in 3D and collaborate with others may find the “Design” features (in the Preview Guide) most significant. For example, they can now attach Navisworks files and models from BIM 360 Glue as underlays to their drawings. Those topics can be found under the Coordination Model section and in these videos:

For cuustomers who use point clouds (3D scans), there are many enhancements that enable them to snap to and extract key geometry in the point cloud to more quickly create new geometry in AutoCAD. Under the Point Cloud section and in this video:

AECCafe Voice: Are there any workflow changes that users can expect, and if so, what are they?

HH: There have been many enhancements to existing features that make them simpler and faster to use. The DIM command, Revision Clouds, and PDF publishing are good examples. More info can be found under the Annotation, Revision Clouds, and PDF sections in the Preview Guide and in these videos:

Availability

AutoCAD 2016 products are available immediately, with availability varying by country.

You can Download a 30-day trial of AutoCAD, or purchase an AutoCAD license.

Tags: 3D, AEC, architects, architecture, AutoCAD, AutoCAD 2016, Autodesk, BIM, building, building design, building information modeling, CAD, collaboration, construction, design, DWG, engineering, infrastructure, laser scanning, point clouds

Categories: 2D, 3D, 3D PDF, AEC, AECCafe, architecture, AutoCAD, Autodesk, BIM, building information modeling, buildingSMART, Cloud, collaboration, construction, consumerization, data archiving, engineering, file sharing, point clouds, project management, reality capture, sustainable design

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