Autodesk announced yesterday AutoCAD for the Mac and Mobile, actually, these products were announced Monday, Aug. 30, in an article in The New York Times, but trade press had received an embargo to not print anything until after the press release went out on Tuesday.

AutoCAD for the Mac runs natively on Mac OS X. The company also announced AutoCAD WS mobile application for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch that will make it possible for users to share and edit AutoCAD designs in the field.

Autodesk discontinued AutoCAD on the Mac some 17 years ago, and in 2009 they surveyed users on their interest in re-introducing AutoCAD on the Mac. The query was met with an overwhelming response.  Are more architects using Macs these days, or are they used more in the entertainment industry? It may simply be what Autodesk states in their press release, that the reintroduction of the Mac broadens the number of platforms the software is available on. 

Nemetschek’s Vectorworks 3D BIM modeling product was a Macintosh only application for many years, and still remains a favorite among the Mac community.

Recently, the German-based company Graebert, a partner of Dassault Systems, released 2D drafting software ARES Commander for Mac OS. 

 
Autodesk Will Reintroduce Its AutoCAD Design Software for Macs, Miguel Helft, August 30, 2010, The New York Times (registration required)

Autodesk brings flagship software to Apple Financial Times, August 31, 2010